cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetic Counseling in Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), including global developmental delay (GDD), intellectual disability (ID), and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), represent a continuum of developmental brain dysfunction. Although the etiology of NDD is heterogeneous, genetic variation represents the largest contribution, strongly supporting the recommendation for genetic evaluation in individuals with GDD/ID and ASD. Technological advances now allow for a specific genetic diagnosis to be identified in a substantial portion of affected individuals. This information has important ramifications for treatment, prognosis, and recurrence risk, as well as psychological and social benefits for the family. Genetic counseling is a vital service to enable patients and their families to understand and adapt to the genetic contribution to NDDs. As the demand for genetic evaluation for NDDs increases, genetic counselors will have a predominant role in the ongoing evaluation of NDDs, especially as identification of genetic etiologies has the potential to lead to targeted treatments for NDDs in the future.
Acute HIV Infection in a Patient with Repeat HIV Antibody/Antigen Negative Results Presenting at an Urban Emergency Department: A Case Report.

Abstract Background It is not uncommon for patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections to visit the emergency department (ED) during seroconversion. However, patients with newly acquired HIV may not have a reactive screening result. We report a case of a patient who initially screened reactive on a fourth generation HIV test and subsequently nonreactive twice, but ultimately had positive viral load tests. Case Report A 41-year-old woman experiencing symptoms of a sore throat, odynophagia, and back and flank pain for 5 days presented to the ED. The patient had a reactive HIV screen but negative confirmatory antibody test. The ED provider ordered a HIV viral load, informed the patient, and discharged with oral antibacterial agent. The patient returned the next day and after review of Visit 1 results, the ED provider ordered a second HIV screen, which had a nonreactive result. Another HIV viral load order was placed. The patient was discharged and returned a third time, 4 days after initial presentation. On this visit she was admitted, and the initial HIV viral load result returned positive. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? We report a case of a patient who initially screened reactive on a fourth generation HIV screening and then twice nonreactive on the same screening test, ultimately having positive viral loads. The most probable explanation for her series of atypical HIV results is that the patient presented during the p24 seroconversion window, which is graphically conveyed in Figure 1. If her first screening had been performed during the window, no further test would have been performed to rule out HIV, contributing to misdiagnosis. ED providers need to be aware that, at some time points during seroconversion from “negative” to “positive”, patients recently infected with HIV and manifesting prodromal symptoms may nonetheless have a negative screening result.
Further insight into how pharmacists ascribe value to technician certification and how that value might be further enhanced.

Abstract Background National pharmacy technician certification in the U.S. is believed to hold a valuable place in promoting technician competence, but the views of pharmacists from varying settings and positions could help further clarify how certification could be optimized. Objective The aims of this study were to determine differences among pharmacists in how they view certification, the level of value they ascribe to certification, and how they might make further improvements in the certification process. Methods A self-administered survey was constructed and delivered in QualitricsXM in spring of 2019 to a random sample of pharmacists in 4 U S. states chosen for high proportions of both certified and non-certified pharmacy technicians and for their differences in technician regulation and scope of practice. Analysis employed a host of bivariate tests then summative backward elimination regression analyses in consideration of Type I error and in that the approach taken was to acquire a “gestalt” of events rather than test individual hypotheses. Results Pharmacists’ opinions on the impact of certification varied by their job position, their practice setting, and sometimes their sex and work status. Pharmacists in clinical and in supervisory positions saw the positive impact of certification in different ways than did staff pharmacists. Certain groups would like to see more support for certification from their employers, while others aim for more support from certification vendors, and some pharmacists would like to see more content on “soft skills” in the certification process. Certification is seen as most beneficial to technicians in the hospital setting. Conclusions The results of this study suggest differences among pharmacists in their perceptions of the value of certification and what might be done to further enhance that value. The results of this study will hopefully provide some clarification and direction for certification vendors, policymakers, educators, and pharmacy leaders.
Assessing the Development of Collective Impact Initiatives Addressing Maternal and Child Health

To examine the extent to which communities participating in the Collective Impact Learning Collaborative (CILC) increased capacity to create conditions for collective impact (CI) to address racial disparities in maternal and child health (MCH) and align local efforts with state MCH priorities over a 12-month period. Eight communities participated in a learning collaborative that involved the provision of technical assistance via webinars, monthly team calls, and site visits to facilitate the development of a collective impact initiative. A Ready-Set-Go approach to technical assistance was used to guide the communities through each phase of development while also providing individual assistance to teams based on their capacity at the start of participation. A pre/post design measured change in capacity to engage in CI efforts over time. A survey designed to assess the completion of core tasks related to early indicators of CI was completed at baseline and 12 months later. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test and Mann–Whitney test determined statistically significant progress towards outcomes over 12 months and differences in progress between high- and low- capacity teams. In 12 months, teams with little established groundwork made significant progress, in some ways exceeding progress of more established teams. Statistically significant progress was achieved in eleven of fourteen outcomes measured. Five teams aligned local efforts with state priorities after 12 months. Findings suggest technical assistance to establish conditions for collective impact can support progress even when pre-conditions for collective impact are not previously established.
The Constitutional Challenges Awaiting Police Reform—and How Congress Can Try to Address Them Preemptively

