cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Frequent versus Infrequent Interruptions on Primary Task Resumption

Recent interruptions research suggests that the timing of interruptions can play a critical role in the level of task primary disruption. An unanswered question regarding interruption timing is whether greater task disruption in terms of primary task resumption time is experienced with more frequent interruptions. The present study used a VCR programming task with a pursuit-tracking interruption task to measure how quickly people resume the primary task after an interruption. The results showed that primary task resumption times were faster for more frequent interruptions, which was contrary to the predicted outcome. In addition, frequent interruptions did not result in the more resumption errors or longer time-on-task results as predicted. These results are discussed as evidence that more frequent interruptions may compel people to adopt aggressive goal maintenance strategies when dealing with interruptions, but further research is required to fully test this hypothesis.
Personality disorder classification: stuck in neutral, how to move forward?

An “Alternative DSM-5 Model for Personality Disorders” was published in Sect. III of DSM-5, while the identical categories and criteria from DSM-IV for the personality disorders (PDs) are in Sect. II. Given strong shifts from categorical diagnoses toward dimensional representations in psychiatry, how did the PDs end up “stuck in neutral,” with the flawed DSM-IV model perpetuated? This article reviews factors that influenced the development of the new model and data to encourage and facilitate its use by clinicians. These include recognizing 1) a dimensional structure for psychopathology for which personality may be foundational; 2) a consensus on the structure of normal and abnormal personality; 3) the clinical significance of personality; 4) PD-specific severity required to establish disorder; 5) disruption, discontinuity, and perceived clinical utility of the Alternative Model may not be problems; and 6) a way forward involving collaborative research on neurobiological and psychosocial processes, treatment planning, and outcomes.
Microfabricated saturated absorption laser spectrometer.

We demonstrate a miniature microfabricated saturated absorption laser spectrometer. The system consists of miniature optics, a microfabricated Rb vapor cell, heaters, and a photodetector, all contained within a volume of 0.1 cm3. Saturated absorption spectra were measured with a diode laser at 795 nm. They are comparable to signals obtained with standard table-top setups, although the rubidium vapor cell has an interior volume of only 1 mm3. We discuss the performance and prospects for using such systems as a miniature optical wavelength reference, compatible with transportable instruments.
Dynamic Hypoxic Zones in Lake Erie Compress Fish Habitat Altering Vulnerability to Fishing Gears

Seasonal degradation of aquatic habitats from hypoxia occurs in numerous freshwater and coastal marine systems and can result in direct mortality or displacement of fish. Yet, fishery landings from these systems are frequently unresponsive to changes in the severity and extent of hypoxia, and population-scale effects have been difficult to measure except in extreme hypoxic conditions with hypoxia-sensitive species. We investigated fine-scale temporal and spatial variability in dissolved oxygen in Lake Erie as it related to fish distribution and catch efficiencies of both active (bottom trawls) and passive (trap nets) fishing gears. Temperature and dissolved oxygen loggers placed near the edge of the hypolimnion exhibited much higher than expected variability. Hypoxic episodes of variable durations were frequently punctuated by periods of normoxia, consistent with high-frequency internal waves. High-resolution interpolations of water quality and hydroacoustic surveys suggest that fish habitat is compressed...
H I Velocity Dispersion in NGC 1058

We present excellent-resolution and high-sensitivity Very Large Array observations of the 21 cm H I line emission from the face-on galaxy NGC 1058, providing the first reliable study of the H I profile shapes throughout the entire disk of an external galaxy. Our observations show an intriguing picture of the interstellar medium; throughout this galaxy velocity dispersions range between 4 and 15 km s-1 but are not correlated with star formation, stars, or the gaseous spiral arms. The velocity dispersions decrease with radius, but this global trend has a large scatter as there are several isolated, resolved regions of high dispersion. The decline of starlight with radius is much steeper than that of the velocity dispersions or that of the energy in the gas motions.
The beagle dog as an animal model for marihuana smoking studies.

Abstract Dogs were trained to smoke marihuana cigarettes in a manner similar to that in man. By measuring the radioactivity in plasma and excreta it was estimated that the daily [ 3 H]tetrahydrocannabinol dose retained by dogs that smoked 13 marihuana cigarettes was about 2 mg/kg of body weight. Respiration and heart rate were both decreased by marihuana, but tolerance developed to the effect on heart rate. After about six marihuana cigarettes were smoked the dogs developed muscular weakness and losses of reflexes that were dose dependent throughout the study. There were no changes in blood cell counts or blood chemistry after a year of smoking. At necropsy there were no significant changes in peripheral blood or bone marrow chromosomes, nor were there changes in any organs studied indicating damage from smoking a high dose of marihuana for a year. The sleeping time of dogs that smoked marihuana and were then injected with sodium pentobarbital increased in proportion to the number of cigarettes smoked. The study indicates that the sensitivity of this species to injected canabinoids does not preclude their usefulness for studying the effects of marihuana administered by smoking.
Facial Emotion Recognition in Children with High Functioning Autism and Children with Social Phobia

