cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Reappraisal of Hedonism

Another feature of contemporary utilitarianism is the emergence of its preference version in place of hedonistic utilitarianism. According to the preference-satisfaction theory of good, the ultimate end of right actions, or actions that ought to be performed, is the satisfaction of desires or preferences. Thus this theory regards preference-satisfaction as ‘the ultimate good’ in Sidgwick’s sense. What is reasonable for an individual to seek is the satisfaction of his preference, and what one ought to seek is to bring about as much satisfaction of preferences as possible. These preferences may be one’s own, may be those of oneself and others, or may be those of all sentient beings, depending on different variations of this theory. It is commonly understood that ‘the maximization of preference-satisfaction’ means to satisfy as many preferences as possible, to satisfy stronger preferences over weaker ones and to satisfy enduring preferences over transient ones.
Bringing a construction site into the lab: a context-relevant lab-based evaluation of a multimodal mobile application

Mobile technology has not yet achieved widespread acceptance in the Architectural, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. This paper presents work that is part of an ongoing research project focusing on the development of multimodal mobile applications for use in the AEC industry. This paper focuses specifically on a context-relevant lab-based evaluation of two input modalities – stylus and soft-keyboard v. speech-based input – for use with a mobile data collection application for concrete test technicians. The manner in which the evaluation was conducted as well as the results obtained are discussed in detail.
Pollinators exert positive selection on flower size on urban, but not on rural Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius L. Link).

Adaptive evolution of invasive species is both particularly exciting for the evolutionary biologist and worrisome for those interested in controlling or halting spread. Invasive species often have a distinct timeline and well-recorded population expansion. As invaders encounter new environments, they undergo rapid adaptive evolution. Our aim in this study was to measure variation of floral size in the invasive shrub Cytisus scoparius (Scotch broom) and measure natural selection by pollinators on that trait. Past research has found that this invasive plant is pollinator limited in Washington State and that declines in pollinator populations can contribute to local extinction in another invaded range (New Zealand). This plant is pollinated by both native and introduced species of bees, representing a broad range of pollinator sizes. Cytisus scoparius has a flower structure that is highly conducive to studies on pollinator choice, even in the absence of direct pollinator observations. We surveyed urban and rural sites in and around the city of Olympia in Washington State. Measuring banner width, we were able to show that flower size varies substantially between plants but minimally within plants. By measuring the proportion of flowers that were ‘tripped’, we could determine pollinator visitation rates and thus determine the level of selection due to pollinator choice alone. We found that C. scoparius is under natural selection by pollinators for increased flower size. However, such positive natural selection was only seen in urban populations although it was consistent across two flowering seasons. Rural populations of Scotch broom do not appear to be under selection on flower size. The natural selection by pollinators on broom flowers could result in adaptive evolution into a new pollination niche by an invading species. A higher level of variation in broom flowers seen here than seen in previous works in native regions suggests that C. scoparius may be highly diverse and primed for adaptive evolution.
The transition to independence: sex differences in social and behavioural development of wild bottlenose dolphins

Sex differences in adult behaviour are well documented, but less is known about the ontogeny of these differences. In mammals, the transition to independence, from infancy to the juvenile period, is when these sex differences are likely to become prominent. Here, we examined sex differences in behavioural development among calf and juvenile bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops aduncus, from 2 years preweaning to 2 years postweaning and whether these differences were consistent, or not, with three nonmutually exclusive hypotheses regarding the function of the juvenile period: the social skills, protection/safety and energy allocation hypothesis. All hypotheses received some support, but strikingly so for females. First, sex differences in the nature and quality of juvenile social bonds appear to foreshadow adult association patterns. Juveniles had a greater proportion of same-sex associates than calves. Second, although neither sex increased their number of associates from infancy to juvenility, a pattern that might mitigate predation risk, avoidance between juveniles and adult males suggests that both sexes reduce the likelihood of conspecific aggression. This pattern was more marked for juvenile females. Third, females, but not males, increased foraging rates from late infancy to the early juvenile period, even surpassing typical adult female foraging rates. This is likely related to the future energetic demands of maternal investment and skill development required for specialized foraging tactics, which are female biased in this population. This study provides a first step towards understanding the transition into independence for cetaceans, insight into how sex differences develop and a glimpse into the function of the juvenile period.
ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF CYANOTIS AXILLARIS (L.) D. DON EX SWEET AGAINST OPPORTUNISTIC FUNGAL STRAINS

