cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measuring Love: Sexual Minority Male Youths' Ideal Romantic Characteristics.

Research examining how sexual minorities characterize love within same-sex relationships is scarce. In this study, the authors examined the validity of Sternberg's triangular theory of love in a sample of sexual minority male youth (N = 447). To test the adequacy of the theory for our population, the authors examined the psychometric properties of the Triadic Love Scale (TLS) and tested whether the three underlying constructs of the theory (intimacy, passion, and commitment) emerged when participants were asked to consider their ideal relationship with another man. Using confirmatory factor analysis, the authors found support for the three-factor solution to characterize sexual minority male youths’ ideal romantic relationship, after minimizing item cross-loadings and adapting the content of the Passion subscale. The authors discuss the implications of their findings regarding the measurement of the TLS among sexual minority male youth and propose ways to enhance its measurement in future research.
Influence of ammonia treatment and time of ensiling on proteolysis in corn silage

Chopped whole corn (32 to 34% dry matter) was treated with 0, .25, .52, or 1.08% added nitrogen as ammonia (of silage dry matter). About 3 kg of material was placed in polyethylene bags, which then were evacuated and served as experimental silos. Triplicate bags were opened at 0, 1, 2, 6, 12, and 54 days after ensiling and analyzed for dry matter, pH, lactic acid, total and insoluble nitrogen, and free amino acids in the water phase. Added ammonia increased initial pH of silages. Lactic acid production during early ensiling was delayed by high ammonia, but intermediate ammonia (.52%) resulted in highest lactate. Ammonia decreased proteolysis and deamination of amino acids. Increases in alanine were large in the water phase of silage treated with highest ammonia. These were increases not from proteolytic effects but synthesis of alanine stimulated by high ammonia.
An Electromagnetically Actuated Micromachined Loudspeaker for Hearing Aids Applications

We present an electromagnetically actuated micromachined loudspeaker for hearing aid applications. The device has multi-layers of copper-coils, a NiFe soft magnet on polyimide membrane, and a NdFeB permanent magnet on its perimeter. Coil impedance is measured as 1.5 Omega and shows very flat at all over the audio frequency range. The resonant frequency of the loudspeaker is at much away from human audio frequency range to avoid unwanted spike responses. The device operates in low power, only requires tens of milli-ampere; the peak displacement, 7 mum, occurs at 88 mA, which corresponds to 110 dB SPL (Sound Pressure Level). While the micro-speaker generates 106 dB SPL, it consumes only 0.13 mW at 1 kHz, which is more than at least 10 times less power consumption than any existing MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems) micro-speakers, almost equivalent to existing non-MEMS mini-speakers being used in hearing aids.
Psychodynamic Universals, Cultural Particulars in Feminist Anthropology: Rethinking Hua Gender Beliefs

This article disputes the view that systems of gender identity are so extraordinarily variable cross-culturally as to suggest that they are wholly culturally constructed, and, therefore, not open to universal explanation. Instead, we argue, these systems are underlain by a universal unresolved tension between being masculine and being feminine. This tension can best be understood in terms of the psychoanalytic concept of splitting, as developed by Melanie Klein and extended by feminist theorists Nancy Chodorow and Jessica Benjamin. We illustrate our argument with a detailed reanalysis of ethnographic material, published by Anna Meigs, on the Hua of Papua New Guinea. Our analysis challenges anthropologist Henrietta Moore's construal of the Hua case as evidence against the cross-cultural applicability of Western categories of gender identity.
Multipath at the transport layer: An end-to-end resilience mechanism

As society's dependence on network technology increases, the need for resilience and survivability in these services becomes increasingly apparent. Since the user experience is ultimately determined by the dependability of the end-to-end service, we address this issue at the transport layer. In this paper we introduce a resilient multipath selection algorithm, which obtains multiple end-to-end paths in the WAN context through cross-layer interaction with lower layers of the network. This cross-layer interface is provided by a thin internetwork protocol (PoMo) that supports heterogeneity at trust and policy boundaries. The result is a more resilient end-to-end service provided to applications by taking advantage of redundancy in the underlying physical network. We evaluate the efficiency tradeoffs of the multipath approach on both a synthetic topology and a tier 1 ISP's backbone network topology.
Therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in CNS disease