The horrifying death of George Floyd under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer has thrust police reform back into the national discussion. As it should. The deaths of Floyd and countless other unarmed Black men and women in police custody make clear that much remains to be done before the United States rights its course in a violent history surrounding race and policing. While some racial justice advocates are calling to defund police departments, others remain focused on more surgical reform efforts. As November elections loom, incumbents have responded to nationwide protests by advancing a panoply of police reform measures. Some of these proposals are gaining momentum. This Article addresses the constitutional challenges that await federal reform efforts by discussing three of the more popular proposals.
Cell Biology: Pardon the Intrusion.

Whilst tissues form during development, some cells are extruded from epithelial monolayers. Rather than dying or differentiating, a new study shows that displaced cells can reintegrate after dividing. Surprisingly, this 'intrusion' pathway shares common features with axon guidance.
Exposure to Television Alcohol Brand Appearances as Predictor of Adolescent Brand Affiliation and Drinking Behaviors

Adolescence and the transition to adulthood is an important developmental stage in the emergence of health risk behaviors, specifically underage alcohol use. Adolescents consume a tremendous amount of screened media (primarily streamed television), and media depictions of behaviors is prospectively linked to youth initiation of behaviors. With the arrival of streamed media technology, alcohol advertising can be nested within television content. This study describes alcohol brand depictions in television and evaluates impact of exposure to such depictions on adolescent drinking outcomes. A national sample of 2012 adolescents (Mage = 17.07; SD = 1.60 years, range 15–20; 50.70% female) reported on television viewership, alcohol brand affiliation, and drinking behavior, with follow-up one year later. Ten series (that remain relevant to youth today) across television ratings from a single television season were content coded for presence/salience of alcohol brand appearances. Adjusting for covariates (e.g., peer/parent drinking, youth sensation seeking, movie alcohol brand exposure), higher exposure to brand appearances in the television shows was associated with youth drinking. Aspirational and usual brand to drink corresponded to television alcohol brand prominence, and television brand exposure was independently associated with drinking initiation and hazardous drinking.
Shantytown Mexico: The Democratic Opening in Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl, 1969–1976

The article analyzes political conflict in Mexico through a powerful social movement that erupted in the massive shantytown of Ciudad Nezahualcoyotl between 1969 and 1973. In the summer of 1969, after decades of abysmal living conditions, the residents of Ciudad Nezahualcoyotl (Neza) launched a payment strike to demand the federal government expropriate the land from private land developers, with the intent to gain urban infrastructure and formal property titles. The rebellion that plunged Ciudad Neza into a state of perpetual strife reflects a juncture in Mexican history when the urban shantytown emerged as a distinct and influential site for mass politics. This article historicizes Mexico's urban shantytown as a political space where the ruling party's entrenched clientelism contended with embryonic forms of local democracy. Revealing numerous contradictions, this case study is emblematic of how the urban periphery was a precursor to the vibrant yet incomplete democratization that would come to define national politics in Mexico and much of Latin America in the 1980s.
Medical and psychiatric differential diagnoses of pediatric globus sensation: A case study with review discussion.

Globus hystericus, also known as globus pharyngeus or globus sensation, is characterized by the physical sensation of a mass in one’s throat. Globus sensation is more common in adults and reported ...
In-situ DRIFTS study of chemically etched CeO2 nanorods supported transition metal oxide catalysts

Abstract In this work, hydrothermally synthesized CeO2 nanorods (CeO2NR) were chemically etched by strong reducing agent NaBH4 with 0.6~30 wt% addition, and further transition metal (TM) oxides (TM: Cu, Co, Ni, Fe and Mn) were loaded on the surface modified 6 wt% NaBH4 CeO2NR powder (mCeO2NR) to prepare mCeO2NR supported TM oxide catalysts. Both mCeO2NR supports (treated by 0.6–30 wt% NaBH4) and mCeO2NR supported TM oxide catalysts were employed to investigate the effect of chemical etching on their surface structure, CO adsorption, CO2 desorption and catalytic performance. Compared with pristine CeO2NR, one strong CO adsorption band for polydentate carbonate is found from in situ DRITFS as a result of NaBH4 etching, which can explain the enhanced low temperature reducibility and catalytic performance of mCeO2NR supports and mCeO2NR supported TM oxide catalysts. The vibrational band signals of bicarbonate, monodentate/bidentate/polydentate carbonate and bridged carbonate are detected in all mCeO2NR supported TM catalysts and the effect of CO adsorption mode on CO oxidation activity is discussed.
Vertical and Horizontal Transmission of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis

