cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Physostigmine Related Changes in Cerebrospinal Fluid Neurotransmitter Metabolites in Man

Administration of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine to man produces a range of behavioral changes that can be of therapeutic benefit to some patients with Huntington’s disease, tardive dyskinesia, mania and memory deficits (Aquilonius and Sjostrom, 1971; Janowsky et al, 1973; Klawans and Rubovits, 1974; Davis et al., 1976; 1978a; 1978b). The scope and complexity of the actions of physostigmine suggest that the neurochemical basis of these effects might extend beyond the ability of the drug to increase cholinergic activity. It is possible that some of the behavioral consequences of physostigmine result from the action of increased central cholinergic activity on other neurotransmitters.
Family planning as a contributor to environmental sustainability: weighing the evidence.

Purpose of review To highlight recent evidence that family planning, readily accessible to all who seek it and exercised as a human right, can contribute to environmental sustainability. As global concern increases about the health of our planet, better understanding of the role family planning programs play in maintaining a sustainable environment could bolster public and policymaker support for access to family planning. Recent findings A recent Worldwatch Institute review of scientific literature (FPESA) exploring this relationship covered two potential cause-effect pathways: one demographic, one personal. Although nonconfirmatory, a decade of reviewed studies overwhelmingly supported the hypothesis that family planning benefits environmental sustainability. A complementary review by the Evidence Project of population, health and environment projects over a similar time period strongly suggests that transdisciplinary efforts including family planning can yield multiple benefits - health, empowerment, economic and environmental. Summary Cumulative research generally supports but cannot confirm the thesis that family planning contributes to efforts to achieve environmental sustainability. This does not equate to no relationship but rather a lack of adequate methodologies. For research on complex relationships like this, novel research designs may prove more effective.
Clinical Decision Making.

The preconference, or postgraduate course, sessions of the 2018 meeting of the Dysphagia Research Society in Baltimore, MD, brought together experts from a variety of disciplines, including psychology, otolaryngology, gastroenterology, nutrition, speech pathology, and others, to address and discuss the science and clinical application of reasoning and decision making with respect to the care of patients with dysphagia. Presentations started by breaking down the cognitive processes we, as clinicians, employ in making decisions on a daily basis and then proceeded to case study presentations and panel discussions regarding the impact of scientific advancements and big data on shaping our current and future clinical care. This issue of Seminars in Speech and Language was inspired by those sessions and introduces the reader to approaches to clinical decision making with respect to assessment and management of dysphagia in various clinical settings with various types of patients. As Doeltgen, Murray, and Attrill describe in our first article, “Clinical reasoning … is a cognitively complex process, as it requires synthesis of multiple sources of information that are generated during a thorough, evidence-based assessment process and which are moderated by the patient's individual situation, including their social and demographic circumstances, comorbidities or other health concerns.”
Axisymmetric Magnetic Control Design in Tokamaks Using Perturbed Equilibrium Plasma Response Modeling

A model of linearized tokamak plasma response to variations in external toroidal currents is developed for purposes of axisymmetric control analysis. The plasma model is based on free-boundary equilibria with perturbations in the poloidal field coils. Plasma response to currents in arbitrary passive conductors such as the vacuum vessel is approximated by mapping their effect to equivalent poloidal field coil currents. Ideal magnetohydrodynamic flux conservation is satisfied approximately by allowing total plasma current and current-density profile to vary. The resulting flux-conserving plasma response model including vacuum vessel effects is used along with multivariable control system techniques to design high-performance axisymmetric control systems for the Alcator C-Mod tokamak to stabilize the vertical instability and to provide stable shape control. 21 refs., 24 figs., 3 tabs.
Role of team dynamics in the learning process: a mixed-methods evaluation of a modified team-based learning approach in a behavioral research methods course.

Health sciences education is increasingly focusing on building students’ skills to work collaboratively. Therefore, instructors must intentionally incorporate team-based skill building into their courses, using teaching strategies like team-based learning (TBL). An assumption of TBL is that team dynamics facilitate learning; however, limited research has examined this connection. The primary purposes of this mixed-methods evaluation were: (a) to describe the characteristics of team dynamics in a graduate-level research methods course that employs a modified TBL approach, and (b) to examine the association between team dynamics and student grades. Given the importance of preparing health professional students to work collaboratively in their careers, a secondary aim was to examine how team skills developed through a team-based learning approach could be transferred to other courses and to future jobs. We conducted surveys on team dynamics at mid-semester (n = 64) and the end of the semester (n = 66), collected students’ grades for the final paper and overall course, and conducted 4 focus groups with Master of Public Health students (n = 25). Paired t tests were used to examine change in team dynamics and correlations were conducted to assess the relationship between team dynamics and grades. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes related to team dynamics from the focus group data. Overall, students reported experiencing positive and beneficial team dynamics. The findings support two main underlying categories of team dynamics, interpersonal team processes and task orientation, and the linkages between the categories that allow teams to function. Team dynamics scores were not associated with student grades. However, students recognized the value of practicing team skills in preparation for future group work and jobs. These findings suggest that active learning approaches, such as TBL, can help to facilitate the acquisition of collaborative skills.
Cardiac Intensive Care Medication Guide

