cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Can Yoga or Physical Therapy for Chronic Low Back Pain Improve Depression and Anxiety Among Adults From a Racially Diverse, Low-Income Community? A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract Objective To determine and compare the effect of yoga, physical therapy (PT), and education on depressive and anxious symptoms in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Design Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Setting Academic safety net hospital and 7 community health centers. Participants A total of 320 adults with CLBP. Intervention Yoga classes, PT sessions, or an educational book. Outcome Measure Depression and anxiety were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item Scale, respectively, at baseline, 12, and 52 weeks. We identified baseline and midtreatment (6-wk) factors associated with clinically meaningful improvements in depressive (≥3 points) or anxious (≥2 points) symptoms at 12 weeks. Results Participants (female=64%; mean age, 46.0±10.7 years) were predominantly non-White (82%), low-income ( Conclusions In our secondary analysis we found that depression and anxiety, common in this sample of underserved adults with CLBP, may improve modestly with PT and yoga. However, effects were not superior to education. Improvements in pain and function are associated with a decrease in depressive symptoms. More research is needed to optimize the integration of physical and psychological well-being in PT and yoga.
Firm Heterogeneity and Corporate Tax Aggressiveness

[enter Abstract Body]This study is motivated by the cross-sectional differences in the willingness of firms to minimize tax based on their financial structure. We investigate whether ”financially constrained” firms increase tax aggressiveness compared to it’s immediate ”less constrained” condition in response to an exogenous state tax increase. We also test whether our prediction holds true for financially distressed firms. Our identification strategy exploits 43 increases in corporate income tax rates staggered across 23 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., between 1989 and 2012. Our results reveal that constrained firms (as ranked by Kaplan & Zingales (1997) index (KZ index ) and Hadlock & Pierce (2010) index (HP index )) are more tax aggressive irrespective of the proxy measures of tax aggressiveness used in this analysis. Results do not, however, hold true for financially distressed firms ranked by Altman Z-Score (Z-score ). We contribute to the literature by providing support the idea of Weisbachs (2002) under-sheltering puzzle.
Applied Directional Statistics: Modern Methods and Case Studies: Christophe Ley and Thomas Verdebout, Boca Raton, FL, Chapman & Hall/CRC Press, 2018, xvi + 299 pp., $140.00 (hardback), ISBN: 978-1-13-862643-0

Applied Directional Statistics: Modern Methods and Case Studies is a great book on directional data analysis. It contains several interesting case studies and a number of useful statistical methods...
The effects of ethyl methane sulfonate on the fecundity and fertility of Bracon (Habrobracon) females: I. The influences of route of entry and physiological state☆

Abstract Virgin females of Habrobracon juglandis (Ashmead) were treated with EMS, a monofunctional alkylating agent and the genetic and physiological effects were assessed. A dose-related reduction in hatchability and egg production occurred when the agent was fed or injected, but not when it was applied topically or as an aerosol. Fewer eggs were deposited and more embryonic deaths resulted during cleavage when starved wasps were injected. The particular pattern of damage indicated a chromosomal type of damage. In nonstarved females, alkylations were apparently wasted on genetically unimportant molecules. These are suspected to be in the fat body, because the starving wasp uses the tissue and it is no longer available to compete with germinal tissue for the alkylations. An alternate hypothesis may be that detoxification mechanisms may operate more effectively in nonstarved wasps.
Differential Signaling of T Cell Generation of IL-4 by Wild-Type and Short-Deletion Variant of Type 2 G Protein-Coupled Receptor for Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VPAC2)

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) released from some neurons and T cells affects T cell migration, cytokine generation, and other functions by binding to constitutively expressed type 1 G protein-coupled receptor (VPAC1) or activation-induced type 2 G protein-coupled receptor (VPAC2). Recently, a short-deletion (SD) splice variant of mouse VPAC2 that lacks 14 amino acids at the end of the last transmembrane domain has been identified in T cells and shown to resemble wild-type (WT) VPAC2 in affinity of VIP binding but to differ by lack of signaling of T cell adenylyl cyclase, migration, and IL-2 secretion. As Th2 cells are the principal source of immune VIP and have the greatest functional responses to VIP, the differences in signals transduced by WT and SD VPAC2 were studied in VPAC2–low D10G4.1 model Th2 cell transfectants individually expressing the respective types of VPAC2 equally. WT and SD VPAC2 Th2 cell transfectants secreted equal amounts of VIP. WT VPAC2 transfectants generated more IL-4 than did SD VPAC2 transfectants, and this increment was dependent on endogenous VIP. Exogenous VIP further increased IL-4 production by WT VPAC2 transfectants but decreased IL-4 production by SD VPAC2 transfectants. Cotransfection of the two constructs diminished VIP enhancement of IL-4 production seen with WT VPAC2 alone by preventing increases in nuclear levels of the requisite transcription factors c-Maf and Jun B. Thus the ratio of two forms of T cell VPAC2 determines the net effect of VIP on IL-4 generation by activated Th2 cells.
Time and frequency domain regression-based stiffness estimation and damage identification