Fetuses were obtained from 58 pregnant cows naturally infected with Mycobacterium paratuberculosis (as determined by fecal culture), but showing no clinical signs of Johne's disease. Fetal tissues (spleen, liver, kidney, ileum, mesenteric lymph node) were cultured for M. paratuberculosis. Only 5 of 58 fetuses were culture positive (8.6%). All 5 culture-positive fetuses were from asymptomatic cows shedding high numbers of organisms in the feces. Milk samples were collected aseptically from 77 cows naturally infected with M. paratuberculosis but showing no clinical signs. Of 77 samples, 9 (11.6%) were culture positive for M. paratuberculosis. Supramammary lymph nodes were culture positive form 22 of 81 cows (27%). Fetal infection and direct excretion of M. paratuberculosis in milk can occur in asymptomatic infected cows, but with lower frequency than cows with signs of Johne's disease.
The dynamic connectome of speech control.

Speech production relies on the orchestrated control of multiple brain regions. The specific, directional influences within these networks remain poorly understood. We used regression dynamic causa...
Solid-State, High Energy 2-Micron Laser Development for Space-Based Remote Sensing

Lidar (light detection and ranging) remote sensing enjoys the advantages of excellent vertical and horizontal resolution; pointing capability; a signal source independent from natural light; and control and knowledge of transmitted wavelength, pulse shape, and polarization and received polarization. Lidar in space is an emerging technology now being developing to fit applications where passive sensors cannot meet current measurement requirements. Technical requirements for space lidar are more demanding than for ground-based or airborne systems. Perhaps the most distinguishing characteristics of space lidars are the environmental requirements. Space lidar systems must be specially designed to survive the mechanical vibration loads of launch and operate in the vacuum of space where exposure to ionizing radiation limits the electronic components available. Finally, space lidars must be designed to be highly reliable because they must operate without the need for repair or adjustment. Lifetime requirements tend to be important drivers of the overall system design. The maturity of the required technologies is a key to the development of any space lidar system. NASA entered a new era in the 1990 s with the approval of several space-based remote sensing missions employing laser radar (lidar) techniques. Following the steps of passive remote sensing and then active radar remote sensing, lidar sensors were a logical next step, providing independence from natural light sources, and better spatial resolution and smaller sensor size than radar sensors. The shorter electromagnetic wavelengths of laser light also allowed signal reflectance from air molecules and aerosol particles. The smaller receiver apertures allowed the concept of scanning the sensor field of view. However, technical problems with several space-based lidar missions during that decade led to concern at NASA about the risk of lidar missions. An external panel was convened to make recommendations to NASA. Their report in 2000 strongly advocated that NASA maintain in-house laser and lidar capability, and that NASA should work to lower the technology risk for all future lidar missions. A multi-Center NASA team formulated an integrated NASA strategy to provide the technology and maturity of systems necessary to make Lidar/Laser systems viable for space-based study and monitoring of the Earth's atmosphere. In 2002 the NASA Earth Science Enterprise (ESE) and Office of Aerospace Technology (OAT) created the Laser Risk Reduction Program (LRRP) and directed NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) and Goddard Space Flight Center to carry out synergistic and complementary research towards solid-state lasers/lidars developments for space-based remote sensing applications.
Bolted Joints under Sustained Loading

Bolted joint assemblies under sustained loading, examining joint and fastener coating, bolt design and strength level and shear and tension stress effects
The Special Case of Clozapine

Clozapine is an atypical neuroleptic indicated for use in treatment resistant schizophrenia patients. In addition to its established effectiveness as an antipsychotic agent clozapine possesses a profile of side effects that differs from other typical or atypical neuroleptics.
Structuring Sentencing: Apprendi, The Offense of Conviction, and the Limitied Role of Constitutional Law

The paper analyzes the recent line of United States Supreme Court cases that has called into question the constitutionality of highly controversial contemporary sentencing laws such as mandatory minimum sentences and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. A narrow majority in Apprendi v. New Jersey (2000) and a plurality in Harris v. United States (2002) evaluated these sentencing laws under the Jury Trial guarantee of the Sixth Amendment and, at least for the time being, approved of their constitutionality. The paper demonstrates that the Court's interpretive struggle in these cases results from too narrow a focus on the Sixth Amendment and the allocation of responsibility between the trial jury and the sentencing judge. The paper argues that the constitutionality of these sentencing laws must be evaluated from a broader perspective: the separation of powers in constitutional criminal procedure. Rather than an issue of constitutional interpretation involving solely the Jury Trial guarantee, the validity of sentencing laws implicates the full range of the Constitution's provisions governing criminal procedure and their allocation of power to legislatures and prosecutors in addition to juries and judges. From this structural constitutional argument, the paper defends the constitutionality of most sentencing laws on the grounds that the separation of powers in criminal procedure imposes only a narrow restriction on legislative power to design statutory schemes by which convicted offenders are sentenced: a requirement that provisions that determine or enhance the defendant's maximum punishment be enacted, charged, and proven as part of the defendant's offense of conviction. Other sentencing laws, including mandatory minimums and the Guidelines, do not alter the defendant's maximum punishment when they are used to determine the defendant's particular sentence. Such laws therefore may be applied by the sentencing judge, rather than being found beyond a reasonable doubt by a trial jury, without violating the Constitution.
Mars exploration rovers surface fault protection

