cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of aromatic substitution on phase behavior of blends of halogenated polystyrene and conventional polystyrene

Miscibility phase behavior in blends of poly(bromostyrene) with polystyrene (PS) has been investigated by means of time-resolved light scattering, optical microscopy, and DSC. Cloud point phase diagrams of blends of conventional PS with poly-(2-bromostyrene) (P2BrS), poly-(3-bromostyrene), and poly-(4-bromostyrene) of comparable molecular weights were established by light scattering. Of particular interest is the fact that ortho, meta, and para substitutions in the styrenic aromatic rings of poly(bromostyrene) show profound effects on the composition–temperature phase diagrams of their blends with PS, exhibiting a lower critical-solution temperature (LCST), an upper critical solution temperature (UCST), and combined LCST/UCST diagrams, respectively. Poly-(2-chlorostyrene) exhibits an LCST behavior very close to that of the P2BrS blend, suggesting that these types of halogen atoms may be inconsequential to phase behavior. A similar study has been extended to a PS blend containing commercial brominated PS (66 mol % bromine substitution) to determine what location of bromine substitution is crucial for miscibility enhancement in the flame-retardant brominated PS blends. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 39: 1605–1615, 2001
Experimental verification of effects of turbulent Boundary layers on chemical-kinetic measurements in a shock tube

Turbulent boundary layer effects on chemical and kinetic measurements of gas mixture composition from nonuniform shock tube flow
Three-region analytical models for MESFETs in low-voltage digital circuits

Analytical models for self-aligned gate, GaAs and Si MESFET/JFETs that predict static current-voltage characteristics continuously in three regions of operation (subthreshold, linear, and saturation,) are presented. The characteristic equations are closed-form and describe behavior explicitly in terms of terminal voltages. Comparisons of model predictions with measurements in all regions of device operation are presented. In addition to physical insight into MESFET/JFET operation, the models, due to their relative simplicity, promise digital circuit simulations with accuracy, ease, and efficiency. The models indicate that in typical DCFL (direct-coupled FET logic) circuits MESFETs with undoped substrates are superior to those on highly doped substrates with respect to noise margin considerations. >
Prevalence of thermoduric bacteria and spores on 10 Midwest dairy farms.

Abstract Thermoduric bacteria (TDB), including sporeformers and their spores, can be present in milk and dairy products even after pasteurization. They have the potential to adversely affect the quality and shelf life of products. The objectives of this study were to identify the origin and common species of heat-resistant bacteria occurring during summer and winter on Midwest dairy farms. Bulk tank milk samples were taken from 10 dairy farms located along the South Dakota section of Interstate 29, with herd sizes ranging from 650 to 3,500 lactating dairy cows. Milk samples were profiled for the prevalence of TDB and spore counts (SC). Corn silage samples and swabs of the milking clusters were also taken at the dairies to further profile the potential sources of TDB and SC. The samples were taken 3 times during 2 seasons [winter (January–March) and summer (June–August)] to track seasonal changes in the farm bacterial flora. During winter, the average TDB counts in bulk tank milk were 2.61 log compared with 2.76 log TDB counts in the summer. The SC was 1.08 log in the winter, which was half the 2.06 log SC present in the summer season. Corn silage sampled in winter contained a 7.57 log TDB count compared with an increased 10.77 log TDB count during summer sampling. Concentrations of SC in corn silage reached an average of 6.3 log in winter compared with 11.81 log for summer. The seasonal effect was evident with an increase in summer counts across the board for TDB and SC, both in the feed and bulk tank milk samples. Bacillus licheniformis was the predominant species identified in 62.4% of winter (85 total) and 49.4% of summer (83 total) samples. Bacillus subtilis made up 9.4% of the remaining winter isolates, followed by Bacillus sonorensis at 8.2%. Conversely, B. sonorensis made up 12% of the summer isolates followed by Bacillus pumilus at 10.8%. Bacillus licheniformis is a ubiquitous microbe and was isolated from both TDB and sporeformer categories in all 3 sample types. There were larger increases in SC than TDB, indicating that summer temperatures and conditions may favor proliferation of sporeforming bacteria over that of TDB. In conclusion, samples from bulk tank milk, milking cluster swabs, and corn silage samples at each of the 10 sites indicated that B. licheniformis was the major contaminant species, regardless of season. In this experiment, corn silage was the major environmental source of both TDB and SC with higher concentrations in summer when compared with winter.
Combination L-T3 and L-T4 therapy for hypothyroidism.

Purpose of reviewBecause of the longstanding controversy regarding whether hypothyroid patients can be optimally replaced by treatment with levothyroxine (L-T4) alone, numerous studies have addressed potential benefits of combined therapy of triiodothyronine (T3) with L-T4. Results of these studies
Waldenström macroglobulinemia in hepatitis C: case report and review of the current literature.