Modal analysis and system identification are popular methods for obtaining insight into structural properties from vibration signals. The associated algorithms, however, often require responses from a large group of representative DOFs of the structure to produce accurate and consistent results. In addition, their direct output, which is generally a set of estimated modal properties, does not explicitly reflect possible structural damage locations and extent. In this paper, two novel regression-based techniques that use local acceleration responses of a frame structure to estimate its local stiffness are proposed. One employs displacement simulation methods; the other is based on spectral estimates. Both methods are proven effective in their application to data collected from two laboratory specimens that are subjected to white noise excitation. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Human Respiratory Mucous Glycoproteins

Biochemical characterization of human respiratory mucus has generally utilized expectorated specimens. In order to exclude extraneous contaminants in the analysis of airway glycoproteins, human airways were cultured and the mucous glycoprotein released into the supernatant analyzed. By incorporating H-labeled glucosamine or 14C-threonine into the media, the airways bio synthetically labeled the mucous glycoproteins (MGP), facilitating their analysis. The MGP chromatograph by gel filtration on Sepharose 2B in two fractions: one excluded from the column and one that enters the column. However, employing a gel filtration column with the ability to fractionate larger molecules, Sephacryl S-1000, it was found that MGP fractionate over a large range in molecular sizes and do not segregate into distinct fractions. The diffuse, broad peak of MGP fractionation on Sephacryl S-1000 is not affected by reduction and alkylation or by chromatography in 1 MNaCl. The fractionated MGP from Sepharose 2B were divided into la...
London à la mod: Fashion, Genre, and Historical Space in Performance

Since the success of the continuing Austin Powers franchise in the late 90s, the notion of 1960s “Swinging London” has been a familiar trope. And in fact, a number of films from 1964–1968 conscious...
Scenario-based training for deception detection

Computer defense is not perfect. Each year hackers exploit hundreds of vulnerabilities in information systems even though millions of dollars are spent on information security. Firewalls, intrusion detection systems and patch management software all help to increase systems security, but they are only perimeter defenses. Once inside, a hacker can do significant damage and the vulnerability to deception is great. At that point, users become the last line of defense. This paper describes two field studies in which scenario-based training was used to teach information systems users how detect deception in the information they use. The first study provided deception detection training to human resource specialists who queried a database to get the need information to make decision about personnel in their organization. Deceptive data was planted in the database. The second provided training to communications specialists using a computer based training systems called Agent99. In both studies scenarios were developed as a foundation of the training programs provided. The use of the scenarios helped to keep the participants involved and focused on the training. More importantly, the subjects who received the scenario based training curriculum improved their knowledge of deception and their ability to detect deceptive data in information systems.
Cancer prevention and detection. An overview of variables influencing adoption and practice

This paper presents an overview of factors, attitudes, and beliefs that may influence the adoption of cancer prevention and detection strategies by health-care providers and the public. Health-care practitioners require education about prevention and detection approaches to health care and the social variations in the population that may influence acceptance and adoption of these measures. The need for consistent guidelines among health professional organizations is also stressed.
Thermodynamic and structural characterization of 2′-nitrogen-modified RNA duplexes

2′-aminonucleosides are commonly used as sites of post-synthetic chemical modification within nucleic acids. As part of a larger cross-linking strategy, we appended alkyl groups onto the N2′ position of 2′-amino-modified RNAs via 2′-ureido and 2′-amido linkages. We have characterized the thermodynamics of 2′-amino, 2′-alkylamido and 2′-alkylureido-modified RNA duplexes and show that 2′-ureido-modified RNAs are significantly more stable than analogous 2′-amido-modified RNAs. Using NMR spectroscopy and NMR-based molecular modeling of 2′-modified RNA duplexes, we examined the effects that 2′-nitrogen modifications have on RNA helices. Our data suggest that the 2′-ureido group forms a specific intra-nucleoside interaction that cannot occur within 2′-amido-modified helices. These results indicate that 2′-ureido modifications are superior to analogous 2′-amido ones for applications that require stable base pairing.
Atmospheric physics: Reflections on aerosol cooling

By changing the composition of Earth's atmosphere, human activity has both a warming and a cooling effect on the planet. According to new calculations, that latter influence is large, but it is likely to be declining.
Buoyant plastic levees for rice fields

