cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Checklists for Quality Improvement and Evaluation in Behavioral Health

I have a small, tattered notebook in which I keep a running list of tasks I need to do in order to keep my professional and personal life on track. My colleagues are so familiar with this notebook and how much I depend on it day to day that if I commit to do something, they’ll prompt me to record it in my notebook. They know I’m serious about a task when it goes on the list. I keep my notebook handy at all times. That way, when I think of something I need to do, I can quickly translate it from fleeting thought to words on paper, thereby immediately reducing my cognitive load: I know I can refer to my checklist later, so I do not need to expend effort to maintain the thought in my accessible memory. I’ve canvassed my colleagues and most have their own strategies for recording and tracking the things they need to do. Some prefer to schedule their tasks on a calendar, some use Web-based systems, while others rely on a constellation of post-it notes around their computer monitors. Underlying all these strategies is a recognition that we humans are not that good at holding in our brains all the things we need to do in order to meet our personal and professional obligations. We need tools to help us remember. The “simple” checklist is a common solution. But checklists are powerful tools with potential to do much more than help individuals remember what they need to do on a daily basis.
A Meta-Analysis of Safety Skill Interventions for Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Safety skills are a crucial area of instruction for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The present meta-analysis of single-case studies evaluated the effectiveness of safety skill interventions for individuals with ASD. Targeted skills included abduction prevention, seeking assistance when lost, fire safety, and household safety. Eleven articles, published from 1993 to 2014, investigating safety skill interventions for young individuals with ASD were included. Tau-U, a more recent measure of effect size, was utilized in addition to an evaluation of experimental control. Medium-to-large effect sizes were demonstrated across interventions, and no differences in effectiveness were found across intervention methods or settings. Overall, safety skill interventions demonstrated promising evidence for use with individuals with ASD. Future research is needed to address the limited number of published studies in this domain and expand the evidence-base for these essential skills.
Validating candidate gene-mutation relations in MEDLINE abstracts via crowdsourcing

We describe an experiment to elicit judgments on the validity of gene-mutation relations in MEDLINE abstracts via crowdsourcing. The biomedical literature contains rich information on such relations, but the correct pairings are difficult to extract automatically because a single abstract may mention multiple genes and mutations. We ran an experiment presenting candidate gene-mutation relations as Amazon Mechanical Turk HITs (human intelligence tasks). We extracted candidate mutations from a corpus of 250 MEDLINE abstracts using EMU combined with curated gene lists from NCBI. The resulting document-level annotations were projected into the abstract text to highlight mentions of genes and mutations for review. Reviewers returned results within 36 hours. Initial weighted results evaluated against a gold standard of expert curated gene-mutation relations achieved 85% accuracy, with the best reviewer achieving 91% accuracy. We expect performance to increase with further experimentation, providing a scalable approach for rapid manual curation of important biological relations.
Validation and Use of a Predictive Modeling Tool: Employing Scientific Findings to Improve Responsible Conduct of Research Education.

Although recent evidence suggests ethics education can be effective, the nature of specific training programs, and their effectiveness, varies considerably. Building on a recent path modeling effor...
Translocation in Grasses: 2. Perennial Rycgrass and Couch Grass

Summary Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and couch grass (Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv.) plants were raised in a glasshouse and transferred to growth rooms at 24°c and 70% relative humidity under a light intensity of 1,200 foot-candles. A single spot of 14C-labelled urea, amitrole, or maleic hydrazide was placed at the base of a mature leaf lamina. The translocation of 14C after periods of 3 to 48 hours was determined by gross autoradiography. While 14C from urea applied to the main tiller or to a side tiller of perennial ryegrass tended to remain in the treated tiller, label from amitrole and especially MH showed more widespread translocation in both the symplast and apoplast. Covering or defoliating a tiller increased the quality of label that moved to such a tiller from an intact, illuminated tiller to which labelled solution was applied. Export of 14C from the treated leaf of couch grass occurred more slowly than in perennial ryegrass. Although some assimilates (as evidenced by tracer movement) m...
Displacement and hybridization reactions in aptamer-functionalized hydrogels for biomimetic protein release and signal transduction

A variety of hydrogels have been synthesized for controlling the release of signaling molecules in applications such as drug delivery and regenerative medicine. However, it remains challenging to synthesize hydrogels with the ability to control the release of signaling molecules sequentially or periodically under physiological conditions as living cells do in response to the variation of metabolism. The purpose of this work was to study a novel biomimetic hydrogel system with the ability of recapitulating the procedure of cellular signal transduction and controlling the sequential release of signaling molecules under physiological conditions. In the presence of a small chemical, the signaling molecule is regulated to change from a DNA-bound state to a free state and the freed signaling molecule is able to regulate intracellular signal transduction and cell migration. Moreover, periodic exposure of the hydrogel system to the small chemical leads to sequential protein release. Since signaling molecules are important for every activity of the cell, this hydrogel system holds potential as a metabolism-responsive platform for controlled release of signaling molecules and cell regulation in various applications.
Effect of Ionic Functional Groups on the Oxidation State and Interfacial Binding Property of Catechol-Based Adhesive

