cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Protease‐activated receptors: An illustrated review

Proteases are important regulators of cell behavior, survival, and apoptosis. They communicate to cells directly through a special class of G-protein-coupled receptors known as protease-activated receptors (PARs). N-terminal PAR proteolysis unmasks a neo-N-terminus, which serves as a tethered ligand to activate PARs. Using this unique irreversible activation mechanism, PARs relay information across cell membranes. The year 2020 is the 30th year since discovery of the first member of this family, PAR1. In this illustrated review, we highlight achievements in the PAR field over the past 3 decades. Additionally, the known expression profiles of PARs in human tissues and across species are portrayed. We also illustrate the tethered ligand activation mechanism, which is unique to PARs, and PAR regulatory mechanisms. PAR1 was originally named "thrombin receptor" because thrombin was the first protease identified to activate PAR1. However, over the past 30 years, a growing number of proteases have been found to cleave PARs and trigger differential downstream signaling depending on cleavage site, cell type, and species. We exemplify the diversity of PAR1-mediated signaling outcomes in platelets and endothelial cells as pertinent examples to the hemostasis, thrombosis, and vascular biology fields. Further, the termination and regulation of PAR signaling via endocytosis and currently available pharmacologic approaches are depicted. We conclude with portrayal of clinically translational aspects of PAR biology including pharmacologic manipulation and single-nucleotide polymorphisms.
Shorter- and Longer-Term Risk for Suicide Among Male US Military Veterans in the Year After Discharge From Psychiatric Hospitalization.

OBJECTIVE Risk for suicide is highest in the first 3 months (days 1-90) after discharge from acute psychiatric hospitalization yet remains elevated for the remainder of the year (days 91-365). The purpose of this study was to compare risk factors for suicide in the first 90 days to those over the remainder of the year to identify changes across time frames. METHODS The study included 316,707 male veterans discharged from Veterans Health Administration acute psychiatric inpatient units from 2008 through 2013. Proportional hazard regression models were used to identify predictors of suicide death in the first 90 days and in days 91-365, defined via ICD-10 codes. Adjusted piecewise proportional hazard regression was used to compare risk across time frames. RESULTS Among the 1,037 veterans (< 1%) who died by suicide, 471 (45%) died between days 1 and 90 and 566 (55%) died between days 91 and 365. There was little change regarding the strength of risk factors over time, with two exceptions: risk increased among those aged 18-29 years compared to those aged ≥ 65 years (days 1-90: hazard ratio [HR] = 0.83; 95% CI, 0.57-1.20 vs days 91-365: HR = 1.42; 95% CI, 1.03-1.97; P < .05), whereas, risk associated with suicidal ideation decreased (days 1-90: HR = 1.89; 95% CI, 1.57-2.28 vs days 91-365: HR = 1.40; 95% CI, 1.17-1.66, P < .05). CONCLUSIONS The strength of association between common risk factors and suicide remains relatively stable during the year following psychiatric hospitalization. However, risk among veterans aged 19-29 years increased over time, whereas risk among those with suicidal ideation decreased.
Evaluation of Environmental Sampling to Determine Distribution and Dairy Herd Infection Status for Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis

A total of 483 environmental samples were collected from 98 dairy operations; 216 (44.7%) were culture positive for Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). The hi ghest percentage of positive environmental samples were collected from parlor exits (52.3%), holding pen floors (49.1%), common alleyways (48.0%), lagoons (47.4%) and manure spreaders (42.3%). Of the 98 operations tested with environmental sample culture, also obtained were individual fecal culture results from 60, individual serum ELISA from 97 and individual milk ELISA from 34. Of the 50 herds classified as infected by fecal culture, 38 (76.0%) were identified by environmental culture. Two of the 10 op erations classified as not infected based on individual animal fecal culture were environmental culture positive. Of the 80 operations classified as infected based on serum ELISA positive test results, 61 (76.3%) were identified as environmental positive. Environmental sample collection and culture is more cost effective than individual animal sampling and identified more than 75% of infected operations in this study. Environmental sampling is another diagnostic tool that veterinarians and dairy producers can use to determine herd MAP infection status.
The value of the patient global health assessment in polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a nested cohort study.