This chapter provides a guide to commonly prescribed medications in a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit. The list is not intended to be all-inclusive, and one should use clinical judgment and consult additional references for validation and additional information.
Racial and Ethnic Influence in Online Dating Perceptions

This study determines the racial and ethnic differences associated with the perceptions and intentions of online dating amongst emerging adults through a framework guided by symbolic interaction and sexual scripts to understand how perceptions and intentions of online dating are influenced by cultural and interpersonally crafted scripts of appropriate dating, romantic, and sexual behavior. 451 emerging adults, between 18 and 30 years old were sampled. Several differences were found based on race/ethnicity, pertaining to perceptions of dating sites and online dating users. The intention of casual, sexual relationships was found to have the most varied perception based on race/ethnicity and site. Perceptions of online daters was overall similar amongst racial/ethnic groups; only two of thirteen characteristics showed differences: being anti-social and difficulty cultivating in-person relationships. As technology continues to grow and online dating acceptability expands, varied online dating sites are likely to arise. Further research is needed to examine the effects of race/ethnicity on individuals’ engagement with online dating and the effects of their perceptions.
Clustering of Endorsements of Techniques of Neutralization as Predictors of Offending Among College Students: A Latent Profile Analysis Approach:

Past research has provided evidence that techniques of neutralization may be used to rationalize offending, and individuals who endorse such rationalizations demonstrate greater offending risk. How...
Quantified Activity Patterns for Young Children in Beach Environments Relevant for Exposure to Contaminants

In a study to evaluate beach play activities, 120 children were videotaped to observe and quantify factors that could influence their exposure to contaminants in the beach environment. Children aged 1 to 6 years were followed by researchers with video cameras at beaches (two in Miami, Florida and two in Galveston, Texas) for approximately one hour each. Factors evaluated included time spent in various beach locations, various activities engaged in, and various surfaces contacted (including contacts by hand and mouth). Activities recorded in the videos were transcribed to text files to allow for quantitative analyses. Across all sexes, age groups, and beaches, Wading was the most common activity and Seawater was the most common location where children played. The left hand was found to not be in contact with objects most of the time, while the right hand, considered the most dominant hand in most cases, contacted Plastic-Toys the most. Although activity patterns collection through videotaping and videotranslation can be labor-intensive, once collected, they can be widely useful for estimates of exposures to all contaminants in the beach environment (e.g., microorganisms and chemicals) as well as UV exposure, with considerations for whether the contaminants are found in water, sand or both. These activity patterns were collected to potentially look at exposures following the Deepwater Horizon 2010 Spill.
Across Type, Time and Space: American Grand Strategy in Comparative Perspective

The field of grand strategy is exceptionally American-centric theoretically, methodologically and empirically. Indeed, many scholars treat the United States as a unique case, and thus incomparable. This Element addresses the shortcomings of this approach by developing a novel framework for the purpose of systematic comparison, both within and among different countries. Using the United States as a benchmark, three dimensions are considered in which grand strategy can be compared: first, attributes of the major types commonly discussed in the literature; second, similarities and differences in the implementation of grand strategies over time, using US strategic relations with contemporary Russia as an example; and finally, across space, properties of the grand strategies that are interactively employed by other major powers in relation to the United States in the Indo-Pacific. The Element can be used by scholars and students alike to expand analysis beyond the confines that currently dominate the field.
Clinical Text Classification of Alzheimer's Drugs' Mechanism of Action.

The Alzheimer’s disease Drug Development Pipeline [1, 2] delivers updates on potential AD-treatment, as well as drug development ongoing in clinical trials. To create these reports, researchers manually extract information from several resources like ClinicalTrials.gov and drug manufacturer websites; however, some of these items require expert review, such as when predicting a drug’s Mechanism of Action (MOA). In this paper, we aim to assist researchers by predicting and suggesting a drug’s MOA using Machine Learning. We test Random Forest (RF), Logistic Regression (LR), Support Vector Machine (SVM), XGBoost, and Decision Tree (DT) models. The latter showing the most promising results, with 95% accuracy, 100% recall, and a 0.92 F1-score.
Frames for Undergraduates

Introduction Linear algebra review Finite-dimensional operator theory Introduction to finite frames Frames in $\mathbb{R}^2$ The dilation property of frames Dual and orthogonal frames Frame operator decompositions Harmonic and group frames Sampling theory Student presentations Anecdotes on frame theory projects by undergraduates Bibliography List of symbols Index.
Using a Socially Assistive Robot in Gait Recovery and Training for Individuals with Cognitive Impairments