The Mars exploration rovers surface fault protection design was influenced by the need for the solar powered rovers to recharge their batteries during the day to survive the night. The rovers were required to autonomously maintain thermal stability, and initiate reliable communication with orbiting assets or directly to Earth, while maintaining their energy balance. This paper describes the system fault protection design for the surface phase of the mission, including hardware descriptions and software algorithms. Additionally, a few in-flight experiences are described, including the Spirit flash memory anomaly and the Opportunity "stuck-on" heater failure.
Tying the Network Together : Evaluating the Impact of an Intervention into the Advice Network of Public Managers

Networks are often see as emergent and self-managed; and yet much of the research on networks examines how networks affect the effectiveness of systems and individuals. Is it possible to intervene in the configuration of a network to improve how it functions? Here we evaluate the impact of an intervention to change the array of relationships connecting a set of distributed public managers, State Health Officials (SHOs). SHOs were brought together for a one week executive educational program near the beginning of their tenures. This paper evaluates the question as to whether this program had long run effects on the ties among SHOs. Using a combination of survey and interview data, we find that there is a substantial effect on the probability of ties between individuals that attend the program together, relative to individuals who attend the program in different cohorts. Given recent findings that highlight the importance of interpersonal networks in the effectiveness of individual managers, this suggests a potential role for interventions to improve the efficiency of dispersed, public sector manager to manager networks.
Methane: small molecule, big impact.

Methanogenesis occures in anaerobic conditions in vast natural and human made environments. The estimated 1% annual increase in global methane is mainly attributed to human activities. This article gives an overall perspective on methane-producing microbes, which are phylogenetically distinct from all other prokaryotes and eukaryotes, the food chain which produces atmospheric methane, and biochemical pathways leading to methane production in these microbes. 12 refs., 12 figs.
Surveying the Horizon: Measuring the Effectiveness of Library Instruction Programs.

Abstract Community college students are a busy, mobile group of users with various backgrounds in library awareness. The West Bank Campus Library of Delgado Community College in New Orleans, Louisiana, developed a survey strategy to study attitudes toward research and student experiences in the campus library. Survey instruments were completed by class groups in a variety of disciplines at the beginning and end of a 16 week semester. All students surveyed attended a research methods session with the librarian, and used the library throughout the semester to complete course papers and projects.
Correlation between transcriptome and interactome mapping data from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Genomic and proteomic approaches can provide hypotheses concerning function for the large number of genes predicted from genome sequences. Because of the artificial nature of the assays, however, the information from these high-throughput approaches should be considered with caution. Although it is possible that more meaningful hypotheses could be formulated by integrating the data from various functional genomic and proteomic projects, it has yet to be seen to what extent the data can be correlated and how such integration can be achieved. We developed a 'transcriptome-interactome correlation mapping' strategy to compare the interactions between proteins encoded by genes that belong to common expression-profiling clusters with those between proteins encoded by genes that belong to different clusters. Using this strategy with currently available data sets for Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we provide the first global evidence that genes with similar expression profiles are more likely to encode interacting proteins. We show how this correlation between transcriptome and interactome data can be used to improve the quality of hypotheses based on the information from both approaches. The strategy described here may help to integrate other functional genomic and proteomic data, both in yeast and in higher organisms.
Film uniformly in bond and etch-back silicon on insulator (BESOI)

BESOI is made epitaxially growing a high-resistivity layer on a low-resistivity substrate, oxidizing the epilayer, and then thermally bonding a second oxidized wafer (the handle) onto the oxidized epilayer. The SOI film is then formed by etching the original substrate up to the epilayer, leaving the handle as the new substrate. The major incentive for using this technology is the thermal Si/SiO/sub 2/ interface between the SOI layer and the insulator. The author discusses briefly film thickness problems and the techniques whereby they can be minimized. >
A mixed-mode IF GFSK demodulator for Bluetooth

The paper describes a novel mixed-mode GFSK demodulator with a frequency offset cancellation circuit as part of a low-IF Bluetooth receiver. The demodulator is fabricated in TSMC 0.35 /spl mu/m standard CMOS process, consumes 3 mA from a 3 V power supply and occupies 0.7mm/sup 2/ of silicon area. For 10/sup -3/ BER as specified in Bluetooth standard, only 16.2 dB input SNR is required. The co-channel interference rejection is about 11 dB. The demodulator is robust to process technology variation, and no calibration is required. It can track and cancel the time-varying local oscillator (LO) frequency offset between transmitter and receiver during the whole reception time.
Water cycle dynamics in a changing environment: Improving predictability through synthesis