The major psychoactive constituent of Cannabis sativa, delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta(9)-THC), and endogenous cannabinoid ligands, such as anandamide, signal through G-protein-coupled cannabinoid receptors localised to regions of the brain associated with important neurological processes. Signalling is mostly inhibitory and suggests a role for cannabinoids as therapeutic agents in CNS disease where inhibition of neurotransmitter release would be beneficial. Anecdotal evidence suggests that patients with disorders such as multiple sclerosis smoke cannabis to relieve disease-related symptoms. Cannabinoids can alleviate tremor and spasticity in animal models of multiple sclerosis, and clinical trials of the use of these compounds for these symptoms are in progress. The cannabinoid nabilone is currently licensed for use as an antiemetic agent in chemotherapy-induced emesis. Evidence suggests that cannabinoids may prove useful in Parkinson's disease by inhibiting the excitotoxic neurotransmitter glutamate and counteracting oxidative damage to dopaminergic neurons. The inhibitory effect of cannabinoids on reactive oxygen species, glutamate and tumour necrosis factor suggests that they may be potent neuroprotective agents. Dexanabinol (HU-211), a synthetic cannabinoid, is currently being assessed in clinical trials for traumatic brain injury and stroke. Animal models of mechanical, thermal and noxious pain suggest that cannabinoids may be effective analgesics. Indeed, in clinical trials of postoperative and cancer pain and pain associated with spinal cord injury, cannabinoids have proven more effective than placebo but may be less effective than existing therapies. Dronabinol, a commercially available form of delta(9)-THC, has been used successfully for increasing appetite in patients with HIV wasting disease, and cannabinoid receptor antagonists may reduce obesity. Acute adverse effects following cannabis usage include sedation and anxiety. These effects are usually transient and may be less severe than those that occur with existing therapeutic agents. The use of nonpsychoactive cannabinoids such as cannabidiol and dexanabinol may allow the dissociation of unwanted psychoactive effects from potential therapeutic benefits. The existence of other cannabinoid receptors may provide novel therapeutic targets that are independent of CB(1) receptors (at which most currently available cannabinoids act) and the development of compounds that are not associated with CB(1) receptor-mediated adverse effects. Further understanding of the most appropriate route of delivery and the pharmacokinetics of agents that act via the endocannabinoid system may also reduce adverse effects and increase the efficacy of cannabinoid treatment. This review highlights recent advances in understanding of the endocannabinoid system and indicates CNS disorders that may benefit from the therapeutic effects of cannabinoid treatment. Where applicable, reference is made to ongoing clinical trials of cannabinoids to alleviate symptoms of these disorders.
Tripolar Laplacian electrocardiogram and moment of activation isochronal mapping

The electrocardiogram (ECG) provides useful global temporal assessment of the cardiac activity, but has limited spatial capabilities. The Laplacian electrocardiogram (LECG), an improvement over the ECG, provides high spatiotemporal distributed information about cardiac electrical activation. We designed and developed LECG tripolar concentric ring electrode active sensors based on the finite element algorithm 'nine-point method' (NPM). The active sensors were used in an array of 6 by 12 (72) locations to record bipolar and tripolar LECG from the body surface over the anterolateral chest. Compared to bipolar LECG, tripolar LECG showed significantly higher spatial selectivity which may be helpful in inferring information about cardiac activations detected on the body surface. In this study the moment of activation (MOA), an indicator of a depolarization wave passing below the active sensors, was used to surmise possible timing information of the cardiac electrical activation below the active sensors' recording sites. The MOA on the body surface was used to generate isochronal maps that may some day be used by clinicians in diagnosing arrhythmias and assessing the efficacy of therapies.
Election Forecasts in 1984: How Accurate Were They?

One autumn out of four, election forecasting surpasses baseball as America's national pastime. Then, everyone wants to know who will win, and everyone has a guess. Now, with the ballots carefully counted, forecasters await their awards. Below, I evaluate the quality of a wide range of 1984 presidential and congressional forecasts. The evaluation proceeds from nonscientific to scientific approaches, although this distinction is sometimes blurred. To lower the level of suspense, I should say that some forecasts turned out to be quite good. By way of conclusion, I offer a set of rules for selecting a high-quality forecasting instrument.
The effects of the pressure and the oxygen content of the sputtering gas on the structure and the properties of zinc oxy-nitride thin films deposited by reactive sputtering of zinc

Zinc nitride and oxy-nitride thin films were prepared by reactive magnetron rf sputtering of zinc in either nitrogen?argon or nitrogen?argon?oxygen ambient. The effects of varying the total sputtering pressure and the oxygen fraction in the total sputtering gas mixture on the microstructure, electrical and optical properties were investigated. With increasing the sputtering pressure, the dominant phase comprising the film material changes from the crystalline zinc nitride phase to crystalline zinc oxide. The characteristic pressure, at which this change in the dominant phase is observed, decreases with the increase of the oxygen fraction in the total sputtering gas mixture. The increase of the oxygen content in the films (from 5 at.% to a maximum of 40 at.%) and the downward shift in the optical absorption edge (from 920 to 400?nm), combined with the x-ray diffraction data, support these observations, indicating the controllable fabrication of an oxy-nitride film material. Correlations between the films? fabrication conditions, including post-deposition annealing, their structure and composition, and their electrical properties are examined as well.
Computing as an Occasion for Social Control.

This paper examines three models of social control processes in computerized work settings. Two models, the management control model and the professional negotiations model, are derived from other analysts' conceptions. The third model, the institutional control model, is new. The models differ in their conception of the flexibility of norms, the proximity of social control agents to other participants, and the patterns of information flow in a system. We examine the explanatory value of these models in light of an intensive study of one complex organization. A set of episodes concerning one recurrent dilemma reported by information system users, the maintenance of accurate data, illustrates the usefulness of the institutional negotiations model. Control is exercised by many actors in a complex social fabric rather than simply through vertical management control or through lateral work relationships. Participation in a larger, institutionalized world of computer use defines work activities, and it subjects users, regardless of their position in the hierarchy, to tighter social controls than is suggested by the other models.
Considering justice: an exploratory study of family therapy with adolescents.