Recognizing facial affect is essential for effective social functioning. This study examines emotion recognition abilities in children aged 7-13 years with High Functioning Autism (HFA = 19), Social Phobia (SP = 17), or typical development (TD = 21). Findings indicate that all children identified certain emotions more quickly (e.g., happy < anger, disgust, sad < fear) and more accurately (happy) than other emotions (disgust). No evidence was found for negative interpretation biases in children with HFA or SP (i.e., all groups showed similar ability to discriminate neutral from non-neutral facial expressions). However, distinct between-group differences emerged when considering facial expression intensity. Specifically, children with HFA detected mild affective expressions less accurately than TD peers. Behavioral ratings of social effectiveness or social anxiety were uncorrelated with facial affect recognition abilities across children. Findings have implications for social skills treatment programs targeting youth with skill deficits.
Information about infantile hemangiomas on the Internet: how accurate is it?

Objectives We sought to measure the type, content, and quality of World Wide Web sites retrieved when conducting an Internet search for infantile hemangiomas. Methods Fifty World Wide Web sites from a Google search for "hemangioma" were examined. Relevant sites were characterized, and content was evaluated by 8 pediatric dermatologists. Results The most accurate subjects were the description of risk factors and natural history, whereas the least accurate areas were photographic representation of the disease and presentation of treatment options. Four sites were considered accurate, and the majority of raters would recommend these sites to parents. Limitations Internet sites and search results change. Conclusions An Internet search for information about infantile hemangiomas yields few sites that accurately depict the full disease spectrum from innocuous to severe. Online educational resources containing a broader overview of the real disease spectrum of infantile hemangiomas are needed. Such sites should include large numbers of photographs, evidence-based content, and resources for parental support.
Eucharist and the Poetic Imagination in Early Modern England

Sophie Read’s lucid scholarly analysis of British poetry spans the eighty-year period from Robert Southwell (1595) to the 1674 edition of Milton’s Paradise Lost. To recount the history of this era ...
Worklife and satisfaction of general internists.

Background Prior studies have reported relatively low job satisfaction for general internists. We used data from a large US physician survey to assess correlates of satisfaction of general internists. Methods The Physician Worklife Survey was mailed to a national random stratified sample of 5704 US physicians. General internists were assessed for their satisfaction, training, patient mix, work hours, the likelihood of recommending their specialty to medical students, and job stability. We then compared them with a specialist sample (internal medicine subspecialists [IMSSs]) and a primary care sample (family physicians [FPs]). Logistic regression was used to model predictors of satisfaction, stress, and medical student recruitment. Results There were 2326 respondents (adjusted response rate, 52%): 450 (19%) were general internists; 502 (22%), FPs; and 438 (19%), IMSSs. General internists were less satisfied than were IMSSs with their relationships with colleagues and with patient care issues (P Conclusions General internists' role of caring for patients with complex problems is associated with lower levels of satisfaction than for IMSSs and FPs. Adjusting caseload for patient complexity, expanding time for office visits, and additional training in the care of patients with psychosocially complex problems may improve the job satisfaction of general internists and medical student recruitment into the specialty.
Information yield from a hand-held dental x-ray unit

The information yield from a hand-held radiographic unit was compared with that of a conventional dental x-ray unit. Ten observers were asked to detect radiographic details on films taken of a test object at eight different exposure settings with each radiographic unit. The viewers detected significantly more details on three films generated with the experimental unit. No significant difference was demonstrated in the number of details observed with either unit at the remaining exposure settings.
Adriamycin--an antitumor antibiotic in the treatment of neoplastic diseases.

Adriamycin was given to 234 patients with leukemia and other types of neoplastic diseases. In children with acute leukemia previously treated, adriamycin produced complete remissions (12%) and good partial remissions (26%). Tumor regressions were seen in 60% of the patients with solid tumors. These included lymphoma, embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, neuroblastoma, Ewing's sarcoma, Wilms' tumor, ovarian tumor, hepatoma, embryonal carcinoma, malignant teratoma, and retinoblastoma. The therapeutic responses in adults have been less consistent and were confined to lymphomas and soft tissue sarcomas. The dose in children was 0.5 mg/kg daily to a total of 2-4 mg/kg per course. In adults, the single dose was 0.4 mg/kg to a total of about 2.5 mg/kg in 10 days. Adriamycin at half the dose of daunomycin produced comparable toxicities, except for earlier and more frequent oral ulcers and alopecia. Varying degrees of transient electrocardiographic changes have been seen in children. Adriamycin may have contributed to cardiac failure and death in one child, who had recurrent pulmonary metastases.
Bulk solid state rechargeable lithium ion battery fabrication with Al-doped Li7La3Zr2O12 electrolyte and Cu0.1V2O5 cathode