Objective: The main focus of the study was to compare and determine the antifungal activities of different solvent extracts of Cyanotis axillaris . Methods : The dried whole plant of C. axillaris was extracted by sequential extraction method using solvents hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol based on their polarity. The antifungal activity of the extracts was tested against 12 opportunistic fungal strains by disc diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using microtiter plate method. Results: The hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts showed significant antifungal activities. The highest antifungal activity was recorded for ethyl acetate extract of C. axillaris . In disc diffusion method at high concentration (5 mg/ml), the ethyl acetate extract exhibited the zone of inhibition>30 mm against C. krusei , mentagrophytes , Scopulariopsis sp. and B. cinerea . In MIC the ethyl acetate extract inhibited the growth of T. mentagrophytes , Scopulariopsis sp., B. cinerea in its low dose (0.031 mg/ml). The hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of C. axillaris did not show activity against M. gypseum, T. rubrum and E. floccosum . Conclusion: This is the first report for the antifungal efficacy of C. axillaris . The results proved that the extracts of C. axillaris have high potential antifungal principles which could fight against the opportunistic and multidrug resistant fungal strains.
Variations in Unrealistic Optimism between Acceptors and Decliners of Early Phase Cancer Trials

Research has found that patient-subjects in early phase cancer trials exhibit unrealistic optimism regarding the risks and possible benefits of trial participation. Unrealistic optimism is associat...
Does Positive Attitude Matter Only for Older Workers? Evidence from Simultaneous Estimation of Job Satisfaction, Wage and Positive Attitude in the United States

The current study tests two hypotheses. First, it claims that the worker’s job satisfaction is related not only to the objective variable wage rate, but also to the psychological variable positive attitude, and that all three variables are simultaneously related. Second, the study predicts that the psychological variable positive attitude as a covariate of job satisfaction matters more for matured adults who are already settled in their desired jobs than younger workers who may still be in search of their preferred employment. Using data on matured adults and younger adults from the United States and following a two-stage procedure the current study estimates job satisfaction, wage and positive attitude equations in a simultaneous equations framework. The study confirms the presence of this simultaneous relationship, and demonstrates that the job satisfaction of matured adults in fact is related to both objective (wage) and subjective (attitude) factors. For younger workers, however, wage, and not positive attitude, emerges as a significant covariate of their job satisfaction. Since positive attitude plays a significant role in the determination of their wages, it is related to their job satisfaction only indirectly through higher wages. Positive attitude thus benefits both older and younger workers thorough different channels. The study further presents interesting results on the covariates of wage and positive attitude which remain disguised when the simultaneous relationship among these three variables is ignored.
Experiencing Financial Hardship Associated With Medical Bills and Its Effects on Health Care Behavior: A 2-Year Panel Study.

Using 2-year panel data, this study examined (1) whether experiencing financial hardship associated with out-of-pocket medical expenditures affected delaying/missing necessary health care in the fo...
Effects of Varying Color, Imagery, and Text of Cigarette Package Warning Labels among Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Middle School Youth and Adult Smokers.

The U.S. Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (Tobacco Control Act) of 2009 paved the way for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to propose nine different graphic warning labels (G...
Economic optimization on two time scales for a hybrid energy system based on virtual storage

This paper proposes an economic optimization method with two time scales for a hybrid energy system based on the virtual storage characteristic of a thermostatically controlled load (TCL). The optimization process includes two time scales in order to ensure accuracy and efficiency. Based on the forecast load and energy supply of the system, the first time scale is day-ahead economic operating optimization, carried out to determine the minimum operating cost for the whole day, and to find the period of greatest cost to which the second time scale optimization is applied. Using the virtual storage characteristic, the second time scale is short term detailed optimization carried out for these particular hours. By dispatching thermal load in this period and adjusting energy supply accordingly, we can find the optimal economic performance, and customer requests are taken into account to ensure satisfaction. A case study in Tianjin illustrates the effectiveness of this method and proves that a TCL can make a great contribution to improving the economic performance of a hybrid energy system.
Defining "peerness": Developing peer supports for parents with mental illnesses.

TOPIC This article addresses critical considerations in the development of peer supports for parents with mental illnesses, focusing on the question of what makes a peer a peer in the parent peer specialist domain. PURPOSE The implementation and testing of parent peer supports requires specification of the critical components of the model, including the qualities, characteristics, and unique contributions of the parent peer specialist. SOURCES USED Themes emerged in Parent Peer Specialist Project Advisory Group discussions, with members drawing from lived experience, practice expertise, and conversations with experts. In addition to literature review, strategic stakeholder interviews were conducted. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Lived experience of mental illness and family life, training, and ongoing support for parent peer specialists, along with key ingredients conveyed by perceived peer-parent similarity, will likely enhance the benefits of peer supports to parents and promote job satisfaction and career advancement for parent peer specialists. (PsycINFO Database Record
Femoral Diaphyseal Shape and Mobility: An Ontogenetic Perspective

The ratio of midshaft femoral anteroposterior (I x ) to mediolateral (I y ) second moments of area has been suggested as a possible indicator of mobility, and has been applied as an analytic tool to paleoanthropological and archaeological samples with variable success. Under this model, biomechanical loads associated with increased mobility modify the shape of the femoral midshaft from a roughly circular cross section to an anteroposteriorly reinforced one. While previous research indicates that immature femora respond to changes in the manner of locomotor loading (Ruff 2003; Cowgill et al. 2010), relatively fewer studies have examined population-level differences in immature femoral shape as a product of overall group mobility.
Profound Finger Extension Weakness 21 Years After a Traumatic Lumbar Spine Pseudomeningocele.