Feminist approaches to therapy with adolescents emphasize an empowering focus on the strengths of adolescents while simultaneously insisting that therapists become aware of their own biases toward today's adolescents. However, a review of the family therapy literature finds little mention of feminist approaches for addressing injustices (e.g., family scapegoating, negative societal views of adolescents, and gender oppression) that arise in family therapy with adolescents. Therefore, this study explores clinical approaches and resources suggested by a surveyed group of self-identified feminist family therapists. In addition, we also recommend several approaches and resources that will aid family therapists in creating a more just climate for family therapy with youth.
MEASUREMENT OF XENON VISCOSITY AS A FUNCTION OF LOW TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE

The measurement of xenon gas viscosity at low temperatures (175-298 K) and low pressures (350 torr-760 torr) has been performed in support of Hall Thruster testing at NASA Lewis Research Center. The measurements were taken using the capillary flow technique. Viscosity measurements were repeatable to within 3%. The results in this paper are in agreement with data from Hanley and Childs and suggest that the data from Clarke and Smith is approximately 2% low. There are no noticeable pressure effects on xenon absolute viscosity for the pressure range from 350 torr to 760 torr.
Pin assignment for improved performance in standard cell design

Chip performance optimization is a crucial task in the modern design process. A method to improve the longest delay in a circuit built for standard cells is discussed. The method used to improve the designs is attractive because it does not require an increase in active area. All the improvements are achieved by a careful pin assignment. An efficient pin assignment algorithm is proposed. It has been implemented and the results are very encouraging. >
New Evidence for a Pliocene Marine Embayment along the Lower Colorado River Area, California and Arizona

Marine foraminiferal, marine to fresh-water molluscan, and brackish- to fresh-water ostracode faunas occur in a thick section of limestone, silt, and clay of the Bouse Formation along the Colorado River from Parker to Yuma in an area now isolated from the sea. Faunas in the Parker-Blythe-Cibola area are limited in number of species but are remarkably persistent through the formation. The presence of marine Foraminifera, including Globigerina sp., is considered evidence that the area was continuously connected with the ocean. Several thousand feet of similar sediments are found in the subsurface near Yuma and contain faunas which at shallow depths are similar to those to the north, but at greater depths contain bathyal assemblages with an abundance of globigerinids, which indicate a post-Miocene age for the section, and oceanic conditions. It is likely that this marine embayment extended into the Imperial Valley, where the Imperial Formation of probable Pliocene age also contains marine faunas. Evidence presented here strongly indicates a large long-lasting Pliocene marine embayment along the lower Colorado River, connected with the Imperial Valley.
PARENTAL INFLUENCE ON GENDER AND MARITAL ROLE ATTITUDES: IMPLICATIONS FOR INTERVENTION

This study examined parental influence on specific attitudes toward marital and parental roles and nonspecific gender-role attitudes. Respondents included 173 young adults (127 women and 46 men) and their parents. Young adults' scores on the Role Orientation scale of the Marital Satisfaction Inventory and on masculinity and femininity scales from two self-report inventories (the MMPI-2 and the Personal Attributes Questionnaire) were correlated with their parents' scores on a subset of these same measures. Results indicated that (a) marital and parental role attitudes among young adults are strongly related to specific marital role attitudes of their parents but only modestly related (for women) or unrelated (for men) to nonspecific gender-role attitudes of their parents; (b) broader gender-role attitudes of young men are moderately correlated with their father's attitudes but generally uncorrelated with their mother's attitudes regarding gender roles; and (c) the relationship of young women's gender-role attitudes to both maternal and paternal attitudes is generally weaker and more complex than for young men. Clinical implications of these findings for assessment and intervention with distressed couples are discussed.
Acid-soluble phosphates in cow milk.

SUMMARY The acid-soluble organic phosphates of cow milk were obtained by tri-chloroacetic acid extraction or by dialysis and separated by ion exchange chromatography. Recovery in the eluate was 90–100% of the phosphates adsorbed by the resin. Approximately 90% of the phosphate fraction was sugar monophosphate. Small amounts of possible nucleotide monophosphates and of several more acidic phosphates were detected. N-Acetylglucosamine-l-phosphate, fructose-6-phosphate, galactose-l-phosphate, and glucose-6-phos-phate were identified and their quantity determined.
Description and Reference in the Age of Automation

This article is a report of the results of a survey conducted in 1986 to determine the effects of descriptive practice on retrieval capabilities of archive and manuscript materials described in bibliographic utilities. Forty repositories inputting into RLIN AMC were surveyed on (1) standardization in the choice and construction of headings, (2) levels of authority control, and (3) treatment of out-of-scope materials. Massive inconsistency in descriptive practice was found. The author makes five recommendations to correct inconsistency in the file and the retrieval difficulties that result.
Eukaryotic Replicative DNA Polymerases