Abstract A theoretical analysis is made of a flood irrigation system using levees made of a strip of plastic film whose upper edge is formed into a hollow sleeve which is filled with air and whose lower edge is buried in the ground. The moment due to the buoyant force on the sleeve resists the overturning moment due to the difference in water levels, and the net horizontal force is balanced by frictional resistance on the buried section. The relationship between the length variables, resisting force and unit weight of water are derived and shown graphically.
Orbital Modulation of X-Rays from Cygnus X-1 in its Hard and Soft States

We have analyzed over 2 yr of RXTE/All-Sky Monitor data for Cygnus X-1. We have detected the 5.6 day orbital period in Lomb-Scargle periodograms of both light curves and hardness ratios when Cyg X-1 was in the hard state. This detection was made with improved sensitivity and temporal coverage compared with previous detections by other X-ray missions. The folded light curves and hardness ratios show a broad intensity dip accompanied by spectral hardening centered on superior conjunction of the X-ray source. The dip has a duration of about 27% of the orbital period and depth ranging from 8% to 23% of the nondip intensities in three energy bands. Variability on timescales of hours is often evident within the broad dip in the unfolded data. In contrast, no feature at the orbital period is evident in the periodograms or folded light curves for the soft state. Absorption of X-rays by a stellar wind from the companion star can reproduce the observed X-ray orbital modulations in the hard state. To explain the low orbital modulation in the soft-state data, a reduction of the wind density during the soft state would be required. As an alternative, a partial covering scenario is described that could also account for the lack of the orbital modulation in the soft state.
High cholesterol levels are associated with reduced prostate cancer mortality rates during periods of high but not low statin use in the United States.

Abstract Objective Some studies suggest that cholesterol may promote prostate cancer development. High serum cholesterol levels are commonly treated with statins, which have been associated with decreased prostate cancer risks. Statin use has increased in this country during the 1990s while prostate mortality rates have gone down. In this study, we compare high cholesterol levels to prostate cancer mortality rates among states over time periods in which statin use has changed. We hypothesize that prostate cancer risks from high cholesterol may be reduced when statin use is high. Methods State-specific, high cholesterol levels for white males (2001–2003) were compared with age-adjusted prostate cancer mortality rates for each year from 1992 to 2000. To control for medical care access and socioeconomic status, urbanization, family income, and health insurance status were considered. Results High cholesterol levels correlate inversely with prostate cancer mortality for: 2000 (R = −0.40, P P P P Conclusions High cholesterol levels were associated with lower prostate cancer mortality rates when statin use was high, but not low, suggesting that statins reduce prostate cancer mortality risks.
Biological Damage from Intranuclear Tritium: DNA Strand Breaks and Their Repair

Isotopic decay in tritiated thymidine in the DNA of frozen (-196°C) Chinese hamster cells causes breaks in DNA strands to accumulate at a rate of 2.1 breaks per decay. After DNA is thawed the tritium-induced breaks repair rapidly with a half-time of 15 minutes at 37°C. In comparison to breakage by x-rays, the efficiency of DNA strand breakage by tritium is equivalent to 0.48 rad per decay. This dose per decay is close to that predicted by simple dosimetric considerations (0.38 rad per decay) for irradiation by the β particles from tritium.
Point process models for household distributions within small areal units

Demographic Research a free, expedited, online journal of peer-reviewed research and commentary in the population sciences published by the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research Konrad-Zuse Str. 1, D-18057 Rostock · GERMANY www.demographic-research.org DEMOGRAPHIC RESEARCH VOLUME 26, ARTICLE 22, PAGES 593-632 PUBLISHED 13 JUNE 2012 http://www.demographic-research.org/Volumes/Vol26/22/ DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2012.26.22 Research Article Point process models for household distributions within small areal units Zack W. Almquist Carter T. Butts This publication is part of the Special Collection on “Spatial Demography”, organized by Guest Editor Stephen A. Matthews. c 2012 Zack W. Almquist & Carter T. Butts. This open-access work is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial License 2.0 Germany, which permits use, reproduction & distribution in any medium for non-commercial purposes, provided the original author(s) and source are given credit. See http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/de/
Interfacial contributions to magnetic thin film anisotropy arising from epitaxial growth processes in metal/semiconductor structures

Modern thin film growth techniques have enabled the realization of low dimensional semiconductor heterostructures and hybrid metal/semiconductor structures with properties tailored for a variety of device applications. It has been empirically established, for example, that the net magnetic anisotropy exhibited by a simple metal epitaxial film on a semiconductor is strongly affected by the interactions at the metal/semiconductor interface, although the mechanisms have not been systematically addressed and remain an open issue. An understanding of these mechanisms is prerequisite to obtaining a fundamental description of anisotropy, and has significant implications for successful realization of spin sensitive device structures. We consider here how contributions to the net magnetic anisotropy arise from the formation of the interface and early stages of metal film growth. We suggest that these contributions originate in the initial metal adsorption sites and subsequent bond or site filling, and are strongly dependent on the semiconductor surface reconstruction. We consider specifically the cases of the epitaxial growth of Fe films on the various reconstructions of the ZnSe(001) and GaAs(001) surfaces, and attempt to interpret the net magnetic properties in light of the atomic structure of the film and interface.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Comparison of ground penetrating radar surveys with subsurface stratigraphy on the southern Rodgers Creek fault, Sonoma County, CA