OBJECTIVE The objectives were: 1) to explore the discordance between the Patient Global Health Assessment (PtGA) scores, the Physician Global Health Assessment (PhGA) scores, and Pain scores; and 2) to explore whether the PtGA during disease remission is associated with future disease flare in pJIA. METHODS Data from an NIH funded clinical trial (NCT00792233) evaluating flare were used (N = 137). PtGA, PhGA, and Pain scores were assessed. Flare was defined as any active arthritis. Spearman's correlation coefficients were calculated, and multivariable logistic regression was performed. RESULTS 122 patients had records of flare status, of which 63 developed flare, and 42 of these patients had a visit immediately prior to flare. For study subjects with a visit immediately prior to flare, the PtGA, pain scores, and PhGA all increased at time of flare. For every unit increase in PtGA and Pain scores, there was a 9% and 23% higher odds of developing flare, respectively (p = 0.76, p = 0.40). For every unit increase in the PhGA score, there was a substantially lower odds of developing flare (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate that the PtGA and Pain scores are strongly correlated with each other and increased at the visit prior to flare, while the PhGA scores are not. Further, the PtGA and Pain score have some predictive value for flare, while the PhGA does not. These findings highlight the value of patient input in medical care and decision-making, and support the development and use of more sophisticated PROs in the care of JIA patients.
A new epiphytic species of Gastrochilus (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae) from Yunnan, China

Gastrochilus Don (1825: 32.), subtribe Aeridinae (Orchidaceae), includes about 50 species, distributed from Southeast Asia to the Himalayas (Lucksom 2003, Jin et al. 2007, Shakya & Shrestha 2007, Chen et al. 2009). Generally, it is characterized by a saccate hypochile and two porate pollinia (Tsi et al. 1999). In China, about 30 species are found according to the most recent revision and recently published new species (Chen et al. 2009, Yi et al. 2010, Liu et al. 2016, Liu & Gao 2018).
Use of Erector Spinae Fascial Plane Blocks in Enhanced Recovery for Open Abdominal Surgery.

ABSTRACT Background Bilateral erector spinae fascial plane blocks (ESPB) offers a novel, alternative method of regional post-operative pain control to thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA). The aim of this study was to compare rates of postoperative hypotension, and other standard enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) endpoints, in patients receiving ESPB versus TEA for open hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB) surgery. Materials and methods This retrospective analysis compared historical controls of ERAS patients undergoing open HPB surgery with TEA versus ESPB. The incidence of postoperative hypotension and clinical outcomes, including opioid requirements, were compared. Results Forty patients receiving TEA were compared to 27 ESPB patients. Return of bowel function and length of stay (mean 7.2 versus7.4 days; P = 0.83) were similar. ESPB patients received less intraoperative colloid (142cc versus 340cc; P = 0.01) and had less postoperative hypotension versus TEA (22% versus 55%; P = 0.03). No ESPB patient required patient-controlled analgesia (versus 32.5% TEA; P Conclusions ESPB is a novel method that shows promising outcomes in improving enhanced recovery parameters and minimizing opioid administration in open HPB surgery.
COVID-19 Prevention Facilitators and Barriers among Specific Ethnic Minority Communities in Rural Ohio

Abstract Objective: To assess knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors concerning COVID-19 among Guatemalan, Marshallese, and Amish populations in rural Ohio; identify individual, interpersonal, community, and structural level challenges within each community; and provide population-specific recommendations to prevent and mitigate further SARS-CoV-2 transmission among these rural communities. Methods: We conducted 30 key informant interviews in four rural counties in Ohio, in May 2020. Three teams of two investigators conducted interviews with local health department staff, community members, meat packing plant management, and community leaders from three communities disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic [Guatemalan (N=12), Marshallese (N=7), Amish (N=11)]. We used the Social Ecological Model to identify and categorize themes. Results: Emerging and overall themes were identified and defined. Investigators identified COVID-19 knowledge gaps, myths, and misinformation, food insecurity, community cohesion, stigma, community culture and norms, lack of workplace safety policies, and access to testing as key themes to COVID-19 prevention. Conclusions: Understanding specific barriers and identifying facilitators that most effectively provide resources, healthcare services, education, and social support tailored to specific communities would help deter SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
9 – The Enzymology and Occurrence of Nitric Oxide in the Biological Nitrogen Cycle

This chapter focuses on enzymology and the occurrence of nitric oxide in the biological nitrogen cycle. This chapter begins with a discussion on the global nitrogen cycle. Nitrogen enters the global nitrogen cycle through the reduction of N 2 to ammonia by nitrogen-fixing bacteria. The ammonia is then converted into the proteins, nucleic acids, and aminosugars of the bacteria and the symbiotic plants with which the bacteria are associated. Nitrogen thus enters the biosphere where most of it remains at redox level 3 ˉ . The oxidation of amino acids, aminosugars, and nucleotides by bacteria and animals ultimately regenerates ammonia, either directly or through the prior production of urea or uric acid. This chapter explains in detail concepts related to denitrifying bacteria, and describes evidence for and against nitric oxide as an intermediate in denitrification pathway. An overview of nitric oxide reductase, nitric oxide-consuming enzyme of denitrification pathway is also presented in this chapter. The chapter elaborates in detail about nitric oxide production by heterotrophic nitrifiers. The chapter concludes with a discussion on the toxicity of nitric oxide toward bacteria.
A comparison of clock pulse and event algorithms for simulation of traffic flow

The clock pulse and event algorithms are compared for efficiency at various activity levels of a simulation of traffic flow. For low levels of system activity the event algorithm is more efficient (in terms of ratio of real time to similar time). As system activity is raised the increase in the relative efficiency of the clock pulse algorithm is studied empirically.
A methodology to estimate carbon storage and flux in forestland using existing forest and soils databases.