Adhesive hydrogels were prepared by copolymerizing dopamine methacrylamide with either acrylic acid (AAc) or N-(3-aminopropyl)methacrylamide hydrochloride (APMH). The effect of incorporating the anionic and cationic side chains on the oxidation state of catechol was characterized using the FOX assay to track the production of hydrogen peroxide byproduct generated during the autoxidation of catechol, and the interfacial binding property of the adhesive was determined by performing Johnson–Kendall–Roberts contact mechanics tests tested over a wide range of pH values (pH 3.0–9.0). The ionic species contributed to interfacial binding to surfaces with the opposite charge with measured work of adhesion values that were comparable to or in some cases higher than those of catechol. Addition of AAc minimized the oxidation of catechol even at a pH of 8.5 and correspondingly preserved the elevated adhesive property of catechol to both quartz and amine-functionalized surfaces. However, AAc lost its buffering capacity...
Ten Steps in Scale Development and Reporting: A Guide for Researchers

Scale development involves numerous theoretical, methodological, and statistical competencies. Despite the central role that scales play in our predictions, scholars often apply measurement buildin...
Insulin-like growth factor I: molecular biology and relevance to tissue-specific expression and action.

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on IGF-I and presents available information about the molecular mechanisms that regulate IGF-I biosynthesis and action. The insulin-like growth factors, namely, IGF-I and IGF-II, are structurally related to proinsulin. IGF-II is generally considered to be of major significance in regulating fetal growth, whereas IGF-I is most often considered the predominant postnatal IGF. Many of the actions of IGF-I and IGF-II appear to be mediated by the same type 1 receptor, which has high affinity for both peptides. As the type 1 receptor can mediate the actions of both IGF-I and IGF-II, relative levels of IGF-I versus IGF-II may determine the functional significance of each of the two peptides during development, physiological or pathophysiological situations in particular. IGF-I was originally discovered as a circulating factor, originally termed somatomedin C, that mediates the growth-promoting actions of pituitary-derived growth hormone (GH) on cartilage. It is also well established that circulating IGF-I concentrations are positively regulated by GH.
Developments in X-ray and Neutron Diffraction Methods for Zeolites

Some recent developments in the application of X-ray and neutron diffraction techniques to zeolite structural problems are summarized. Powder neutron diffraction (PND) has been applied further to studying hydrated materials, hydroxylic proton environments and zeolite-hydrocarbon complexes, as well as to refinements of the framework structures of a range of zeolite and aluminophosphate compositions. High resolution powder diffraction data collected using synchrotron X-radiation has been used for structure solutions and refinements, detection of subtle orderings or symmetry distortions, and quantitative studies of peak broadening phenomena, most notably arising from planar faulting. Techniques necessary for performing diffraction measurements on individual microcrystals >~5μm have been improved and the potential for using Laue geometry (with somewhat larger crystals) to accumulate diffraction data in time scales short enough to permit time-resolved structural studies has been demonstrated. In parallel, there have been continuous improvements in data analysis methods, notably in programs for Rietveld analyses of powder diffraction data, and the development of a new approach to framework structure solution using simulated annealing.
Catecholamine and cortisol responses of horses to incremental exertion

The responses of the plasma concentrations of catecholamines and cortisol in horses to varied relative intensities of exertion were examined. The plasma concentrations of cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine increased significantly (p 0.05). This study demonstrates a relationship between relative work intensity and indicators of adrenal medullary and sympathetic activity during brief exertion in horses.
Lipid metabolism by rat lung in vitro. Utilization of citrate by normal and starved rats

1. The utilization of [1,5-14C2]citrate by lung slices and cell cytosol preparations, and the activities of liver and lung cytosol citrate-cleavage enzyme (EC 4.1.3.8), l-malate–NAD oxidoreductase (malate dehydrogenase, EC 1.1.1.37) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.32) were examined in normal and starved rats. 2. Lipogenesis from citrate was decreased by approx. 70% in both the phospholipid and neutral lipid fractions of lung slices from starved rats as compared with fed controls. 3. Incorporation of citrate by lung cytosol preparations into fatty acids was decreased by approx. 35% in the starved rats. The apparent inhibition by avidin of fatty acid synthesis was overcome partially by preincubation of lung cytosol preparations with biotin. These results are consistent with the presence in lung tissue of the malonyl-CoA pathway for fatty acid synthesis. 4. Lung citrate-cleavage enzyme activity decreased in rats that had been starved for 72h whereas malate dehydrogenase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activities remained unchanged. The results suggest that the pattern of utilization of lipid precursors by rat lung may be altered during various nutritional states.
Social Inequality and Agricultural Resources in the Valle de la Plata, Colombia