Abstract A simple, low-temperature route was developed to process bulk solid-state Li-ion batteries employing Al-doped Li 7 La 3 Zr 2 O 12 solid electrolyte (thickness: ∼ 0.5 mm; 25 °C conductivity: ∼ 2 × 10 −4 S cm −1 ). A composite Cu 0.1 V 2 O 5 –based slurry was directly painted on Li 7 La 3 Zr 2 O 12 and dried at 120 °C to prepare the cathode film. The opposite side of the electrolyte was subsequently exposed to molten Li to form the anode. The discharge capacity of the solid state battery was 53 mAh g −1 (calculated based on the weight of active cathode material) at room temperature with 5 μA cm −2 discharging current. Severe capacity decay occurred after the initial discharging. A comparable liquid electrolyte battery was tested at room temperature for comparison and had a much slower decay rate. However, when the operating temperature of the solid state battery was increased to 50 °C, the cell performance significantly improved. At 50 °C, the battery exhibited 176 mAh g −1 initial discharging capacity at 5 μA cm −2 current density and 93 mAh g −1 initial capacity under a 10 μA cm −2 discharging current density. After 20 cycles, the capacity decayed to 68.6 mAh g −1 when cycled at a 10 μA cm −2 current density. Impedance spectroscopy was used to investigate the interface resistance of the battery at different temperatures. The results indicated that both the cathode and anode interface resistance were dramatically reduced at 50 °C. The decrease in interface resistances at elevated temperature is proposed as the main reason for the observed battery performance enhancement.
Quantum hydrodynamical approach to scattering in multilayer systems

Abstract The problem of scattering in multilayer systems is addressed from the standpoint of quantum hydrodynamics. A general formula for the transmission coefficient is found in terms of the invariants of the problem. We find that the transmission coefficient for a N -layer sharp-edged parabolic superlattice composed of discrete steps has a complex structure. These complex structures disappear as the discrete nature of the potential vanishes.
Cloning of the cDNA encoding phenylalanyl tRNA synthetase regulatory α-subunit-like protein whose expression is down-regulated during differentiation

Hybrid polar compounds (HPCs), such as suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), induce differentiation of transformed cells. Differential display of RNA was used to identify genes whose expression is changed during SAHA-induced differentiation of murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cells. One such cDNA was identified whose mRNA level decreased by 50% after 8 h of SAHA treatment as determined by Northern blot analysis. The full-length cDNA (1944 bp in length) was cloned by sequencing of an EST clone and rapid amplification of 5′ cDNA ends (5′-RACE). The predicted amino acid sequence is 589 amino acids and shares 45% identity with the yeast cytoplasmic phenylalanyl tRNA synthetase (PheRS) regulatory α-subunit. Human EST clones which share over 90% identity of predicted amino acid sequence with this cDNA map to chromosome 2 near the paired box homeotic gene 3 (PAX3) locus, a region syngenic to mouse chromosome 1. This is the first report of the cloning of the full-length cDNA for the murine PheRS regulatory α-subunit-like protein. The level of PheRS α-subunit-like mRNA is regulated during differentiation but not during cell cycle progression.
A CD40 Bridge between Innate and Adaptive Immunity

In this issue of Immunity, Brodeur et al. show that C4b binding protein (C4BP), a regulator component of the classical complement (C) pathway, can bind to CD40 receptors on B cells and activate them. This suggests a novel way by which CD40 may function to bridge innate and adaptive immune responses.
Beam profile shaping for laser radars that use detector arrays

The beam shaper we developed shapes the transmit beam of a CO(2) laser radar that uses a linear detector array. It consists of a diffraction grating and an anamorphic prism beam compressor and produces a stretched profile that efficiently and uniformly illuminates the far-field footprint of the detector array. The diffraction grating phase modulates the near field or the laser beam to generate a far-field flattop intensity profile, whereas the compressor produces the necessary profile eccentricity. We have achieved conversion efficiencies in the 70-90% range.
Coming to America — International Medical Graduates in the United States

In the U.S. physician workforce there is an ever-increasing dependence on international medical graduates. Dr. Graham McMahon discusses the implications.
Investigation of metal evaporation by mass spectrometry

Abstract Electrical and mechanical properties of thin films are determined in addition to their material composition by the evaporation conditions. One of these conditions is the interaction between vapours and components of the residual gas. The aim: reproducible film structure The solution: It is necessary to follow and to influence the changes of gas composition during evaporation and to recognize the components of the residual gas which are built into the film. The residual gas composition was investigated with low-resolution mass spectroscopy. The characteristic residual gas composition of the oil diffusion pumped system was determined, and changes of gas composition and partial pressure of certain gases were followed. Structure and electrical properties of films resulting from the controlled evaporation parameters were investigated.
Boiling phenomena in pressurized He II confined to a channel

Abstract Results from an experiment to study boiling phenomena in a channel containing pressurized He II are presented as a function of temperature, pressure and orientation with respect to gravity. The experimental apparatus is made of glass to allow visual observations and high-speed motion pictures to be made of boiling events. Visual data are combined with temperature and pressure measurements to characterize the boiling behaviour and to group the phenomena into boiling regimes. Results are presented in the form of heat transfer regime maps, temperature and pressure traces during boiling, and sketches of the helium vapour and liquid in the channel. One unexpected result is the observation of a macroscopic region of He I with He II below and vapour above. The two interfaces are clearly visible. Another unanticipated result is that the boiling phenomena are often characterized by the periodic production, growth and collapse of vapour even though the heat input is constant.
CADMIUM CONTENT OF CIGARETTES