This paper describes a new methodology for gait training and recovery for people in midand late-stage dementia. A combination of social and rhythmic auditory cues is used to express the robot’s behavior. Specifically, the described research develops and evaluates a method for on-line adaptation aimed at both personalizing the therapy process and maximizing its health-related outcomes. This novel user activity sensing approach provides the rationale for development of socially assistive robotics therapy for monitoring and coaching users toward customized and optimized recovery and care programs.
Super Bowl: a case study of buzz marketing

In the US, the Super Bowl is annually the nation's highest-rated TV programme and the most watched single-day sporting event. But could the Super Bowl, like other sporting events that traditionally attracted millions of people, fall prey to competition? This case study argues that despite the increasing fragmentation of viewing audiences, Super Bowl is an event in itself. The case describes the marketing and social environment encompassing the Super Bowl, and addresses the metamorphosis that has helped it maintain its competitive edge. The study concludes with a discussion of buzz marketing as a complete solution for maintaining competitiveness in today's sporting environment.
Conflictos entre el Estado y las elites locales sobre la educación colombiana durante las décadas de 1820 y 1830

Este articulo estudia la conflictiva relacion entre el Estado colombiano y las elites locales mientras negociaban la implementacion del sistema nacional de escuelas publicas en las decadas de 1820 y 1830. El gobierno central buscaba crear una nueva republica de ciudadanos (o de ciudadanos en formacion), pero enfrento la resistencia de las elites locales al tratar de imponer la centralizacion del metodo pedagogico (especificamente el sistema de ensenanza mutua), la recaudacion de impuestos y el plan de estudios. En los casos de Nemocon y Zipaquira, los lideres indigenas protestaron porque el Estado planeaba privatizar y vender los resguardos para reunir dinero para las escuelas primarias publicas en las que probablemente no se matricularian sus hijos. En el caso de Mompox, las elites locales propusieron una asociacion caritativa privada para apoyar el desarrollo de las escuelas primarias y, ademas, una extension de la educacion ?catolica y civica? para huerfanos, obreros y presos. Tales quejas y propuestas surgieron de las percepciones del Estado acerca de las necesidades mas imperiosas y el mayor empleo de los fondos comunitarios. El gobierno central estuvo en desacuerdo y limito severamente la capacidad de los lideres locales de disponer de las cajas municipales mas alla de las prescripciones del Estado.
Storm Enhanced Bottom Shear Stress and Associated Sediment Entrainment in a Moderate Energetic Estuary

Several important mechanisms for storm-induced entrainment of estuarine cohesive sediments are analyzed using field measurements collected in a moderately energetic estuary, central Long Island Sound, U.S.A. The sediment concentration and hydrographic data were obtained by an array of sensors mounted at 1 m above the bottom. The bottom sediment in the study site composed mostly of silt and silty sand. The study showed that the bottom shear stress, computed using a wave-current interaction model, increased significantly during the episodic wind events. A large resuspension event was triggered by a frontal passage when strong wind-driven currents augmented the tidal currents. The timing of storm waves with respect to the tidal phase also was a critical factor. Based on the changes of suspended sediment concentration, the bottom appeared to respond to the shear stress in two phases: the tidal resuspension and the storm-induced erosion. During each tidal cycle, entrainment was associated with resuspension of high water content, loosely consolidated material. During episodic events, a thin layer of more consolidated bed below the sediment-water interface was eroded by the enhanced bottom stress.
Afferent Control of Nucleus Locus Ceruleus: Differential Regulation by “Shell” and “Core” Inputs

Publisher Summary The two major afferent inputs to locus ceruleus (LC) arise from nucleus paragigantocellularis (PGi) and nucleus prepositus hypoglossi in the rostral medulla. Light microscopic analysis has revealed that the vast majority of the extranuclear processes of LC neurons extended preferentially into two zones: the region rostral and medial to LC proper, designated as the rostromedial pLC (pLCrm) region and a narrow region adjacent to the fourth ventricle caudomedial to LC proper, designated as the caudal juxtaependymal pLC (pLCcje) region. It is suggested that extranuclear LC dendrites, particularly in the rostromedial and caudal juxtaependymal zones, comprise an extensive postsynaptic receptive surface of LC neurons. Tract-tracing studies have demonstrated that the midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG), medial preoptic area (MPO), medial prefrontal cortex, central nucleus of the amygdala (CNA), and nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) send afferents to pLC but provide weak or no innervation of the LC nuclear core. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the dendrites of LC neurons are polarized to extend preferentially into two pericerulear zones located rostromedial and caudomedial to LC proper. This dendritic shell pattern is characteristic of all or most LC neurons. LC extranuclear dendrites receive synaptic contacts and comprise a significant postsynaptic receptive surface of LC neurons. These shell dendrites are selectively targeted by a number of extrinsic afferent inputs that do not project appreciably into the LC core. By contrast, the nuclear core of LC receives two major afferent inputs; these inputs do not appreciably target the dendritic shell. Evidence to date suggests that several inputs to the shell region exert an excitatory influence of LC discharge. Thus, inputs to the core LC nucleus versus extranuclear dendrites may comprise functionally distinct channels for regulating LC neurons.
Comprehensive Geriatric Oncology