Sequestration of carbon through expansion and management of forestland can assist in reducing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. Quantification of the amount of carbon presents an ongoing challenge that calls for new approaches. These new approaches must seek to simplify the science-based accounting of carbon storage and flux, while adhering to general principles of greenhous gas accounting. Quantifying change in carbon storage and carbon flux consists of two steps: developing a baseline of carbon storage, and measuring resulting storage and flux following a change of conditions. A methodology is proposed that accomplishes both steps, applicable to an aggregate-level analysis using the state of Iowa (U.S.A.) as a case study. The method combines existing databases from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and merges these with the methods of Birdsey (USDA. 1992. 1995: IPCC, 1997: EIIP, 1999) for partitioning carbon stocks into storage pools. Forested ecosystems in the study area contain approximately 137.3 metric tons organic carbon per hectare, or 114 million metric tons of carbon in aggregate. Of this total, 44.7 million tons are stored in biomass tissue, and 69.2 million tons of carbon are contained in soils. Carbon flux due to forests in the state of Iowa is estimated to be a net annual sequestration (removal from the atmosphere) of 4.3 million metric tons of CO2-equivalent, approximately 5% of the net annual CO2-equivalent emissions from the state (Ney et al.. 1996).
Architecture for a massively multiplayer online role playing game engine

Faster networks, faster processors and 3D accelerator cards have contributed to the push for a new genre of online games, the Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game, MMORPG. This paper presents a high-level software architecture for building a MMORPG engine. Six goals for the architecture are set, the architecture is presented and then examined to determine how well the goals have been met. The architecture blends in a unique way several classical software architecture patterns, using the strength of each to achieve the goals for the system.
Estimating school efficiency: A comparison of methods using simulated data

Abstract Developing measures of school performance is crucial for performance-based school reform efforts. One approach to developing such measures is to apply econometric and linear programming techniques that have been developed to measure productive efficiency. This study uses simulated data to assess the adequacy of two such methods, Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Corrected Ordinary Least Squares (COLS), for the purposes of performance-based school reform. Our results suggest that in complex data sets typical of education contexts simple versions of DEA and COLS do not provide adequate measures of efficiency. In data sets simulated to contain both measurement error and endogeneity, rank correlations between efficiency estimates and true efficiency values range from 0.104 to 0.240. In none of these data sets were either DEA and COLS able to place more than 31% of schools in their true performance quintile.
Scanning electron microscopy of the human endometrium: II. Hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma

Abstract Twenty-seven blocks of tissue from 12 patients with hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma of the endometrium were examined with the scanning electron microscope. An increase in ciliated cells is found in endometrial hyperplasia, but the general appearance is similar to that of the normal endometrium. In adenocarcinoma, great variation in cell size and shape is seen. Large cells are often found, and the general pattern is one of disorganization. Specific morphologic changes in microvilli are found in endometrial adenocarcinoma.
Ecological systems approaches to sustainability and organizational development

Purpose – The ecological framework focuses on ecosystems, natural resources, agricultural practices, geographical locations, conservation and environmental management. Recently, ecology has provided the underlying framework for sustainability development and reporting. This paper aims to relate the ecological approach to the environmental and conservation objectives embedded in sustainability development and reporting.Design/methodology/approach – The paper argues that sustainability reporting is an organizational development and management program that has to be studied within the context of ecological ethics. It examines the evolution of sustainability reporting in relation to triple bottom line (TBL) accounting systems prepared to report the economic, social and environmental objectives of organizations.Findings – The paper shows that sustainability is a question that transcends several disciplines, including accounting and sociology. While sustainability has been within the domain of sociology (human ...
The prevalence of hypertension in older Mexicans and Mexican Americans.