All science is the search for unity in hidden likenesses...The progress of science is the discovery at each step of a new order which gives unity to what had long seemed unlike... For order does not display itself of itself; if it can be said to be there at all, it is not there for the mere looking... order must be discovered and, in a deep sense, it must be created. What we see, as we see it, is mere disorder.
The Phosphocholine-binding Pocket on C-reactive Protein Is Necessary for Initial Protection of Mice against Pneumococcal Infection

Human C-reactive protein (CRP) protects mice from lethal Streptococcus pneumoniae infection when injected into mice within the range of 6 h before to 2 h after the administration of pneumococci. Because CRP binds to phosphocholine-containing substances and subsequently activates the complement system, it has been proposed that the antipneumococcal function of CRP requires the binding of CRP to phosphocholine moieties present in pneumococcal cell wall C-polysaccharide. To test this proposal experimentally, in this study, we utilized a new CRP mutant incapable of binding to phosphocholine. Based on the structure of CRP-phosphocholine complexes, which showed that Phe66, Thr76, and Glu81 formed the phosphocholine-binding pocket, we constructed a CRP mutant F66A/T76Y/E81A in which the pocket was blocked by substituting Tyr for Thr76. When compared with wild-type CRP, mutant CRP bound more avidly to phosphoethanolamine and could be purified by affinity chromatography using phosphoethanolamine-conjugated Sepharose. Mutant CRP did not bind to phosphocholine, C-polysaccharide, or pneumococci. Mutant CRP was free in the mouse serum, and its rate of clearance in vivo was not faster than that of wild-type CRP. When either 25 μg or 150 μg of CRP was administered into mice, unlike wild-type CRP, mutant CRP did not protect mice from lethal pneumococcal infection. Mice injected with mutant CRP had higher mortality rates than mice that received wild-type CRP. Decreased survival was due to the increased bacteremia in mice treated with mutant CRP. We conclude that the phosphocholine-binding pocket on CRP is necessary for CRP-mediated initial protection of mice against lethal pneumococcal infection.
The transwall gradient across the mouse colonic circular muscle layer is carbon monoxide dependent

Gastric and small intestinal circular smooth muscle layers have a transwall resting membrane potential (RMP) gradient that is dependent on release of carbon monoxide (CO) from interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs). Our aim was to determine whether a RMP gradient exists in the mouse colon and whether the gradient is CO dependent. Microelectrodes were used to record RMPs from muscle cells at different depths of the circular muscle layer from wild-type and heme oxygenase-2-knockout (HO-2-KO) mice. A transwall RMP gradient was present in wild-type mice. The CO scavenger oxyhemoglobin (20 μM) and the heme oxygenase inhibitor chromium mesoporphyrin IX (CrMP, 5 μM) abolished the transwall gradient. The gradient was absent in HO-2-KO mice. Tetrodotoxin (1 μM) caused a significant depolarization in circular smooth muscle cells throughout the circular muscle layer and abolished the transwall gradient. Removal of the submucosal neurons abolished the gradient. The majority of submucosal neurons contained HO-2 immunoreactivity (HO-2-IR), while ICCs did not. These data show for the first time that a transwall gradient exists across the circular smooth muscle layer of the mouse colon, that the gradient is due to CO, and that the source of CO is the submucosal neurons.—Sha, L., Farrugia, G., Linden, D. R., Szurszewski, J. H. The transwall gradient across the mouse colonic circular muscle layer is carbon monoxide dependent.
Serratia marcescens cyclic AMP-receptor protein controls transcription of EepR, a novel regulator of antimicrobial secondary metabolites

ABSTRACT Serratia marcescens generates secondary metabolites and secreted enzymes, and it causes hospital infections and community-acquired ocular infections. Previous studies identified cyclic AMP (cAMP) receptor protein (CRP) as an indirect inhibitor of antimicrobial secondary metabolites. Here, we identified a putative two-component regulator that suppressed crp mutant phenotypes. Evidence supports that the putative response regulator eepR was directly transcriptionally inhibited by cAMP-CRP. EepR and the putative sensor kinase EepS were necessary for the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, including prodigiosin- and serratamolide-dependent phenotypes, swarming motility, and hemolysis. Recombinant EepR bound to the prodigiosin and serratamolide promoters in vitro . Together, these data introduce a novel regulator of secondary metabolites that directly connects the broadly conserved metabolism regulator CRP with biosynthetic genes that may contribute to competition with other microbes. IMPORTANCE This study identifies a new transcription factor that is directly controlled by a broadly conserved transcription factor, CRP. CRP is well studied in its role to help bacteria respond to the amount of nutrients in their environment. The new transcription factor EepR is essential for the bacterium Serratia marcescens to produce two biologically active compounds, prodigiosin and serratamolide. These two compounds are antimicrobial and may allow S. marcescens to compete for limited nutrients with other microorganisms. Results from this study tie together the CRP environmental nutrient sensor with a new regulator of antimicrobial compounds. Beyond microbial ecology, prodigiosin and serratamolide have therapeutic potential; therefore, understanding their regulation is important for both applied and basic science.
Weight Loss Programs May Have Beneficial or Adverse Effects on Fat Mass and Insulin Sensitivity in Overweight and Obese Black Women.