DNA replication is a dynamic process that requires the precise coordination of numerous cellular proteins. At the core of replication in eukaryotic cells are three DNA polymerases, Pol α, Pol δ, and Pol e, which function cooperatively to ensure efficient and high-fidelity genome replication. These enzymes are members of the B family of DNA polymerases, characterized by conserved amino acid motifs within the polymerase active sites. Pol α is a DNA polymerase of moderate fidelity that lacks 3′→5′ exonuclease activity, while Pols δ and e are processive, high-fidelity polymerases with functional 3′→5′ exonuclease activities. Each polymerase exists as a holoenzyme complex of a large polymerase catalytic subunit and several smaller subunits. The Pol α holoenzyme possesses primase activity, which is required for de novo synthesis of RNA–DNA primers at replication origins and at each new Okazaki fragment. In one model of eukaryotic DNA replication, Pol e functions in leading strand DNA synthesis, while Pol δ functions primarily in lagging strand synthesis. This chapter discusses the biochemical properties of eukaryotic replicative polymerases and how biochemical properties shape their functional roles in replication initiation, replication fork elongation, and the checkpoint responses.
Epidemiology of Traumatic Brain Injury After Small-Wheeled Vehicle Trauma in Utah.

BACKGROUND: Recreational use of small-wheeled vehicles (SWVs), which include skateboards, longboards, nonmotorized scooters, ice skates, and roller skates or rollerblades, results in numerous injuries in the United States. OBJECTIVE: To describe the nature and severity of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that result from the use of SWVs in Utah. METHODS: Patients who were admitted to any Utah hospital after a SWV-related injury from 2001 through 2010 were identified from the Utah State Trauma Registry. Patients who sustained TBI were identified by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, codes. RESULTS: Of 907 patients admitted with SWV injury, 392 (43%) had a TBI (85% male). Their mean age was 19.8 ± 0.5 years, including 234 (60%) aged ≤18 and 119 (30%) aged 19 to 29. Most patients sustained TBI while using a skate- or longboard (87%). Mean Glasgow Coma Scale score in the emergency department was 12.8 ± 0.2. Thirty-nine percent were admitted to an intensive care unit, and 6% (23) underwent emergent neurosurgical intervention. Thirty-three (8.4%) patients had a concussion; the rest had nonoperative intracranial hemorrhage. Among patients for whom helmet use data were available, 8 out of 291 (2.7%) patients with TBI were wearing a helmet, whereas 24 out of 190 (12.6%) nonTBI patients were wearing helmets (P CONCLUSION: Young people, especially males, who ride SWVs in Utah are at risk for serious TBI, admission to the intensive care unit, neurosurgical intervention, and death. Helmet use in these patients is likely rare, but may reduce the risk of TBI and death. ABBREVIATIONS: ED, emergency departmentSWV, small-wheeled vehicleTBI, traumatic brain injury. Language: en
The effect of adaptive servo ventilation (ASV) on objective and subjective outcomes in Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSR) with central sleep apnea (CSA) in heart failure (HF): A systematic review.

To summarize the current evidence for adaptive servo ventilation (ASV) in Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSR) with central sleep apnea (CSA) in heart failure (HF) and advance a research agenda and clinical considerations for ASV-treated CSR-CSA in HF. CSR-CSA in HF is associated with higher overall mortality, worse outcomes and lower quality of life (QOL) than HF without CSR-CSA. Five databases were searched using key words (n = 234). Randomized controlled trials assessed objective sleep quality, cardiac, and self-reported outcomes in adults (≥18 years) with HF (n = 10). ASV has a beneficial effect on the reduction of central sleep apnea in adult patients with CSR-CSA in HF, but it is not be superior to CPAP, bilevel PPV, or supplemental oxygen in terms of sleep quality defined by polysomnography, cardiovascular outcomes, subjective daytime sleepiness, and quality of life. ASV is not recommended for CSR-CSA in HF. It is important to continue to refer HF patients for sleep evaluation to clearly discern OSA from CSR-CSA. Symptom management research, inclusive of objective and subjective outcomes, in CSR-CSA in HF adults is needed.
Safety Factor for Neuromuscular Transmission Is Reduced in Mild and Moderate Myasthenia Gravis Due to Loss of Both Sodium Channels and Acetylcholine Receptors (S35.006)