1. Overview 2. Epidemiology 3. Biology of Ageing and Cancer 4. The Influence of Ageing on Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Cancer 5. Cancer Prevention in the Aged 6. Management of Cancer in the Older Person 7. Management of Specific Tumors in Older Persons 8. Rehabilitation and Supportive Care
Design enhancements for the Air Force Institute of Technology's Winograd Fourier transform processor

The authors deal with the development of a Winograd Fourier transform processor at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT). The processor can be hardware-configured to perform a 15-, 16-, 17-, 240-, 255-, 272-, or 4,080-point transform. The authors present three methods that can be used to improve the utility of the AFIT WFTA processor. Dynamic reconfiguration, a two-dimensional transform system, and an alternate architecture for the AFIT WFTA are presented. Results of these improvements are given, including a four-dimensional FFT (fast Fourier transform) configuration that can perform a single 77520-point complex FFT in 8.87 milliseconds, and once the processor's pipeline is full, a 77520-point complex transform can be completed every 2.22 milliseconds. >
Efficacy of elective nodal irradiation in skin squamous cell carcinoma of the face, ears, and scalp.

In patients at high risk for regional node metastasis from squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin of the face, ear, or scalp, radiotherapy to the regional nodes is an alternative to parotid or neck surgery. Data on the efficacy of elective nodal radiotherapy in this setting are scarce such that there is no publication specifically addressing the subject. The purpose of our study is to fill this void in the skin cancer literature. This is a single-institution study of outcomes following elective nodal radiotherapy in 71 consecutively treated adults with SCC of the face, ears, or scalp. Primary site stage distribution per the American Joint Committee on Cancer, 7th Edition, was as follows: T1, 15 %; T2, 34 %; T3, 1 %; and T4, 50 %. Other disease characteristics included the following: clinical perineural invasion, 13 %; pathological perineural invasion, 78 %; recurrent disease, 32 %; and positive or close margin, 67 %. The median radiation dose to the first- and second-echelon nodal area was 50 Gy. Acute and late toxicity were graded per the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4.0. Regional control was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier product limit method. Median followup was 4.5 years for all patients. The actuarial regional control rate at 5 years was 96 %. There were no (0 %) grade 3 or higher complications from elective nodal irradiation. Elective nodal irradiation in patients with high-risk SCC of the face, ears and scalp is safe and effective.
Examining the Function In Sitting Test for Validity, Responsiveness, and Minimal Clinically Important Difference in Inpatient Rehabilitation

Abstract Objectives To determine the responsiveness of the Function In Sitting Test (FIST), compare scores at admission and discharge from inpatient rehabilitation (IPR) with other balance and function measures, and determine the minimal clinically important difference (MCID). Design Prospective, nonblinded, reference-standard comparison study. Setting Four accredited inpatient rehabilitation units. Participants Population-based sample of adults (N=125) with sitting balance dysfunction, excluding persons with spinal cord injury, significant bracing/orthotics, and inability to perform testing safely. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures FIST, FIM, and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) at admission and discharge, and Global Rating of Change for function and balance at discharge. Results The FIST demonstrated good to excellent concurrent validity with the BBS and FIM at admission and discharge (Spearman ρ=.71–.85). Significant improvement ( P P >.000; 95% CI, .66–.91), with a change in FIST score of ≥6.5 points designating the MCID. Findings support the strong responsiveness of the FIST during IPR as evidenced by the large effect size (.83), standardized response mean (1.04), and index of responsiveness (1.07). Conclusions In this study, the FIST correlated well with balance and function measures (concurrent validity) and was responsive to change during IPR. A clinically meaningful change was indicated by an increase in score of ≥6.5 points.
Habitat avoidance and speciation for phytophagous insect specialists

Summary 1Models of sympatric speciation via host shifting for phytophagous insect specialists are based on a synergistic feedback between habitat-specific mating and performance genes. Under these models, insects are presumed to choose host plants based on the cumulative, additive effects of attraction alleles at one or several host preference loci. 2Host choice for insects may not be based solely on attraction genes, however. Habitat avoidance may also play an important role in host use and the evolutionary implications of avoidance may differ from attraction. Insects that are heterozygous for avoidance alleles to alternate host plants may be behaviourally conflicted and have difficulty accepting any suitable host to feed, mate or oviposit on in a timely manner. 3Here, we perform computer simulations of a three locus, epistatic model for ecological specialization involving host attraction, avoidance and performance genes. We show that the role habitat avoidance potentially plays in sympatric speciation is predicated on the strength of host-specific mating and fitness trade-offs. 4When host discrimination and performance trade-offs are relatively strong, avoidance alleles that reduce the host-finding ability of hybrids (heterozygotes) can be favoured by selection and drive sympatric divergence to completion. The effect is similar to reinforcement, except that habitat avoidance not only strengthens pre-zygotic barriers to gene flow, but also causes post-zygotic isolation due to the behavioural sterility of hybrids. 5In contrast, when host discrimination and performance trade-offs are weak, avoidance alleles with negative fitness effects in hybrids tend to be eliminated from populations. Habitat avoidance genes under these conditions are therefore akin to attraction alleles, increasing in frequency only if they have minimal or no detrimental effects on hybrids.
Element stiffness computation on CDC CYBER 205 computer