Background We present a case report of traumatic pseudomeningocele and a review of the literature and discussion of the neuro-cytoarchitecture to address the disproportionate weakness of extensor neurons seen in the case. Case Description A 42-year old man developed profound hand weakness 21 years after a lumbar spinal fracture. An examination revealed bilateral hand weakness affecting the extensors of the hands. Imaging studies revealed an extensive ventral epidural pseudomeningocele extending from the area of the lumbar spinal fracture to the cervical spine posteriorly displacing the spinal cord and the ventral motor roots. Conclusions The patient was successfully treated with a subarachnoid–peritoneal shunt, which completely resolved the epidural pseudomeningocele and resulted in improvement but not resolution of his neurologic deficits.
DARK Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Opium, a Historical Perspective

Opium is the latex from the opium poppy Papaver somniferum L., which humankind has utilized since ancient Mesopotamia all the way to modern times. Opium used to be surrounded in divine mystery or magic-like abilities and was given to cure a wide variety of diseases until its analgesic, antitussive, and antidiarrheal properties were understood, the resulting alkaloids were isolated, and their structure and properties unmasked. Opium went from being sold in any store front in the form of pills or tinctures with no prescription necessary for purchase or smoked in an opium den down the street, to then bringing about consumer advocacy and the right to know what is in a medication. Legislation was created to limit the prescribing and selling of medications to doctors and pharmacists as well as outlawing opium dens and smoking opium. This review focuses primarily on the uses of opium throughout history, the isolation of the principle alkaloids, and their structure elucidation.
The Diagnosis and Management of Neurofibromatosis Type 1

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), NF2, and schwannomatosis are related, but distinct, tumor suppressor syndromes characterized by a predilection for tumors in the central and peripheral nervous systems. NF1 is one of the most common autosomal dominant conditions of the nervous system. NF1 has a high degree of variability in clinical presentation, which may include multiple neoplasms as well as cutaneous, vascular, bony, and cognitive features. Some of these manifestations overlap with other genetic conditions. Accurate diagnosis of NF1 is important for individualizing clinical care and genetic counseling. This article summarizes the clinical features, diagnostic work-up, and management of NF1.
Correction to: Characteristics Associated with Pathologic Nodal Burden in Patients Presenting with Clinical Melanoma Nodal Metastasis

In the original article, there is an error in the funding information. The correct funding information is as follows.
A multi-campus usability testing study of the new Primo interface

When the 23-member California State University Libraries merged integrated library systems in 2017, a unique opportunity arose to conduct multi-tenant usability testing on user experience in the Pr...
Successful Ponseti-treated Clubfeet at Age 2 Years: What Is the Rate of Surgical Intervention After This?

Background In recent decades, nonoperative Ponseti casting has become the standard of care in the treatment of idiopathic clubfoot. However, the rate of recurrence, even after successful Ponseti treatment is not insignificant. The purpose of this study was to determine the future rate, timing, and type of surgery needed in patients whose idiopathic clubfeet treated by Ponseti casting were considered successful at the age of 2 years. Methods Inclusion criteria for this retrospective study were patients under 3 months with idiopathic clubfoot treated exclusively by Ponseti casting, who had successful outcomes at 2 years of age without surgery, and who had at least 5 years of follow-up. The total number of surgical interventions in the age range 2 to 5 and above 5 years, the number and type of procedures performed, and the timing of surgery were reviewed. Results Three hundred thirty-six patients with a total of 504 clubfeet fulfilled the inclusion criteria. One hundred twenty-two of these 336 patients (36.3%) eventually underwent surgical intervention. Between 2 and 5 years of age, 79 patients (23.5%) with 104 feet (20.6%) underwent surgery. The most common procedures performed between 2 and 5 years were limited (a la carte) in scope: tibialis anterior tendon transfer, posterior release, plantar fascia release, and repeat tendo-Achilles lengthening. At age above 5 years, 53 patients (20.1%) with 65 feet (16.9%) underwent surgery. Ten of these 53 patients had already undergone surgery between 2 and 5 years of age. The procedures most commonly performed were similar. Conclusions In patients with idiopathic clubfoot who reached 2 years of age with successful outcomes from Ponseti cast treatment, ∼35% eventually underwent surgical intervention, mostly limited (a la carte), to regain or maintain a plantigrade foot. The most commonly performed procedures include tibialis anterior tendon transfer, posterior capsular release, plantar fascia release and repeat tendo-Achilles lengthening, either in isolation or in combination. However, before considering surgery, the need for these procedures can, and should, be minimized by recasting recurrent deformities using Ponseti method. Level of evidence Level III.
Missed Fracture Dislocation of the Fifth Toe in a Two-Year-Old Child: A Case Report.

