cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Worst Performance Rule, or the Not-Best Performance Rule? Latent-Variable Analyses of Working Memory Capacity, Mind-Wandering Propensity, and Reaction Time

The worst performance rule (WPR) is a robust empirical finding reflecting that people’s worst task performance shows numerically stronger correlations with cognitive ability than their average or best performance. However, recent meta-analytic work has proposed this be renamed the “not-best performance” rule because mean and worst performance seem to predict cognitive ability to similar degrees, with both predicting ability better than best performance. We re-analyzed data from a previously published latent-variable study to test for worst vs. not-best performance across a variety of reaction time tasks in relation to two cognitive ability constructs: working memory capacity (WMC) and propensity for task-unrelated thought (TUT). Using two methods of assessing worst performance—ranked-binning and ex-Gaussian-modeling approaches—we found evidence for both the worst and not-best performance rules. WMC followed the not-best performance rule (correlating equivalently with mean and longest response times (RTs)) but TUT propensity followed the worst performance rule (correlating more strongly with longest RTs). Additionally, we created a mini-multiverse following different outlier exclusion rules to test the robustness of our findings; our findings remained stable across the different multiverse iterations. We provisionally conclude that the worst performance rule may only arise in relation to cognitive abilities closely linked to (failures of) sustained attention.
Playing Nice in the Sandbox: An Examination into the Working Relationships between Retail Store Detectives and Public Law Enforcement Officers

This study explores the working relationship between store detectives and public law enforcement officers. Thirty semi-structured interviews were conducted with store detectives from two national retail chains. The results of this study indicate that store detectives have a positive working relationship with police and engage in active cooperation with them. In addition, the presence of community development units and organized retail crime task forces enhance active cooperation between the two parties. Findings from this study can be used by both academics and practitioners to promote strong relationships between law enforcement and the retail security industry.
Which aspects of neighbourhood environment are most associated with meeting physical activity recommendations in American adults: an NHIS study.

Objectives To investigate which perceived neighbourhood characteristics are most strongly linked with adequate physical activity (PA) in a nationally representative sample of adults in the USA. Design Cross-sectional. Setting USA via 2015 National Health Interview Survey Data. Participants A group of 28 697 non-institutionalised adults with complete data. Primary outcome measures Meeting PA was defined as 150 min/week of moderate to vigorous activity. Results The population had a mean age of 49.6 (±18.3) years and was 51.3% female and 66.2% non-Hispanic white. In adjusted, weighted analysis, places to walk and relax was mostly strongly associated with meeting PA recommendations (OR=1.40 (95% CI 1.27 to 1.54)). Other elements associated with meeting PA were presence of bus or transit stops to walk to and presence of movies, libraries or churches to walk to (OR=1.12 (95% CI 1.03 to 1.23) and OR=1.19 (95% CI 1.08 to 1.31), respectively). Conclusions In this analysis, the characteristic most strongly associated with PA was presence of places to walk and relax. Identifying communities that may lack amenities such as this, like a park, may help direct community investment to enhance structures that encourage activity.
Effects of the Color Wheel System on Students With Disabilities in Inclusion Classrooms.

The Color Wheel System (CWS) is a class-wide, rule-based, behavior management strategy that incorporates multiple sets of classroom rules to provide specific behavioral expectations for different c...
Prevalence, antibiotic resistance, virulence and genetic diversity of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from bulk tank milk samples of U.S. dairy herds

Colonization of dairy cows by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), especially those which are multi-drug resistant and toxin producing, is a concern for animal health and well-being as well as public health. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence, antibiotic resistance, gene content and virulence determinants of S. aureus in bulk tank milk samples (BTM) from U.S. dairy herds. BTM samples were collected, once in winter and once in summer, from 189 U.S. dairy herds. Of 365 BTM samples cultured, the sample and herd prevalence of S. aureus in BTM was 46.6% (170 of 365 samples) and 62.4% (118 of 189 herds), respectively. Among a subset of 138 S. aureus isolates that were stored for further analysis, 124 were genome sequenced after being confirmed as S. aureus using phenotypic tests. The most commonly identified antimicrobial resistance-associated gene was norA (99.2%) and mecA gene responsible for methicillin resistance (MRSA) was identified in one isolate (0.8%). The most frequently detected putative virulence genes were aur (100%), hlgB (100%), hlgA, hlgC, hlb (99.2%), lukE (95.9%) and lukD (94.3%). In the 53 staphylococcal enterotoxin positive isolates, sen (37.9%), sem (35.5%), sei (35.5%) and seg (33.1%) were the most frequently detected enterotoxin genes. Among the 14 sequence types (ST) and 18 spa types identified, the most common was ST2187 (20.9%) and t529 (28.2%), respectively. The most predominant clone was CC97 (47.6%) followed by CC unknown (36.3%). The single MRSA isolate belonged to ST72-CC8, spa type t126 and was negative for the tst gene but harbored all the other virulence genes investigated. Our findings indicated a high prevalence of S. aureus in BTM of U.S. dairy herds, with isolates showing little evidence of resistance to antibiotics commonly used to treat mastitis. However, isolates often carried genes for the various enterotoxins. This study identified predominant genetic clones. Despite lower prevalence, the presence of MRSA and multi-drug resistant strains in BTM poses a significant risk to animal and public health if their number were to increase in dairy environment. Therefore, it is necessary to continuously monitor the use of antibiotics in dairy cows.
Singlet Oxygen Generation, Quenching and Reactivity with Metal Thiolates†