Background. Recent literature has associated hepatitis C virus with the development of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Hepatitis C virus infection appears to promote lymphoproliferation, providing a plausible mechanism for a causative association; however, despite prior reports of patients with comorbid hepatitis C infection and Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia, the literature is in disagreement regarding whether there exists an association between these two conditions. Case Presentation. This case report describes a 57-year-old African-American male with chronic hepatitis C infection and cryoglobulinemia who presented with several episodes of transient confusion and paralysis and was found to have symptomatic hyperviscosity. The recognition of his condition was facilitated by characteristic findings on ophthalmologic examination. He was subsequently diagnosed with Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia on bone marrow biopsy. Conclusions. An up to date, comprehensive review of the literature suggests an association between hepatitis C and Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia. Data on optimal treatment of patients with comorbid hepatitis C infection and Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia is limited. We have provided a comprehensive review of previously explored treatment options to guide management of other similar patients. Our patient has since been treated with repeated plasmapheresis with a plan to pursue antiviral therapy.
Reiki and Changes in Pattern Manifestations

The purposes of this qualitative research study were to describe the changes in pattern manifestations that individuals experienced associated with receiving Reiki, and to present the theoretical understanding of these changes. The unitary field pattern portrait research method was utilized because it was ontologically, epistemologically, and methodologically consistent with the science of unitary human beings. Reiki was found to be associated with changes in awareness from dissonance and turbulence to harmony and well-being by helping individuals knowingly participate in actualizing their own capacities for healing. Reiki was found to be an appropriate voluntary mutual patterning nursing modality.
Devising, implementing, and evaluating interventions to eliminate health care disparities in minority children

Despite an accumulating body of literature addressing racial/ethnic disparities in children's health and health care, there have been few published studies of interventions that have been successful in eliminating these disparities. The objectives of this article, therefore, are to (1) describe 3 interventions that have been successful in eliminating racial/ethnic disparities in children's health and health care, (2) highlight tips and pitfalls regarding devising, implementing, and evaluating pediatric disparities interventions, and (3) propose a research agenda for pediatric disparities interventions. Key characteristics of the 3 successful interventions include rigorous study designs; large sample sizes; appropriate comparison groups; community-based interventions that are culturally and linguistically sensitive and involve collaboration with participants; research staff from the same community as the participants; appropriate blinding of outcomes assessors; and statistical adjustment of outcomes for relevant covariates. On the basis of these characteristics, I propose tips, pitfalls, an approach, and a research agenda for devising, implementing, and evaluating successful pediatric disparities interventions. Examination of 3 successful interventions indicates that pediatric health care disparities can be eliminated. Achievement of this goal requires an intervention that is rigorous, evidence-based, and culturally and linguistically appropriate. The intervention must also include community collaboration, minimize attrition, adjust for potential confounders, and incorporate mechanisms for sustainability.
Surface damage to an Oxinium femoral head prosthesis after dislocation

During open reduction of an irreducible anterior dislocation of a total hip replacement with an Oxinium femoral head, it was observed that the head had been significantly damaged. Gross and scanning electron microscopic examination revealed cracking, gouging, and delamination of the surface. Because of the risk which this poses for damaging the polyethylene acetabular liner, it is strongly recommended that patients with this type of prosthetic head be carefully monitored after a dislocation.
Multivariate variation diminishing approximation

Algorithms to generate shape-preserving polynomial interpolants to multivariate data are presented. Multivariate variation diminishing splines over rectangular partitions are considered first. Bernstein-Bezier interpolants over triangulations is the second approach considered. The methods are evaluated in terms of the computational effort required to construct the interpolants. >
Scale invariance and universality: organizing principles in complex systems

This paper is a brief summary of a talk that was designed to address the question of whether two of the pillars of the eld of phase transitions and critical phenomena { scale invariance and universality { can be useful in guiding research on a broad class of complex phenomena. We shall see that while scale invariance has been tested for many years, universality is relatively more rarely discussed. In particular, we shall develop a heuristic argument that serves to make more plausible the universality hypothesis in both thermal critical phenomena and percolation phenomena, and suggest that this argument could be developed into a possible coherent approach to understanding the ubiquity of scale invariance and universality in a wide range of complex systems. c 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Detecting Masquerading Users in a Document Management System

A Document Management System (DMS) is a repository of digital documents that provides functionality for check-in, check-out and shared editing. In a DMS, security mechanisms like encryption of documents and enforcement of policies are implemented to protect from information leakage. These security schemes, essentially applications of Digital Rights Management technologies, while effective against external attacks, are ineffective against insider attacks. The typical insider in a DMS already has access to documents and hence, his capabilities for information leakage are much higher. In this work, we address an important, yet unexplored problem of masquerading users in a DMS, a threat for which the DMS inherently has no protection. We approach the problem by monitoring the pattern and mannerism of user actions on documents and building a profile of each user using the resulting logs. In order to illustrate our ideas, we built user profiles of 41 users working on Microsoft Word and applied two algorithms, viz., IPAM and Naive Bayes to distinguish between them. When supplied with appropriately interpreted command sequences of a DMS, IPAM was able to distinguish between users effectively, while Naive Bayes failed to produce any meaningful results. We recorded an average detection rate of 58% with a false positive of 14%.
Cytologic diagnosis of oral, esophageal, and peripheral lung cancer