An algorithm is presented for the evaluation of the linear stiffness matrices on the CDC CYBER 205 computer. Discussion is focused on the organization of the computation and the mode of storage of the different arrays to take advantage of CYBER 205 pipeline (streaming) capability. The algorithm is based on partitioning the element stiffness matrix by rows and columns into nodal submatrices and generating simultaneously the coefficients in all the nodal partitions for a group of distinct elements. An assessment is made of the performance of the proposed algorithm for generating the stiffness matrices of shear-flexible shallow shell elements having 5 degrees of freedom per node. The nomenclature used is given in Appendix II.
Use of Sumner Lines in Navigation

CAPT. TIZARD'S reference to my book entitled “The Sumner Line,” etc. (NATURE, July 1, vol. cv., p. 552), contains an error which should be corrected. Hisstatement regarding what he calls the zenith point, “which spot is named by Mr. Comstock the sub-polar point,” seems to imply that I have introduced a new name not approved in the criticism that follows. In fact, I have nowhere used the obnoxious term “sub-polar point,” but have employed in this connection a well-known phrase, “the sub-solar point,” for which I can claim no authorship. See Young, “General Astronomy,” 1898 edition; Muir, “Navigation,” 1918, et al.
Testicular toxicity of di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate in young Sprague-Dawley rats

Di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), used widely in the manufacture of plastics, is a well-known reproductive toxicant. It causes apoptosis and loss of spermatogenic cells, resulting in testicular atrophy. Reports are scarce in the literature on the progression of apoptosis following repeated doses of phthalates. DEHP's mechanism of inducing testicular atrophy has been associated with depletion of zinc in the testis. ZnT-1 is a zinc transporter that is highly expressed in the testis. Thus, DEHP might exert its toxic effects on the testis by altering the expression of ZnT-1. In this regard, 25-day old Sprague-Dawley rats were given vehicle (5 ml corn-oil/kg, po) for 2, 7 and 14 days, or DEHP (2 g/5 ml corn-oil/kg, po) daily, for 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 days. Zinc content in testes was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and ZnT-1 mRNA was quantified by the branched DNA signal amplification method. Body weight gain and testicular weight (absolute and relative) were significantly lower in DEHP-treated rats. DEHP produced morphological changes in the testis, including apoptosis, necrosis, and loss of spermatogenic cells, which resulted in testicular atrophy. Apoptotic index (AI: the percentage of apoptotic cells in seminiferous tubules), determined using the TUNEL technique, was markedly increased after 1 day (AI: 2.9%, control AI: 0.1-0.3%) followed by a peak at 3 days (AI: 11.5%) and a gradual decrease till 10-14 days (AI: 7-9%). Zinc content in testis was not changed 1 day after DEHP administration, but decreased significantly at later time points. No difference was found in ZnT-1 mRNA expression between control and DEHP-treated animals until day 14. Our results suggest that apoptosis, along with necrosis, plays an important role in the mechanism of testicular atrophy by DEHP. In addition, ZnT-1 mRNA expression was not altered by DEHP and therefore, it appears that ZnT-1 cannot account for the decrease in testicular Zn content. Pathological lesions and apoptosis occurred prior to the loss of zinc in testis, suggesting that zinc depletion might be a secondary effect of DEHP-induced testicular toxicity, rather than the cause.
Top-down analysis of temporal hierarchy in biochemical reaction networks.

The study of dynamic functions of large-scale biological networks has intensified in recent years. A critical component in developing an understanding of such dynamics involves the study of their hierarchical organization. We investigate the temporal hierarchy in biochemical reaction networks focusing on: (1) the elucidation of the existence of “pools” (i.e., aggregate variables) formed from component concentrations and (2) the determination of their composition and interactions over different time scales. To date the identification of such pools without prior knowledge of their composition has been a challenge. A new approach is developed for the algorithmic identification of pool formation using correlations between elements of the modal matrix that correspond to a pair of concentrations and how such correlations form over the hierarchy of time scales. The analysis elucidates a temporal hierarchy of events that range from chemical equilibration events to the formation of physiologically meaningful pools, culminating in a network-scale (dynamic) structure–(physiological) function relationship. This method is validated on a model of human red blood cell metabolism and further applied to kinetic models of yeast glycolysis and human folate metabolism, enabling the simplification of these models. The understanding of temporal hierarchy and the formation of dynamic aggregates on different time scales is foundational to the study of network dynamics and has relevance in multiple areas ranging from bacterial strain design and metabolic engineering to the understanding of disease processes in humans.
Continuous curvelet transform