Metal thiolate complexes can act as photosensitizers for the generation of singlet oxygen, quenchers of singlet oxygen, and they may undergo chemical reactions with singlet oxygen leading to oxidized thiolate ligands. This review covers all of the chemical reactions of thiolate ligands with singlet oxygen (through early 2021). Since some of these reactions are self-sensitized photooxidations, singlet oxygen generation by metal complexes is also discussed. Mechanistic features such as the effects of protic vs. aprotic conditions are presented and compared with the comparatively well-understood photooxidation of organic sulfides. In general, the total rate of singlet oxygen removal correlates with the nucleophilicity of the thiolate ligand which in turn can be influenced by the metal. Some interesting patterns of reactivity have been noted as a result of this survey: Metal thiolate complexes bearing arylthiolate ligands appear to exclusively produce sulfinate (metal-bound sulfone) products upon reaction with singlet oxygen. In contrast, metal thiolate complexes bearing alkylthiolate ligands may produce sulfinate and/or sulfenate (metal-bound sulfoxide) products. Several mechanistic pathways have been proposed for these reactions, but the exact nature of any intermediates remains unknown at this time.
Quantifying the impact of breast density on the lag-one coherence of hypoechoic masses

Ultrasound imaging is often used as a diagnostic tool to supplement mammography particularly in patients with dense breast tissue, because the ability of a mammogram to detect cancer is significantly lower in these patients. However, when breast tissue is dense, interactions between tissue layers can result in acoustic clutter in the ultrasound image, obscuring masses of interest and resulting in more false positives with increasing breast density. This work investigates the impact of breast density on a quantitative coherence-based metric, lag-one coherence (LOC). Greater separability was seen between fluid and solid masses within dense breast tissue compared to nondense breast tissue. Specifically, the sensitivity and specificity for fluid-filled mass detection in non-dense breast tissue were 0.768 and 0.688, respectively, which improved to 0.911 and 0.898, respectively for masses within dense breast tissue. These insights support deployment of LOC as a quantitative differentiation tool, particularly for patients with dense breasts who are most commonly referred for ultrasound exams resulting in unnecessary biopsies due to the presence of acoustic clutter.
Adult-onset glutaric aciduria type I presenting with white matter abnormalities and subependymal nodules

A 55-year-old female presented with a 6-year history of paresthesias, incontinence, spasticity, and gait abnormalities. Neuroimaging revealed white matter abnormalities associated with subependymal nodules. Biochemical evaluation noted increased serum C5-DC glutarylcarnitines and urine glutaric and 3-hydroxyglutaric acids. Evaluation of the glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase (GCDH) gene revealed compound heterozygosity consisting of a novel variant (c.1219C>G; p.Leu407Val) and pathogenic mutation (c.848delT; p.L283fs). Together, these results were consistent with a diagnosis of adult-onset type I glutaric aciduria.
Creating a More Flexible Architecture for Climate Change Governance

Everyone wants to learn from history, so as not to repeat it. But what are the lessons of the Kyoto Protocol? Although opinions differ widely, a growing consensus accepts the need for greater flexibility in a new climate change agreement. This short essay argues that a more flexible architecture is a necessary, though not sufficient condition, for agreement in Copenhagen, and briefly discusses how flexibility is reflected in recent proposals by the US and Australia.
Is the Genetic Algorithm a Cooperative Learner

Abstract This paper begins to explore an analogy between the usual competitive learning metaphor presented in the genetic algorithm (GA) literature and the cooperative learning metaphor discussed by Clearwater, Huber-man, and Hogg. In a blackboard cooperative learning paradigm, agents share partial results with one another through a common blackboard. By occasionally accessing the blackboard for a partial solution, an agent can dramatically increase its speed in finding the overall solution to a problem. The study of Clearwater et al. shows that the resulting speed distribution among the agents is lognormal. The GA can also be described in terms of an analogous cooperative learning paradigm. Unlike the blackboard learner, the GA shares information by copying and recombining the solutions of the agents. This method of communication slows down the propagation of useful information to agents. The slower propagation of information is necessary because the GA cannot directly evaluate parts of a solution or “partial solutions.” The extent to which the GA is cooperative also depends on the choice of heuristics used to modify the canonical GA. The few test cases presented in this paper suggest that the GA may at times yield an approximately lognormal distribution or a mixture of lognormal distributions. While the results look promising, more analysis of the algorithm's overall process is required.
Migration of scientists to novel areas of biomedical research: Role of article-related productivity