Objective Weight loss interventions have produced little change in insulin sensitivity in black women, but mean data may obscure metabolic benefit to some and adverse effects for others. Accordingly, we analyzed insulin sensitivity relative to fat mass change following a weight loss program.
Recurrent magma mingling in successive ignimbrites from Amealco caldera, central Mexico

The Amealco Tuff is a widespread (>2880 km2), trachyandesitic to rhyolitic pyroclastic deposit in the central Mexican Volcanic Belt that was erupted from the Amealco caldera at 4.7±0.1 Ma. It includes three major ignimbrites, each showing complex mingling of pumice fragments and matrix glass with andesitic to rhyolitic compositions. The different glasses are well mingled throughout each of the pyroclastic-flow deposits. Mingling of glasses may have occurred just before and during the explosive eruptions that produced the pyroclastic flows, as the distinct melts had insufficient time to homogenize. Mingling of glasses is evident in each of the three separate major ignimbrites of the Amealco Tuff; thus, the processes that caused it were repetitive. It is infered that the repetitive mingling of melts was due to repeated mafic magma inputs to an evolved magma chamber.
Who's Watching the Race? Racial Salience in Recruitment Advertising1

A recent finding (Thomas & Wise, 1999) suggested that the race of organizational representatives may be more important to minority applicants than to White applicants. Consequently, this study empirically examines the impact of race in recruitment advertising on applicant attraction. Participants ( N = 194) were recruited in 3 field settings and were exposed to recruitment literature varying the race of a depicted organizational representative. Results indicate that Black and Hispanic participants were more attracted when minority representatives were depicted; White participants’ reactions were unaffected by representative race. Moreover, the extent to which participants believed themselves to be similar to the representative fully mediated the effect for minority participants.
On groups with decomposable commutator subgroups

Let G be a group. We define λ( G ) to be the smallest integer n such that every element of the commutator subgroup G ′ is a product of n commutators. Ito [ 4 ] has shown that λ ( A n )= 1 for all n . Thompson [7] has shown that λ (SL n ( q ))= 1 for all n and q . In fact, there is no known simple group G such that λ( G )>1. However, there do exist such perfect groups (cf. [ 7 ]).
Uracil photoproducts from uracil irradiated in ice.

Two new products were isolated from uracil irradiated with ultraviolet light in frozen aqueous solution. As judged by mass, nuclear magnetic resonance, and ultraviolet and infrared spectra, one is a photopolymer, U 3 and the structure of the other is probably 6-49-[ pyrimidin-29-one]-uracil. Formations of these products between pyrimidine bases are apparently common photoreactions, and may be important to the study of the photochemistry and photobiology of nucleic acids.
Observation of two-photon fluorescence for Rhodamine 6G in microbubble resonators

We report an observation of multi-photon excitation of organic chromophores in microbubble whispering gallery mode resonators. High-Q microbubble resonators were formed by heating a pressurized fused silica capillary to form a hollow bubble that was then filled with liquid. In this work, the microbubble was filled with a solution of Rhodamine 6G dye. The resonator and dye were excited by evanescently coupling continuous wave (CW) light from a 980 nm laser diode using a tapered optical fiber. The two-photon fluorescence of the dye can be seen with pump powers as low as 700 μW.
The economics of Rodeo cowboys

Abstract Like all business, commercial rodeos must find workers. Rodeo cowboys are not like other personnel, however, being engaged neither as employees nor by contract. Instead rodeos offer prizes for which the cowboys compete after paying an entry fee. Hence the supply of cowboys is not like other labor markets. Among other things, it has several tiers based on skill. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association dominates the supply and segments the market.
Optical efficiency–concentration ratio trade-off for a flat panel photovoltaic system with diffuser type concentrator

Abstract Optical concentrators that could be used as a flat panel type stationary photovoltaic (PV) system will enable significant reduction in the cost of PV power generation. This paper presents the analysis of a concentrator based on an optically transparent planar waveguide with a diffused reflector on the rear surface and PV devices placed at the edge of the waveguide. Optical collection efficiency of the stationary concentrator for geometric concentration ratios in the range 2–1000 has been analyzed. Despite reduction in optical collection efficiency of this concentrator design compared to traditional flat PV panel or tracking type concentrator panels, for practical operation in the geometric concentration ratio up to 40, a factor of 2–10 times reduction in cost of PV modules per unit power generated can be envisioned due to ease in manufacturing (including flexible roll-to-roll production) and significant savings in materials usage. Experimental data shows a strong dependence of the optical collection efficiency on surface roughness of the diffuser.
Pervaporation by a continuous membrane column