The absence of substantial economic inequality or restricted control of basic resources was a distinguishing feature of chiefdoms or ranked societies in the cultural evolutionary literature of the 1960s (e.g., Fried 1967; Service 1962). The social hierarchies of these relatively simple complex societies were thought to have their basis in something other than accumulation of wealth or the elite’s economic control of the means of production. The social hierarchy was sometimes conceived as a vehicle through which members of the elite could provide effective management.
Hegel’s Theory of Terrorism and Derrida’s Notion of Autoimmunity: Religious and Political Violence in the Name of Nothingness

Rather than model Hegel’s account of terrorism on the struggle for recognition and against domination, I maintain that his account is best understood according to Derrida’s notion of autoimmunity. The logic of autoimmunity models terrorism as a symbolic, suicidal act of violence that is created by and directed against the violence of hegemony. It is also continually stimulated by a messianic and nihilistic ideal. This article provides a historical account of Derrida’s elaboration of this concept through his continual dialogue with Hegel. That concept is then applied to Hegel’s account of religious and political terrorism. Ultimately, this analysis supports a reading of Hegel’s Phenomenology in which the confrontation with terrorism as autoimmunity is its lynchpin and which culminates in a moral community that is radically open to the other, to difference, and to the undecidable rather than being closed off and insulated by so-called absolute knowing.
Gravitational interactions of stars with supermassive black hole binaries – II. Hypervelocity stars

Supermassive black holes (SMBHs) in galactic nuclei can eject hypervelocity stars (HVSs). Using restricted three-body integrations, we study the properties of stars ejected by circular, binary SMBHs as a function of their mass ratios $q = M_2 / M_1$ and separations $a$, focusing on the stellar velocity and angular distributions. We find that the ejection probability is an increasing function of $q$ and $a$, and that the mean ejected velocity scales with $q$ and $a$ similar to previous work but with modified scaling constants. Binary SMBHs tend to eject their fastest stars toward the binary orbital plane. We calculate the ejection rates as the binary SMBHs inspiral, and find that they eject stars with velocities $v_\infty > 1000$ km/s at rates of $\sim 4 \times 10^{-2} - 2 \times 10^{-1}$ yr$^{-1}$ for $q = 1$ ($\sim 10^{-4} - 10^{-3}$ yr$^{-1}$ for $q = 0.01$) over their lifetimes, and can emit a burst of HVSs with $v_\infty > 3000$ km/s as they coalesce. We integrate the stellar distributions over the binary SMBH inspiral and compare them to those produced by the "Hills mechanism" (in which a single SMBH ejects a star after tidally separating a binary star system), and find that $N \sim 100$ HVS velocity samples with $v_\infty \gtrsim 200$ km/s are needed to confidently distinguish between a binary and single SMBH origin.
Ethnographic Research: An Alternative for Counselors

This article provides a rationale for and description of the strategies employed in the utilization of ethnographic research methods in counseling.
Characteristics of Ophthalmology Trials Registered in ClinicalTrials.gov, 2007-2018.

Purpose To perform a comprehensive analysis of characteristics of ophthalmology trials registered in ClinicalTrials.gov. Design Cross-sectional study. Methods All 4,203 ophthalmologic clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov between October 1, 2007, and April 30, 2018, were identified by using medical subject headings (MeSH). Disease condition terms were verified by manual review. Trial characteristics were assessed through frequency calculations. Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals were determined for characteristics associated with early discontinuation. Results The majority of trials were multiarmed (73.6%), single-site (69.4%), randomized (64.8%), and had Conclusions Ophthalmology trials in the past decade reveal heterogeneity across study funding sources. NIH trials were more likely to support historically underfunded subspecialties, whereas Industry trials were more likely to face early discontinuation. These trends emphasize the importance of carefully monitored and methodologically sound trials with deliberate funding allocation.
Issues related to the development and application of electrochemically modulated liquid chromatography (EMLC)

A method for the fabrication of redox electroactive surfaces on glassy carbon electrodes (GCEs) with amine-containing compounds (i.e., dopamine) is investigated. The method utilizes the electrooxidation of amines to form a chemically stable covalent linkage between the nitrogen atom of the amine and the carbon surface. The work in this paper focuses specifically on issues related to the preparation of coatings with a high coverage. Results show that the use of a high pH for enforcing the amine in its deprotonated form and the protection of the catechol group of dopamine enhance the coverage and stability of the resulting coating. Introduction Surface chemistry is of prime importance to the understanding of electrode Reactions [1,2]. In the last decade, modified electrodes have been the focus of attention in many electrochemical laboratories. For the design and fabrication of electrodes at the molecular level, quinone/hydroquinone couples have occupied an important position in such efforts because of their well behaved electrochemical characteristics. In addition, they can serve as models for biological redox processes, many of which involve quinone couples of
Computational modeling of depth ordering in occlusion through accretion or deletion of texture.