Objective To evaluate the prevalence of hypertension in older Mexicans in the United States and Mexico.
Dual Control Guidance Law for Homing Missiles

This paper reviews the development of a linear-quadratic guidance law for a homing missile which gives - target intercept while enhancing the information content of angle-only measurements. The performance index for developing this guidance law is that for the standard linear-quadratic guidance law with a term proportional to the integral of the range squared subtracted. The guidance law is tested in a 6 DOF simulation of a bank-to-turn missile and is shown to improve the tracking of the modified-gain extended Kalman filter and to reduce the error variance of the engagement.
Identifying the risk of disease progression after surgery for localized renal cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE To identify factors in a large cohort of patients with pathologically localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC) that predicted disease progression after surgery, as RCC most commonly presents as a localized tumour which is treated with surgical excision. PATIENTS AND METHODS Using an institutional database, we identified all patients who underwent radical or partial nephrectomy and had pathologically confirmed pT1 or pT2 RCC. Multivariable stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to calculate an odds ratio corresponding to the odds of progression to metastatic disease during surveillance, based on several clinical and pathological variables. We defined those variables that remained significant on multivariable analysis as risk factors and, based on the number of risk factors, we assessed risk of disease progression. RESULTS In all, 925 patients were eligible for analysis with a median follow-up of 48.2 months. There was progression to metastatic disease in 53 (5.7%) patients; pT1 in 20/774 (2.6%), pT2 in 33/151 (21.9%). Risk factors included pT2 disease, male gender, symptoms at presentation (local or constitutional), presence of sarcomatoid de-differentiation, and macroscopic necrosis on final pathology. In 177 patients with no risk factors, none progressed; 20 of 618 (3.2%) with one or two risk factors had progression at a median of 37.1 months; 33 of 130 (25.4%) with three or more risk factors progressed at a median of 25.2 months. CONCLUSIONS We identified five risk factors that can help to predict those patients with pT1 or pT2 RCC at highest risk for disease progression after surgery. The potential for disease progression is exceedingly low in patients with no risk factors and surveillance can be minimized in this group.
Effect of hormones, methotrexate, and dactinomycin on benign trophoblast

Abstract Hamsters with benign human trophoblast transplanted to their cheek pouch were treated with various hormones. 17α-Hydroxyprogesterone in combination with estradiol valerate was most effective in prolonging placental graft survival as determined by trophoblast cell count and assaying the graft extracts for human chorionic gonadotropin. With the use of the same parameters on placental grafts in hormone-pretreated hamsters, methotrexate and dactinomycin were observed to destroy the trophoblast.
Atomic-XAFS and XANES

Abstract X-ray-absorption near edge structure (XANES) poses many theoretical challenges and a general quantitative theory remains elusive. We have studied structural contributions to XANES based on high-order multiple-scattering (MS) calculations, including X-ray polarization. Ab initio MS calculations of XANES are presented using a code FEFF6X, that includes estimates of the amplitude reduction factor S02. White-lines and continuum shape resonances in XANES are described quantitatively. We have observed that the atomic background absorption contains oscillatory structure which can play an important role in XANES. Calculations and measurements confirm the existence of AXAFS and show that it can dominate contributions such as multi-electron excitations.
A model for multinational corporate money management

Abstract A centralized multiple-period money management model is developed and applied to the case of a simulated US based MNC with subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, Canada and West Germany. Only the first of three period's decisions are intended for implementation in the moving horizon model. The inclusion of two future periods permits current actions to be executed with imperfect but valuable information contained in forecasts of future spot exchange rates produced by moving-horizon least-squares generators. For the set of assumptions invoked it is seen that the centralized model provides significantly better profit results than zero-net exposure approaches.
PROTOTYPE CLASSIFIER DESIGN WITH PRUNING

Algorithms reducing the storage requirement of the nearest neighbor classifier (NNC) can be divided into three main categories: Fast searching algorithms, Instance-based learning algorithms and Prototype based algorithms. We propose an algorithm, LVQPRU, for pruning NNC prototype vectors and a compact classifier with good performance is obtained. The basic condensing algorithm is applied to the initial prototypes to speed up the learning process. The learning vector quantization (LVQ) algorithm is utilized to fine tune the remaining prototypes during each pruning iteration. We evaluate LVQPRU on several data sets along with 12 other algorithms using ten-fold cross-validation. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm has high generalization accuracy and good storage reduction ratios.
Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids improve cholinergic transmission in the aged brain.

The cholinergic theory of aging states that dysfunction of cholinergic neurons arising from the basal forebrain and terminating in the cortex and hippocampus may be involved in the cognitive decline that occurs during aging and Alzheimer’s disease. Despite years of research, pharmacological interventions to treat or forestall the development of Alzheimer’s disease have primarily focused on enhancing cholinergic transmission, either through increasing acetylcholine (ACh) synthesis or inhibition of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme responsible for ACh hydrolysis. However, recent studies have indicated that dietary supplementation can impact the cholinergic system, particularly during aging. The purpose of the present review is to examine the relevant research suggesting that cholinergic functioning may be maintained during aging via consuming a diet containing polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). The data reviewed herein indicate that, at least in animal studies, inclusion of PUFAs in the diet can improve cholinergic transmission in the brain, possibly leading to improvements in cognitive functioning.
Early Work Orientation & Later Situational Factors as Elements of Work Commitment Among Married Women College Graduates*