In a previous study (Kissin 2011), frequency of a surname among the general population and the number of articles published by all authors with exactly the same surname were used to estimate surname-based article-related productivity. The main aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that researchers with high productivity are more heavily represented in emerging areas of research than in established areas. As the basis for this study, we used our results on a set of 96 Jewish surname-based groups that have high ratios of actual to expected number of articles (Kissin and Bradley 2013). Seven emerging areas of biomedical research ("angioplasty," "coronary angiography," "genomics," "HIV infections," "meta-analysis," "statins," and "stem cells") were paired with well-established areas. It was found that disproportionally high representation of 96 Jewish surname-based groups in well-established areas (10.2 ± 0.4, mean ± SE) is even higher in emerging areas (18.2 ± 2.6, P < 0.03), indicating a disproportional gravitation of these scientists to emerging areas of biomedical research.
Abstract W P285: Communication is the Driver of an Efficient Health Care Team

Background: Comprehensive Stroke Centers provide hyperacute stroke care within hours of symptom onset. Patients benefit from this intervention but still have needs that have yet to be addressed. Health care must be delivered efficiently while meeting the expectations of the public. A methodical solution achieves excellent outcomes for providers, payers, and patients. Purpose: The goal of the health care team is to provide a clear assessment and discharge planning process that enhances communication amongst team members. With an annual volume increase of 10-20%, throughput is a daily challenge at this academic hospital due to rotating physicians and students. Methods: A comprehensive assessment is documented in the electronic medical record within 24 hours of admission by the case management team. This assessment includes screening for depression and need for respite services. A resource guide is immediately provided to the patient and family. Five days a week, the health care team is assembled for “patient care huddles”. These are attended by the vascular neurologist, case management social worker and nurse, speech and physical therapy, stroke program coordinator, pharmacist, utilization review, research coordinator, neurology residents, and each bedside nurse. The 2 minute per patient discussion centers on “plan for the day, plan for the stay”. Results: The number of ischemic stroke and TIA patients has increased 25% over two years. In the same time period, the average length of stay index has decreased from 1.17 to 1.00 and the average cost index is 1.08. Patient satisfaction, as measured by Press Ganey, is at the 98 th percentile for stroke patients over the last two years. Conclusion: Communication among all team members is enhanced through daily patient care huddles and allows discharge planning to start at admission. Comprehensive assessments leading to efficient discharge planning can be achieved without compromising patient satisfaction or increasing costs or length of stay. Throughput is impacted by an efficient, cohesive team.
Public Funding of Sectarian Organizations for the Provision of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care: Discriminatory Issues for Gay Males

A recent Associated Press news release highlighted the current high-level funding afforded to sectarian organizations for the prevention of the spread of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the provision of care for HIV-positive clients or those with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Since gay males continue to represent the highest risk group for infection and spread of HIV, concerns have surfaced regarding possible discrimination along with a concentration of abstinence-only treatment strategy, resulting in the possibility for substandard care for HIV/AIDS clients who are gay males. This article explores several concerns that may evolve when religious-based organizations are responsible for care directed at this population. Some areas for concern include the potential for negative perceptions and ideas about nonheterosexual behavior guiding the intervention efforts with a strong focus on abstinence-only prevention strategies. Areas for further study and suggestions for public policy are outlined. Keywords: abstinence-only; AIDS; discrimination; gay; HIV; homophobia; homosexual; prevention; public policy; religion; sectarian
The Reaction of Fumarase with Iodoacetate and 4-Bromocrotonate

Abstract The reaction of fumarase with several alkylating agents has been examined. The structural similarity between these compounds and the natural substrates for the enzyme, fumarate and malate, suggested that reaction might occur with structures in the active sites. Of all the compounds tested, only iodoacetate and 4-bromocrotonate inactivated fumarase by modification of structures other than the thiol groups. Because the thiol groups appear to fulfill a structural role in the enzyme, it is possible that iodoacetate and bromocrotonate react specifically with fumarase. The enzyme is inactivated to an extent of 80 to 90% when only 3 to 6 eq of each compound have reacted with the enzyme. Inactivation by each compound is reduced markedly by substrates and competitive inhibitors, and extensive structural changes do not occur after inactivation. S-Carboxymethylmethionine and 3-carboxymethylhistidine are the major derivatives found after inactivation with iodoacetate. The distribution of these carboxymethyl derivatives among the tryptic peptides of iodoacetate-inactivated fumarase has been examined. From 80 to 85% of the S-carboxymethylmethionine and 3-carboxymethylhistidine present in the modified enzyme have been recovered in three unique peptides.
Noninvasive assessment of coronary stenoses by myocardial imaging during pharmacologic coronary vasodilatation. II. Clinical methodology and feasibility