Understanding the depth ordering of surfaces in the natural world is one of the most fundamental operations of the primate visual system. Surfaces that undergo accretion or deletion (AD) of texture are always perceived to behind an adjacent surface. An updated ForMotionOcclusion model (Barnes & Mingolla, 2013) includes two streams for computing motion signals and boundary signals. The two streams generate depth percepts such that AD signals together with boundary signals generate a farther depth on the occluded side of the boundary. The model fits the classical data (Kaplan, 1969) as well as the observation that moving surfaces tend to appear closer in depth (Royden, Baker, & Allman, 1988), for both binary and grayscale stimuli. The recent "Moonwalk illusion" described by Kromrey, Bart, and Hegde (2011) upends the classical view that the surface undergoing AD always becomes the background. Here the surface that undergoes AD appears to be in front of the surrounding surface-a result of the random flickering noise in the surround. As an additional challenge, we developed an AD display with dynamic depth ordering. A new texture version of the Michotte rabbit hole phenomenon (Michotte, Thines, & Crabbe, 1964/1991) generates depth that changes in part of the display area. Because the ForMotionOcclusion model separates the computation of boundaries from the computation of AD signals, it is able to explain the counterintuitive Moonwalk stimulus. We show simulations that explain the workings of the model and how the model explains the Moonwalk and textured Michotte phenomena.
The cost of losing a National Football League franchise: evidence from hotel occupancy data

In the past five years, San Diego and St. Louis lost National Football League franchises to Los Angeles. This paper uses daily data on hotel room rentals, average room rates, and hotel revenue to e...
Fetal neurodevelopmental recovery in donors after laser surgery for twin-twin transfusion syndrome.

Background Fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS) provide a unique opportunity to non-invasively measure markers of neurodevelopment in survivors of twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). Objective To characterize fetal brain maturation after laser surgery for TTTS by measuring brain volumes and cerebral metabolite concentrations using fetal MRI + MRS. Study design Prospective study of dual surviving fetuses treated with laser surgery for TTTS. At 4-5 postoperative weeks, fetal MRI was used together with novel image analysis to automatically extract major brain tissue volumes. Fetal MRS was used to measure major metabolite concentrations in the fetal brain. Results Twenty-one twin pairs were studied. The average (±SD) gestational age at MRI was 25.89 (±2.37) weeks. Total brain volume (TBV) was lower in the donors, although cerebral volumes were not different between twin pairs. Recipients showed lower proportions of cortical and cerebellar volumes, normalized to TBV and cerebral volumes. MRS data showed that biochemical differences between twin brains were related to discrepancy in their brain volumes. Conclusion Although donors have a smaller TBV compared to recipients, proportionality of brain tissue volumes are preserved in donors. MRS maturational markers of fetal brain development show that recovery in donors persists 4 weeks after surgery.
Changes in Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Seroprevalence Over Time in 10 Sites in the United States, March-August, 2020.

BACKGROUND: Monitoring of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibody prevalence can complement case reporting to inform more accurate estimates of SARS-CoV-2 infection burden, but few studies have undertaken repeated sampling over time on a broad geographic scale. METHODS: We performed serologic testing on a convenience sample of residual serum obtained from persons of all ages, at 10 sites in the United States from 23 March through 14 August 2020, from routine clinical testing at commercial laboratories. We standardized our seroprevalence rates by age and sex, using census population projections and adjusted for laboratory assay performance. Confidence intervals were generated with a 2-stage bootstrap. We used bayesian modeling to test whether seroprevalence changes over time were statistically significant. RESULTS: Seroprevalence remained below 10% at all sites except New York and Florida, where it reached 23.2% and 13.3%, respectively. Statistically significant increases in seroprevalence followed peaks in reported cases in New York, South Florida, Utah, Missouri, and Louisiana. In the absence of such peaks, some significant decreases were observed over time in New York, Missouri, Utah, and Western Washington. The estimated cumulative number of infections with detectable antibody response continued to exceed reported cases in all sites. CONCLUSIONS: Estimated seroprevalence was low in most sites, indicating that most people in the United States had not been infected with SARS-CoV-2 as of July 2020. The majority of infections are likely not reported. Decreases in seroprevalence may be related to changes in healthcare-seeking behavior, or evidence of waning of detectable anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels at the population level. Thus, seroprevalence estimates may underestimate the cumulative incidence of infection.
Visualizing the Future of Collections: How to Make Data Visualization Accessible and Useful for Managing Collections and Museums:

Data are vital to collections—from managing their holdings to quantifying their impact. Data visualization can be a powerful asset for collections because it translates complex data into something ...
The Effect of Transitioning from SITA Standard to SITA Faster on Visual Field Performance.