Using Becker's theory of commitment, national longitudinal data on 1961 college graduates are analyzed to determine the effects of early work orientation and the situational attributes of full-time work experience, husband's attitude and income, and number of children on the probability of 1968 employment among white married women. Work orientation is an insignificant predictor of work status and remains insignificant even when bolstered by any of the above variables. Similarly, the statistical interaction of other pairs of predictors makes no contribution to the probability of wives' employment. In the additive model, neither work orientation nor work experience affects employment probability. Three marriage-family variables are significant predictors: favorable husband, low income husband and absence of children. The findings are consistent with Becker's theory of nonconscious commitment.
Sterol structure and ordering effects in spin-labelled phospholipid multibilayer structures

Abstract : Cholesterol is a common component of vertebrate cellular membranes. Sterols with a similar structure (3beta-OH group, hydrocarbon chain at position 17) are also found in vascular plants, algae, fungi, and microorganisms. The biological function of these compounds is not completely understood. The authors investigated the effects of steroid structure on the degree of order in multibilayer structures of polar membrane lipids using a spin label technique. The results indicate that cholesterol and structurally related sterols increase the degree of order of the spin label, and hence that of the lipids in the lamellar structure. (Author)
Jupiter's radiation belts and the sweeping effect of its satellites

Jupiter's electron and proton radiation belts were analyzed, with particular reference to the effect of its five inner satellites, located within its magnetosphere. The characteristics of trapped electrons and protons with a magnetic moment of 50 MeV/gauss, considered typical at Jupiter, were calculated. The mean absorption time before impact was calculated for particles located at the radial distance of each of the satellites. A characteristic diffusion time near each satellite was calculated, assuming violation of the third invariant due to magnetic fluctuations associated with fluctuations in the solar wind. This diffusion time was found to be long compared with the absorption lifetimes at Europa and Amalthea.
Health-related quality of life and cognitive functioning in pediatric short stature: comparison of growth-hormone-naïve, growth-hormone-treated, and healthy samples

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of short stature on generic health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and cognitive functioning in pediatric patients. Eighty-nine youth, 48 who were initially seen with short stature (SS group) and 41 with a history of short stature being treated with growth hormone (GHT group) and one of their legal guardians participated in the study. HRQOL and cognitive functioning were assessed using the PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Core Scales and PedsQL™ Cognitive Functioning Scale. Comparisons were made between the study groups and with a previously obtained matched healthy sample. For the GHT group, height Z score was found to be a positive predictor of overall HRQOL while duration of GHT was found to be a predictor of physical functioning. For the SS group, the difference between midparental height Z score and height Z score was found to be a negative predictor of overall HRQOL and cognitive functioning. Comparison with the healthy sample demonstrated significant negative impact on HRQOL for child self-report and on HRQOL and cognitive functioning for parent proxy-report in both study groups. The GHT group had a significantly higher child self-reported Physical Functioning score than the SS group (effect size (ES) = 0.52, p < 0.05). In conclusion, the GHT group had slightly better HRQOL scores than the SS group, but the difference was not statistically significant. Both groups had significantly lower HRQOL and cognitive functioning scores than healthy sample. Predictors of HRQOL and cognitive functioning found in this study lend support to the use of the PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Score Scales and PedsQL™ Cognitive Functioning Scale in routine assessment of children with short stature in order to identify children at increased risk for impaired HRQOL and cognitive functioning.
American English: Southern Michigan

As Ladefoged (1999) points out in his description of American English, there is considerable diversity in the phonetic characteristics of English spoken in North America, such that the commonly used phrase ‘General American English’ is not entirely meaningful. The description of American English provided by Ladefoged was based on a southern California dialect. The purpose of this report is to augment that account with a brief description of southern Michigan speech patterns. According to Labov and colleagues (e.g. Labov, Yeager & Steiner 1972, Labov 1994), southern Michigan, particularly in its urban areas, is part of a relatively large dialect region in the inland northeast United States called ‘Northern Cities’. According to Labov, the Northern Cities dialect cuts an irregular swath through a chain of cities in the inland northeast extending, roughly, from upstate New York (e.g. Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo), through northern Ohio (e.g. Cleveland, Toledo), southern Michigan (e.g. Detroit, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids), northwest Indiana (e.g. Gary, Hammond), northeast Illinois (e.g. Chicago, Rockford) and south-central Wisconsin (e.g. Milwaukee, Madison). Speakers from neighboring regions such as northwest Vermont, northwest Pennsylvania, and north-central/northeast Indiana appear to show some features of the dialect. Labov contends that the vowel shifts that characterize the Northern Cities dialect are observed in their most advanced forms in the largest urban areas of the region, such as Detroit, Buffalo, and Rochester.
Improving opening book performance through modeling of chess opponents