Using GPR to assess the subsurface stratigraphy as a paleoseismic tool has not been typically been successful (Bilham, 1985). Although recent studies have yielded some success imaging shallow faults using GPR (Smith, 1995; Benson, et al., 1995). The continued use of this tool in multiple geologic environments, may facilitate in determining specific situations that are conducive to this type of analysis. Geologic Setting
Cloning of sarco-endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ -ATPase (SERCA) from Caribbean spiny lobster Panulirus argus.

We have previously reported on calcium transport mechanisms in American lobster, Homarus americanus, using 45Ca2+ coupled with vesicle preparations of hepatopancreatic endoplasmic reticulum. The active transport of calcium across membranes bordering calcium-sequestering stores such as sarcoplasmic or endoplasmic reticulum is catalyzed by membrane-spanning proteins, the sarco-endoplasmic Ca2+-ATPases (SERCAs). In the study described here we used advanced bioinformatics and molecular techniques to clone SERCA from the economically important Caribbean spiny lobster, Panulirus argus. We report the complete cloning of a full-length SERCA from P. argus antenna cDNA (GenBank accession number AY702617). This cDNA has a 1020-amino acid residue open reading frame which is 90% identical to published sequences of other crustacean SERCA proteins. Our data support the hypothesis that one crustacean and three vertebrate genes controlling calcium transport were derived from a common ancestral gene.
On some dissipative fully discrete nonlinear Galerkin schemes for the Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation

Abstract We show that two fully discrete nonlinear Galerkin schemes based on explicit approximate inertial manifolds preserve the dissipativity of the Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation (KSE). The radius of the absorbing ball is shown to be uniform in both the time step and number of modes, so that the result holds in the PDE limit. While the schemes are specifically designed to deal with the difficulty of the linear instability in the KSE, simpler schemes can be derived following this approach for other dissipative nonlinear evolutionary equations, such as the 2D Navier-Stokes equations.
Response of cultured 9l cells to spirohydantoin mustard and x-rays

Abstract Rat brain tumor cells (9L) were treated in vitro for 1 hr with 2 μg/ml (∼30% survival) of spirohydantoin mustard (SHM) 4 and 24 hr before, during, and 4 and 24 hr after graded doses of radiation (0–20 Gy). The resulting survival curves generated from colony formation data and corrected for drug kill indicate that for all schedules SHM enhanced the radiation response, particularly for surviving fractions greater than 0.5. Analysis of the combination data using isobolograms indicates the effects of the separate agents were additive in producing either 1, 2, or 3 log cell kills. Therefore, the enhancement of the radiation response by SHM can be explained solely on the basis of the shapes of the single agent survival curves.
Nitroimidazole-resistant vaginal trichomoniasis treated with paromomycin

A 33-year old woman with nitroimidazole-resistant vaginal trichomoniasis is described. She was treated with intravaginal paromomycin (500 mg daily for 2 days). This cured the trichomoniasis but resulted in severe local side effects. Paromomycin may be useful for difficult cases of nitroimidazole-resistant Trichomonas vaginalis vaginitis. The exact dosage still has to be determined.
Simulation of 2D transient viscoelastic flow using the CONNFFESSIT approach

Abstract In this paper, a modified form of the time-dependent DEVSS-G/SUPG scheme associated with the penalty function method was developed to simulate the viscoelastic flow under the high Weissenberg number by using the Calculation of Non-Newtonian Flow: Finite Elements and Stochastic Simulation Technique (CONNFFESSIT) approach. The element condensation method is used to eliminate the velocity gradient term and still maintain good stability. The variance reduction method was also taken for the Brownian configuration field (BCF) equation to reduce the noise level in calculating the polymer stresses. A planar 4:1 abrupt contraction flow was taken as a benchmark case to verify this modified scheme. The stress contours and vortex evolution with the Hookean dumbbell model were compared with the literature results. The simulation was also extended to the finitely extendable non-linear elastic (FENE) dumbbell model. The second case is the planar flow around a confined cylinder at non-zero Reynolds and Weissenberg numbers. Both the inertial and viscoelastic effects were examined in the second case. For the Hookean and FENE dumbbell models, it was found that without the convective term, the streamlines shift upstream behind the cylinder compared with the Newtonian fluid flow, while an opposite result is observed at a high Reynolds number (i.e., Re = 10).
Protein synthesis and the expression of growth-related genes are altered by running in human vastus lateralis and soleus muscles