Purpose To determine the effect of transitioning from Swedish Interactive Thresholding Algorithm (SITA) Standard to SITA Faster on visual field (VF) performance in glaucomatous eyes with a broad spectrum of disease severity undergoing longitudinal VF testing in a real-world clinical setting. Design Retrospective, longitudinal study. Participants A total of 421 patients (766 eyes) with manifest or suspect glaucoma followed at a single institution. Methods Each included eye received the following sequence of VF examinations during routine clinical care: (1) SITA Standard, (2) SITA Standard, and (3) SITA Faster (mean time between tests = 13.9 months). Intra-eye comparisons were made between the first 2 VFs (Standard-Standard sequence) and the last 2 VFs (Standard-Faster sequence). The primary dependent variable was the difference in mean deviation (MD) between the second and first VF of the sequence (ΔMD, calculated as MDVF2 – MDVF1). The primary independent variable was the VF sequence (Standard-Standard or Standard-Faster). Linear mixed-effects models were used to study the effect of testing sequence on ΔMD, adjusting for confounders including time between VFs and change in false-positive (FP) errors. Results were stratified to understand the effect of glaucoma severity on the relationship between testing sequence and ΔMD. Main Outcome Measures The difference in ΔMD between Standard-Standard and Standard-Faster sequence by mild, moderate, and advanced disease severity. Results In eyes with mild or suspect glaucoma, there was no significant difference in ΔMD between Standard-Faster and Standard-Standard sequences (−0.23 decibels [dB]; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.60 to 0.15 dB). However, the Standard-Faster sequence was associated with a 0.87 dB (95% CI, 0.18–1.57 dB) improvement in ΔMD compared with the Standard-Standard sequence in eyes with moderate glaucoma and a 1.49 dB (95% CI, 0.79–2.19 dB) improvement in ΔMD in eyes with advanced glaucoma. Conclusions Converting to SITA Faster in eyes that were previously followed with SITA Standard led to similar VF performance in mild glaucoma but resulted in higher MD values in moderate and advanced glaucoma. For patients with moderate or severe glaucoma, this may conceal disease progression when transitioning testing strategies.
Small-Loan Providers: Sent Back to the Fringe

Policymakers blamed a proliferation of ‘irresponsible’ lenders for issuing expensive loans that entrapped poor borrowers in a cycle of debt. The Consumer Credit Act 2006 required stringent licensing of high-risk lenders, sending small-loan providers back the fringe. By 2014, many believed that payday loans made the problems of poverty worse. Social justice concerns over economic fairness and the financial inclusion agenda guided the implementation of price controls on payday loans—a major and monumental reversal of government policy. What has changed is how policymakers understand poverty and how the state protects the working poor from certain kinds of finance. Price caps pushed lenders from the lowest end of the market. The verdict was clear: payday loans were harmful and marginal borrowers were better off without one.
Competence versus Priorities: Negative Electoral Responses to Education Quality in Brazil

Do voters reward politicians for the quality of public services? We address this question by studying voters’ responses to signals of municipal school quality in Brazil, a setting particularly favo...
"That's the price of living in paradise:" coastal retirement and hurricanes

Coastal Carolina is a popular retirement destination. Ten individuals, previously interviewed regarding their decision to retire here, were re-interviewed after Hurricane Florence. This sample of eight women and two men, mean age 74.4 (range = 68-88), provided a unique opportunity to learn about their hurricane experiences and to compare their pre- and post-responses about their choice to move to the coast. Nine evacuated, including one to a local shelter. Respondents reported a lack of preparations, but neighbors played an important supportive role. Issues about the shelter and for single women were identified. Results have implications for future disaster preparations.
The role of substrate structure in recognition and regulation of enzymatic interconversion of proteins.

Publisher Summary Enzyme-catalyzed covalent modification of proteins requires a specialized catalyst that preferentially interacts with a defined region of the protein substrate. The nature of this interaction is of considerable biological significance, as enzyme-catalyzed chemical modification of proteins, primarily enzymes, is a fundamental mechanism by which cellular activities are controlled. Proteins can be characterized by four orders of structure; the contribution that each order of structure plays in the architecture of a site recognized by a modifying enzyme is difficult to assess. Although primary structure determines the remaining structures, substrates of enzymes which glycosylate asparagine, hydroxylate proline, or lysine, and phosphorylate serine/threonine or tyrosine residue contain one or more particular amino acids in common near the modified residue. The adenylylation of Escherichia coli glutamine synthetase appears to represent a type of enzyme interconversion in which substrate tertiary or quaternary structural elements are essential for covalent modification. The phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of skeletal muscle glycogen phosphorylase illustrate several aspects of the involvement of different levels of substrate structure on enzyme interconversion. The phosphorylation–dephosphorylation of phosphorylase at a unique serine residue is a key regulatory mechanism for controlling glycogen metabolism in this tissue.
Assisted Reproduction in Same Sex Couples

In recent years a growing recognition of same sex unions as culturally and socially acceptable has led inevitably to a parallel acceptance of such unions as a foundation for family. Advances in gay rights, the liberalization of legal restraints, and the increasing availability of assisted reproduction have led to more men and women being open about their homosexuality, open about their relationships, and open about their desire to become parents within the context of a same sex relationship. As a result, fertility programs have experienced a growing demand for service from same sex couples seeking parenthood through alternative reproductive techniques. This movement has culminated in a phenomenon commonly referred to as the “gay baby boom”.
Model for the aerobic growth of Aeromonas hydrophila K144.