Abstract Fracture dislocation injuries of the toes are rare among pediatric population. These injuries when acute are mostly treated conservatively and a good reduction must be ensured. We present the case of a 2-year-old girl who presented with missed chronic fracture dislocation of the proximal interphalangeal joint of the fifth toe, which was managed by open reduction and internal fixation and had a good outcome at over 1 year of follow up. We believe that this is the first case of this injury to be published in the peer-reviewed literature.
Percutaneous solution for a frequent complication after transcatheter aortic valve replacement: A case of atrioventricular leadless pacemaker implantation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is an established treatment option for patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS) who are high surgical risk. Conduction abnormalities frequently occur following TAVR, requiring implantation of a permanent pacemaker, ideally with preservation of atrioventricular (AV) synchrony. There is no consensus on the placement of permanent pacemakers and no current guidelines exist for the use of leadless pacemakers in this setting. We present a case of an immunocompromised patient with a history of multidrug-resistant infections who developed complete heart block post TAVR and underwent successful implantation of a leadless pacemaker.
Language in Educational Contexts

The purpose of this special issue is to provide a space for scholars to disseminate theory and research about the influence of language in educational contexts. In this issue, we curated articles that address topics related to how language serves as a defining or decisive factor in education and schooling. In our introduction to this special issue, we provide an interpretive overview of the articles and offer an explanation of their relevance for understanding the complex nature of contemporary education. Salient topics include: critical analysis of discourse, linguistic landscapes, Natural Semantic Metalanguage, language ideology, politics and educational funding, funds of knowledge/identity, and definitional caveats related to language learning pedagogies in divergent contexts.
Successful Implantation of Impella 5.5 Device and Subsequent Recovery in a Pediatric Patient with Small Arterial Vessels

Introduction The Impella 5.5® with SmartAssist System® has short term use (≤14 days) approval for cardiogenic shock. The largest diameter of the device is the 19 Fr pump motor (∼6.33 mm). We discuss a case of successful implantation, wean and explantation in a child with arterial vessels measuring smaller than the pump motor. Case Report A previously healthy 11 year old male presented with severe systolic dysfunction, ventricular arrhythmias and progression to cardiac arrest. Initial left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 27%. Femoral veno-arterial ECMO support was initiated. Endomyocardial biopsy was negative for myocarditis. He was transitioned to Impella 5.5® as a bridge to decision/recovery after 4 days of support. Pre-implant ultrasound showed the right subclavian artery measured 4.8 mm x 5.1 mm, smaller than the recommended 7 mm for adult implantation of Impella 5.5®. Despite this the 5.5 was implanted due to increased device longevity versus the smaller Impella CP®. A 10 mm diameter graft was anastomosed to the axillary artery and tunneled with an exit site lateral to the pectoralis major. Gentle pressure and external manipulation of the axillary artery allowed stepwise advancement and placement without complication, despite some resistance at the graft vessel junction. Device performed as expected at 4.5 liters on P8. The patient was extubated POD 4 and placed on oral cardiac remodeling and antiarrhythmic therapies with ongoing nutritional support and cardiac rehabilitation. Complications included access site bleeding, wound dehiscence requiring wound VAC and revised surgical closure. He improved over several weeks and tolerated weaning of support. The device developed low purge flow and high purge pressures, despite TPA per protocol, and was explanted POD 29. Post explant, he completed a 4 week antibiotic course for S. epidermidis bacteremia. He underwent subcutaneous ICD implant for gene-negative long QT syndrome and was discharged 2 months after presentation with an LVEF of 51%. Summary The Impella 5.5 can be used in a child with small arterial vessels and expected recoverable cardiac function, avoiding a sternotomy and ventriculotomy, and allowing for recovery and discharge to home.
Robotic biomimicry demonstrates behavioral control of planktonic dispersal in the sea