Recent evidence suggests aerobic exercise may help preserve soleus muscle mass during unloading. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the muscle-specific metabolic response to running a...
Glucose-dependent changes in α2-noradrenergic receptors in hypothalamic nuclei

Evidence indicates that hypothalamic norepinephrine (NE), acting via alpha 2-noradrenergic receptors, and also circulating glucose both have an important role in the control of normal feeding behavior in rats. In this report, we studied the relationship between glucose and the alpha 2-noradrenergic system, by manipulating blood glucose levels and analyzing changes in the binding of [3H]p-aminoclonidine [( 3H]PAC) to alpha 2-noradrenergic receptors in discrete hypothalamic areas. Brief periods (1-3 hr) of food deprivation, at the onset of the dark cycle, produced a significant decline in serum glucose levels and a simultaneous decrease in alpha 2-receptor binding sites, specifically in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) as opposed to other hypothalamic areas. Restoration of circulating glucose levels, by refeeding for 0.5 hr after 2.5 hr food deprivation or by administration of glucose to 1 hr food-deprived rats, prevented this decline in serum glucose, as well as the reduction in PVN alpha 2-noradrenergic receptor density. In each of these experiments, a strong positive correlation between circulating glucose levels and PVN alpha 2-noradrenergic receptor sites was obtained. These findings suggest that blood glucose has direct impact upon alpha 2-noradrenergic receptor activity in the PVN and may affect feeding behavior, in part, through this neurochemical system.
Shear modulus of superplastically formed sandwich cores

Abstract Procedures for the analytical determination of shear modulus of sandwich cores of new configurations are presented. The new cores are made from superplastic sheets by a gas pressure technique, which permits numerous shapes and symmetries to be formed. Important advantages over the conventional honeycomb core made of aluminum foil are cited. Energy principles are employed in seeking the upper and lower bounds solutions for the shear modulus. Computer graphic results are presented. This new approach represents a competent solution to a class of problems of interest to those seeking new core configurations for increasing the efficiency of metallic structures.
Model simplification procedure for signal transduction pathway models: An application to IL-6 signaling

Abstract Mathematical models of signal transduction pathways are characterized by a large number of proteins and uncertain parameters. One challenge involving these models is parameter identifiability as only a limited amount of quantitative data is generally available. One potential solution to this problem is model simplification, as the parts of the model that cannot be identified in experiments can be reduced. It is the main goal of the presented work to derive a model simplification procedure for signal transduction pathways such that: (1) the model size is significantly reduced such that the model can be validated using available experimental data, and (2) the physical interpretation of the remaining states and parameters is retained. In a first step, sensitivity analysis is performed to determine which parts of the model contain parameters that have highly correlated effects on the outputs of the system. These model parts can then be replaced by a simpler representation as it is not be possible to verify the values of all of the reaction parameters. Representative state variables are then chosen for each part of the model via quantification of the degree of observability of the state variables of the model for potential measurements. A new model structure can be derived based upon this analysis. The initial estimates of the parameters are generated from simulation data of the original model. In a final step, the parameters of the simplified model are re-estimated using available experimental data. The presented technique is used to derive a simplified version of an IL-6 signal transduction model. The number of equations and parameters in the model has been reduced from 68 to 13 and from 118 to 19, respectively. It is shown that the identifiability of the model has been improved significantly. The new model is able to adequately predict the dynamic behavior of key proteins of the signal transduction pathway both in simulations but also when compared to available experimental data.
The Role of Hypertension in Race-Ethnic Disparities in Cardiovascular Disease

Race-ethnic disparities in cardiovascular disease (CVD) have persisted in the USA over the past few decades. Hypertension (HTN) is a significant contributor to CVD, including coronary heart disease, stroke, end-stage kidney disease and overall mortality and race-ethnic disparities in longevity. Additionally, both non-Hispanic blacks (NHBs) and Hispanic adults have been known to have higher prevalence of poorly controlled blood pressure compared to non-Hispanic whites (NHWs). Addressing these disparities has been a focus of programs such as the Million Hearts initiative. This review will provide an update of available data on HTN in various race-ethnic groups, including awareness, treatment, and control and note the recent progress in HTN control across all race/ethnic groups. We will also discuss the recent 2014 U.S. HTN guideline that has led to debate regarding the potential impact of BP goals in older persons on worsening CVD disparities, with disproportionate effects on women and NHBs.
Eastern North America as an independent center of plant domestication.