The combined effects of temperature (5 to 42°C), NaCl (0.5 to 4.5%), pH (5.3 to 7.3), and NaN02 (0 to 200 μg/ml) on the aerobic growth of Aeromonas hydrophila K144 were studied in brain heart infusion (BHI) broth using a modified central composite design. Variable combinations were tested in triplicate aerobic flasks; viable cell counts were made at intervals during incubation by surface plating on tryptic soy agar. Growth curves were generated using the Gompertz equation in conjunction with a nonlinear iterative regression analysis. Values for the four Gompertz parameters (A, C, B, and M) were obtained for the variable combinations tested. Using response surface techniques, quadratic and cubic equations containing the four variables of temperature, pH, NaCl, and NaN02 were developed to yield predictive values for the B and M Gompertz values. Goodness of fit evaluation of the models was by R2 values. Comparison of predicted and observed values of B and M and evaluation of predicted lag times and generation times indicated that the quadratic model gave a better fit. Overall, the variable combinations interacted to decrease the generation time and increase the lag time. The results indicate that pH, salt, and nitrite can decrease the growth of A. hydrophila when combined with low temperature incubation.
Toroidal coil winding machines making the best choice

The lack of knowledge regarding the toroidal coil winding equipment hampers the growth of the toroid as first choice for transformers, inductors and other electrical applications. The author discusses the different components of toroidal coil winding machine and their functions; the different types of toroidal coil winding equipment, their application and comparative advantages/disadvantages; and general mathematical calculations required for selecting the appropriate toroidal coil winding equipment.
Dynamic aspects of musical imagery

Auditory imagery can represent many aspects of music, such as the starting pitches of a tune or the instrument that typically plays it. In this paper, I concentrate on more dynamic, or time-sensitive aspects of musical imagery, as demonstrated in two recently published studies. The first was a behavioral study that examined the ability to make emotional judgments about both heard and imagined music in real time. The second was a neuroimaging study on the neural correlates of anticipating an upcoming tune, after hearing a cue tune. That study found activation of several sequence-learning brain areas, some of which varied with the vividness of the anticipated musical memory. Both studies speak to the ways in which musical imagery allows us to judge temporally changing aspects of the represented musical experience. These judgments can be quite precise, despite the complexity of generating the rich internal representations of imagery.
Effect of mechanical optical clearing on near‐infrared spectroscopy

Near-infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) is a broadly utilized technology with many emerging applications including clinical diagnostics, sports medicine, and functional neuroimaging, to name a few. For functional brain imaging NIR light is delivered at multiple wavelengths through the scalp and skull to the brain to enable spatial oximetry measurements. Dynamic changes in brain oxygenation are highly correlated with neural stimulation, activation, and function. Unfortunately, NIRS is currently limited by its low spatial resolution, shallow penetration depth, and, perhaps most importantly, signal corruption due to light interactions with superficial non-target tissues such as scalp and skull. In response to these issues, we have combined the non-invasive and rapidly reversible method of mechanical tissue optical clearing (MOC) with a commercially available NIRS system. MOC utilizes a compressive loading force on tissue, causing the lateral displacement of blood and water, while simultaneously thinning the tissue. A MOC-NIRS Breath Hold Test displayed a ∼3.5-fold decrease in the time-averaged standard deviation between channels, consequentially promoting greater channel agreement. A Skin Pinch Test was implemented to negate brain and muscle activity from affecting the recorded signal. These results displayed a 2.5-3.0 fold increase in raw signal amplitude. Existing NIRS instrumentation has been further integrated within a custom helmet device to provide a uniform force distribution across the NIRS sensor array. These results showed a gradual decrease in time-averaged standard deviation among channels with an increase in applied pressure. Through these experiments, and the development of the MOC-NIRS helmet device, MOC appears to provide enhancement of NIRS technology beyond its current limitations.
Graphene Oxide Colloidal Suspensions as Cutting Fluids for Micromachining—Part I: Fabrication and Performance Evaluation