Author(s): Morgan, SG; Dibble, CD; Susner, MG; Wolcott, TG; Wolcott, DL; Largier, JL | Abstract: Plankton are widely considered to be at the mercy of ocean currents, even after decades of research revealing that plankton regulate dispersal by positioning themselves in surface and bottom currents flowing in different directions. The degree of effectiveness of these behaviors remains controversial, because tiny plankters cannot be tracked at sea. Here, we experimentally tested the effectiveness of 3 vertical positioning behaviors in nature by developing a biomimetic robot that emulates them. We conducted a challenging test by deploying them in complex circulation during strong upwelling winds and wind relaxation and reversal events. Behavior alone dramatically affected transport. Transport trajectories of robots with 3 different behaviors diverged markedly while those sharing the same behavior were very similar. Moreover, all 3 behaviors produced trajectories that matched previously modeled projections during both upwelling and relaxation conditions at the study site: shallow plankton disperse far, deep plankton move little, and plankton migrating from depth during the day to the surface at night travel an intermediate distance. The ability of weakly swimming plankton to control their fate and replenish populations in a dynamic ocean is of central importance to the ecology and evolution of marine life and to the management of resources in a changing climate.
Chronic Liver Disease: A Mimic of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Humoral immune responses can produce autoantibodies against self-cellular proteins and nucleic acids without the presence of autoimmune diseases. Numerous kinds of autoantibodies are detected in liver diseases such as viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease (ALD), and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), where their production could be secondary to hepatocellular inflammation and necrosis. Hence, the presence of an autoantibody does not necessarily indicate the presence of autoimmune disease; nor does it predict its severity and potential response to therapy. In literature, the spectrum and methods of diagnosis of liver disease in lupus are well described. However, chronic liver disease can manifest with signs similar to those in lupus, and it is important to recognize that autoantibodies in patients with chronic liver disease can be seen without the presence of autoimmune rheumatic disease. In this report, we discuss a very interesting case of a middle-aged female with a history of ALD presenting with calciphylaxis, thrombocytopenia, hypocomplementemia, and positive serologies, but without any clinical evidence of autoimmune rheumatic disease.
Exposure to Social Media Racial Discrimination and Mental Health among Adolescents of Color.

Offline and online racial discrimination has been associated with mental health problems among adolescents of color. Pandemic shelter-at-home policies and the reignited racial justice movement increased the use of social media among youth of color, potentially exposing them to social media racial discrimination. Yet, it is unclear which aspects of social media significantly contributed to youth exposure to racial discrimination and associated mental health issues during this period. This study assessed the relationships among social media use (hours, racial intergroup contact, and racial justice civic engagement), individual and vicarious social media discrimination (defined as personally directed versus observing discrimination directed at others), and mental health among 115 black, 112 East/Southeast Asian, 79 Indigenous, and 101 Latinx adolescents (N = 407, 82.31% female, aged 15–18 years, M = 16.47, SD = 0.93). Structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses indicate that hours of use and racial justice civic engagement were associated with increased social media racial discrimination, depressive symptoms, anxiety, alcohol use disorder, and drug use problems. Furthermore, individual social media racial discrimination fully mediated the relationship between racial justice civic publication and depressive and alcohol use disorder. Vicarious social media racial discrimination fully mediated the relationship between racial justice activity coordination with depressive symptoms, anxiety, and alcohol use disorder. Alternative SEM models indicate that exposure to individual and vicarious social media racial discrimination increased depressive symptoms and drug use problems among youth of color, further increasing their social media use frequency and racial justice civic publication. The findings call for strategies to mitigate the effects of social media racial discrimination in ways that support adolescents’ racial justice civic engagement and mental health.
Metabolic Potential of Microbial Communities in the Hypersaline Sediments of the Bonneville Salt Flats

The Bonneville Salt Flats (BSF) appear to be entirely desolate when viewed from above, but in reality they host rich microbial communities just below the surface salt crust. In this study, we investigate the metabolic potential of the BSF microbial ecosystem. The predicted and measured metabolic activities provide new insights into the ecosystem functions of evaporite landscapes and are an important analog for potential subsurface microbial ecosystems on ancient and modern Mars. Hypersaline and evaporite systems have been investigated previously as astrobiological analogs for Mars and other salty celestial bodies. Still, these studies have generally focused on aquatic systems and cultivation-dependent approaches. Here, we present an ecosystem-level examination of metabolic pathways within the shallow subsurface of evaporites. We detected aerobic and anaerobic respiration as well as methanogenesis in BSF sediments. Metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) of diverse bacteria and archaea encoded a remarkable diversity of metabolic pathways, including those associated with carbon fixation, carbon monoxide oxidation, acetogenesis, methanogenesis, sulfide oxidation, denitrification, and nitrogen fixation. These results demonstrate the potential for multiple energy sources and metabolic pathways in BSF and highlight the possibility for vibrant microbial ecosystems in the shallow subsurface of evaporites.
Culture-Oriented Care of Different Ethnic Groups