We discuss a Continuous Curvelet Transform (CCT), a transform f → Γf (a, b, θ) of functions f(x1, x2) on R^2, into a transform domain with continuous scale a > 0, location b ∈ R^2, and orientation θ ∈ [0, 2π). The transform is defined by Γf (a, b, θ) = {f, γabθ} where the inner products project f onto analyzing elements called curvelets γ_(abθ) which are smooth and of rapid decay away from an a by √a rectangle with minor axis pointing in direction θ. We call them curvelets because this anisotropic behavior allows them to ‘track’ the behavior of singularities along curves. They are continuum scale/space/orientation analogs of the discrete frame of curvelets discussed in Candes and Donoho (2002). We use the CCT to analyze several objects having singularities at points, along lines, and along smooth curves. These examples show that for fixed (x0, θ0), Γf (a, x0, θ0) decays rapidly as a → 0 if f is smooth near x0, or if the singularity of f at x0 is oriented in a different direction than θ_0. Generalizing these examples, we state general theorems showing that decay properties of Γf (a, x0, θ0) for fixed (x0, θ0), as a → 0 can precisely identify the wavefront set and the H^m- wavefront set of a distribution. In effect, the wavefront set of a distribution is the closure of the set of (x0, θ0) near which Γf (a, x, θ) is not of rapid decay as a → 0; the H^m-wavefront set is the closure of those points (x0, θ0) where the ‘directional parabolic square function’ S^m(x, θ) = ( ʃ|Γf (a, x, θ)|^2 ^(da) _a^3+^(2m))^(1/2) is not locally integrable. The CCT is closely related to a continuous transform used by Hart Smith in his study of Fourier Integral Operators. Smith’s transform is based on strict affine parabolic scaling of a single mother wavelet, while for the transform we discuss, the generating wavelet changes (slightly) scale by scale. The CCT can also be compared to the FBI (Fourier-Bros-Iagolnitzer) and Wave Packets (Cordoba-Fefferman) transforms. We describe their similarities and differences in resolving the wavefront set.
Action spectra of the three light reactions in photosynthesis.

Abstract Action spectra for the photoreduction of cytochrome b559 and C550 and for the photooxidation of cytochromes b559 and f in spinach chloroplasts were measured in the region from 640 to 720 nm. The action spectra for the photoreduction of cytochrome b559 and C550 are closely similar and show marked decreases in efficiency at wavelengths longer than 680 nm. These findings are consistent with the conclusion that the two components are reduced by the same photoact of Photosystem II. The action spectrum for the photooxidation of cytochrome b559 also showed a decrease in efficiency at wavelengths longer than 680 nm, characteristic of Photosystem II, but the photooxidation of cytochrome f showed an increase in efficiency at long wavelengths, characteristic of Photosystem I. These action spectra show a pattern consistent with a recently proposed concept of three light reactions in plant photosynthesis.
A large, cold, and unusual molecular cloud in Monoceros

Observations of the J = 1 tends to 0 rotational transition of CO near the galactic plane in Monoceros (1 is approximately equal to 216 deg) reveal a molecular cloud with unusually low peak CO temperatures (less than 2 K) but wide lines (about 7 km/s) typical of much warmer clouds. At the assumed distance of 3 kpc, the cloud is large (250 x 100 pc), has a mass of 7-11 x 10 to the 5th solar masses, and is well removed from the galactic midplane (130 pc). Except for a possible H II region, all the signs of star formation usually shown by clouds of comparable mass are missing. The cloud, unlike cloud complexes of similar size, is a single, continuous object that apparently has not been torn apart by star formation. Clouds with such properties are rare in the Galaxy; only one or two similar objects have been found. The possibility that the cloud is young and not yet forming stars but will evolve into a typical cloud complex once star formation begins is discussed.
The potential economic and environmental impact of a Public Benefit Fund in Louisiana

Abstract Public Benefit Fund programs are one approach to provide energy assistance to low-income households placed at risk in a competitive electric industry. The purpose of this paper is to assess the potential economic and environmental impact of a proposed Public Benefit Fund for the state of Louisiana. The “best available” model to estimate the relationship between the cost of Public Benefit Fund programs and the benefits delivered by its implementation would be based on an evaluation of existent energy conservation and weatherization programs in the state, but unfortunately, such an evaluation has not been previously performed and so the “next best” analytic model was employed. The impact of a Public Benefit Fund on energy savings and environmental consequences is assessed through a simulation model and input–output analysis. The model developed is based on publicly available data and infer results under a reasonable assumption set. The model structure and system assumptions of the Public Benefit Fund program are described, realistic policy alternatives are examined—including cost-ceiling, variable funding, and target group strategies—and the limitations of the analysis are outlined.
On the Synchrony and Diachrony of Modern Greek NA

Abstract The Modern Greek particle na has two main uses, as a subordinating particle and as a deictic particle.
Characterizing the Structure and Function of the N-Terminus of Schizosaccharomyces Pombe Cdc5, a Pre-Mrna Splicing Factor