Abstract A noninvasive method has been developed utilizing myocardial imaging of thallium-201 injected intravenously at rest and during coronary vasodilatation induced with intravenously administered dipyridamole, a potent selective coronary vasodllator. The method has been validated in experimental animals and shown to be more sensitive than exercise imaging in identifying moderate experimental coronary stenoses. This report describes the clinical feasibility and methodology of applying the technique to man. Study of a total of 162 myocardial perfusion images in 62 patients revealed the following: (1) The quality of myocardial perfusion images of thallium-201 injected during coronary vasodilatation induced with intravenously administered dipyridamole was equal to or better than that of myocardial images of thallium-201 injected during treadmill stress. (2) Myocardial uptake of thallium-201 measured with external imaging was considerably greater during dipyridamole-induced coronary vasodilatation than during treadmill stress. (3) The optimal dose rate of intravenously administered dipyridamole for this imaging technique was 0.142 mg/kg per min for 4 minutes with the thallium injected in the 3rd to 4th minute after completion of infusion while the patient was upright, walking in place. (4) With this dose rate regimen, side effects were minimal except for the occasional development of angina pectoris; the latter was eliminated by intravenous administration of aminophylline, a complete and virtually instantaneous antagonist of dipyridamole, after thallium had been taken up by the myocardium. This new method is therefore applicable to man and the initial results warrant a larger clinical study in order to define the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the technique.
The Corrosion of Materials in Reactor Containment Spray Solutions

Spray solutions would be used for pressure reduction and fission product absorption in the event of a serious accident in an aqueous power reactor. These sprays are normally alkaline borate solutio...
High resolution integral-field spectroscopy of gas and ion distributions in the coma of Comet C/2012 S1 ISON

Abstract Neutral and ion species in cometary comae exhibit significant differences in their spatial distributions. These distributions reflect the combined effects of sublimation, ion pickup, collisions, solar radiation pressure, photolysis scale lengths of any parent molecules, and photolysis of the species of interest. An image-slicer spectrograph ( R ∼ 20,000) is used here to measure C 2 , NH 2 , Na, and H 2 O + emission lines in Comet C/2012 S1 ISON’s coma within a narrow spectral window spanning 5868–5926 A. These species are mapped over a 1.6 × 2.7 arcmin field made up of 240 individual spectra. While prior cometary observations have found that peak column densities of these species appear either sunward or anti-sunward, ISON’s coma was elongated several thousand kilometers along an axis perpendicular to its motion and the sunward vector. The peak brightness of each species was located within 5000 km of the dusty continuum concentration. ISON’s water ion tail appeared distinctly broader than the neutral Na tail and no evidence is seen for an extended source of Na by dissociative recombination of a molecular ion. The Na D2/D1 ratio in the head is 1.49 ± 0.06 despite being optically thin, increasing to 1.93 ± 0.07 in the tail. The dust distribution falls off less steeply than the canonical inverse with distance from the nucleus and C 2 and NH 2 scale lengths indicate an extended source, possibly due to nucleus fragmentation.
Equine bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BMDMSCs) from the ilium and sternum: are there differences?

SummaryReasons for performing study The 2 sites of bone marrow harvest for isolation of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) in the horse are the sternum and ilium. The technical procedure is based on practitioner preference, but no studies have compared MSC concentrations and growth rates between the sites in horses aged 2–5 years. Objectives The objective of this study was to compare nucleated cell counts and growth rates between the sternum and ilium and between consecutive 5 ml bone marrow aspirates. We hypothesised that there would be a higher concentration of MSCs in the sternum than the ilium, and that the first sequential aspirate from either site would yield the greatest concentration of MSCs. We hypothesised that growth rates of cells from each site would not differ. Methods Seven horses, aged 2 to 5 years, had 2 sequential 5 ml marrow aspirates taken from the sternum and ilium. Nucleated cell counts (NCCs) were obtained before and after marrow processing. Cells were expanded in culture for 3 passages and growth rate characteristics compared for all aspirates. Results The NCCs of the first 5 ml aspirate were higher than those of the second 5 ml aspirate for both sites (P 0.05). Conclusions The NCCs and growth rates of progenitor cells in the ilium and sternum are similar for horses in the 2–5 year age category. The first 5 ml bone marrow aspirate has a higher concentration of NCCs and resulting bone marrow-derived MSC population than subsequent aspirates. Potential relevance The first 5 ml aspirates from the sternum and ilium offer a rich supply of bone marrow-derived MSCs with similar growth rate characteristics. The harvesting procedure of only a 5 ml draw from either the sternum or ilium should result in adequate numbers of MSCs.
Temperature lability and cAMP-dependent protein kinase activation of cholesteryl ester hydrolase as a function of age in developing rat testis.