The status of eastern North America as an independent center of plant domestication has recently been called into question by a number of genetic and archaeological studies, which suggest that the region may not have witnessed the independent domestication of local crop plants, but rather may have been on the receiving end of domesticated crop plants introduced from Mexico. Here, I provide a synthesis of the currently available archaeological and genetic evidence from both eastern North America and Mexico regarding the spatial and temporal context of initial domestication of the four plant species identified as potential eastern North American domesticates: marshelder (Iva annua), chenopod (Chenopodium berlandieri), squash (Cucurbita pepo), and sunflower (Helianthus annuus). Genetic and archaeological evidence provides strong support for the independent domestication of all four of these plant species in the eastern United States and reconfirms the region as one of the world’s independent centers of domestication.
An analysis of excitation thresholds in nonlinear distributed neuristor circuits

Abstract The problem of determining excitation thresholds for nonlinear, active, distributed neuristor circuits is considered. A solution is obtained in the form of an analytic condition which suffices to guarantee that a given disturbance is subthreshold.
Towards a New Progressivism in Primary School Education

Summary An ideologically neutral orthodoxy of primary school educational practice may be developing in the United Kingdom on the basis of a critique of ‘progressive’ methodologies found, for example, in the writings of Robin Alexander. This paper expresses caution about such a development, by defending principles underlying progressive or ‘child‐centred’ approaches to classroom practice against misconception and misrepresentation as well as against more substantiated attacks. It argues for a development of child‐centred teaching methods within the English/Welsh National Curriculum in the light of current models of mind and human development and the sorts of practical demands the National Curriculum makes on primary school teachers.
A variable duty cycle Maximum Power Point Tracking algorithm for Wind Energy Conversion Systems

A new Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithm employed in Wind Energy Conversion Systems (WECS) is presented. This novel algorithm mitigates the problems of traditional Hill Climb Search (HCS) methods while extracting the maximum power during a change in wind speed. The algorithm also eliminates the oscillations in delivered power once the maximum power point (MPP) is found. To accomplish this, the algorithm employs a variable duty cycle search and terminates the search once the MPP is found. The effectiveness of this proposed algorithm was evaluated using MATLAB-SIMULINK in a WECS with results in the mid-90th percentile.
Capacity for Direct Attention in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: The Effects of Psychological Distress

Emphasis is placed on educating coronary heart disease patients about lifestyle choices to reduce the risk of further cardiovascular events, but little attention has been paid to the impact of attentional capacity on patients' learning. The purpose of this study is to identify and compare the capacity for direct attention and the effect of psychological distress during hospitalization and 6 weeks after percutaneous coronary intervention. Forty subjects, mean age of 63 years, 27 men and 13 women, completed components of the Wechsler Memory Test to measure direct attention, and the Profile of Mood States. There were significant differences in the Digit Span Test-backward, a measure of working memory (t=-2.79; p<0.009), and the Profile of Mood States total score, a measure of psychological distress (t=3.183; p<0.003), from hospitalization to 6 weeks post-percutaneous coronary intervention. Data demonstrate psychological distress and reduced capacity for direct attention during hospitalization indicating that hospital environments are suboptimal for learning.
Which spaces have a coarser connected Hausdorff topology

Abstract We present some answers to the title. For example, if K is compact, zero-dimensional and D is discrete, then K⊕D has a coarser connected topology iff w(K)⩽2|D|. Similar theorems hold for ordinal spaces and spaces K⊕D where K is compact, not necessarily zero-dimensional. Every infinite cardinal has a coarser connected Hausdorff topology; so do Kunen lines, Ostaszewski spaces, and Ψ-spaces; but spaces X with X⊂βω and |βω⧹X| c do not. The statement “every locally countable, locally compact extension of ω with cardinality ω1 has a coarser connected topology” is consistent with and independent of ZFC. If X is a Hausdorff space and w(X)⩽2κ, then X can be embedded in a Hausdorff space of density κ.
Listeria monocytogenes as a vector for tumor-associated antigens for cancer immunotherapy

As a facultative intracellular bacterium, Listeria monocytogenes has adapted to live within the cytosol of the host cell. It is actively taken up by antigen-presenting cells through phagocytosis, and as Listeria survive within these cells, it is an ideal vector for the delivery of antigens to be processed and presented through both the class I and II antigen-processing pathways. Once phagocytosed, Listeria produces virulence factors within the phagolysosome of the host cell, which allows it to break out of this organelle and live in the host cytosol. It is possible that these virulence factors can enhance the immunogenicity of tumor-associated antigens, which are poorly immunogenic. Recent progress in the development of this bacterium as a vaccine vector for tumor-associated antigens is discussed in the context of bacterial vectors in general. In several mouse models, Listeria-based vaccines have been demonstrated to be an effective method of influencing tumor growth and eliciting potent antitumor immune responses. Safety issues and the transition of Listeria into human clinical trials will also be discussed in this review.
A Multi-Channel, Implantable Microdrive System for Use With Sharp, Ultra-Fine “Reitboeck” Microelectrodes

Arrays of closely spaced quartz-insulated, platinum-tungsten microelectrodes are widely used to obtain acute recordings from chronically prepared subjects. These electrodes have excellent recording...
Distribution and hierarchy of regional blood flow during hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass.