In order to perform culturally competent psychiatric care, a clinician should have several qualities, including cultural sensitivity, cultural knowledge, cultural empathy, the ability to establish culture-relevant relations and interactions, and the ability to provide culture-suitable guidance. Regarding cultural knowledge, it is essential to know the cultural aspects of human behavior in general, including the impact of culture on stress and coping. It is also desirable to have specific knowledge about the social, ethnic, and cultural background of the patient. In this context, it is preferable for a clinician to have fundamental cultural and mental health knowledge of at least the main ethnic–cultural groups recognized. Studying the major ethnic groups would sensitize and stimulate clinicians regarding the need for knowledge of diverse cultures. In this regard, this chapter, takes a look at several ethnic groups, including African–American, Asian–American, European–American, Hispanic–American, and Native–American. The chapter describes cultural commonalities or ethnic characteristics for each group and examines some basic differences among these major groups, highlighting the similarities and variations existing among them. Based on such sensitivity and awareness, it is hoped that more detailed studies can be carried out and knowledge expanded, depending on the individual clinical situations encountered.
Energetics of Heterodimer Formation among Gramicidin Analogues with an NH2-terminal Addition or Deletion: Consequences of Missing a Residue at the Join in the Channel

Abstract We examined the properties of membrane-spanning channels formed by gramicidin analogues that differ from [Val 1 ]gramicidin A by having a single residue deletion or insertion at the formyl-NH terminus and of hybrid channels formed between such 14-, 15-, and 16-residue analogues. The channels' backbone structure, and helix sense, are not affected by the sequence modifications, because hybrid channels were observed for all combinations tested, and there was no excess energetic cost associated with hybrid channel formation. When hybrid channels form between analogues of different length the hybrid channel stability depends on the nature of the sequence dissimilarity. If two analogues differ by one residue (Δ n = 1), the hybrid channels are destabilized by ∼10 kJ/mol, because there is a defect (a "gap" in the peptide backbone) at the join between the two β 6.3 -helical monomers such that the dimer is stabilized by only five intermolecular C = O···H-N hydrogen bonds rather than the usual six. This defect also alters the hybrid channels' permeability characteristics: the single-channel conductances are decreased, as if there were an additional barrier to ion movement through the channel. If the formyl-NH-terminal residue is Gly (and Δ n = 1), the hybrid channels show multi-state behavior with voltage-dependent transitions between two conductance levels. If two analogues differ by two residues (Δ n = 2), the hybrid channels are stabilized by 3 kJ/mol, indicating that structural continuity at the join between the monomers has been restored, as have the hybrid channels' permeability characteristics. The increased hybrid channel stability (when Δ n = 2) may arise from altered membrane-channel interactions.
Communication Strategies in Multi-robot Search and Retrieval: Experiences with MinDART

To explore the effects of different simple communications strategies on performance of robot teams, we have conducted a set of foraging experiments using real robots (the Minnesota Distributed Autonomous Robotic Team). Our experimental results show that more complex communication strategies do not necessarily improve task completion times, but tend to reduce variance in performance.
On the time‐mean state of ocean models and the properties of long range acoustic propagation

[1] Receptions on three vertical hydrophone arrays from basin-scale acoustic transmissions in the North Pacific during 1996 and 1998 are used to test the time-mean sound-speed properties of the World Ocean Atlas 2005 (WOA05), of an eddying unconstrained simulation of the Parallel Ocean Program (POP), and of three data-constrained solutions provided by the estimating the circulation and climate of the ocean (ECCO) project: a solution based on an approximate Kalman filter from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (ECCO-JPL), a solution based on the adjoint method from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (ECCO-MIT), and an eddying solution based on a Green's function approach from ECCO, Phase II (ECCO2). Predictions for arrival patterns using annual average WOA05 fields match observations to within small travel time offsets (0.3–1.0 s). Predictions for arrival patterns from the models differ substantially from the measured arrival patterns, from the WOA05 climatology, and from each other, both in terms of travel time and in the structure of the arrival patterns. The acoustic arrival patterns are sensitive to the vertical gradients of sound speed that govern acoustic propagation. Basin-scale acoustic transmissions, therefore, provide stringent tests of the vertical temperature structure of ocean state estimates. This structure ultimately influences the mixing between the surface waters and the ocean interior. The relatively good agreement of the acoustic data with the more recent ECCO solutions indicates that numerical ocean models have reached a level of accuracy where the acoustic data can provide useful additional constraints for ocean state estimation.
Hardware assisted recovery from transient errors in redundant processing systems

Presents hardware-assisted recovery techniques that detect which memory segments in the failed processor need to be restored, so that recovery can be accomplished incrementally, by only restoring segments of memory that have been corrupted. The techniques, one-shot recovery and running recovery, accomplish recovery without degrading real-time control functions. The efficiency of the recovery algorithms depends on the supposition that only small changes in memory occur from iteration to iteration, and this is demonstrated from experimental data on two test algorithms. The author evaluates the applicability of this technique as applied to an Autoland simulation of a 737 aircraft and a simulated annealing planning algorithm. >
Surfing the urge: Experiential acceptance moderates the relation between automatic alcohol motivation and hazardous drinking