Abstract The possibility and applicability of the continuous membrane column concept to the membrane separation process of pervaporation has been demonstrated. It shows that a mixture of two or more liquids can be separated to a high degree without cascading several stages of individual pervaporation units. The degree of enrichment is unlimited in a continuous membrane column while a maximum limit exists in a conventional pervaporator. This new concept of membrane operation has been shown previously to give enhanced separations in gaseous systems without the expense and complexity of a multi-staged cascade. The permeabilities of silicone rubber to ethanol—water and isopropanol—water mixtures were determined at 25 and 40°C as a function of concentration. Separation experiments were carried out in small membrane columns. Included were instances in which feed mixtures just below the azeotrope (because of the small size of the experimental column) were enriched beyond the normal azeotropic composition (0.89 mole fraction ethanol) on a continuous basis. Feed compositions at other levels were also investigated; for example, a feed at 0.50 mole fraction ethanol was continuously separated into two streams at 0.69 and 0.12 mole fraction ethanol Finally, a mathematical analysis has been developed which adequately describes capillary membrane pervaporation within a continuous membrane column configuration.
Do Democracies Fight each other? Evidence from the Peloponnesian War

The proposition that democracies rarely fight each other in the modern international system is increasingly accepted, and of great importance to theory and practice. Yet the reasons behind this phenomenon, and hence expectations as to how it may operate under other conditions, are still not well understood. This article systematically compiles information on wars and types of political systems in the world of ancient Greek city-states, and asks when and why democracies fought each other. A quantitative analysis of war-fighting patterns is inconclusive, but contextual examination of acts and perceptions as reported in ancient sources illuminates the motivations. Despite prominent exceptions, a norm against fighting other democracies was emerging and had some effect.
Long-term effects of radium exposure in female dial workers: differential white blood cell count.

Abstract The long-term effects of bone-seeking radionuclides on bone marrow in humans seem worthy of exploration. Leukocyte counts (total white cells, polymorphonuclears, lymphocytes, eosinophils, and monocytes) were analyzed among 393 female radium dial workers who were first employed between 1913 and 1929 and most recently examined between 1954 and 1975. Mean and median counts were compared by initial intake level (μCi of radium per kg of skeleton) within three age-at-last-examination groups (45–54, 55–64, and 65–74 yr). Median estimated 40-yr average alpha doses to trabecular bone marrow in the highest intake levels compared were 9 rad, 104 rad, and 40 rad, in the three age groups. Spearman rank correlation coefficients between radium intake and white cell counts were also calculated. There was little evidence for long-term or late effects of radium exposure on white cell counts. In the younger age groups, lymphocyte count tended to increase with increasing radium intake. In 65–74 year olds, eosinophil count decreased with increasing intake (Spearman r = −0.14, P
Indications for treatment of recurrent carotid stenosis.

Background: There is significant variation in the indications for intervention in patients with recurrent carotid artery stenosis. The aim of the present study was to describe these indications in a contemporary cohort of patients. Methods: This was a systematic review of all peer-reviewed studies reporting on the indications for carotid intervention in patients with recurrent stenosis after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) or carotid artery stenting (CAS) that were published between 1990 and 2012. Results: There were 50 studies reporting on a total of 3524 patients undergoing a carotid procedure; of these, 3478 underwent CEA as the initial intervention. Reintervention was by CEA in 2403 patients and by CAS in 1121. Only 54·7 per cent of the patients were treated for any symptoms and, importantly, just 444 (23·1 per cent of 1926 symptomatic patients) underwent intervention for documented ipsilateral symptoms. None of the studies reported whether the patients were evaluated for other sources of emboli. The remaining 45·3 per cent of patients had asymptomatic restenosis and in the majority of the studies were treated when the degree of stenosis exceeded 80 per cent. The time to repeat intervention was significantly longer in patients with recurrent atherosclerosis, in asymptomatic patients and in patients undergoing CEA. Conclusion: The reported criteria for retreatment of carotid stenosis were not rigorous and there is still significant ambiguity surrounding the indications for intervention. Copyright © 2012 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Regulating speed and generating large speed transitions in a neuromuscular human walking model

Although current humanoid controllers can rely on inverse kinematics or dynamics of the full humanoid system, powered prosthetic legs or assistive devices cannot, because they do not have access to the full states of the human system. This limitation creates the need for alternative control strategies. One strategy is to embed fundamental knowledge about legged dynamics and control in local feedback. In a previous paper, we have developed a control model of human locomotion which relies mostly on local feedback. The model can robustly walk at normal walking speeds. Here we extend this model to adapt to a wide range of walking speeds and to generate corresponding speed transitions. We use optimization of the model's control parameters and find key parameters responsible for steady walking between 0.8ms−1 and 1.8ms−1, covering the range of speed at which humans normally walk. Using these parameters, we demonstrate speed transitions between slow and fast walking. In addition, we discuss how the speed-dependent changes of the identified control parameters connect to biped walking dynamics, and suggest how these changes can be integrated in local feedback control.
Size and Surface Effects Related to Phase Transitions in Human Plasma Low Density Lipoprotein