This paper is aimed at investigating the effects of graphene oxide platelet (GOP) geometry (i.e., lateral size and thickness) and oxygen functionalization on the cooling and lubrication performance of GOP colloidal suspensions. The techniques of thermal reduction and ultrasonic exfoliation were used to manufacture three different types of GOPs. For each of these three types of GOPs, colloidal solutions with GOP concentrations varying between 0.1–1 wt% were evaluated for their dynamic viscosity, thermal conductivity and micromachining performance. The ultrasonically-exfoliated GOPs (with 2–3 graphene layers and lowest in-solution characteristic lateral length of 120 nm) appear to be the most favorable for micromachining applications. Even at the lowest concentration of 0.1 wt%, they are capable of providing a 51% reduction in the cutting temperature and a 25% reduction in the surface roughness value over that of the baseline semi-synthetic cutting fluid. For the thermally-reduced GOPs (with 4–8 graphene layers and in-solution characteristic lateral length of 562–2780 nm), a concentration of 0.2 wt% appears to be optimal. The findings suggest that the differences seen between the colloidal suspensions in terms of their droplet spreading, evaporation and the subsequent GOP film-formation characteristics may be better indicators of their machining performance, as opposed to their bulk fluid properties.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Pulsation in a competitive model of advertising-firm's cost interaction

The literature reveals contradiction between theoretical results (superiority of uniform policy under a concave advertising response function) and empirical results (concavity of the advertising response function and the superiority of a pulsation policy). To reconcile the above difference, this paper offers a resolution based on (1) the concavity of the advertising response function; (2) the convexity of the firm's cost function; and (3) over-advertising. The resolution is reached upon maximizing the net profit per unit time over the infinite planning horizon subject to an exogenous advertising budget constraint. Theoretical results for monopolistic markets are found mostly generalized to competitive markets. A numerical example is introduced to gain more insight into the theoretical findings and an approach is introduced and implemented to empirically assess the shape of a firm's cost function and the advertising policy to be employed.
Gradient of pressure and time between proximal anal canal and high-pressure zone during internal anal sphincter relaxation. Its role in the fecal continence mechanism.

PURPOSE: The normal response to rectal distention is a relaxation of the proximal anal canal (PAC). We hypothesized that this mechanism would require a gradient of pressure and time to preserve continence. METHODS: Sixteen volunteers (10 male), mean age, 41.5 (range, 24–60) years, were studied using an eight port axial catheter with a compliant balloon at its tip. Relaxation was induced by a small volume of rectal distention (15–30 ml of air) and was recorded until recovery of resting anal pressure (RAP). Duration of relaxation was measured until recovery of RAP. Amplitude of relaxation was determined between RAP before rectal distention (RAP-BR) and pressure at the point of maximum relaxation (RAP-PMR). Gradient of pressure was determined by comparing RAP-PMR in the high-pressure zone (HPZ) and PAC. Contraction in the distal anal canal was interpreted as external anal sphincter contraction (EASC) and was compared with RAP-PMR in the HPZ. RESULTS: Relaxation was significantly greater in PAC than in HPZ (50vs. 36 percent;P=0.001). RAP-PMR was significantly higher in HPZ than in PAC (30.7vs. 12.6 mmHg;P= 0.001). EASC was observed in six patients and did not show significant difference with RAP-PMR in HPZ (39.7vs. 36.3 mmHg; not significant). Relaxation began at the same time in all levels but lasted significantly longer in PAC compared with HPZ (13.5vs. 9.4 sec;P=0.003). CONCLUSION: Anal relaxation induced by small volume rectal distention involves a gradient in the pressure and time of relaxation between PAC and the HPZ.
Networks, communication and productivity in a natural science research facility

There is a need in the sociology of science to study relationships among sets of scientists, where each set consists of an entire organization of scientists, or an institute or department of scientists within such an organization. In this paper, colleague choices are aggregated between the institutes (departments) of a single large natural science facility and a multidimensional scaling technique is employed to produce a social map of the facility. Next, hypotheses about the positions of the department in that map are tested. Disciplinary similarity; scale of phenomena investigated (cellular, molecular, or atomic); availability of appropriate apparatus at the facility; and, for the applied and service institutes, the type of assistance they provide (general or more specific) all help explain the social locations of the institutes within the facility. Then, productivity scores for the institutes of the facility are determined and related to the social map and to likely patterns of communication employed by...
Rapid two-stage polymerase chain reaction amplification of chromosomal DNA segments in lysates made from monolayer cultures attached to microcarrier beads

We describe a method for the rapid two-stage amplification and detection by ethidium bromide staining of chromosomal nucleotide (nt) sequences in lysates made directly from anchorage-dependent cells attached to microcarrier beads. The procedure circumvents the need for cell detachment steps prior to analysis, facilitates the collection, transfer, and manipulation of the cells being studied, and makes unnecessary the use of Southern-blot hybridization for identification of specific nt sequences present in a small fraction of cells within a heterogeneous population.
Cyclic deformation behaviour of Cu-16at.%Al single crystals part II: Cyclic hardening and slip band behavior