Cholesteryl ester hydrolase (CEH) was measured at 32°C and 37°C, and with and without cofactors for stimulation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, in 104,000×g supernatants from rats aged 14–365 days. Activity at the two temperatures was also partially resolved by cation exchange FPLC. Total specific activity of CEH was relatively constant, with or without addition of cofactors, from 14 to 47 days, during which time temperature labile CEH was a very small fraction of total CEH activity. At later times, 51–150 days, activity was increased as much as two-fold, both with and without cofactors, with most of the increase occurring in the temperature labile fraction. Activation of temperature stable and temperature labile activities, where present, by protein kinase cofactors could be demonstrated in all age groups, but was highly variable as a function of age and protein concentration used in the assay. Apparent induction of temperature labile activity over the interval 47–51 days coincides with reported increases in testosterone synthesis and first appearance of spermatozoa in the testis. This and other lines of evidence suggest unique roles for these enzymes in regulation of availability of free cholesterol for testosterone and membrane synthesis, respectively.
Implications of the model of change and learning for undergraduate medical education

This essay responds to the need for closer intellectual ties between continuing medical education (CME) and the undergraduate experience. Medical educators in each of these two phases of lifelong learning are often unfamiliar with the implications of research in each phase for the other. In order to redress this, this essay describes one of the major explanations for change and learning in clinical practice and draws implications of this model for the education of undergraduate medical students. The model includes the role of forces for change, image of change, assessment of needs for learning, and the use of learning resources in a self-directed curriculum. Specific implications for each of the phases of the change process are offered. General implications of the model and a set of new assumptions for the development of formal curriculum in undergraduate medicine are also described.
Folding at the speed limit

Many small proteins seem to fold by a simple process explicable by conventional chemical kinetics and transition-state theory. This assumes an instant equilibrium between reactants and a high-energy activated state. In reality, equilibration occurs on timescales dependent on the molecules involved, below which such analyses break down. The molecular timescale, normally too short to be seen in experiments, can be of a significant length for proteins. To probe it directly, we studied very rapidly folding mutants of the five-helix bundle protein lambda(6-85), whose activated state is significantly populated during folding. A time-dependent rate coefficient below 2 micro s signals the onset of the molecular timescale, and hence the ultimate speed limit for folding. A simple model shows that the molecular timescale represents the natural pre-factor for transition state models of folding.
Toward a User-Centered Academic Library Home Page

ABSTRACT In the past decade, academic libraries have struggled with the design of an effective library home page. Since librarians' mental models of information architecture differ from those of their patrons, usability assessments are necessary in designing a user-centered home page. This study details a usability sequence of card sort and paper and online survey methods conducted at the Auraria Library, which serves the University of Colorado Denver, the Metropolitan State College of Denver, and the Community College of Denver. The three top complaints about the existing Web page included information overload, lack of visual cues and guidance, and difficulty getting to what students knew was the heart of the library's Web page: online resources. Using qualitative and quantitative data from the card sorting sessions, the Web librarian, under the direction of the Web Advisory Committee, was able to create a more user-centered home page. Unique to this study are the use of undergraduate students in creatin...
Democracy Is in the Details: Small Writing Groups Prefiguring a New Society.

Drawing on examples from adult writing groups the authors have taught in marginalized communities in Chicago and Minneapolis, they present an egalitarian approach to teaching and learning that promotes democracy and eliminates hierarchical roles and relationships in classrooms and other educational settings.
Uranium concentration and distribution in six peridotite inclusions of probable mantle origin

Fission-track activation was used to investigate uranium concentration and distribution in peridotite inclusions in alkali basalt from six localities. Whole-rock uranium concentrations range from 24 to 82 ng/g. Most of the uranium is uniformly distributed in the major silicate phases - olivine, orthopyroxene, and clinopyroxene. Chromian spinels may be classified into two groups on the basis of their uranium content - those which have less than 10 ng/g and those which have 100 to 150 ng/g U. In one sample accessory hydrous phases, phlogopite and hornblende, contain 130 and 300 ng/g U, respectively. The contact between the inclusion and the host basalt is usually quite sharp. Glassy or microcrystalline veinlets found in some samples contain more than 1 microgram/g. Very little uranium is associated with microcrystals of apatite. These results agree with some earlier investigators, who have concluded that suboceanic peridotites contain too little uranium to account for normal oceanic heat flow by conduction alone.
A complex seasonal rhythm controlled by photoperiod

1. A rhythm with three peaks and troughs during the year exists for the size of the receptive field for grooming reflexes in cats with pontile lesions (Fig. 5). To determine the role of photoperiod in regulating this rhythm, cats with pontile lesions were studied in two different experiments involving photoperiod manipulations. 2. In the first experiment two groups of cats with pontile lesions were exposed to continuously-varying LD cycles, with one group exposed to a schedule of LD cycles with progressively longer photoperiods and the other group in an adjacent room simultaneously exposed to a schedule of LD cycles with progressively shorter photoperiods. The schedules were controlled by automatic clocks which provided the naturally-occurring changes in sunlight photoperiods. The size of the receptive field for the two groups diverged and then reconverged after the LD cycles passed through opposite solstices (Fig. 1). 3. In the second photoperiod manipulation, the cats were exposed to fixed LD cycles. The size of the receptive field for grooming reflexes was monitored until stable endpoints were obtained (Fig. 2). The stable endpoints, when plotted with their respective photoperiods, indicated an approximately linear trend between LD 10∶14 and LD 15∶9 (decreasing), with reversals of this trend at both extremes (Fig. 3). 4. The data from the photoperiod manipulations were compared with previous longitudinal data. Biweekly measures of the size of the receptive field from three previous longitudinal studies were combined. The 26 biweekly means when plotted with their respective photoperiods exhibited an approximately linearly decreasing trend with reversals at both extremes (Fig. 4), a pattern similar to the one obtained with the photoperiod manipulations. 5. The results were discussed in terms of Bunning's model of photoperiodic control. This model has the versatility to account for complex rhythms during the year, a versatility provided basically by the circadian oscillator and the possibility of phase control by the particular LD cycle. Auto-interaction, a phenomenon well known in enzymology and pharmacology, is a possible mechanism which increases the versatility of the model.
Meat and veg