The spliceosome is a dynamic macromolecular machine composed of 5 small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs), the Nineteen Complex (NTC), and other proteins that catalyze the removal of introns from pre-mRNA. The NTC is a highly conserved sub-complex of the spliceosome consisting of approximately fifteen proteins and is required for the transition of the spliceosome from an inactive to activated complex. However the mechanism of NTC function in this process is not understood. Schizosaccharomyces pombe Cdc5, a core subunit of the NTC, is an essential protein that contains two highly conserved N-terminal Myb repeats, a N-terminal non-canonical Myb-like repeat (MLR) as well as a less well conserved C-terminus. Both in vivo and in vitro studies have shown that the C-terminus of Cdc5 directly interacts with other NTC components; however, a specific function for the N-terminus of Cdc5 in pre-mRNA splicing has not been determined.Our goal is to understand the specific role(s) of Cdc5 in NTC function and pre-mRNA splicing. Using a combination of yeast genetics, NMR secondary structure analysis, Chemical Shift (CS) Rosetta modeling, and an RNA binding assay we have shown the MLR is structurally distinct from the canonical Myb fold, that the N-terminus of Cdc5 preferentially binds double stranded RNA, and defined the importance the of the N-terminal Cdc5 Myb repeats and MLR in fission yeast.
Local zeta functions of general quadratic polynomials

This paper is concerned with the kind of local zeta functions now often called Igusa’s local zeta functions: A simple closed form of such a zeta function for an arbitrary quadratic form, its variants, and an application are given.
Phosphate Removal by Anion Binding on Functionalized Nanoporous Sorbents

Phosphate was captured from aqueous solutions by cationic metal-EDA complexes anchored inside mesoporous silica MCM-41 supports (Cu(II)-EDA-SAMMS and Fe(III)-EDA-SAMMS). Fe-EDA-SAMMS was more effective at capturing phosphate than the Cu-EDA-SAMMS and was further studied for matrix effects (e.g., pH, ionic strength, and competing anions) and sorption performance (e.g., capacity and rate). The adsorption of phosphate was highly pH dependent; it increased with increasing pH from 1.0 to 6.5, and decreased above pH 6.5. The adsorption was affected by high ionic strength (0.1 M of NaCl). In the presence of 1000-fold molar excess of chloride and nitrate anions, phosphate removal by Fe-EDA-SAMMS was not affected. Slight, moderate and large impacts were seen with bicarbonate, sulfate and citrate anions, respectively. The phosphate adsorption data on Fe-EDA-SAMMS agreed well with the Langmuir model with the estimated maximum capacity of 43.3 mg/g. The material displayed rapid sorption rate (99% of phosphate removal within 1 min) and lowering the phosphate content to ~ 10 µg/L of phosphorus, which is lower than the EPA’s established freshwater contaminant level for phosphorous (20 µg/L).
Kinetics of nucleation in a binary liquid mixture

Using a microscope, we have studied the formation and growth of nuclei in a supercooled binary liquid mixture of 2,6-lutidine and water close to the critical point. The results have been compared with a recent theoretical prediction by Langer and Schwartz. Although the observed growth is in good agreement with the diffusion model they used, their predicted nucleation rates remain untested. Our most important finding is the clear experimental evidence of the effect of critical slowing down on the phase-separation process in the nucleation regime. These observations thus account for the anomalously large supercoolings reported in liquids and binary mixtures near the critical point.
Iterative identification of non-invertible autoregressive moving-average systems with seismic applications

Abstract Let A be an invertible (i.e. minimum-delay) polynomial of degree m and let E be any polynomial of degree n . Then S = E A represents the transfer function of an autoregressive moving-average (ARMA) system. The numerator E may also be invertible, in which case the ARMA system S is invertible. In seismic exploration the sequence with z -transform given by S represents a model of an observable seismogram, where E is the z -transform of the reflection coefficient sequence of the unknown (and desired) deep reflecting interfaces and where A represents the (invertible) z -transform of the unknown inverse reverberation filter due to the surface layers. Because there is no physical reason for the reflection coefficient sequence to be invertible, the seismic model S = E A will in general be a non-invertible ARMA system. Given such a non-invertible sequence with z -transform S , the problem is to estimate E and A under the restriction that A is invertible. We give an iterative identification scheme based on the following algorithm. Initially we let the initial estimate E ( o ) be unity. We then apply an iterative algorithm which for the k th step has inputs S and E ( k −1) and outputs A ( k ) and E ( k ) , where A ( k ) is required to be invertible. Iteration is terminated when S and E (k) A (k) are approximately the same, and then E ( k ) and A ( k ) are the required estimates of E and A , respectively.
Development of a high-speed system for temperature mapping of a rotating target

This paper covers the development and comparison of two systems to measure the temperature variation on rotating components. Measurement of hot spots on a rotating brake disk is used for demonstration purposes. The two systems utilized are a high-speed infrared camera and an array of fiber optics connected to multiple high-speed single-point two-color infrared detectors coupled to a high-speed data acquisition system. The advantages and disadvantages of the two systems are discussed relative to real time data and post processing analyses. Results from both systems are presented for comparison.
First Detections of Molecular Gas Associated with the Wolf-Rayet Ring Nebula NGC 3199