Abstract Analysis of the cadmium content of whole cigarettes and cigarette ash and filters (after smoking) of six brands of cigarettes shows that about 70% of the cadmium content of cigarette tobacco passes into the smoke.
MULTIPLICITY DISTRIBUTION IN HIGH ENERGY COLLISIONS

Abstract It is shown that the asymptotic multiplicity distribution approaches a Gaussian distribution. The agreement with the experimental data indicates that the higher correlations should not be so strong.
Adherence to stainless steel by foodborne microorganisms during growth in model food systems

Biofilm formation on stainless steel by Salmonella typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Pseudomonas fragi and Pseudomonas fluorescens during growth in model food systems was studied. Test growth media included tryptic soy broth (TSB), diluted TSB (dTSB), 1% reconstituted skim milk (RSM) and diluted meat juice (DMJ). Adherent cells were stained with acridine orange and enumerated using epifluorescent microscopy and computerized image analysis. Cells were observed on the stainless steel surface after 1 h in all of the media. However, the increases in the number of adherent cells over time was seen only with S. typhimurium in DMJ, E. coli O157:H7 in TSB, dTSB and DMJ, P. fragi in RSM and P. fluorescens in RSM. The medium which produced the highest observed level of adherent cells was different for each microorganism.
Pharmacological evidence that circumventricular organs may participate in the pressor effect of central serotonin

Abstract The present study was to investigate the role of ‘5-HT 2 -like’ receptors in the circumventricular organs in the pressor response elicited by the central injection of serotonin (5-HT) to conscious rats. The increase in blood pressure induced by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) 5-HT (2.5 μg) was attenuated by intravenous pretreatment will, the peripheral 5-HT 2 antagonist xylamidine (100 or 300 μg/kg). A combination of xylamidine with prazosin or a V 1 -vasopressin antagonist did not produce a further attenuation in the pressor response. Our data suggest that when administered i.c.v., 5-HT increases blood pressure by acting on 5-HT 2 ,-like receptors located in circumventricular organs as well as areas of the brain protected by the blood-brain barrier.
Modeling data-intensive reactive systems with relational transition systems

In this paper, the formalism of Relational Transition Systems (RTSes) is used to model data-intensive reactive systems, and four RTS models of reactive systems based on temporal logic programming, production systems, recurrence equations, and Petri nets are presented. The paper also describes different methods of comparison of the expressive powers of various RTSes in terms of the trajectories they can generate and carries out this comparison for the four RTS formalisms. It is shown that these formalisms have the same expressive power in the deterministic case. The paper also compares expressive powers of non-deterministic production systems and non-deterministic temporal logic programming systems. It is shown that, although the two formalisms are incomparable in the general case, their restricted versions are isomorphic to each other.
Bibliography on finite elements and supercomputing

This bibliography of recent (generally since 1977) works on supercomputing and finite elements contains two principal sections: (1) a relatively comprehensive listing of publications specifically coupling finite elements and supercomputing, and (2) a cross-reference compilation by topical category.
Cariteo's “Aragonia”: The Language of Power at the Aragonese Court

The Catalan poet Benedicto Gareth (ca 1450–1515), known as il Cariteo, left Barcelona to follow the Aragonese kings to their court in Naples. With his poetry, he highly contributed in erecting a gl...
Pharmacodynamic effects of milrinone with and without a bolus loading infusion.

Abstract Background Milrinone is a positive inotropic agent with vasodilatory and lusitropic activity. Milrinone dosed as a 50 μg/kg bolus followed by a continuous infusion provides an immediate and sustained hemodynamic response. The comparative pharmacodynamics of a placebo bolus and a milrinone bolus followed by a continuous milrinone infusion in patients with decompensated heart failure are unknown. Methods Nineteen patients with decompensated heart failure underwent right heart catheterization and were randomized to receive an intravenous infusion of milrinone at a rate of 0.50 μg/kg/min with (n = 9) or without (n = 10) a preceding 50 μg/kg bolus. Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, cardiac index, and plasma milrinone levels were measured serially over 24 hours. Results In the milrinone bolus group, maximal effects on plasma concentration (352.3 ng/mL), cardiac index (+0.97 L/min/m 2 , P =.02), and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (–11.25 mm Hg, P P not significant [NS]) were similar in both groups at 2 hours, whereas changes in cardiac index (placebo loading +0.81 vs milrinone loading +0.78 L/min/m 2 , P NS) and milrinone levels (placebo loading 168.0 vs milrinone loading 165.6 ng/mL, P NS) were similar at 3 hours. One patient randomized to a milrinone bolus demonstrated a marked decrease in blood pressure and was discontinued from therapy. Conclusions A milrinone infusion without a bolus appears to be a rapidly effective inotropic strategy that may have an improved safety profile during the initiation of therapy compared with a continuous infusion strategy initiated with a bolus. (Am Heart J 2000;141:e6.)
Evidence of Steric Factors in the Fungitoxic Mechanisms of 8-Quinolinol and Its 5- and 7-Halogenated Analogues