Abstract Background . Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) may decrease oxygen delivery relative to the nonbypass state. We predicted that a hierarchy of regional blood flow could be characterized under hypothermic (27°C) CPB. Methods . Ten pigs underwent bypass at 27°C. Fluorescent microspheres were administered before and during CPB at four randomized flows: 1.9, 1.6, 1.3, and 1.0 L · min −1 · m −2 . At completion, tissue samples were obtained from brain, renal cortex and medulla, pancreas, small bowel, and limb muscle for regional blood flow determination. Results . Cerebral blood flow remained unchanged between CPB flows of 1.9 and 1.3 L · min −1 · m −2 . Renal perfusion was stable between flows of 1.9 and 1.6 L · min −1 · m −2 , whereas perfusion of small bowel decreased linearly with pump flow. Pancreatic perfusion was unchanged over the range of flows studied; muscle blood flow was profoundly reduced at the highest CPB flow and further decreased if pump flow was reduced below 1.6 L · min −1 · m −2 . Conclusions . This study characterizes the organ-specific hierarchy of blood flow and oxygen distribution during hypothermic CPB. These dynamics are relevant to clinical decisions for perfusion management.
Selective phases for wall-coated open tubular columns

Abstract Selectivity of gas chromatographic stationary phases is defined and discussed in terms of the types of interactions between solute molecules and the phase. A reexamination of previously published data gives insights into designing or choosing stationary phases for selectivity. Arguments are presented for the preference of silicone gum phases as well as the need for their careful characterization.
Self-regulation of analgesics: A single case study

Abstract Medication intake in a chronic pain patient was measured during in-hospital treatment and at 2 and 4 months follow-up. Treatment was designed to promote self-regulation, as opposed to physician control of medication. The treatment consisted of goal setting level of medications, and therapist reinforcement for self-regulation of medication decrease. Treatment was implemented in a multiple baseline design. Results showed consistent reductions in medication intake during treatment, which persisted over the 2 and 4 month follow-up.
Kansas populism, woman suffrage, and the agrarian myth: A case study in the limits of mythic transcendence

“Populism” was a major force in Kansas politics in the 1890s. This essay uses the analysis of over seventy speeches to reveal the transcending power of the “agrarian myth” during the early part of the decade. The analysis also indicates the limits of strategies of transcendence as woman suffrage and prohibition became divisive and deciding elements in the election failure of the Populists in 1894.
CHAPTER 7 – Isolation of Polyadenylated RNA

Isolation of polyadenylated RNA by magnetic capture precludes the requirement for traditional column affinity chromatography and has achieved a new level of resolution in the chromatography of nucleic acids. The principal advantage of this technique is the rapid isolation of pure, intact poly(A)+ RNA in concentrated form. This precludes the requirement for reprecipitation, which often results in the further loss of unique or low abundance transcripts. The average binding capacity of these beads is 2 μg poly(A)+ NA per mg of beads. Transcripts affinity purified in this fashion may then be used directly in the construction of cDNA libraries, nuclease protection analysis, primer extension, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplification, in vitro translation, and RNA blotting procedures. The protocol that follows describes a selection of polyadenylated sequences using Dynabeads and begins by offering a selection of starting materials: previously purified total RNA, cells growing in culture, or solid tissue. It is very important to realize that in cases in which there is a limited amount of starting material it may be prudent to add the beads directly to a whole cell lysate or tissue homogenate for direct harvest of poly(A)+ RNA. The two most important points to remember for the success of this technique are (1) to completely remove all the buffer from the tube containing the magnetic beads before moving on to the next step; (2) to never remove anything from the tube containing the magnetic beads unless the tube is in the magnet.
Parametrization of dark-energy properties: a principal-component approach.