There is growing evidence for the role of automatic mental processes in substance use. Recent research suggests that mindfulness training may be a useful treatment for substance use disorders and theoretical analyses suggest mindfulness works by decoupling the relation between automatic appetitive responses and actual behavior. The current study was designed to examine whether mindfulness moderates the relation between automatic processes and alcohol behavior. A sample of undergraduate drinkers (N = 50) completed measures of hazardous drinking, mindfulness and automatic alcohol motivation (using the Implicit Association Test; Greenwald, McGhee, & Schwartz, 1998). Regression analyses indicate that greater mindful acceptance of current experience weakens the positive relation between automatic alcohol–approach associations and hazardous drinking found in other research (Palfai & Ostafin, 2003). The results contribute to basic science by indicating that the relation between automatic mental processes and beh...
Modulation of liposomal membrane fluidity by flavonoids and isoflavonoids.

The polyphenolic structures of flavonoids and isoflavonoids confer them with the ability to scavenge free radicals and to chelate transition metals, a basis for their potent antioxidant abilities. Another possible contributory mechanism toward their antioxidant activities is their ability to stabilize membranes by decreasing membrane fluidity. In this study, the effects of representative flavonoids, isoflavonoids, and their metabolites on membrane fluidity and their preferential localization in the membrane were investigated using large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) as the membrane models. These results were compared with those of cholesterol and α-tocopherol. Changes in fluorescence anisotropy values for a series of n-(9-anthroyloxy) fatty acid probes (n = 6, 12, 16) upon addition of the test compounds were used to monitor alterations in membrane fluidity at graded depths in lipid bilayer. The results of the study suggest that the flavonoids and isoflavonoids, similar to cholesterol and α-tocopherol, partition into the hydrophobic core of the membrane and cause a dramatic decrease in lipid fluidity in this region of the membrane. Localization of flavonoids and isoflavonoids into the membrane interiors and their resulting restrictions on fluidity of membrane components could sterically hinder diffusion of free radicals and thereby decrease the kinetics of free radical reactions.
An Analysis of Deaf Students’ Spelling Skills during a Year Long Instructional Writing Approach

Numerous studies have shown that spelling presents unique challenges for children who are deaf or hard of hearing (d/hh), and most do not develop age appropriate spelling skills. Spelling errors from 29 middle school d/hh students were analyzed from writing samples that were gathered at the beginning, middle, and end of a year-long writing instructional approach. A linguistic analysis of spelling errors was used to assess each child’s understanding of the phonological, morphological, orthographic, semantic, and visual imagery rules that apply to written words. Our results provide a descriptive analysis of the types of spelling errors made by middle school d/hh students. Results indicate that spelling should be directly targeted during writing lessons. The results provide important information on the acquisition of spelling skills with this unique population and the use of narrative samples to assess spelling.
Why Do Countries Use Capital Controls

Recourse to controls on capital flows among developing economies is generally quite pervasive. This paper examines the structure and determinants of capital controls based on a cross-sectional study of developing and transition economies. It identifies categories of capital transactions that can be aggregated for analytical purposes. Controls are found to be related to the balance of payments, macroeconomic management, market and institutional evolution, prudential and other factors. The relationship with the balance of payments, however, is not robust to simultaneous equation analysis.
Burn-in to improve which measure of reliability?

Abstract Burn-in plans or screens are often used to improve the “reliability” of systems, subassemblies, and components. There are, however, different ways of measuring reliability. Sometimes contradictory results are obtained when different measures of reliability are used. This problem stems from the fact that each one of these measures is really assessing reliability from a different point of view. These differences are crucial for designing in reliability and for devising burn-in plans. It is known, for example, that a burn-in plan that optimizes (or improves) one reliability measure does not necessarily yield an optimal (or improvement) for another measure. After introducing and discussing several reliability measures, examples are presented to illustrate the behavior of different reliability measures. We stress the importance of understanding what the end user of a product needs in terms of “reliability” before the design stage, through all the developmental stages, and for burn-in plans.
Changes in the content and distribution of the nucleic acid bases in Chlorella during the life cycle.