Objective: To evaluate the contributions of loss of Na + channels and acteylcholine receptors (AChR) to reduction in safety factor for neuromuscular transmission (SF) in patients with MGFA class IIa and IIIa myasthenia gravis (MG). I hypothesized that loss of endplate Na+ channels would contribute to the reduction of SF in patients with MG. Background Endplate Na + channels improve neuromuscular transmission by reducing the threshold depolarization needed to trigger an action potential (E AP ). In MG, AChRs and Na + channels are lost from the endplate. Na+ channels as well as AChRs were lost from the endplate membrane. Design/Methods: I used standard electrophysiological techniques to compare membrane currents and potentials in intercostal nerve-muscle preparations from 5 MGFA IIIa, 2 MGFA IIa and 7 control adult male subjects. Na + currents recorded using loose patch voltage clamp. Action potential (AP) characteristics measured with a 2 electrode clamp. Endplate potentials (EPPs) studied using μ-conotoxin GIIIb to block muscle Na + channels. The motor nerve was stimulated using a suction electrode. I report the findings for recordings from fast-glycolytic muscle fibers. Results: In MG, EPP was reduced from 40.2 ±1.3 to 30.1±1.3 mV (IIa) and 23.5 ±1.7 mV (IIIa) (p + channel loss increased E AP from −71.9 ±2.2 mV to -66.1 ±2.7 mV (IIa; p AP was the same for MG fibers and controls. The SF for neuromuscular transmission was reduced from 2.98 to 1.58 (IIa) and 1.09 (IIIa). Loss of Na + channels accounted for 53% (IIa) or 41% of the SF reduction. Reduction of EPP produced 47% (IIa) or 59% (IIIa) of the SF decrease. Conclusions: Loss of endplate Na + channels contributes to the reduced SF in MG to a similar extent as does the loss of endplate AChRs. Supported by: Department Veterans Affairs. Disclosure: Dr. Ruff has nothing to disclose.
Getting Through the Gate: Statistical and Methodological Issues Raised in the Reviewing Process

This study empirically examined the statistical and methodological issues raised in the reviewing process to determine what the “gatekeepers” of the literature, the reviewers and editors, really say about methodology when making decisions to accept or reject manuscripts. Three hundred and four editors’ and reviewers’ letters for 69 manuscripts submitted to the Journal of Business and Psychology were qualitatively coded using an iterative approach. Systematic coding generated 267 codes from 1,751 statements that identified common methodological and statistical errors by authors and offered themes across these issues. We examined the relationship between the issues identified and manuscript outcomes. The most prevalent methodological and statistical topics were measurement, control variables, common method variance, factor analysis, and structural equation modeling. Common errors included the choice and comprehensiveness of analyses. This qualitative analysis of methods in reviews provides insight into how ...
Who participates in reentry programming? An examination of women offenders in a midwestern state

ABSTRACTExtant research on reentry programming has focused primarily on male inmates, with less attention paid to female inmates. The current study examines the relationship between demographic, social, and criminal history variables and participation in one of three prison release mechanisms: (a) direct release to parole, (b) reentry programming, and (c) halfway house. The women in these three groups differ in important ways that are likely to impact programmatic efforts and reentry outcomes. Study implications, constraints, and suggestions for future research are discussed.
The Socioecology of Territory Size and a "Work-Around" Hypothesis for the Adoption of Farming.

This paper combines theory from ecology and anthropology to investigate variation in the territory sizes of subsistence oriented agricultural societies. The results indicate that population and the dependence of individuals within a society on “wild” foods partly determine the territory sizes of agricultural societies. In contrast, the productivity of an agroecosystem is not an important determinant of territory size. A comparison of the population-territory size scaling dynamics of agricultural societies and human foragers indicates that foragers and farmers face the same constraints on their ability to expand their territory and intensify their use of resources within a territory. However, the higher density of food in an agroecosystem allows farmers, on average, to live at much higher population densities than human foragers. These macroecological patterns are consistent with a “work-around hypothesis” for the adoption of farming. This hypothesis is that as residential groups of foragers increase in size, farming can sometimes better reduce the tension between an individual’s autonomy over resources and the need for social groups to function to provide public goods like defense and information.
A short course of menotropin after clomiphene failure in infertile women with luteal phase defects.

Twenty-four women with luteal phase defects who were ovulatory on clomiphene therapy with or without human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) at midcycle for three to eight cycles yet failed to produce a live birth were treated with a short course of menotropin (hMG-S), one to two ampules for five days in the early follicular phase followed or not followed by hCG at midcycle for three to eight cycles. The luteal phase defect was diagnosed with repeat endometrial biopsies with a lag time of three or more days prior to clomiphene therapy. A complete infertility workup revealed only eight patients (33%) with a purely endocrine factor (luteal phase defect). The rest (16 patients, or 67%) had one or two additional infertility factors. Two abortions occurred in this group during clomiphene therapy, while five pregnancies (four live births and one spontaneous abortion) occurred during hMG-S therapy. The ovulation rates were similar for hMG-S (89%) and clomiphene (91%) therapy, but the frequency of a normal ovulatory cycle was significantly greater (P = .026) for hMG-S therapy (71%) than for clomiphene therapy (57%). The midluteal mean serum progesterone level was lower and the mean luteal length shorter in the cycles with less than 130 ng/mL/d of total integrated luteal progesterone. The postcoital test results showed better cervical mucus, with increased mucus volume and better fluidity and spinnbarkeit, in hMG-S cycles than in clomiphene cycles. It appears that hMG-S treatment can improve ovarian function and achieve successful pregnancy in patients with luteal phase defects who fail to produce a live birth during clomiphene treatment.
Death: Hospice and After