Opening books play a vital part in the performance of current chess programs. Use of the opening book places the chess program in a position that is already several moves into the game and can be positionally inferior. A method for acquiring opening knowledge about a specific opponent is presented. The method analyzes the historic performance of the opponent to find the opening sequences that are known to the opponent. Knowledge about the opening preferences of an opponent affords a strategic advantage to a chess program. The performance of this method is demonstrated and analyzed. Current chess programs that utilize knowledge about the opening repertoire of an opponent will be able to decrease the size of their opening books and can develop a game strategy from the start of the chess game instead of the beginning of the middle game.
Asymmetric phospholipid bilayer membranes: formation and electrical characterization.

Abstract Asymmetric bipolar phospholipid membranes were formed by juxta-position of two distinct lipid monolayers sharing a common interfacial phase. The resulting bimolecular films were stable for periods of up to two hours and displayed both normal and anomalous rectification behavior. Both membrane stability and rectification were dependent on the concentration of supporting electrolyte in the aqueous phases. Studies with calcium indicated it played an important role in determining the I–V characteristic of the film. The Katchalsky theory for membrane elements arrayed in series adequately described the system's electrical response.
Intrinsic, shape, and configurational birefringence

We generalize earlier work on intrinsic and form birefringence for random distributions of aligned ellipsoids by taking the minimum separation of particle centers (the exclusion-correlation surface) as nonsimilar to the particle’s surface. For such cases, the bulk parameters involve a compound depolarization factor consisting of two distinct terms, one corresponding to particle shape (S) effects, and the other to configurational-correlation (C) effects. The associated bipolarization and birefraction expressions show form (F) effects in which S and C may either compete (and even cancel) or else reinforce. If they compete (e.g., for coaxial spheroidal particle and exclusion surfaces, both prolate or both oblate) then the F effects are less than the S; if they reinforce (coaxial spheroids, one prolate and one oblate) then the F effects are greater than the S. We show how the earlier explicit results for similar C and S can be generalized by inspection, and illustrate the procedure for key forms.
Help-seeking steps and service use for children in foster care.

This study describes help-seeking steps and service-use patterns for school-age children in foster care. It also examines how these access indices are moderated by sociodemographic, enabling, and child disorder factors. Two home interviews and a telephone teacher interview were conducted using a sample of 302 randomly selected children (age 6–12 years) in foster care. The majority of children (80%) were given a psychiatric diagnosis, and 43% of the foster parents perceived a need for mental health services for the child. In the past year, about one-half of the children had received mental health (51%) and special education services (52%). Age and ethnicity, foster parent education, placement history, level of monthly benefits, number of caseworker visits, and disorder characteristics were related to help-seeking steps and mental health service use. Strategies to improve access to mental health services for children in foster care should include interventions at the caregiver and system levels.
Random-phase-approximation approach to phonon spectra in doped and undoped halogen-bridged transition-metal compounds

We have developed a method based on a real-space random-phase approximation (RPA) to study the phonon spectra of doped and undoped halogen-bridged transition-metal-chain complexes. The method is very convenient in cases of spatially inhomogeneous mean-field structures. Thus, we are able to find the usual extended phonon modes as well as local modes associated with polaron, bipolaron, kink, exciton, or impurity structures in intrinsically or extrinsically doped systems. The corresponding infrared absorption spectra and Raman spectra (as a function of the excitation energy) are calculated. We demonstrate the method for a homogeneous charge-density-wave system, and for electron and hole polarons. We find that each type of defect has specific signatures in both infrared and Raman spectra, which can help to identify different types of defects experimentally.
Thermal evolution of the moon.

The thermal history and current state of the lunar interior are investigated using constraints imposed by recent geological and physical data. Theoretical temperature models are computed taking into account different initial conditions, heat sources, differentiation and simulated convection. To account for the early formation of the lunar highlands, the time duration of magmatism and present-day temperatures estimated from lunar electrical conductivity profiles, it is necessary to restrict initial temperatures and abundances of radioactive elements. Successful models require that the outer half of the moon initially heated to melting temperatures, probably due to rapid accretion. Differentiation of radioactive heat sources toward the lunar surface occurred during the first 1.6 billion years. Temperatures in the outer 500 km are currently low, while the deep interior (radius less than 700 to 1000 km) is warmer than 1000 C, and is of primordial material.
Medical Student Communication Skills and Specialty Choice