Plant-Animal Interactions: Evolutionary Ecology in Tropical and Temperate Regions. Edited by P. W. Price, T. M. Lewinsohn, G. W. Fernandes and W. W. Benson. Wiley: 1991. Pp.639. $125, £97.35.
Comparisons of cows and herds in two progeny testing programs and two corresponding states.

Data were USDA genetic evaluations of cows and DHI herd profiles from 4154 Holstein progeny-test herds from two artificial insemination organizations, 21st Century Genetics (Shawano, WI) and Genex (Ithaca, NY), and from 6361 additional herds from Minnesota and New York. We grouped herds into four categories: 21st Century Genetics herds, other Minnesota herds, Genex herds, and other New York herds. Herds were eliminated if they contributed fewer than 10 cows with genetic evaluations and birth dates from January 1989 to March 1995. Data included 83 and 74%, respectively, of first-crop daughters of 21st Century Genetics and Genex progeny-test bulls with genetic evaluations from January 1995 to February 1997. Herds were characterized by DHI profile and cow evaluation data. Daughters of progeny-test bulls with extreme production records (outside of 3 SD) relative to herd mean and variance did not appear in disproportionate numbers among the progeny of bulls likely culled or considered for further use. The two organizations appear to have selected larger, genetically superior, and better managed herds from within their respective regions for progeny-testing purposes. We were not able to predict whether a bull in the progeny-testing programs of these two organizations was going to exceed or fail to meet the pedigree prediction from characteristics of herds in which his daughters performed. Differences between parent average and daughter yield deviations for typical young sires appear to result from Mendelian segregation of genes.
Measurements of temporal and spatial scales in gas flowfields using a two-pulsed-laser correlation scheme

A two-pulsed-laser scheme for recording temporal and spatial correlation functions of scalar variables in gas flowfields and flames has been developed. The lasers produce 8 ns pulses at 532 nm which provide for high temporal resolution. The technique can be used with Raman or Rayleigh scattering to obtain auto- or cross-correlation functions of species concentration, density or temperature. The objective of this development is to carry out extensive measurements of the temporal and spatial scales in various gas flowfields and flames. A time delay range of 30 ns to over 10 ms is provided by this system. Spatial shifts as small as 50 μm are possible. Correlation coefficient measurements out to 30 μs in a CO 2 jet are presented. The control volume was set axially at 1.32D and radially at 0.505D and 0.525D. Two flow rates through a 4.77-mm-diameter orifice were used to give Re=13,500 and 22,000. Characteristic time scales based on fitting the data to ρ(τ)=exp(−τ/ t c ) cos(2π/gt/ t m ) were obtained. A temporal microscale of 34 μs and a characteristic frequency of 7 kHz were obtained for the low flow rate, while the corresponding values at the high flow rate were 19 μs and 10 kHz. These microscales are larger by about a factor of two than the minimum Kolmogorov scales estimated from velocity data.
Laser action in strongly scattering media

THE radiative properties of an atomic or molecular system may be altered significantly in the presence of coherent optical scattering1,2. In the course of investigating the radiative properties of a laser dye dispersed in a strongly scattering medium (a colloidal suspension of titanium dioxide particles), we have found that the emissions from such systems can exhibit spectral and temporal properties characteristic of a multimode laser oscillator, even though the systems contain no external cavity. The threshold excitation energy for laser action is surprisingly low. We suggest that these composite systems might find applications in laser instrumentation and photonics.
Markarian 478: A Second Seyfert Galaxy with 1 Micron Fe ii Emission Lines

We present infrared spectroscopy of the narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy Mrk 478 that shows the 1 μm Fe ii lines λ9997, λ10501, λ10863, and λ11126. This is the second active galaxy, after I Zw 1, in which these features have been observed. Like I Zw 1, the 1 μm Fe ii lines of Mrk 478 appear to arise from collisional excitation of their common, intermediate-energy, upper term. Under this formation process, these features should be common in active galaxies exhibiting strong ultraviolet and optical Fe ii emission but may be obscured in the spectra of the objects with broader lines because of blending with nearby features of hydrogen and helium.
Purineolytic capacity and origin of hemolymph urate in Carcinus maenas during hypoxia