Abstract Size and surface effects on liquid crystal transitions are studied by absorbing samples in porous silica (Porasil) and observing the phase transitions by differential scanning calorimetry. The transitions are depressed and broadened and the transition enthalpy decreases. The smectic-cholesteric-isotropic transitions of cholesteryl oleate absorbed in 150 A porous silica are measured. These transitions are compared with previously reported liquid crystal transitions in human plasma low density lipoproteins (LDL). We show that the broad transition and its low enthalpy observed in LDL can be explained, at least partially, in terms of size effect phenomena.
Lanthanide Catalyzed Cyclization of Uridine 3′-p-Nitrophenyl Phosphate

Abstract Steady state kinetics and 15 N isotope effects have been used to study the cyclization reaction of uridine 3′- p -nitrophenyl phosphate. The cyclization reaction is catalyzed by transition metal ions and lanthanides, as are substitution reactions of many phosphate esters. Kinetic analysis reveals that the erbium-catalyzed cyclization reaction involves the concerted deprotonation of the 2′-OH group and departure of the leaving group. The transition state is very late, with a very large degree of bond cleavage to the leaving group, which could be due to a large degree of polarization of the P O bonds by erbium.
Subversion of Mucosal Barrier Polarity by Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

The lumenal surfaces of human body are lined by a monolayer of epithelia that together with mucus secreting cells and specialized immune cells form the mucosal barrier. This barrier is one of the most fundamental components of the innate immune system, protecting organisms from the vast environmental microbiota. The mucosal epithelium is comprised of polarized epithelial cells with distinct apical and basolateral surfaces that are defined by unique set of protein and lipid composition and are separated by tight junctions. The apical surface serves as a barrier to the outside world and is specialized for the exchange of materials with the lumen. The basolateral surface is adapted for interaction with other cells and for exchange with the bloodstream. A wide network of proteins and lipids regulates the formation and maintenance of the epithelium polarity. Many human pathogens have evolved virulence mechanisms that target this network and interfere with epithelial polarity to enhance binding to the apical surface, enter into cells, and/or cross the mucosal barrier. This review highlights recent advances in our understanding of how Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an important opportunistic human pathogen that preferentially infects damaged epithelial tissues, exploits the epithelial cell polarization machinery to enhance infection.
Differential Photosynthetic Electron Transport and Oxidative Stress in Paraquat-Resistant and Sensitive Biotypes ofSolanum americanum

Abstract Electron transport in a paraquat-resistant (R) biotype of Solanum americanum Mill. (American black nightshade), when measured as the photoreduction of ferricyanide by thylakoid membranes, was significantly lower than that of a sensitive (S) biotype. The discrepancy in the rate of photosynthesis was confirmed by measuring carbon dioxide fixation at the whole plant level. Dry matter accumulation by the R biotype was exceeded by the S biotype. Superoxide production by nontreated, illuminated thylakoid membranes was also lower in the R biotype, and the increase in oxidative stress that resulted from paraquat treatment was greater in the S biotype. Paraquat-treated thylakoids of the R biotype and nontreated thylakoids of the S biotype had similar rates of O − 2 production. The low rates of electron transport and correspondingly low levels of oxidative stress in nontreated thylakoids of the R biotype imply that paraquat resistance in S. americanum is due to reduced photosynthetic electron flow.
Neurolinguistic Programming as a Persuasive Communication Technique

Abstract Bandler and Grinder (1975) have suggested a psycholinguistic model for indirect persuasion of clients in a counseling setting: Through the use of pacing, metaphor, and various phonemic devices, client resistance is overcome. The present study compared the persuasive power of aspects of their neurolinguistic programming to direct and informational only (placebo) content messages in a group persuasion context. Results indicated no significant differences in attitudes following treatment for the three groups, whereas the direct message treatment was significantly more persuasive than the other treatments as reflected in the behavioral measure.
Covariance estimation: do new methods outperform old ones?

This paper compares three new methods of estimating the asset returns covariance and evaluates their performances with the conventional covariance estimation methods. We find that taking a simple average of the historical sample covariance matrix and the covariance matrix estimated from the single-index model provides the best overall performance among all competing methods. In addition, we find that commonly used assessment criteria provide systematically different rankings, which explains the preferences to different types of estimation methods in the existing literature. We believe the difference between our results and those of previous studies may be partly due to the differences in the ratio of the time series observations to the number of stocks in the samples that have been used in different studies.