Oral Cavity. Most carcinomas in situ of the oral cavity present as red or pink lesions that do not have a keratinized surface. Scrapings of such lesions readily disclose abnormal squamous cells diagnostic of cancer. Scrapings of the keratinized white lesions (so-called leukoplakia) are of no diagnostic value. Dentists, who are most likely to uncover precancerous lesions, are apparently not aware of the diagnostic options based on simple scrape smears. The method is also applicable to follow-up of patients with treated cancer of the oral cavity. Esophagus. Cytologic evaluation of esophageal cancer, initially by washings and subsequently by brushings under endoscopic control, is an established method of diagnosis. The diagnostic results are very good in symptomatic cancer patients and have an accuracy reaching 85–90%. Unfortunately the results of treatment of advanced lesions are very poor, with 5-year survival of only about 5%. Serious efforts at detection of early esophageal cancer started in China in the 1960s, using an abrasive balloon technique which was applied to asymptomatic populations in high risk areas such as Linxian in the Henan province of Central China. The Chinese investigators reported the finding of numerous precancerous lesions of the esophagus classified as carcinoma in situ and as dysplasia. Surgical resection of some of the precursor lesions apparently resulted in a significant drop in the rate of invasive carcinoma, although the statistical results were not convincingly presented. The balloon technique has been tested by us and by others in South Africa and in Transkei, confirming its efficacy in the diagnosis of early esophageal cancer. Peripheral Lung. Sputum and bronchial brush cytology may uncover bronchogenic carcinoma in situ and early invasive cancers located in the primary or secondary bronchi. Small, peripheral lung lesions usually do not shed cells in sputum or brushings, and their discovery is usually based on roentgenologic finding. The identity of such lesions can be confirmed in most cases by a transcutaneous aspiration. Most of the peripheral malignant lesions are small adenocarcinomas or epidermoid carcinomas, both resectable by routine surgical procedures. Less commonly, oat cell carcinomas may be observed and these lesions should not be treated by surgery. Benign lesions such as granulomatous inflammation and fungal infections may also be identified by aspiration techniques. The prognosis of the resectable carcinomas varies with their size and the presence or absence of regional lymph node metastases. Most importantly perhaps, many of these peripheral lesions occur in non-smokers or former smokers, slowly replacing in frequency the classical squamous bronchogenic carcinomas observed in smokers. It is clear that the optimal targets for chemoprevention are the oral and esophageal precursor lesions.
Enhancement of Phased Array Size and Radiation Properties Using Staggered Array Configurations

In this paper, two staggered array conflgurations are presented for enhancing size and radiation properties of wideband phased array systems. The proposed arrays are obtained either by rotating each element 45 - or by inserting additional rows in the middle which are shifted by half the distance between elements. These two conflgurations allow for a smaller distance between array elements (29% less), while the actual distance between elements in the diagonal direction is kept the same. Reducing the distance between elements results in eliminating/reducing the grating lobes in a wider frequency range, which improves the array usable bandwidth. In addition, this proposed array produces better gain and maximum steering angle.
Event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging changes during relational retrieval in normal aging and amnestic mild cognitive impairment.

The earliest cognitive deficits observed in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) appear to center on memory tasks that require relational memory (RM), the ability to link or integrate unrelated pieces of information. RM impairments in aMCI likely reflect neural changes in the medial temporal lobe (MTL) and posterior parietal cortex (PPC). We tested the hypothesis that individuals with aMCI, as compared to cognitively normal (CN) controls, would recruit neural regions outside of the MTL and PPC to support relational memory. To this end, we directly compared the neural underpinnings of successful relational retrieval in aMCI and CN groups, using event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), holding constant the stimuli and encoding task. The fMRI data showed that the CN, compared to the aMCI, group activated left precuneus, left angular gyrus, right posterior cingulate, and right parahippocampal cortex during relational retrieval, while the aMCI group, relative to the CN group, activated superior temporal gyrus and supramarginal gyrus for this comparison. Such findings indicate an early shift in the functional neural architecture of relational retrieval in aMCI, and may prove useful in future studies aimed at capitalizing on functionally intact neural regions as targets for treatment and slowing of the disease course.
Pulmonary Toxicity Following Exposure to an Aerosolized Leather Protector

AbstractBackground: An aerosol spray for leather protection was reformulated to remove trichloroethane. The new formulation contained isobutane, n-heptane, ethyl acetate andfluoroaliphatics. Retrospective Review: Thirty-nine patients reported symptoms to the regional poison center. Respiratory symptoms developed within hours of exposure. Most symptoms resolved within two days. Abnormal pulmonary function tests, including obstructive disease or diminished diffusing capacity, were demonstrated in three of the four tested patients. Conclusions: The mechanism for the pulmonary toxicity has not been determined.
The Decade Survey in Astronomy and Astrophysics