Abstract 1. 1. Purineolytic capacity has been examined in Carcinus maenas as a potential source of the urate which accumulates in hemolymph during hypoxia and which allosterically increases hemocyanin O 2 affinity. 2. 2. Hepatopancreatic xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) activities can account for all hemolymph urate accumulating during hypoxia. However, uricase activities consistently exceed XDH, raising the question of how urate accumulates. 3. 3. Uricase is neither permanently impared by hypoxia, nor inhibited by excess substrate. Rather, uricase has a low affinity for O 2 , a required cofactor ( K m = 65 mm Hg, ± 8 SD); diminished O 2 availability during hypoxia correspondingly impedes uricase activity thereby allowing urate to accumulate. 4. 4. Variability in C. maenas hemolymph urate levels (Lallier et al. , 1987, Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 86A , 255–260; Lallier and Truchot, 1990, Resp. Physiol. , 77, 323–336) is mirrored by similar variability in XDH and uricase activities. 5. 5. Dietary purines can easily account for urate accumulation, suggesting that adenylate catabolism is not normally a major source of hemolymph urate.
Microwave Frequency Switching of an Optically Injected Semiconductor Laser

Nonlinear dynamics of an optically injected semiconductor laser is used to generate microwave oscillations. An intensity-modulated injection results in a microwave frequency modulation. Fast switching between 14.87 GHz and 15.26 GHz is completed in 200ns.
Thermal analysis of rotary kiln incineration: Comparison of theory and experiment☆

Abstract A comprehensive heat-transfer model and associated simplified scaling laws are developed and verified using a pilot-scale, directly fired rotary kiln with a slumping bed of dry or wet, 6-mm clay sorbent particles. The kiln operating conditions examined include: rotation rate (0.1–0.9 rpm), percent fill fraction (3–8), feed moisture content (0–20 wt. %), and inner-wall temperature (190°–790°C). The model is used to determine the relative importance of several heat-transfer mechanisms, including radiation, gas-to-solid convection, and wall-to-solid convection. Simple scaling laws are also developed for water vaporization. Generally good agreement is obtained between theory and experiment without adjusting any model parameters. Further, the simplified scaling laws provide a reasonable estimate of the pilot scale performance. The key conclusions of this study for kilns at the conditions examined are (1) water exerts a profound effect on the solids thermal profile, (2) simple geometrical scaling is not sufficient, (3) the assumption of a well mixed (radially isothermal) solids bed for the heat transfer analysis is appropriate, (4) a dimensionless group, which is a function of temperature, can be defined giving the relative importance of radiative and convective modes of heat transfer, and (5) moisture vaporization rates can be roughly approximately by assuming that the water vaporizes at the boiling point at a rate controlled by the rate of heat transfer to the bed. The implications of the scaling laws for scale-up and kiln design are also examined.
Overexpression of a peach CBF gene in apple: a model for understanding the integration of growth, dormancy, and cold hardiness in woody plants

The timing of cold acclimation and deacclimation, dormancy, and budbreak play an integral role in the life cycle of woody plants. The molecular events that regulate these parameters have been the subject of much study, however, in most studies these events have been investigated independently of each other. Ectopic expression of a peach CBF (PpCBF1) in apple increases the level of both non-acclimated and acclimated freezing tolerance relative to the non-transformed control, and also inhibits growth, induces early bud set and leaf senescence, and delays bud break in the spring. The current study examined differences in the seasonal expression of genes (CBF, DAM, RGL, and EBB) that have been reported to be associated with freezing tolerance, dormancy, growth, and bud break, respectively, in the PpCBF1 T166 transgenic apple line and the non-transformed M.26 control. Results indicated that expression of several of these key genes, including MdDAM, MdRGL, and MdEBB was altered in transgenic T166 trees relative to non-transformed M.26 trees. In particular, several putative MdDAM genes, associated with the dormancy-cycle in other species of woody plants in the Rosaceae, exhibited different patterns of expression in the T166 vs. M.26 trees. Additionally, for the first time a putative APETALA2/Ethylene-responsive transcription factor, originally described in poplar and shown to regulate the timing of bud break, was shown to be associated with the timing of bud break in apple. Since the overexpression of PpCBF1 in apple results in a dramatic alteration in cold acclimation, dormancy, and growth, this transgenic line (T166) may represent a useful model for studying the integration of these seasonal life-cycle parameters.
“All My Tears Were Gone”: Suffering and Cancer Pain in Southwest American Indians

Abstract Context Although minority patients with cancer are more likely to be undermedicated for cancer pain than non-Hispanic whites, little is known about the experience of cancer pain in American Indians (AIs). Objectives To describe the experience of cancer and cancer pain in a sample of southwestern AIs. Methods Ethnographic interviews were conducted with 13 patients and 11 health care providers, caregivers, and community members; two questionnaires were used to collect demographic and pain data. Results Barriers to pain control among AIs included difficulties describing pain, a belief that cancer pain is inevitable and untreatable, and an aversion to taking opioid pain medication. Prescriber inexperience also was cited as a barrier to pain management. AIs described a strong desire to protect their privacy regarding their illness, and many felt that expressing pain was a sign of weakness. The inability to participate in spiritual and cultural activities caused AIs distress, and some discontinued treatment or missed chemotherapy appointments to engage in these activities. Conclusion Results revealed new knowledge about the cancer pain experience in AIs. The observation of the close relationship between treatment compliance and the patient's ability to participate in ceremonial and spiritual activities provides new insight into the problem of incomplete cancer treatment in this population. The finding that AI patients have a multidimensional conceptualization of pain will assist clinicians with obtaining more detailed and informative pain assessments.
Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia Recognition and Treatment