Antifungal studies were made of mixtures of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 8-quinolinol and its 5- and 7-halo analogues against six fungi: Aspergillus niger, A. oryzae, Trichoderma viride, Myrothecium verrucaria, Mucor cirinelloides, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Mixtures of 8-quinolinol with 5- or 7-fluoro-8-quinolinol and of 5- and 7-fluoro-8-quinolinol showed additive activity, and their respective toxicities were reversed by L-cysteine. These results suggested a common mechanism of activity for the three toxicants. Potentiation of the fungitoxicity of mixtures of 8-quinolinol and its 5- and 7-chloro, bromo, and iodo analogues, as well as mixtures of 5- and 7-chloro, 5- and 7-bromo, and 5- and 7-iodo-8-quinolinols, along with the absence of protection of the fungi by L-cysteine from the toxicities of these compounds was observed. This suggested that the modes of action of these compounds were different from each other and from 8-quinolinol and the 5- and 7-fluoro analogues. The geometry of 8-quinolinol as influenced by substituents in the 5- and 7- positions of the molecule determines its site(s) of fungitoxicity.
Noncardiac surgery in Eisenmenger syndrome

Abstract Objectives. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the morbidity and mortality associated with noncardiac surgery (NCS) in patients (pts) with Eisenmenger syndrome. Background. Noncardiac surgery in pts with Eisenmenger syndrome is associated with increased cardiovascular complications. Methods. Fifty-eight pts with Eisenmenger syndrome (17M, 41F aged 18 to 69 years (mean 41 years) who had been followed for up to 41.5 years (mean 9.3 years) were retrospectively evaluated for any NCS done at ≥17 years of age. Results. Twenty-four pts had a total of 28 NCSs at an age of 17 to 55 years (mean 29 years) including 9 tubal ligations, 3 neurosurgeries, 3 cholecystectomies, 3 hysterectomies, 3 vasectomies, and 1 each spinal fusion, appendectomy, eye enucleation, hernia repair, hand surgery, tonsillectomy and therapeutic abortion. There were two deaths (7%), one following spinal fusion and the other following appendectomy at another institution. Fourteen of these NCSs were performed at our institution, including 11 under general anesthesia. The duration of anesthesia varied from 75 to 525 min (mean 165 min). All pts remained in sinus rhythm. The lowest systolic blood pressure (BP) ranged from 78 to 125 mm Hg. Of those 11 pts, 9 were extubated immediately after surgery and 2 needed dopamine. Ten patients were discharged without any complications, including 3 within 1 day of surgery. One death occurred 10 days following spinal fusion. This pt had the longest anesthesia (525 min) and an intraoperative systolic BP as low as 78 mm Hg. She also needed the largest fluid administration (6,475 cc) in addition to postoperative mechanical ventilation and dopamine. Conclusions. Adult pts with Eisenmenger syndrome are at increased risk with NCS, but with current/modern techniques, the risk of death is less than previously thought. In the vast majority of cases, NCS can be undertaken without substantial morbidity, and early extubation is achievable. However, even with relatively minor surgery, significant complications, including death, can occur. Referral to major centers with expertise in the care of pts with Eisenmenger syndrome is advisable.
Regulative development of the sea urchin embryo: signalling cascades and morphogen gradients.

Differentiation of sea urchin embryo ectoderm, endoderm and mesenchyme cells, whose anlagen are arrayed along the animal-vegetal axis, relies on both maternally regulated localized transcription factor activities and cell-cell signalling. Classic models proposed that fates are determined by opposing animal and vegetal morphogenetic gradients, whereas current models emphasize unidirectional and sequential vegetal-to-animal signalling cascades between adjacent blastomeres. Recent data support aspects of both models: the vegetal micromeres send one or more signals, which depend on a nuclear beta-catenin-dependent pathway, that both activate Notch signalling required for secondary mesenchyme fate and promote endoderm differentiation and gastrulation. This is opposed by an animalizing domain of BMP4 signals that regulates ectodermal cell fates and establishes the ectoderm-endoderm border.
Separation of leukemic myeloblasts and splenic lymphocytes based upon differences in light scatter profile

Abstract Cell sorting based upon differences in light scatter profile was carried out to sort cells which differ in size. This technique permitted the acquisition of subpopulations of murine spleen cells enriched for leukemic myeloblasts or lymphocytes. Morphologic assessment of the sorted populations was confirmed by malignancy assay in vivo . The same technique has been applied to human leukemic cells and significant enrichment for proliferating and quiescent cells was accomplished.
Maturation- and species-related differences in inotropic response to isoproterenol.