The Astronomy and Astrophysics Survey Committee has recommended an ambitious program of ground-based and space-based initiatives to enable continued exploration of the universe in the coming decade. The top recommendation is the Next Generation Space Telescope, which will study the dawn of the modern universe. Small telescopes will make key contributions to the surveys that will be archived in the National Virtual Observatory, the top-ranked small initiative. In addition to their research role, small telescopes are essential for education and for training the next generation of instrumentalists.
Sensitivity analysis of tropospheric ozone to modified biogenic emissions for the Mid-Atlantic region

Abstract Biogenic sources contribute a large portion of emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), a precursor to tropospheric ozone (O 3 ). These emissions are difficult to control and are affected by land-use and climate. A sensitivity analysis was performed using an emissions scenario with a 100% increase in biogenic emissions and another scenario with an additional 100% increase in motor vehicle emissions. Meteorological and air pollution models were used to generate hourly ozone estimates for a case study high ozone episode. Resulting concentration estimates correspond to the total effect of changes from emissions, incorporating the interaction between anthropogenic and biogenic emissions. Biogenic VOCs had a greater impact than a comparable percent increase in motor vehicle emissions of ozone precursors, in this case study. The 100% increase in biogenic VOC emissions raised ozone levels, with an estimated maximum 1-h concentration 30% higher than that of the baseline scenario. The additional emissions of ozone precursors from motor vehicles raised the maximum 1-h concentration 40% over that of the baseline. The largest increases in ozone concentrations occurred near peak values. Urban areas had larger increases in ozone levels than rural regions. Both adjusted emissions scenarios resulted in ozone concentrations lower than that of the baseline for some estimates. These reductions occurred near low ozone levels however and were generally small. This research demonstrates the importance of biogenic VOC emissions in ozone formation for this region and of biogenic emissions inventories. Results also imply that climate change-induced increases in biogenic VOC emissions could significantly impact ozone concentrations.
Registered nurse leadership style and confidence in delegation

SaccomanoS.J. & Pinto-Zipp G. (2011) Journal of Nursing Management19, 522–533 Registered nurse leadership style and confidence in delegation Background and aims Leadership and confidence in delegation are two important explanatory constructs of nursing practice. The relationship between these constructs, however, is not clearly understood. To be successful in their roles as leaders, regardless of their experience, registered nurses (RNs) need to understand how to best delegate. The present study explored and described the relationship between RN leadership styles, demographic variables and confidence in delegation in a community teaching hospital. Methods Utilizing a cross-sectional survey design, RNs employed in one acute care hospital completed questionnaires that measured leadership style [Path-Goal Leadership Questionnaire (PGLQ)] and confidence in delegating patient care tasks [Confidence and Intent to Delegate Scale (CIDS)]. Results Contrary to expectations, the data did not confirm a relationship between confidence in delegating tasks to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAPs) and leadership style. Nurses who were diploma or associate degree prepared were initially less confident in delegating tasks to UAPs as compared with RNs holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. Further, after 5 years of clinical nursing experience, nurses with less educational experience reported more confidence in delegating tasks as compared with RNs with more educational experience. Conclusions The lack of a relationship between leadership style and confidence in delegating patient care tasks were discussed in terms of the PGLQ classification criteria and hospital unit differences. As suggested by the significant two-way interaction between educational preparation and clinical nursing experience, changes in the nurse’s confidence in delegating patient care tasks to UAPs was a dynamic changing variable that resulted from the interplay between amount of educational preparation and years of clinical nursing experience in this population of nurses. Clearly, generalizability of these findings to nurses outside the US is questionable, thus nurse managers must be familiar with the Nurse Practice Act in their country in order to ensure proper delegation of tasks to appropriate assistive personnel. Implications for nurse managers It is imperative that nurse managers provide nurses with the educational opportunities necessary to develop delegation and supervision strategies to adapt to the changing RN role while adhering to differences in scope of practice. Globally, RNs are caring for increasing numbers of acutely ill patients with scarce resources ensuring an adequately trained RN/UAP team can help support optimal patient care.
Bang Goes the Theory – Debunking Traditional Legal Education

This entertaining lecture (in verse with visuals) attacks, light-heartedly, the Socratic-case method, extols the clinical method, and encourages greater use of the problem method. This is guaranteed to provoke the greater part of the legal academy.
The Leadership Point of View

This note is intended as an introduction to a discussion on what leadership is. The definition proposed here is that real leadership is accomplished by the kind of person who is able to (1) see what needs to be done, (2) understand the underlying forces at play in a situation, and (3) initiate action to change things. A person who wants to become a leader in his or her organization needs to learn and observe as much as possible about the organization and to think about where it should be going. He or she should go beyond the immediate situation in their thinking in order to have a proactive point of view of the business as a whole.
Inhibition of hyaluronidase by aromatic compounds.