The aim of this study was to determine if communication skills differ for medical students entering person or technique-oriented specialties. Communication ratings by clerkship preceptors on an institutionally required end of clerkship medical student performance evaluation (SPE) form were compiled for 2011/2012 academic year (Class of 2013). M3 clerkships and the Class of 2013 match appointments were categorized as person or technique-oriented clerkships/specialties. Mean differences in SPE communication scores were determined by analyses of variance (ANOVA) and independent t tests. Score associations were determined by Pearson correlations. Inter-item reliability was reported with Cronbach alpha. The Class of 2013 match appointments were as follows: person-oriented (N = 91) and technique-oriented (N = 91) residency specialties. There was no significant difference in mean communication scores for medical students who entered person-oriented (mean 7.8, SD 0.4) versus technique-oriented (mean 7.9, SD 0.4) specialties (p = 0.258) or for person-oriented clerkship (mean 7.8, SD 0.4) versus technique-oriented clerkship (mean 7.9, SD 0.6) ratings for medical students who matched into person-oriented specialties (p = 0.124). Medical students who matched into technique-oriented specialties (mean 8.1, SD 0.5) received significantly higher (p = 0.001) communication ratings as compared with those matching into person-oriented specialties (mean 7.8, SD 0.5) from technique-oriented clerkships. Communication with patients and families is a complex constellation of specific abilities that appear to be influenced by the rater’s specialty. Further study is needed to determine if technique-oriented specialties communication skill rating criteria differ from those used by raters from person-oriented specialties.
Phase relations and transformations in the system PbTe-GeTe

Abstract Results of a study of the pseudobinary system PbTe-GeTe are reported and discussed. A new phase diagram, the dependence of the lattice constants on alloy composition, and measurements of a phase transformation in Pb 1− x Ge x Te are presented. Complete solid solubility is found above 570°C. An exsolution dome extends from a maximum at 570°C (near 60 mole % GeTe) to about 5 and 96 mole % GeTe at 300°C. For alloys with compositions near GeTe the unit cell parameters depend markedly on the concentration of cation vacancies. The temperature for the cubic to trigonal phase transformation depends on alloy composition, decreasing from about 670°K for x = 1 to 0°K for x ≈ 0·01. The variation of lattice parameters at the transition temperature is continuous within experimental precision.
Selective depletion of vascular EC-SOD augments chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension

Excess superoxide has been implicated in pulmonary hypertension (PH). We previously found lung overexpression of the antioxidant extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) attenuates PH and pulmon...
Controlling directionality of mirror-less lasing by pulse shaping and timing

We study mirrorless lasing in a dye solution two-photon-pumped by a sequence of pre-chirped femtosecond pulses. We demonstrate control of lasing direction, without changing the excitation geometry, by adjusting the pump pulse timing and shape.
Waterton Lakes: The Business of Parks and Preservation in the North American Borderlands

While the Canadian Pacific instigated the establishment of Banff, Waterton Lakes National Park never had a connection to the Canadian main line. Instead, the Great Northern, the northernmost US transcontinental railroad, stepped in to develop Waterton Lakes and Glacier along the Alberta/Montana borderlands. With the completion of the Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton Townsite, the railroad integrated the two spaces five years before the parks were formally designated, in 1932, as the world’s first peace park. While big businesses, like the railroads, participated in the creation and development of parks, decidedly smaller businesses from shops, groceries, restaurants, and hoteliers operating both inside and adjacent to protected spaces also influenced and benefitted from them as well. Waterton Lakes and Glacier, as parks on the periphery of two nations, were profoundly shaped by ideas and actors that migrated across borders just as freely as the flora and fauna these spaces sought to protect.
Correlated double sampling technique for continuous-time filters

A correlated double sampling technique, applicable to continuous-time active-RC filters, is proposed. It provides suppression of DC offset and 1/f noise, and performs gain boosting and level shifting for the opamps used. A biquad lowpass filter is described to demonstrate the application of the technique.
Perceptions of heavy-drinking college students about a sleep and alcohol health intervention

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to describe the sleep and psychological characteristics of heavy-drinking college students, their perceptions of sleep and sleep/alcohol interactions, and their reactions to a proposed integrated sleep and alcohol Web-based intervention. Students (N = 24) completed standardized surveys and participated in semistructured focus group interviews. Participants reported a high degree of sleep disturbance, sleep obstacles, and sleep-related consequences, which were validated by both quantitative and qualitative investigations. Sleep disturbance and sleep-related impairment were associated with more frequent drinking and greater risks from drinking. Participants perceived that alcohol has positive and negative effects on sleep latency, continuity, and quality. They expressed overall enthusiasm for the intervention but had specific content and format preferences.
Mars regolith versus SNC meteorites: possible evidence for abundant crustal carbonates