Abstract 1. Maturation-related changes in the response of atrial myocardium to beta-adrenergic stimulation were investigated in 1-day, 1-week, 1-month and 4-month old rabbits and guinea pigs. 2. A trial myocardium of 1-day and 1-week old rabbits were significantly less sensitive to isoproterenol than the two older groups. No such relationship was found with atrial myocardium of the guinea pig. 3. Isoproterenol-sensitive inotropic effect was also maturation-related in rabbit atrial myocardium, being significantly less in the 1 day and 1 week groups than the two older groups, while no such relationship was found in the guinea pig.
User-Centered Design in Practice: The Brown University Experience

ABSTRACT This article presents a case study in user-centered design that explores the needs and preferences of undergraduate users. An analysis of LibQual+ and other user surveys, interviews with public service staff, and a formal American with Disabilities Act accessibility review served as the basis for planning a redesign of the Brown University Library's Web site. Three testing phases were conducted: individual usability testing of the existing site and baseline data collection on Web use preferences; focus groups to respond to a functional prototype and search prototypes; and individual usability testing and interviews on revised functional prototypes. The delicate task of obtaining staff buy-in without letting their opinion drive the redesign was accomplished by keeping the project team small and nonrepresentational, submitting all conflicts to user testing, and promising an intranet that would meet the specialized needs of staff. A commitment to experimentation and a willingness to jettison design ...
Recovery of gossypol acetic acid from cottonseed soapstock

Abstract Gossypol is a yellow pigment found in the cotton plant and is of scientific and medical interest because of its anti-tumor, anti-fertility, and anti-viral properties. In order to support additional studies into the medicinal activity of gossypol, methods are needed to isolate large quantities of the compound in high purity. A process is described to recover gossypol from cottonseed soapstock, a low-value co-product of crude oil refining that can contain concentrations of gossypol as high as 8%. Soapstock is refluxed in acidic methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) to hydrolyze covalently bound gossypol. Upon cooling, the mixture separates into organic and aqueous phases with the gossypol distributing between the two phases. The MEK phase is recovered, and the aqueous phase is re-extracted with additional volumes of MEK. After combining and concentrating the MEK extracts, acetic acid is added to induce gossypol crystallization, which precipitates as an equimolar crystalline complex with acetic acid (gossypol acetic acid). From a soapstock sample containing 3.7% gossypol, 63% of the gossypol was recovered as an 87% gossypol acetic acid product. A single re-crystallization of this crude material yielded a 99% gossypol acetic acid product with an overall recovery of 58%. With different soapstock samples, the yield of crude product was positively correlated with the initial gossypol concentration in the soapstock. Recovery, however, was not well correlated with soapstock gossypol concentration, possibly due to the co-extraction of other components that influence the solubility of gossypol in the crystallization solution.
Quartz Nanopipettes for the Study of Protein-Protein Interaction

The modified quartz nanopipettes are used to study the protein-protein interaction between human neuroglobin (hNgb) and cytochrome C (Cyt c). Upon modification of inner wall of the nanopipettes with charged molecules, the variation in surface charge near the pipette orifice induces the detectable ionic current. This mechanism is also explained by finite element based numerical simulations. While negatively charged hNgb modified pipette tip is exposed to positively charged Cyt c, kept in bath at different concentrations, we are able to derive the equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) of the interaction. The derived KD value matched well with the value from surface plasmon resonance (SPR) measurements. Our results demonstrate the potential application of quartz nanopipettes to study protein-protein interaction quantitatively.
A simulation of memory for chess positions.

Abstract This paper describes an information-processing model, MAPP, implemented as a computer program, that simulates the processes subjects use to remember and reproduce chess positions they have seen briefly. The model incorporates processes adapted from PERCEIVER, an information-processsing theory of eye movements in chess perception, and EPAM, a theory of rote verbal learning. The data from MAPP show good agreement with the performance of strong chess players in identical tasks.
Descending thoracic aortic aneurysm: surgical approach and treatment using the adjuncts cerebrospinal fluid drainage and distal aortic perfusion.

Abstract Background . Neurologic deficit (paraplegia or paraparesis) remains a significant morbidity in the repair of descending thoracic aortic aneurysm. Methods . Between February 1991 and February 2000, we operated on 182 patients for descending thoracic aortic aneurysm. For the purpose of this study—to identify the impact of the combined adjuncts distal aortic perfusion and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage on neurologic outcome—we selected the 148 of 182 nonemergent patients who had received conventional treatment (simple cross-clamping with or without adjuncts). The mean patient age was 61 years, and 49 of the 148 (33%) patients were women. Nine of the 148 patients (6%) had acute type B dissections. We compared the results of 105 of the 148 patients (71%) who received the combined adjuncts of CSF drainage and distal aortic perfusion with the remaining 43 (29%) patients who underwent repair using the simple cross-clamp with or without the addition of a single adjunct. Results . Overall 30-day mortality was 13 of 148 patients (8.8%). Overall early neurologic deficit was 4 of 148 (2.7%): 1 of 105 (0.9%) patients who had received distal aortic perfusion and CSF drainage, versus 3 of 43 (7%) in all other patients ( p Conclusions . In our practice the use of the combined adjuncts of CSF drainage and distal aortic perfusion has all but eliminated the incidence of immediate postoperative neurologic deficit in nonemergent patients with aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta.
Basis for the cardiac-related rhythm in muscle sympathetic nerve activity of humans.