SummaryThe anti-hyaluronidase activity of phenol substitution products increases markedly with the length of the carbonic side chain. Salts of aromatic acids, like sodium salicylate, have an activity of a lower order as compared with that of phenols with long carbonic side chain. A moderate increase in activity is also obtained by substituting chlorine, nitro or amino groups.As the data indicate, there exists in general, a parallel course of the inhibitory power of the substances and their phenol coefficient.
The Genus Heterochaete in the United States

The first of these was made by Langlois, in 1897, at Saint Martinville, Louisiana. Five other collections have been made in Louisiana, and six in Florida. One of the remaining collections is from Kentucky; the other from the District of Columbia. Burt regards the collection from the District of Columbia, which was made on the grounds of the United States Department of Agriculture, as an import, and the species he erected for it-H. Shearii (Burt) Burt-has been reported only once since, this time from Guam (1). The southwestern part of Kentucky is included in the old gulf embayment, in which the remnants of a tropical flora compete with oak-hickory forests, and with stands of beech and hard maple. A single specimen of H. andina was collected at Clinton, in this region. Patouillard (2) established the species H. sublivida for the first collection made in the United States, that of Langlois in 1897. All other collections made in Louisiana have been determined as
Interphase centrosome organization by the PLP-Cnn scaffold is required for centrosome function

Pericentriolar material (PCM) mediates the microtubule (MT) nucleation and anchoring activity of centrosomes. A scaffold organized by Centrosomin (Cnn) serves to ensure proper PCM architecture and functional changes in centrosome activity with each cell cycle. Here, we investigate the mechanisms that spatially restrict and temporally coordinate centrosome scaffold formation. Focusing on the mitotic-to-interphase transition in Drosophila melanogaster embryos, we show that the elaboration of the interphase Cnn scaffold defines a major structural rearrangement of the centrosome. We identify an unprecedented role for Pericentrin-like protein (PLP), which localizes to the tips of extended Cnn flares, to maintain robust interphase centrosome activity and promote the formation of interphase MT asters required for normal nuclear spacing, centrosome segregation, and compartmentalization of the syncytial embryo. Our data reveal that Cnn and PLP directly interact at two defined sites to coordinate the cell cycle–dependent rearrangement and scaffolding activity of the centrosome to permit normal centrosome organization, cell division, and embryonic viability.
Intracellular pH in OK cells. II. Effects of temperature on cell pH.

Intracellular pH (pHi) is known to acidify as temperature rises. It has been proposed that this relationship reflects the temperature dependence of the dissociation constant of intracellular buffers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether H+ production and membrane acid/base transport events also contribute to the temperature dependence of pHi. This relationship was studied by means of the 490/450-nm fluorescence of 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein, to measure pHi of OK cells grown on cover slips and perfused in a thermostated chamber. As temperature was increased from 12 degrees C, pHi progressively acidified, until a precipitous and large alkalinization appeared at 40-45 degrees C. We specifically examined the range from 25 to 37 degrees C, over which pHi acidified by 0.32 units from 7.50 to 7.18. The three major components that regulate pHi in the OK cell were quantitated as follows: H+ production, H+ extrusion via Na(+)-H+ antiport, and the passive H+ leak from buffer to cell. Relative to the rate at 25 degrees C, acid production at 37 degrees C increased by 129% (3.82 +/- 0.78 vs. 8.76 +/- 1.12 mmol.l-1.min-1). The recovery of pHi after NH4Cl loading was used to measure the rate of Na(+)-H+ antiport, and in Na(+)-free depolarized cells the magnitude of passive H+ conductance through the leak pathway. Compared with the rate at 25 degrees C, at 37 degrees C the Na(+)-H+ antiport increased by 26% (1.25 +/- 0.22 vs. 1.58 +/- 0.25 mmol.l-1.min-1) and the H+ permeability increased by 140% (0.005 +/- 0.001 vs. 0.012 +/- 0.003 cm/s).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
r-entropy, equipartition, and Ornstein’s isomorphism theorem inR n

A new approach is given to the entropy of a probability-preserving group action (in the context ofZ and ofR n ), by defining an approximate “r-entropy”, 0<r<1, and lettingr → 0. If the usual entropy may be described as the growth rate of the number of essential names, then ther-entropy is the growth rate of the number of essential “groups of names” of width≦r, in an appropriate sense. The approach is especially useful for actions of continuous groups. We apply these techniques to state and prove a “second order” equipartition theorem forZ m ×R n and to give a “natural” proof of Ornstein’s isomorphism theorem for Bernoulli actions ofZ m ×R n , as well as a characterization of such actions which seems to be the appropriate generalization of “finitely determined”.
A comparison of medical students' learning approaches between the first and fourth years