Considerable work has been devoted to the question of how best to parametrize the properties of dark energy, in particular, its equation of state $w$. We argue that, in the absence of a compelling model for dark energy, the parametrizations of functions about which we have no prior knowledge, such as $w(z)$, should be determined by the data rather than by our ingrained beliefs or familiar series expansions. We find the complete basis of orthonormal eigenfunctions in which the principal components [weights of $w(z)$] that are determined most accurately are separated from those determined most poorly. Furthermore, we show that keeping a few of the best-measured modes can be an effective way of obtaining information about $w(z)$.
Splitting the degeneracy of harmonically-bound identical spinless bosons: General derivation

Abstract The Gartenhaus-Schwartz model of N particles interacting via pairwise harmonic potentials V ij = 1 2 kR ij 2 is extended by addition of an arbitrary pairwise interaction small enough to be treated by degenerate perturbation theory. The theory is worked out for a rarefied fluid of N spinless bosons, to give the splittings of the degeneracies of the U (3 N −3) symmetry inherent in the Gartenhaus-Schwartz model. Following Moshinsky and Kramer the external field is formally introduced in order to reduce the zeroth-order problem to the 3 N -dimensional harmonic oscillator. For systems with more particles than quanta, a recipe is given to construct states in which all the excitation is in internal degrees of freedom and none is in translation. Analytical solutions are obtained for states with no more than two quanta in excitation of relative motion of any one pair of particles.
An experience in teaching “cobol?” to graduate engineers

Texas A&M University was involved for ten years in a program to train civilian engineers for the US Army. The engineer, the program's product, was to be capable of moving into positions of management and middle management within the civilian employment force of the Army. Most of the participants held various undergraduate degrees in engineering, science, or mathematics, and a few held degrees in technology or business. The structure and tenure of the program made it feasible for the participants to earn a Master's degree in Industrial Engineering.Once on the job, many of the engineers found they were faced with large data file manipulation and information retrieval tasks. To many, this meant time consuming efforts and often additional training or help from other departments.The authors believe that some of the engineer's job frustrations were inherent in the manner in which the computer's growth and application has influenced the pedagogy of computer courses related to engineering curricula. The authors also believe they have found one solution to the problem within the confines of the above mentioned Army civilian engineer training program.
Measuring Effectiveness of a Spiritual Care Pedagogy in Nursing Education

Nurses have long recognized the importance of spiritual care in nursing practice as promoting the integration of meaning and purpose in life. More recently, both the American Nurses Association incorporates spiritual care in the Scope and Standards of Nursing Practice and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing has integrated spiritual care in the Essentials of Baccalaureate Education. However, research suggests that nurses do not know how to provide spiritual care. This study developed and tested a spiritual care pedagogy. In phase I, researchers designed a spiritual care educational and reflective program based on the Burkhart/Hogan theory of spiritual care in nursing practice, incorporating face-to-face and on-line components. In phase 2, the effectiveness of this program was measured in a pre-post test, randomized controlled trial with senior nursing students during their capstone clinical immersion course (n=59). Findings revealed a statistically significant increase in students' perceived ability in providing spiritual care, particularly in complex family clinical situations. Findings also indicated a significant increase in the student's use of reflective practices, which students found to help support them during stressful times. This study translates nursing theory and research into a successful pedagogy.
Women, musics, bodies, and texts: The gesture of women's music

This essay grew out of my exploration of gesture as a conceptual rethinking of linguistic constructions of the body. There is, of course, the literal sense of gesture‐physical action that communicates cognitive and tactile knowledge. But there is also the gesture of subjectivity‐a forceful, pleasurable, and excessive experience‐in‐creation. This experience‐in‐creation is dramatically realized in the making of women's music. I use Julia Kristeva's theory of signifying to argue that women's music is gesture in examining the work of women's music artist Peggy Seeger, along with my attempts to write her music in my own artistic practice. For Seeger, performing is the gesture of bodies in a state of music, a gesture that challenges and transforms gendered subjects through song.
Influence of variations in extratropical wintertime teleconnections on northern hemisphere temperature

Pronounced changes in the wintertime atmospheric circulation have occurred since the mid-1970s over the ocean basins of the Northern Hemisphere, and these changes have had a profound effect on surface temperatures. The variations over the North Atlantic are related to changes in the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), while the changes over the North Pacific are linked to the tropics and involve variations in the Aleutian low with teleconnections downstream over North America. Multivariate linear regression is used to show that nearly all of the cooling in the northwest Atlantic and the warming across Europe and downstream over Eurasia since the mid-1970s results from the changes in the NAO, and the NAO accounts for 31% of the hemispheric interannual variance over the past 60 winters. Over the Pacific basin and North America, the temperature anomalies result in part from tropical forcing associated with the El Nino-Southern Oscillation phenomenon but with important feedbacks in the extratropics. The changes in circulation over the past two decades have resulted in a surface temperature anomaly pattern of warmth over the continents and coolness over the oceans. This pattern of temperature change has amplified the observed hemispheric-averaged warming because of it interaction with land and ocean;more » temperature changes are larger over land compared to the oceans because of the small heat capacity of the former. 13 refs., 5 fig., 2 tab.« less
INHIBITION BY ETHANOL OF THE GROWTH AND RESPIRATION OF MAIZE ROOTS AND COLEOPTILES

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