We tested the hypothesis that the cardiac-related rhythm in muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) of humans reflects entrainment of a central oscillator by pulse-synchronous baroreceptor nerve a...
Political Bias in Policy Convergence: Privatization Choices in Latin America

Since the early 1980s privatization has spread in Latin America under both right-wing rulers and populist presidents. This regional convergence toward privatization seemed to announce the end of partisan policy-making. However, not all governments implement privatization in the same way even in the context of policy convergence. Technocrats propose similar policy options in countries where capital dearth creates pressures for convergence. Yet politicians build the electoral and government coalitions that make these policies possible, and their preferences shape the institutions chosen at implementation. The “bias” introduced by politicians depends on their prior beliefs and constituencies, which shape their institutional preferences. Beliefs about economic nationalism and state intervention influence the selection of regulations at the time of privatization, whereas coalition buildingwith political constituencies shapes the definition of selling conditions in privatized companies. This “political bias,” which is contingent on the privatizing government, explains that the regional policy convergence toward privatization did not extend to its implementation. That is, although politicians may be losing influence about whether to privatize, they still have a say in the choice of how to privatize. This article analyzes the impact of this “political bias” by focusing on the choice of regulatory institutions and selling conditions in five cases of privatization of electricity and telecommunications in Latin America.
Is seagrass an important nursery habitat for the Caribbean spiny lobster, Panulirus argus, in Florida?

Caribbean spiny lobster ( Panulirus argus) settle preferentially in macroalgal-covered hard-bottom habitat, but seagrass is more prevalent in Florida (United States) and the Caribbean, so even low settlement of lobsters within seagrass could contribute substantially to recruitment if post-settlement survival and growth were high. We tested the role of seagrass and hard-bottom habitats for P. argus recruitment in three ways. We first explored possible density-dependent regulation of early benthic juvenile lobster survival within cages deployed in seagrass and hard-bottom habitats. Second, we compared settlement and survival of P. argus in both habitats, by comparing the recovery of microwire-tagged early benthic juveniles from patches of seagrass and hard-bottom. Finally, we assessed the relative abundance of juvenile lobsters in each habitat by deploying artificial structures in seagrass sites and compared these data with data from similar deployments of artificial structures in hard-bottom habitat in other years. More early benthic juvenile lobsters were recovered from cages placed in hard-bottom than in seagrass, but mortality of the early benthic life stage was high in both habitats. in regional surveys, the mean number of lobsters recovered from artificial shelters deployed within seagrass was lower than in any year that we sampled hard-bottom, indicating that fewer lobsters reside naturally in seagrass, particularly large juveniles >40 mm carapace length. The greater abundance (and likely survival) of juvenile P. argus that we observed in hard-bottom habitat as opposed to seagrass, combined with previous studies demonstrating that postlarval P. argus are attracted to, settle in, and metamorphose more quickly in red macroalgae, confirm that macroalgae-dominated hard-bottom habitat appears to be the preferred and more optimal nursery for Caribbean spiny lobster.
Shrew response to variable woody debris retention: Implications for sustainable forest bioenergy

Abstract Shrews are integral components of forest food webs and may rely on downed woody debris to provide microhabitats that satisfy high moisture and metabolic requirements. However, woody biomass harvests glean downed woody debris to use as a bioenergy feedstock. Biomass Harvesting Guidelines (BHGs) provide guidance on the amount and distribution of downed woody debris retained after harvest to ensure ecological sustainability of woody biomass harvesting and limit detrimental effects on wildlife. However, the success of Biomass Harvesting Guidelines at reaching sustainability goals, including conservation of wildlife habitat, has not been tested in an operational setting. Thus, we compared shrew captures among six woody biomass harvesting treatments in pine plantations in North Carolina, USA from April to August 2011–2014 (n = 4) and Georgia, USA from April to August 2011–2013 (n = 4). Treatments included: (1) woody biomass harvest with no BHGs; (2) 15% retention with woody biomass dispersed; (3) 15% retention with woody biomass clustered; (4) 30% retention with woody biomass dispersed; (5) 30% retention with woody biomass clustered; and (6) no woody biomass harvested. We sampled shrews with drift fence arrays and compared relative abundance of shrews among treatments using analysis of variance. Additionally, we used general linear regression models to evaluate the influence of downed woody debris volume and vegetation structure on shrew capture success at each drift fence for species with >100 captures/state/year. In 53,690 trap nights, we had 1,712 shrew captures representing three species, Cryptotis parva, Blarina carolinensis, and Sorex longirostris. We did not detect consistent differences in shrew relative abundance among woody biomass harvest treatments, but relative abundance of all species increased over time as vegetation became established. In North Carolina, total shrew capture success was negatively related to volume of downed woody debris within 50 m of the drift fence array (P = 0.05) in 2013 and positively related to bare groundcover in 2013 (P = 0.02) and 2014 (P
Exploring plant defense theory in tall goldenrod, Solidago altissima