ABSTRACT • HEPARIN, an important agent for the prophylaxis and treatment of venous and arterial thromboembolism, also can cause heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). • THIS MEDICATION-INDUCED IMMUNE-MEDIATED SYNDROME is characterized by thrombocytopenia and life- or limb-threatening thrombotic events. The initial presentation of HIT is a decrease in platelet count with or without thrombosis. • HEPARIN-INDUCED THROMBOCYTOPENIA frequently is overlooked in hospital settings, and it must be distinguished from other causes of thrombocytopenia. • NEW THERAPIES include the use of direct thrombin inhibitors argatroban and hirudin. AORN J 78 (July 2003) 79-89.
Management of prepubertal varicoceles-results of a questionnaire study among pediatric urologists and urologists with infertility training.

Abstract Objectives. Varicoceles are a common condition affecting male fertility seen by urologists. However, prepubertal varicoceles are much less common and their management is controversial. We designed a questionnaire to assess the practice patterns among urologists (pediatric urologists/urologists with infertility training) with regard to prepubertal varicocele management. Methods. A 15-point questionnaire pertaining to management issues of prepubertal varicoceles was sent to 150 pediatric urologists and 150 urologists with infertility training. Two clinical scenarios referring to treatment algorithms of prepubertal varicoceles were included. Results. Of the 300 questionnaires mailed, 174 urologists (58%) responded. Seventy-five of the respondents were urologists with an interest in infertility, and 99 were pediatric urologists. Of the 174 respondents, 86.2% treated prepubertal varicoceles and 13.8% referred patients to interventional radiologists for embolization. The ratio of varicocelectomy to expectant management was about equal between urologists with infertility training and pediatric urologists (46% versus 54%). A difference in testicular size was the most common indication for varicocelectomy (80.5%), followed by pain (51.1%) and potential fertility problems (24.7%). About one third of all urologists would perform varicocelectomy on patients of any age and seven (4%) would not operate before puberty. In 136 responses (78.2%), follow-up information was not available. Among the 35 respondents with follow-up information (21.8%), 21 reported infertility occurring after varicocelectomy and 16 after expectant management. If varicocelectomy was performed, most urologists (47.2%) used magnification loupes, 29.3% used microscopes, and 29% used no magnification. The preferred approach was inguinal (Ivanissevich) in 35.6% followed by subinguinal in 30%; 21% performed retroperitoneal varicocelectomy (Palomo) and 9.8% used a laparoscopic approach. Of the 300 complications reported, postoperative hydroceles were the most common (40.4%), followed by recurrence (20.8%) and hematomas (17.4%). Conclusions. The management of prepubertal varicoceles is controversial among different urologic subspecialties (pediatric urology/infertility). Differences include indications, timing, and techniques used for varicocelectomy. Accurate follow-up information for children with prepubertal varicoceles is rare. A prospective randomized study comparing varicocelectomy versus expectant management of prepubertal varicoceles is needed to assess the outcomes and define uniform treatment criteria.
High-Resolution Measurement of Crack Growth in Micro-Machined Crystal Silicon

Time dependent sub-critical cracking associated with environmental species such as moisture may have significant implications for the reliability of MEMS devices made of silicon. However, the existence of such stress corrosion phenomena in silicon remains controversial. Sub-critical crack-growth behavior in brittle materials is commonly characterized using crack velocity versus applied stress intensity curves (v-K curves). Crack velocity is inferred by curve-fitting crack length versus time data taken at low sample rates (<100 Hz) under the assumption that crack growth is a continuous process. However, we have observed discrete crack growth behavior in a micro-machined compression-loaded double cantilever beam. The samples are fabricated from (100) single crystal silicon wafers. A thin film resistor sputtered onto the sample surface using a lithographic technique is used to directly measure crack extension. The crack growth in all samples is characterized by periods of rapid crack growth interspersed with long periods of arrest in which no evidence of sub-critical cracking was observed. High speed data acquisition (up to 100 MHz) was performed and crack velocities as high as 1.7 km/s were accurately measured during these rapid growth periods.
Survey Questions About Sleep Duration: Does Asking Separately About Weekdays and Weekends Matter?

There is no standard way to ask about sleep duration in surveys, and little is known about the comparability of different questions. This article reports on a randomized survey experiment designed to test 1 type of variation: 1 question about usual sleep hours versus 2 questions separately asking about weekday and weekend sleep. Mean sleep duration was significantly shorter (7.03 hr vs. 7.28 hr) for the single question than a weighted average from 2 questions, and race and ethnicity contrasts differed by question format. Correlations between sleep duration and reported sleep need were significantly higher for the 2-question format. These results demonstrate that question wording can affect reported sleep duration in complicated ways, making it difficult to compare studies that use different questions.