Objectives We hypothesized that medical students exposed to a case-based curriculum in years 1 and 2 and clinical cases in the year 3 clerkship would demonstrate a longitudinal increase in the deep approach to learning and a decrease in the surface apathetic approach. Methods A cohort of first-year medical students completed the Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students at the beginning of their first term and again at the beginning of their fourth year. Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students scores were aggregated into three main learning approach scales: deep, strategic, and surface apathetic. Results On average, deep and strategic scores did not significantly change between years 1 and 4, but the surface apathetic mean score decreased as a result of lower syllabus boundness and fear of failure subscale scores. Effect sizes were small (d = 0.30, 0.34, respectively). Conclusions The deep approach to learning is a complex process and did not change in our students after 3 years of medical school, even though a case-based curriculum was believed to foster deeper learning. By the end of year 3, our students were, on average, less bound to syllabi and feared failure less.
Teleoperation mappings from rigid link robots to their extensible continuum counterparts

We present a novel approach to teleoperation of continuum robots. In contrast to previous approaches restricted to three Degree-of-Freedom (DoF) joysticks, a six degree-of-freedom rigid-link manipulator is used as the input device. Mappings from the rigid-link arm to the continuum robot are synthesized and analyzed, focusing on their potential for creating a more intuitive operational interface. The approach was implemented using a six degree-of-freedom rigid-link manipulator as input device for teleoperation of a three section, nine degree-of-freedom continuum robot. Tests were conducted across a range of planar and spatial tasks, using fifteen participant operators. The results demonstrate the feasibility of the approach, and suggest that it can be effective independent of the prior robotics, gaming, or teleoperative experience of the operator.
Assessment of the nervous system

This article describes the examination of the neurologic and ophthalmic systems in ruminants. Neuroanatomy with respect to lesion localization is reviewed. Pertinent age and species differences are addressed. The practical aspects of assessing the neurologic system are stressed, and the reader is directed to other sources of information for assistance in determining the differential diagnosis and therapy of neurologic disease.
Visual field meridians modulate the reallocation of object-based attention

Object-based attention (OBA) enhances processing within the boundaries of a selected object. Larger OBA effects have been observed for horizontal compared to vertical rectangles, which were eliminated when controlling for attention shifts across the visual field meridians. We aimed to elucidate the modulatory role of the meridians on OBA. We hypothesized that the contralateral organization of visual cortex accounts for these differences in OBA prioritization. Participants viewed “L”-shaped objects and, following a peripheral cue at the object vertex, detected the presence of a target at the cued location (valid), or at a non-cued location (invalid) offset either horizontally or vertically. In Experiment 1, the single displayed object contained components crossing both meridians. In Experiment 2, one cued object and one non-cued object were displayed such that both crossed the meridians. In Experiment 3, one cued object was sequestered into one screen quadrant, with its vertex either near or far from fixation. Results from Experiments 1 and 2 revealed a horizontal shift advantage (faster RTs for horizontal shifts across the vertical meridian compared to vertical shifts across the horizontal meridian), regardless of whether shifts take place within a cued object (Experiment 1) or between objects (Experiment 2). Results from Experiment 3 revealed no difference between horizontal and vertical shifts for objects that were positioned far from fixation, although the horizontal shift advantage reappeared for objects near fixation. These findings suggest a critical modulatory role of visual field meridians in the efficiency of reorienting object-based attention.
Emotion regulation strategies in individuals with cocaine use disorder maintained on methadone.

Background and Objectives Cognitive reappraisal (CR) and emotional suppression (ES), two emotion regulation strategies, are disrupted in other substance use disorders but have not been studied in cocaine dependence. Methods Methadone-maintained individuals with cocaine dependence (N = 72) completed assessment of CR, ES, cocaine use, and psychiatric symptoms. Results CR scores were associated with lower depression scores (r = −.29, p = .01), but not with cocaine abstinence during 8 weeks of treatment (r = .12, p = .29). Conclusions and Scientific Significance CR appeared relevant to cocaine-dependent individuals’ depression, but was not associated with abstinence or treatment outcome. (Am J Addict 2016;25:529–532)
The Perils of Self-Censorship in Academic Research in a WikiLeaks World

For the past six years, the availability of WikiLeaks data—including the SIGACTS violent event data for Afghanistan and Iraq as well as the diplomatic cables—has posed an important challenge for international relations and conflict researchers. Despite the evident attractions of the vast trove of primary data involving US military and diplomatic interests, only a few peer-reviewed academic papers have been published. The reluctance to analyze WikiLeaked information is mostly due to self-censorship. Because of its character, we cannot reliably know why American academics engage in self-censoring, but worries about repercussions for career prospects or fear of prosecution are probable. Despite threats of legal consequences by governmental officials, none have occurred (to my knowledge). Academics who have publicly spurned analysis of WikiLeaks information have made two arguments, either a) that it is against US law to access the data and/or that it helps America’s enemies or b) that the materials in the leaks are not worthy of much attention since they are not earth-shattering or unexpected. Neither of these claims holds much validity.
Cofactor Editing by the G-protein Metallochaperone Domain Regulates the Radical B12 Enzyme IcmF.