Abstract In an attempt to understand cyclic hardening and slip band behavior of planar slip alloys, studies have been carried out in strain control on Cu-16at.%Al single crystals oriented for easy glide. The gauge section was observed to become completely filled with slip bands by the repetition of strain bursts irrespective of strain amplitude. Slip in the old bands which carried the whole strain just before a strain burst seem to become inactive after a few successive strain bursts. Since the localized strain shifts around the gauge length because of the short active life of the slip bands, the overall deformation becomes rather homogeneous. This Luders-band-like behavior persists for a large fraction of the fatigue life, even after crack formation. A regular hill and valley surface morphology develops on the CuAl crystals with cycling. This morphology is related to strain burst behavior, the wavelength of the morphology increasing with strain amplitude because the strain bursts are larger in the early stages of life. The development of sharp extrusions commonly observed in copper is not observed in Cu-16at.%Al single crystals. Sharp extrusions are not expected to develop in this alloy because of its low stacking fault energy and its Luders-band-like slip behavior.
Stimulation of mouse megakaryocyte endomitosis by plasma from thrombocytopenic rats.

Injection of plasma from thrombocytopenic donor rats resulted in an increase in the endomitotic index of megakaryocytes of recipient mice 32 hr after the initial treatment with plasma. The results suggested a dose-response relationship between the amount of plasma administered and the degree of stimulation of megakaryocytopoiesis. These findings demonstrate that an agent capable of stimulating megakaryocytopoiesis is released in response to thrombocytopenia and that this factor can be successfully transferred between species. They also substantiate the assumption that the increase in peripheral platelet numbers and in platelet labeling after administration of presumptive TSF occurs via stimulation of megakaryocytopoiesis.
An Ideal Characterization of Mahlo Cardinals

We show that a cardinal κ is a (strongly) Mahlo cardinal if and only if there exists a nontrivial κ -complete κ -normal ideal on κ . Also we show that if κ is Mahlo and λ ≧ κ and λ κ = λ then there is a nontrivial κ -complete κ -normal fine ideal on P κ ( λ ). If κ is the successor of a cardinal, we consider weak κ -normality and prove that if κ = μ + and μ is a regular cardinal then (1) μ μ = μ if and only if there is a nontrivial κ -complete weakly κ -normal ideal on κ , and (2) if μ μ = μ λ μ = λ then there is a nontrivial κ -complete weakly κ -normal fine ideal on P κ ( λ ).
Exploring the capabilities of immersion lithography

Immersion lithography has recently emerged as the leading candidate for extending 193 nm lithography to the 45 nm lithography node and beyond. By immersing the wafer in a high index fluid, lens designs with numerical apertures (NAs) approaching the refractive index of the fluid are possible. In this paper, the fundamental imaging physics of immersion lithography will be described. The impact of resolution and depth of focus will be explored, as well as the subtle though significant influence of hyper NAs on polarization related imaging
New names in Heteropolygonatum (Asparagaceae)

Heteropolygonatum has been considered endemic to China, but molecular analyses and morphological observation of type and living collections necessitate the transfer of several Polygonatum to the former: Heteropolygonatum alternicirrhosum, H. anomalum , H. marmoratum , and H. parcefolium , which expands the range of the genus to neighboring Vietnam where H. marmoratum has been collected. Discussion of their morphology, perigone images, distribution, and full synonymy are given for the species transferred herein. Discussion of the distinctive generic morphology and karyotypes are provided in relation to their generic placement. Furthermore, the expansions of the provincial distributions of H. ginfushanicum and H. roseolum are given based on examination of herbarium material. A synoptic key to the genus is provided.
Expectations for College and Student Persistence.

Tinto postulates that students enter college with expectations. If these expectations are unmet, there is early disenchantment with the social and academic communities. Such disenchantments hinder academic and social integration which, in turn, influence subsequent institutional and goal commitments and ultimately student departure. These formulations are tested in a multi-institutional study of 263 first-time freshmen who entered four-year colleges and universities. The findings indicate that both academic and social integration are positively influenced by the meeting of expectations for academic and career development. Social integration is positively influenced by expectations for opportunities for personal involvement, but negatively affected by expectations for a collegiate atmosphere. Indirect effects on intentions to remain in the focal college are indirectly influenced by collegiate atmosphere and academic and career development. Implications for enrollment management and the development of linkages between theories of college choice and student departure are drawn.
Ultrasound diagnosis of traumatic pneumothorax.

A 36-year-old man presented to our emergency department complaining of right-sided chest pain after a motor vehicle collision. Physical examination revealed bilateral breath sounds and a supine chest radiograph was unremarkable. A 10-5 MHz linear transducer (SonoSite MicroMaxx, Bothell, WA, USA) was used to obtain ultrasound images at the patients left anterior chest wall [Figure 1], right anterior chest wall [Figure 2] and right lateral chest wall [Figure 3].