In May 2012, I drove to Philadelphia with another psychiatrist to attend our annual American Psychiatric Association meeting. We were stuck in traffic most of the way and generally strained ourselves traveling from New York City to Philadelphia. The conference was boring and tedious. Somehow I caught a virus in the unfamiliar environment. Since I visited Marty every day, I inadvertently transmitted it to him.
Rethinking Philosophy in Light of the Bible: From Kant to Schopenhauer

Brayton Polka’s new book is certain to challenge its readers’ assumptions about two triadic relationships: that between Greek and Roman antiquity, the Bible, and modern European philosophy, and tha...
Cave Exploration and Mapping in the Sierra de El Abra Region

Knowledge about the Mexican cavefish, Astyanax mexicanus , was advanced by biologists, geologists, and cavers over three periods of work: 1936-1954, 1963-1998, and 2009 to present. Hundreds of caves in the Sierra de El Abra region were discovered on the ground or from the air, and explored by Mexican, American, Canadian, and European teams, many participating in the Association for Mexican Cave Studies (AMCS). Twenty-eight of 29 cavefish sites have been mapped. Caving and cave diving techniques advanced over the years, along with cave mapping and cartography. Now the maps and GIS are helping our understanding of the hydrogeological nature of the caves and where they may drain to, thus informing geneticists and their work. Some of the cavefish populations have not been sampled genetically. In the future, dye tracing studies could reveal groundwater flow paths to the region’s springs (nacimientos), which may have very long-distance connections to the caves.
Assessing the value of computer science course material repositories: a work in progress

Finding new course materials is an ongoing challenge for faculty in all academic disciplines. Those in rapidly changing disciplines, such as computer science (CS), have an especially daunting task to stay current. Although many diverse resources exist, such as textbook supplements and online quiz banks, faculty must sift through them to identify appropriate course materials, all the while being vigilant with regard to the quality and reliability of what they find.
Amino Acid Specific Effects on RNA Tertiary Interactions: Single-Molecule Kinetic and Thermodynamic Studies

In light of the current models for an early RNA-based universe, the potential influence of simple amino acids on tertiary folding of ribozymal RNA into biochemically competent structures is speculated to be of significant evolutionary importance. In the present work, the folding–unfolding kinetics of a ubiquitous tertiary interaction motif, the GAAA tetraloop–tetraloop receptor (TL–TLR), is investigated by single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer spectroscopy in the presence of natural amino acids both with (e.g., lysine, arginine) and without (e.g., glycine) protonated side chain residues. By way of control, we also investigate the effects of a special amino acid (e.g., proline) and amino acid mimetic (e.g., betaine) that contain secondary or quaternary amine groups rather than a primary amine group. This combination permits systematic study of amino acid induced (or amino acid like) RNA folding dynamics as a function of side chain complexity, pKa, charge state, and amine group content. Mos...
In vitro characterization of nucleoside transporter mediated uptake and intracellular accumulation of [3H]AMP in tumor cells

1585 Objectives: We previously demonstrated in vitro that cancer cell lines had significantly elevated uptake of [3H]AMP compared to [3H]FDG. The mechanism of intracellular uptake was demonstrated to be dependent on nucleoside transporters after dephosphorylation of AMP to adenosine by CD73. Our goal was to further characterize tumor nucleoside transporter subtypes and intracellular retention of [3H]AMP. Methods: SKOV-3 (ovarian adenocarcinoma) and U87 (glioma) cells were incubated in physiologic or sodium free buffer where NaCl was replaced with N-methyl-D-glucamine (NMG). Cell uptake of [3H]Adenosine in NMG buffer with varying concentrations of NBMPR, an equilibrative nucleoside transporter (ENT) inhibitor, was used to determine the ENT subtype. Cell uptake of [3H]Adenosine in either physiologic or NMG buffer was used to determine the presence of Na+-dependent concentrative nucleoside transporters(CNT). Cell uptake retention studies used SKOV-3 cell uptake of [3H]AMP followed by a “washout” period of incubation in a [3H]AMP free media for varying durations. Acid extracts of SKOV-3 cells exposed to [3H]AMP were analyzed by HPLC. Labeled nucleotides and inosine were identified by co-chromatography with standards. Results: In SKOV-3 cells, [3H]Adenosine uptake was inhibited by low nM concentrations of NBMPR, and there was no evidence of a Na+-dependent nucleoside transport indicating a predominant ENT1 uptake mechanism. In U87 cells, there was no significant inhibition of [3H]Adenosine uptake by either nM or μM concentrations (up to 10μM) of NBMPR, and about half of the nucleoside uptake was via a CNT. This indicates the presence of both ENTs and CNTs on U87 cells, although the ENT subtype was unclear. SKOV-3 cells showed significant intracellular retention of [3H]AMP after 30 minutes to 2 hours of “washout” (see Table). Intracellular extracts of cells exposed to [3H]AMP analyzed by HPLC demonstrated that most of the intracellular [3H] pool consisted of ATP (34.5-38.5%) and ADP (45.9-52.1%), low levels of inosine (6.0-11.7%), and minimal AMP species (1.3-1.5%). [3H]Adenosine was not found in the intracellular [3H] pool. Conclusions: Uptake in SKOV-3 cells is predominantly by an ENT1 subtype nucleoside transporter. U87 cells show both a CNT and an ENT mechanism of uptake, although the specific type of ENT in U87 cells is unclear and does no indicate ENT1 or ENT2. Evaluation of SKOV-3 cells showed significant retention of [3H] intracellularly as mostly ATP and ADP adenylates.
China's new concept of development from the perspective of the sustainable development goals