IcmF is a 5′-deoxyadenosylcobalamin (AdoCbl)-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the carbon skeleton rearrangement of isobutyryl-CoA to butyryl-CoA. It is a bifunctional protein resulting from the fusion of a G-protein chaperone with GTPase activity and the cofactor- and substrate-binding mutase domains with isomerase activity. IcmF is prone to inactivation during catalytic turnover, thus setting up its dependence on a cofactor repair system. Herein, we demonstrate that the GTPase activity of IcmF powers the ejection of the inactive cob(II)alamin cofactor and requires the presence of an acceptor protein, adenosyltransferase, for receiving it. Adenosyltransferase in turn converts cob(II)alamin to AdoCbl in the presence of ATP and a reductant. The repaired cofactor is then reloaded onto IcmF in a GTPase-gated step. The mechanistic details of cofactor loading and offloading from the AdoCbl-dependent IcmF are distinct from those of the better characterized and homologous methylmalonyl-CoA mutase/G-protein chaperone system.
Flow Rate Effect on Methanol Electro-oxidation in a Microfluidic Laminar Flow System

The effect of flow rate on the methanol electro-oxidation reaction in laminar flow was investigated using a direct methanol laminar flow fuel cell (LF-FC). A micro fuel cell was fabricated in polydimethylsiloxane using standard soft-lithography techniques. The electrochemical performance of methanol oxidation was characterized by anode polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis with and without sulfuric acid. The results show that in the absence of a sulfuric acid electrolyte (H2SO4) the methanol flow rate significantly influences methanol oxidation kinetics of the laminar flow direct methanol fuel cell. In the absence of H2SO4, it was found that the charge transfer resistance and onset potential of the methanol oxidation reaction significantly increases as the methanol flow rate increases. As a result, the anode current density of LF-FCs decreases at higher flow rates of methanol. However, this negative effect was reduced when a strong electrolyte, such as sulfuric acid, was mixed with the methanol solution.
The effects of zirconia morphology on methanol synthesis from CO and H2 over Cu/ZrO2 catalysts: Part II -- Transient-Response Infrared Studies

Abstract The interactions of CO, CO/H 2 , H 2 , D 2 , and CH 3 OH with t-ZrO 2 , m-ZrO 2 , Cu/t-ZrO 2 , and Cu/m-ZrO 2 were investigated by in situ infrared spectroscopy with the aim of understanding the nature of species involved in methanol synthesis and the dynamics of the formation and consumption of these species. With both phases of ZrO 2 , the primary surface species observed during CO hydrogenation were bidentate formate groups, b-HCOO Zr, and methoxide groups, CH 3 O Zr. Transient-response experiments indicated that the rate-limiting step for each catalyst is the reductive elimination of methoxide species. Relative to 1.2 wt% Cu/t-ZrO 2 , however, spillover of H atoms and the formation and reduction of formate and methoxide species proceeded more rapidly on the more active 1.2 wt% Cu/m-ZrO 2 . Steady-state intensities of surface species were also larger on 1.2 wt% Cu/m-ZrO 2 . These differences are attributed to the higher reactivity of the hydroxyl groups on the surface of m-ZrO 2 . Increasing the Cu surface area on m-ZrO 2 increases the rate of reductive elimination of methoxide species up to a maximum value, determined by the eventual saturation of the ZrO 2 surface with H atoms via spillover from Cu. The product of the apparent rate coefficient for reductive elimination of methoxide species and the surface concentration of these species increases linearly with increasing Cu surface area, which is consistent with the proportionality seen in the rate of methanol synthesis at steady state.
Leading the herd: evidence from mutual funds’ buy and sell decisions

This article investigates whether a mutual fund’s performance is related to its herding behavior. Using the methodology of Sias (Rev Finance Stud 17:165–206, 2004), we develop a measure to capture the magnitude that a fund’s buy (sell) decisions are leading other funds’ buys (sells), and find that a fund’s performance is positively (negatively) related to its “buy leading” (“sell leading”). We interpret these findings as evidence that “buy leaders” (“sell leaders”)’ performance benefits (suffers) from the positive (negative) price effect associated with buy (sell) herds. Additionally, we find a positive relationship between fund performance and valuation-motivated “buy leading”, while we find weak evidence on the relationship between performance and valuation-motivated “sell leading”. We interpret these results as evidence that leading funds’ outperformance is due, in part, to their ability to value stocks.
Reduced-Order Model-Based Feedback Control of Subsonic Cavity Flows — An Experimental Approach