Abstract In the alga Chlorella ellipsoidea , using the technique of synchronous culture, changes in content and distribution of nitrogenous bases accompanying the life cycle were examined by fractionation of cell materials into acid-soluble, ribonucleic acid (RNA), and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fractions. In the DNA fraction, marked changes are observed in the percentages of thymine and guanine, while those of adenine and cytosine remain constant. During active increase in cell mass, the RNA fraction contains more guanine, and less cytosine than is found in dark-incubated cells or during the period of vigorous DNA synthesis. Such changes may be most simply interpreted in terms of heterogeneity of both DNA and RNA in the cell. In the acid-soluble fraction, adenine and uracil are dominant. The percentage of adenine decreases at the time of vigorous DNA synthesis, while uracil shows a reverse trend; the percentages of guanine and cytosine remain constant during the life cycle. The purine to pyrimidine ratio increases during cell mass increase and decreases during vigorous DNA synthesis. A remarkably constant ratio of bases between the acid-soluble and nucleic acid fractions is taken as evidence for some regulatory pattern.
Education of nurses for rural practice.

Summary There is an excitement about the potential for nursing to make a difference in meeting rural health needs in the 1990s. Work places are attempting to respond to salary compressions and offering more autonomy for nursing over its own practice. There is better communication among hospital administrators, physicians, and nurses. Schools of nursing are more responsive to the needs of nontraditional students, and the federal and state governments are working together to find solutions. Innovation and creativity are key ingredients in our approach to ensuring rural nurse providers for the future.
An Integrated Algorithm for Text Recognition: Comparison with a Cascaded Algorithm

The use of diverse knowledge sources in text recognition and in correction of letter substitution errors in words of text is considered. Three knowledge sources are defined: channel characteristics as probabilities that observed letters are corruptions of other letters, bottom-up context as letter conditional probabilities (when the previous letters of the word are known), and top-down context as a lexicon. Two algorithms, one based on integrating the knowledge sources in a single step and the other based on sequentially cascading bottom-up and top-down processes, are compared in terms of computational/storage requirements and results of experimentation.
Si-to-Si fusion bonded touch mode capacitive pressure sensors

Abstract Touch mode capacitive pressure sensors are shown to have better performance in industrial applications than other devices. The advantages include good linearity in the operating range, mechanical roughness and large overload protection. In the design and fabrication of micro sensors and actuators, the understanding of deflection, stress and strain of thin diaphragms with clamped edges under various load conditions, including when the diaphragm touches the substrate, is of great importance, but a complex design issue. This article reports the finite element modeling (FEM) of these diaphragms, design and fabrication of a touch mode capacitive pressure sensor using silicon fusion bonding technology. By geometrically nonlinear computing and using GAP element in ABAQUS, the deflection, stress and strain of a diaphragm in touch mode can be calculated. The simulation results can be used to predict the sensors performance, thus served as a computer aided design tool to determine sensors parameters in industrial applications. Using silicon fusion bonding technology, an all-single crystal silicon capacitive have been fabricated and evaluated.
Modeling rule-based systems by stochastic programmed production systems

Abstract A new tool, the stochastic programmed production system (SPPS), is proposed for representing rules and control mechanisms in rule-based systems. This approach is based on the stochastic programmed grammars, and its peculiarity is both its well-formalized semantics and its ability to represent most reasoning and control methods used in expert systems today. Since the proposed method is not limited by the particular heuristic organization of the rule-based system it is modeling, the SPPS is more general than existing knowledge-domain-independent expert-system development languages and may help bring a better understanding of the theory of expert systems.
Contextual Variables in Employee Performance-Turnover Relationships

A study of 259 tenure-track social science faculty members at a research university found high performers more likely to leave among tenured members but low performers more likely to leave among un...
Searchable taxonomies of agent based modeling toolkits

In this paper, we present a web-based search appliance for Agent Based Modeling (ABM) toolkit selection. This search appliance enables users to query a comprehensive ABM repository to determine toolkits that are appropriate for their project. It searches the repository according to the criteria set forth by the user, and then it displays the results in a series of user friendly and interactive graphical and textual tables. It also serves as a potential client base for further research into ABM toolkits; Once on the site, the users are asked if they would like to participate in a toolkit survey, thereby furthering ABM research and also feeding back to improve the web tool itself.
(Dis)(em)placing gender at Ukwimi: refugee resettlement and repatriation in eastern Zambia

There is growing recognition within feminist scholarship that managing displacement is a highly contested, politicized, and gendered process. This article seeks to contribute by demonstrating that the processes of resettlement and repatriation (both thought of as ‘solutions’ to displacement) are also contested, politicized, and gendered. My analysis is situated within feminist geopolitics and includes empirical data collected from interviews with and observations of Mozambican/Angolan refugees, their hosts, and institutional actors at Ukwimi Refugee Settlement (URS), Zambia. Specifically, the discussion focuses on two realities. First, that resettlement to formal, organized settlements (like URS) actively displaces gender dynamics, as illustrated by the case of Mozambican refugees resettled to URS. Second, that large-scale, organized repatriation also displaces gender relationships in profound ways, as demonstrated by the large-scale repatriation of Angolan refugees from URS. In the midst of multiple disp...