The objective of this article is to analyze China’s recent explorations on its new concept of development —— the Ecological Civilization in the context of the 2030 SDGs which was put forward by the United Nations in 2015. The first part presents an introduction on the historical development of the 2030 SDGs of the international community and the Ecological Civilization of China. In the second part, it is shown that although these two new concepts of development coincide at the same moment, China’s Ecological Civilization is not a simple follower of the SDGs and has its own independent values. It can also interact with the SDGs through various ways. Finally, China faces challenges both from international and national levels in implementing its new concept of development. It is argued that a combination of “top-down” and “bottom-up” ways is critical in the process of China’s realization of the Ecological Civilization, along with the rule of law, the democracy and the globalization.
An Interesting Reptile Dispersal Event from Continental South America to Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago

During the period 19 to 21 August, 2010, a very large quantity of water hyacinths ( Eichhornia sp.) appeared and washed ashore in Mayaro Bay in south-east Trinidad. Mats of the hyacinths dotted the beach for about three kilometres. Many of these mats were approximately 6 m² to 15 m². Three species of reptiles were found in association with these mats of vegetation on the beach between 10° 13′ 28.42″ N, 61° 00′10.82″ W and 10° 14′ 24.59″ N, 61° 00′ 04.43″ W.
ICCM2016: Implementation of the Parareal Algorithm to Optimize Nanoparticle Transport in Porous Media Simulations

This research study aims to conduct the analysis and implementation of efficient algorithms for simulations of micro and nanoparticle transport models in porous media, coupled with the Darcy–Forchheimer fluid model, modified to include electromagnetic effects. The schemes developed were implemented via a parallel infrastructure for benchmark problems with a flexible algorithm that is efficient, robust, and stable. These improvements in the reliability and efficiency of simulations of nanoparticle transport in porous media contribute to the creation of an efficient method to counteract the contaminants in groundwater, and ultimately increase the availability of clean drinking water.
Desire satisfaction, death, and time

AbstractDesire satisfaction theories of well-being and deprivationism about the badness of death face similar problems: desire satisfaction theories have trouble locating the time when the satisfaction of a future or past-directed desire benefits a person; deprivationism has trouble locating a time when death is bad for a person. I argue that desire satisfaction theorists and deprivation theorists can address their respective timing problems by accepting fusionism, the view that some events benefit or harm individuals only at fusions of moments in time. Fusionism improves on existing solutions to the timing problem for deprivationism because it locates death’s badness at the same time as both the victim of death and death itself, and it accounts for all of the ways that death is bad for a person. Fusionism improves on existing solutions to the problem of temporally locating the benefit of future and past-directed desires because it respects several attractive principles, including the view that the intrin...
Polaron dissociation in conducting polymers by high electric fields

Addition of an electron or hole to a conducting polymer chain has been shown to cause the chain to distort, creating a large polaron. We show, by numerical solution of the coupled equations for the electron wavefunctions and the lattice displacements on a polyacetylene chain with an extra electron, that the polaron does not form in electric fields >= V/cm an already formed polaron will be dissociated. Implications for the current-voltage characteristic will be discussed.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Self-regulated learning of principle-based concepts: Do students prefer worked examples, faded examples, or problem solving?

Abstract Acquisition of principle-based concepts involves learning how and when to apply a specific principle to different instances of the same problem type. Within this domain, learning is best achieved when practice involves studying worked examples followed by problem solving. When given the choice to use worked examples versus problem solving, how do people regulate their learning? Furthermore, do they use faded examples effectively when given the opportunity during learning? In three experiments, participants learned how to solve probability problems under practice conditions involving either (a) a combined schedule of worked examples, partial examples (Experiments 2 and 3), and problem solving, (b) problem solving only, or (c) self-regulated learning in which participants could choose a worked example, a partial example (Experiments 2 and 3), or problem solving on each trial. Self-regulated learners chose to study worked examples on fewer than 40% of the trials and seldom did so prior to problem solving. However, participants did regulate their learning effectively when they could use partial examples during practice. Participants also demonstrated some sophisticated problem solving, such as by studying worked examples more often after failed versus successful problem-solving attempts.
Molecular staging of NSCLC using tumor specific autoantibodies