The results of an ongoing research activity in the development and implementation of reduced-order model-based feedback control of subsonic cavity flows are presented and discussed. Particle image velocimetry data and the proper orthogonal decomposition technique are used to extract the most energetic flow features or POD eigenmodes. The Galerkin projection of the Navier-Stokes equations onto these modes is used to derive a set of ordinary nonlinear differential equations, which govern the time evolution of the modes, for the controller design. Stochastic estimation is used to correlate surface pressure data with flow field data and dynamic surface pressure measurements are used for real-time state estimation of the flow model. Three sets of PIV snapshots of a Mach 0.3 cavity flow were used to derive three reduced-order models for controller design: (1) snapshots from the baseline (no control) flow, (2) snapshots from an open-loop forced flow, and (3) combined snapshots from the cases 1 and 2. Linear-quadratic optimal controllers based on all three models were designed and tested experimentally. Real-time implementation shows a remarkable attenuation of the resonant tone and a redistribution of the energy into various modes with much lower energy levels.
Evolving Concepts of Nonconvulsive Status Epilepticus

Nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) may have existed as long as humans have, but it was probably conceptualized first about two centuries ago. Only after Berger’s development of the EEG in the mid twentieth century, however, were the classic syndromes of absence and complex partial (focal) NCSE described conclusively. Nevertheless, there were also “borderline” conditions such as atypical absence status and electrical status epilepticus in sleep, in which it was unclear how much the epileptiform discharges contributed to alterations of consciousness or behavior. More recently, with expanding use of continuous EEG monitoring in ICUs, most diagnosed NCSE is of a very “non-classic” type, occurring in patients with concomitant medical, neurologic, and traumatic illnesses contributing to and confounding the diagnosis of NCSE. Currently, various forms of periodic discharges are the most common borderline states. The complexity of concomitant illnesses makes it very difficult to define NCSE precisely in these non-classic cases—which also defy classification. These complexities also make it hard to determine the likely consequences of most forms of NCSE and to plan for the best treatment of so many varieties of NCSE. Nevertheless, the knowledge of NCSE is expanding rapidly, and better understanding seems likely to lead to better treatment decisions.
CLINICAL IMPLICATION OF INDUCIBLE LEFT VENTRICULAR OUTFLOW TRACT OBSTRUCTION IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING LIVER TRANSPLANT EVALUATION

Patients with end stage liver disease (ESLD) are frequently in a hyperdynamic state due to decreased systemic vascular resistance and increased cardiac output. Preoperative evaluation with dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) is used to risk-stratify patients prior to liver transplant. We aimed
General health checks for reducing morbidity and mortality.

Although general health checks increase the number of new diagnoses, they do not decrease total, cardiovascular-related, or cancer-related morbidity or mortality. The studies in this Cochrane review have limited applicability to the current recommended practice of providing selective, evidence-based preventive services in primary care settings.
Sulfur isotopic compositions of deep arc cumulates

Abstract Heavy sulfur isotopic compositions of arc lavas suggest a seawater component in the sulfur budget of arc lavas, but whether the seawater signature derives from the subducting slab or from magma interactions with lithologies in the upper plate is unclear. To see through the effects of degassing or crustal processing, a study was conducted on the S isotopic composition of deep arc cumulates from 45–90 km beneath the Sierra Nevada batholith in California, a Cretaceous continental arc. These cumulates represent the crystal line of descent from magmatic differentiation of hydrous arc basalts. The deepest (up to 60–90 km) and most primitive cumulates are low in Fe and have high molar Mg/(Mg + Fe), whereas the shallow and more evolved cumulates are high in Fe and have low Mg/(Mg + Fe). Bulk rock δ 34 S correlates with Fe and negatively with Mg/(Mg + Fe). The most primitive cumulates are isotopically similar to the Earth's mantle whereas the more evolved cumulates are heavier by 6‰ in the direction of seawater sulfate. The mantle-like S isotopic signatures of the primitive cumulates indicate that the contribution of slab-derived sulfate to arc lavas may not be as large as widely thought. Heavy S isotopic signatures are seen only in the evolved arc cumulates, which suggests that the seawater signature of arc lavas may not all derive directly from the slab, but perhaps during magma interaction with pre-arc crust. In continental arcs, pre-arc crust is dominated by accreted marine metasediments and metabasalts, and in island arcs, by seawater altered oceanic crust in the upper plate. The limited contribution of slab sulfate to the mantle source of Sierran arc magmas, if generalizable, suggests that sulfate in the subducting slab is efficiently released well before the arc magmatic front. Such a scenario would be consistent with the higher solubility of sulfate in aqueous fluids compared to that of sulfide. In summary, it is suggested here that the upper plate, in the form of seawater altered crust and sediments, may be as or more important for the sulfur budget in arc magmas than the subducting slab. Early loss of sulfate from the slab during subduction suggests that the dominant S species transported to the deep mantle is in the reduced form – sulfide.
Evolving role of North African civil society actors in the foreign policymaking process: youth, women’s, labour and human rights organisations

This article examines the evolving foreign policy roles of four sets of civil society actors – youth, women’s, labour and human rights groups – in Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia during ...