Viking XRF data of the Martian regolith are compared with data of typical igneous rocks of the earth, Moon, eucrite parent asteroid, and shergottite, nakhlite, and Chassigny (SNC) meteorites. It is suggested that regolith's low Ca/Si ratio, with respect to igneous rocks with similar (Mg + Fe)/Si ratios, is not a result of simple mixing of SNC-like rocks with other igneous rocks, but rather is due to the removal of Ca from the regolith as Ca-carbonate. Formation of a mass of carbonate equivalent to a 20-m-thick global shell could account for the removal of 1000 mbar of CO2 from the Martian atmosphere. This Ca/Si ratio is consistent with the hypothesis that the Martian climate was once far warmer and wetter than at present.
Effect of Styrene Butadiene Styrene Modifier on Cracking Resistance of Asphalt Mixture

A laboratory investigation was conducted to evaluate the effects of styrene butadiene styrene (SBS) modification on the cracking resistance and healing characteristics of coarse-graded Superpave® mixtures. Four types of asphalt mixtures with 6.1% and 7.2% design asphalt contents using unmodified and SBS-modified asphalt cement were produced in the laboratory. Tests performed with the Superpave indirect tensile (IDT) test included repeated-load fracture and healing test, strength tests at two loading rates, and longer-term creep tests to failure. The test results showed that the benefit of SBS modifiers to mixture cracking resistance appeared to be primarily derived from a reduced rate of micro-damage accumulation. The reduced rate of damage accumulation was reflected in a lower m value without a reduction in fracture limit or healing rates. It was shown that the benefits of the SBS modifier were clearly identified by using the hot-mix asphalt fracture model, which accounts for the combined effects of m va...
Spectral properties of Cesàro-like operators on weighted Bergman spaces

Abstract We determine spectral pictures and resolvent estimates for a class of integral operators on the weighted Bergman spaces L a p ( D , m α ) for p ≥ 1 , α > − 1 , and show in particular these operators are subdecomposable. Moreover, in the case that p = 2 , we show that some of these operators are subnormal, some are normaloid, and some are subscalar.
Toward a postmodern pedagogy

What does teaching from a postmodern perspective mean? This chapter describes adult education from one educator's standpoint, with attention to knowledge, teachers, students, and power.
DIVERSE TYPES OF GANGLION CELL PHOTORECEPTORS IN THE MAMMALIAN RETINA

Photoreceptors carry out the first step in vision by capturing light and transducing it into electrical signals. Rod and cone photoreceptors efficiently translate photon capture into electrical signals by light activation of opsin-type photopigments. Until recently, the central dogma was that, for mammals, all phototransduction occurred in rods and cones. However, the recent discovery of a novel photoreceptor type in the inner retina has fundamentally challenged this view. These retinal ganglion cells are intrinsically photosensitive and mediate a broad range of physiological responses such as photoentrainment of the circadian clock, light regulation of sleep, pupillary light reflex, and light suppression of melatonin secretion. Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells express melanopsin, a novel opsin-based signaling mechanism reminiscent of that found in invertebrate rhabdomeric photoreceptors. Melanopsin-expressing retinal ganglion cells convey environmental irradiance information directly to brain centers such as the hypothalamus, preoptic nucleus, and lateral geniculate nucleus. Initial studies suggested that these melanopsin-expressing photoreceptors were an anatomically and functionally homogeneous population. However, over the past decade or so, it has become apparent that these photoreceptors are distinguishable as individual subtypes on the basis of their morphology, molecular markers, functional properties, and efferent projections. These results have provided a novel classification scheme with five melanopsin photoreceptor subtypes in the mammalian retina, each presumably with differential input and output properties. In this review, we summarize the evidence for the structural and functional diversity of melanopsin photoreceptor subtypes and current controversies in the field.
Target distance and adaptation in distance perception in the constancy of visual direction

Hay and Sawyer recently demonstrated that the constancy of visual direction (CVD) also operates for near targets. A luminous spot in the dark, 40 cm from the eyes, was perceived as stationary when S nodded his head. This implies that CVD takes target distance, as well as head rotation, into account as a stationary environment is perceived during head movements. Distance is a variable in CVD because, during a turning or nodding of the head, the eyes become displaced relative to the main target direction, the line between the target and the rotation axis of the head. This displacement of the eyes during head rotation causes an additional change in the target direction, i.e., a total angular change greater than the angle of the head rotation. The extent of this additional angular displacement is greater the nearer the target. We demonstrated that the natural combination of accommodation and convergence can supply the information needed by the nervous system to compensate for this additional target displacement. We also found that wearing glasses that alter the relation between these oculomotor adjustments and target distance produces an adaptation in CVD. An adaptation period of 1.5 h produced a large adaptation effect. This effect was not entirely accounted for by an adaptation in distance perception. Measurements of the alteration between oculomotor cues and registered distance with two kinds of tests for distance perception yielded effects significantly smaller than the effect measured with the CVD test. We concluded that the wearing of the glasses had also produced an adaptation within CVD.