Understanding the evolutionary reasons for patterns of chemical defense in plants is an ongoing theoretical and empirical challenge. The goal is to develop a model that can reliably predict how defenses are distributed within the plant over space and time. This is difficult given that evolutionary, ecological, and physiological processes and tradeoffs can operate over different spatial and temporal scales. We evaluated the major predictions of two leading defense theories, the growth-differentiation balance hypothesis (GDBH) and optimal defense theory (ODT). To achieve this, enemies, fitness components, terpenoids, and protease inhibitors were measured in Solidago altissima and used to construct conventional univariate and structural equation models (SEMs). Leaf-tissue value indices extracted from an SEM revealed a strong correlation between tissue value and terpenoid defense that supports ODT. A tradeoff between serine protease inhibition and growth as well as an indirect tradeoff between growth and terpenoids manifested through galling insects supported the GDBH. Interestingly, there was a strong direct effect of terpenoids on rhizome mass, suggesting service to both storage and defense. The results support established theories but unknown genotypic traits explained much of the variation in defense, confirming the need to integrate emerging theories such as pollination constraints, defense syndromes, tolerance, mutualisms, and facilitation.
Early family experiences and the financial behavior of college students: the impact of gender and gambling

The ability of early family experiences to predict college student's financial behavior was explored and potential moderating effects of gambling status and gender were examined. Multiple family factors including child participation, maternal and paternal communication, maternal and paternal influence, and the age at which the child knew about and was involved in financial matters were utilized. Regression models attempting to predict student's financial impulsiveness, financial satisfaction, financial stress, and credit card debt were examined while ANOVA models were utilized to examine potential moderating effects. Results provided a mixed picture of the relationship of early family influences and later financial traits. The data indicates that males and females continue to be socialized differently. Paternal influence was found to be a significant predictor of impulsive spending, financial satisfaction, and credit card debt of college students. Maternal communication was significant in predicting financial satisfaction and financial stress. Childhood participation is related to impulsive spending and financial satisfaction. The age of financial involvement demonstrated a main effect for financial satisfaction. Financial satisfaction was also related to paternal communication. And finally, credit card debt for males alone was related to the level of maternal influence. General support for a social cognitive theory was found and the mixed findings point to a new model for explaining financial learning.
Unfinished business in the international dialogue on debt

From November 2001 to April 2003, the International Monetary Fund grappled with a radical proposal, the Sovereign Debt Restructuring Mechanism, for handling the external debt of insolvent governments of developing and transition economies. That proposal was rejected, but new “collective action clauses” that address some of the difficulties in restructuring bond debt are being introduced. In addition, IMF is developing a pragmatic and eclectic approach to assessing debt sustainability that can be useful to governments and creditors. However, many of the problems in restructuring sovereign debt remain and this paper suggests both specific reforms and modalities for considering them.
Interdisciplinary Development and Implementation of Communication Checklist for Postoperative Management of Pediatric Airway Patients

Objective. The authors describe their multidisciplinary experience in applying the Institute of Health Improvement methodology to develop a protocol and checklist to reduce communication error during transfer of care for postoperative pediatric surgical airway patients. Preliminary outcome data following implementation of the protocol and checklist are also presented.Study Design. Prospective study from July 1, 2009, to February 1, 2011.Setting. Tertiary care center.Subjects. One hundred twenty-six pediatric airway patients who required coordinated care between Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and Massachusetts General Hospital.Methods. Two sentinel events involving airway emergencies demonstrated a critical need for a standardized, comprehensive instrument that would ensure safe transfer of care. After development and implementation of the protocol and checklist, an initial pilot period on the first set of 9 pediatric airway patients was reassessed. Subsequent prospective 11-month follow-up data of 93...
Terascale Spectral Element Algorithms and Implementations

We describe the development and implementation of an efficient spectral element code for multimillion gridpoint simulations of incompressible flows in general two- and three-dimensional domains. Key to this effort has been the development of scalable solvers for elliptic problems and a stabilization scheme that admits full use of the methods high-order accuracy. We review these and other recently developed algorithmic underpinnings that have resulted in good parallel and vector performance on a broad range of architectures and that, with sustained performance of 319 GFLOPS on 2048 nodes of the Intel ASCI-Red machine at Sandia, readies us for the multithousand node terascale computing systems now coming on line at the DOE labs.
The effects of simulation participation on the perception of threatening cultural dynamics in a collaborative virtual learning environment

Findings indicate that, on the subject of power, participants in the computer-mediated, collaborative, inter-cultural DomeCityMOO (Multi-user dimension, Object-Oriented) simulation perceived its learning environment to be less threatening than did those who participated in the face-to-face Ecotonos simulation. Additionally, participants in the DomeCityMOO simulation perceived its environment as better for learning about identity and power differences than participants in the face-to face Ecotonos simulation.