4445 Introduction : The establishment of a blood test that can accurately assign disease stage based on a molecular phenotype for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) would have substantial clinical value for the development of individualized patient care plans. Recently, serum autoantibody profiling has been actively explored as a means to provide novel biomarker candidates to aid in the early clinical diagnosis of NSCLC. Herein, we appraise our collection of NSCLC serum specimen for novel auto-antibodies that show promise for accurately discerning disease progression and prognosis. Methods : Serum from NSCLC patients was divided into 2 groups based on the presence (n=36) or absence (n=38) of lymph node metastases. A control group consisting of age- and sex-matched patients with no lung disease (n=34) was used as a comparison. All serum specimens were collected preceding either tumor resection or chemotherapy and was compliant with institutional IRB policies. Screening for autoantibodies by one-dimensional immunoblotting consisted of resolving cellular lysates (150ug) from A549 cells via preparative SDS-PAGE, electroblotting on nitrocellulose, and blocking with 5% BSA. Membranes were then transferred to a Bio-Rad multi-screen apparatus and screened in duplicate with 20 distinct serum specimens (1:200 to 1: 800 dilutions) per membrane. After washing with PBST, the membranes were probed with HRP-conjugated goat anti-human IgG and developed using the ECL substrate. The banding pattern was documented via X-ray film and analyzed on a VersaDoc 4000 (BioRad). Results : Although there were many commonalities to the banding profile of auto-antibodies detected amongst our patient groups, there were several points of distinction within 32 kDa to 98 kDa region. Most notable of these were two bands, one at 98 kDa and the other at 32 kDa, that were very prominent in the NSCLC lymph node positive group (15/36 and 21/36, respectively), but undetectable in our control group. Moreover, we revealed a doublet at 50 kDa in the lymph node positive group (26/36) that was not present in the control or the lymph node negative group. Although the protein masses at 32 kDa is consistent with mass of the previously reported NY-ESO-1 auto-antigen, from our surveys of the literature, the 50 kDa and 98 kDa auto-antigens appear to be novel targets. These will be verified by mass spectrometry in future studies. Conclusions: Herein we reveal several tumor-specific auto-antibodies that show promise for improving our ability to stage NSCLC patients. Interestingly, these auto-antibodies are primarily associated with disease with lymph node involvement, which is the prominent feature used to assign prognosis. Our current efforts are focused on identifying the auto-antigens via mass spectrometry and confirming the results of this analysis on additional cell lines.
Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging After Surgical Closure of Pediatric Traumatic Macular Holes

Purpose:To date, little attention has been directed to retinal photoreceptor migration after traumatic macular hole surgical repair in the pediatric population. The purpose of this study was to eva...
Neural mechanisms of the link between giving social support and health

Giving social support to others has emerged as an additional route by which social ties influence health. Thus, giving support to others not only influences the health of the individual receiving support, but also the health of the individual giving the support. However, the neural mechanisms by which giving support leads to health are only beginning to be explored. In hopes of consolidating and guiding future research on giving support and health, the current review considers why, how, and when giving support is health promoting. Special emphasis is placed on neural regions known to contribute to parental care in animals that both reinforce giving support behavior (ventral striatum and septal area) and reduce stress-related responding (e.g., amygdala) to facilitate care. Hypothesized links between neural regions involved in giving support and peripheral physiology (sympathetic nervous system, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and related inflammatory responding) are considered as well as the conditions under which giving support should be most beneficial for health. Finally, the implications of the current perspective for understanding how social relationships, more broadly, contribute to health and suggestions for future directions are offered.
Making k-means Even Faster.

The k-means algorithm is widely used for clustering, compressing, and summarizing vector data. In this paper, we propose a new acceleration for exact k-means that gives the same answer, but is much faster in practice. Like Elkan’s accelerated algorithm [8], our algorithm avoids distance computations using distance bounds and the triangle inequality. Our algorithm uses one novel lower bound for point-center distances, which allows it to eliminate the innermost k-means loop 80% of the time or more in our experiments. On datasets of low and medium dimension (e.g. up to 50 dimensions), our algorithm is much faster than other methods, including methods based on low-dimensional indexes, such as k-d trees. Other advantages are that it is very simple to implement and it has a very small memory overhead, much smaller than other accelerated algorithms.
Real-Time Interactions Using Virtual Tools

We extend the current collision response methods to allow a user to interactively manipulate surface and volumetric meshes with virtual tools and expand the idea of interaction directions to allow the same tool to perform multiple tasks.
Cognitive-enhancing Drugs and Eyeblink Classical Conditioning

Eyeblink classical conditioning is of demonstrated utility in preclinical tests of cognition-enhancing drugs. A concern expressed about existing behavioral screening techniques is the poor control of psychological mechanisms that might underlie facilitated performance. Eyeblink classical conditioning is a behavioral paradigm that is well understood, and there are experimental controls and measures to distinguish between effects of perception, motivation, motor functions, and associative learning that have been elaborated extensively. In addition to its parallels with human behavior, a major advantage of using the animal model of eyeblink classical conditioning over the behavioral models commonly used in preclinical trials is that the neural circuitry is almost completely understood. The neurobiological basis of eyeblink classical conditioning in humans is similar to the circuitry demonstrated in non-human mammals (see Volume I on Eyeblink Classical Conditioning: Applications in Humans). Thus, using the eyeblink classical conditioning paradigm in preclinical pharmacological studies of cognition-enhancement has clear and direct implications for cognition-enhancement in humans.