This paper presents the first observations of molecular gas associated with the Wolf-Rayet ring nebula NGC 3199 around the WR star WR 18. This includes first observations of the molecules HCN, HCO+, CN, and HNC seen in any Wolf-Rayet ring nebula. Our observations immediately suggest the presence of high-density molecular gas (>104 cm-3) in the nebula with significant amounts of associated molecular gas, which is in the form of clumpy ejecta and/or interstellar material. Molecular CO gas was mapped across the optically bright portion of the nebula and out into the diffuse ionized component using the 12CO J = 1 → 0 line. CO gas is not seen within the optically bright rim of NGC 3199 but adjacent to it. The optical emission rim therefore appears to mark regions of photodissociation. Velocity components in the CO data are consistent with those seen in high-resolution optical spectra of the Hα line but extend beyond the visible emission. A prior suggestion of the formation of the nebula via a bow shock appears unlikely since Hipparcos measurements show the proper motion of WR 18 is almost at right angles to the direction required for the bow shock model. Instead, line splitting toward the north of the nebula suggests that a possible blowout of the Wolf-Rayet wind through surrounding ejecta may be responsible for some of the velocity features observed. Preliminary estimates of molecular abundances in the nebula seen toward the central star are significantly higher than for the interstellar medium and are similar to those in planetary nebulae, although CN is distinctly underabundant in comparison to the very high values found in many planetary nebulae. The abundances found are consistent with the idea that at least a portion of the molecular material is associated with ejecta from the central star.
Nutritional considerations concerning threonine in broilers

An important objective of the least cost formulation of broiler diets is to provide sufficient amounts of the most limiting amino acids to support the needs of tissue maintenance and accretion whil...
Fate of Shiga toxin-producing O157:H7 and non-O157:H7 Escherichia coli cells within refrigerated, frozen, or frozen then thawed ground beef patties cooked on a commercial open-flame gas or a clamshell electric grill.

Both high-fat and low-fat ground beef (percent lean:fat = ca. 70:30 and 93:7, respectively) were inoculated with a 6-strain cocktail of non-O157:H7 Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli (STEC) or a five-strain cocktail of E. coli O157:H7 (ca. 7.0 log CFU/g). Patties were pressed (ca. 2.54 cm thick, ca. 300 g each) and then refrigerated (4°C, 18 to 24 h), or frozen (−18°C, 3 weeks), or frozen (−18°C, 3 weeks) and then thawed (4°C for 18 h or 21°C for 10 h) before being cooked on commercial gas or electric grills to internal temperatures of 60 to 76.6°C. For E. coli O157:H7, regardless of grill type or fat level, cooking refrigerated patties to 71.1 or 76.6°C decreased E. coli O157:H7 numbers from an initial level of ca. 7.0 log CFU/g to a final level of ≤1.0 log CFU/g, whereas decreases to ca. 1.1 to 3.1 log CFU/g were observed when refrigerated patties were cooked to 60.0 or 65.5°C. For patties that were frozen or freeze-thawed and cooked to 71.1 or 76.6°C, E. coli O157:H7 numbers decreased to ca. 1.7 or...
Isolation and chemical composition of the human plasma α1-acid glycoprotein variants

The two main and two minor variants of human plasma α1-acid glycoprotein were isolated from the desialized form of this protein by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose at pH 4.8. On starch gel electrophoresis at the same pH these variants revealed different mobilities and the major ones appeared homogeneous. One major variant could be further resolved into two or three subfractions, referred to as isomeric forms, depending on the technique used for cleavage of the sialyl residues from the native glycoprotein. Each variant had the same gross amino acid and carbohydrate composition and exhibited the same sedimentation constant (S20,WT%) of 2.7 S, a value identical with that of the native protein. Desialized α1-acid glycoprotein derived from blood of normal adults previously typed for the α1-acid glycoprotein variants (phenotypes I, II and III) also did not reveal any significant differences in the amino acid composition. These findings together with the results of earlier studies suggest that the differences among the α1-acid glycoprotein variants which account for the differences in their electrostatic net charge probably reside in their polypeptide chains.
Is public information really irrelevant in explaining asset returns

Abstract Using aggregated data on macroeconomic announcements may disguise the effect of public information on asset returns. We use a disaggregated procedure that captures the impact of each announcement on Nikkei returns and find that public information does affect the market.
Studies in neotropical Burseraceae I. A synopsis of the genus Crepidospermum

A re-evaluation of the characters used to separateCrepidospermum andHemicrepidospermum indicates that the latter is best reduced to a section ofCrepidospermum, resulting in the new combinationC. cuneifolium (Cuatrec.) Daly. A revised description of the genus is presented, and a key to the members ofCrepidospermum is given, including a new species,C. prancei.