cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Groupthink as Communication Process, Not Outcome

A bias of groupthink research is that it primarily examines group decisions that are viewed as catastrophic failures, such as the Bay of Pigs fiasco. An alternative approach focuses on groupthink as a faulty communication process rather than defining it by negative outcomes. Taking such an approach, this paper briefly explores some potential examples of decisions that may have involved groupthink communication processes but either had ambiguous outcomes or succeeded in accomplishing their goals. The analysis suggests the need to explore the communication processes that result in groupthink while recognizing that the outcomes may be negative, ambiguous, or even positive.
Influence of non-spatial working memory demands on reach-grasp responses to loss of balance: Effects of age and fall risk

Reactive balance recovery strategies following an unexpected loss of balance are crucial to the prevention of falls, head trauma and other major injuries in older adults. While a longstanding focus has been on understanding lower limb recovery responses, the upper limbs also play a critical role. However, when a fall occurs, little is known about the role of memory and attention shifting on the reach to grasp recovery strategy and what factors determine the speed and precision of this response beyond simple reaction time. The objective of this study was to compare response time and accuracy of a stabilizing grasp following a balance perturbation in older adult fallers compared to non-fallers and younger adults while loading the processing demands of non-spatial, verbal working memory. Working memory was engaged with a progressively challenging verb-generation task that was interrupted by an unexpected sideways platform perturbation and a pre-instructed reach to grasp response. Results revealed that the older adults, particularly those at high fall risk, demonstrated significantly increased movement time to handrail contact and grasping errors during conditions in which non-spatial memory was actively engaged. These findings provide preliminary evidence of the cognitive deficit in attention shifting away from an ongoing working memory task that underlies delayed and inaccurate protective reach to grasp responses in older adult fallers.
Effect of Different Thicknesses of Pressable Ceramic Veneers on Polymerization of Light-cured and Dual-cured Resin Cements.

Aim: This study evaluated the effects of ceramic veneer thicknesses on the polymerization of two different resin cements. Materials and methods: A total of 80 ceramic veneer disks were fabricated by using a pressable ceramic material (e.max Press; Ivoclar Vivadent) from a Low Translucency (LT) ingot (A1 shade). These disks were divided into light-cured (LC; NX3 Nexus LC; Kerr) and dual-cured (DC; NX3 Nexus DC; Kerr) and each group was further divided into four subgroups, based on ceramic disk thickness (0.3, 0.6, 0.9, and 1.2 mm). The values of Vickers microhardness (MH) and degree of conversion (DOC) were obtained for each specimen after a 24-hour storage period. Association between ceramic thickness, resin cement type, and light intensity readings (mW/cm 2 ) with respect to microhardness and degree of conversion was statistically evaluated by using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: For the DOC values, there was no significant difference observed among the LC resin cement subgroups, except in the 1.2 mm subgroup; only the DOC value (14.0 ± 7.4%) of 1.2 mm DC resin cement had significantly difference from that value (28.9 ± 7.5%) of 1.2 mm LC resin cement (p < 0.05). For the MH
Comparison on the Method of Transmission Line Positive Sequence Impedance Measurement

Parameters of transmission line are basis for power system calculation with significant importance.The traditional methods have many shortcomings they can′t get accurate parameters of lines,especially for the parameters of zero-sequence self-impedance and transimpedance.This paper describes measuring methods for transmission line parameters first.For measuring the positive sequence impedance,through built mathematic model,derives two-terminal information algorithm based on long-line equation;then by the PSCAD emulation defines the application range for both one-terminal and two-terminal information algorithm.
Breed effects, dietary energy density effects, and retained heterosis on different measures of gain efficiency in beef cattle.

Retained heterosis for different measures of gain efficiency was estimated in F3 generation castrate male progeny in three composite populations finished on two levels of dietary energy density (2.82 and 3.07 Mcal of ME and 11.50% CP) and serially slaughtered at four end points at intervals of 20 to 22 d. Breed effects were evaluated in nine parental breeds (Red Poll [R], Hereford [H], Angus [A], Limousin [L], Braunvieh [B], Pinzgauer [P], Gelbvieh [G], Simmental [S], and Charolais [C]) that contributed to the three composite populations (MARC I = 1/4 B, 1/4 C, 1/4 L, 1/8 H, 1/8 A; MARC II = 1/4 G, 1/4 S, 1/4 H, 1/4 A; and MARC III = 1/4 R, 1/4 P, 1/4 H, and 1/4 A). Gain efficiency was evaluated in time constant (0 to 207 d), gain constant (310 to 540 kg), carcass weight constant (333 kg), and retail product weight constant (225 and 210 kg) end points and to different marbling score and longissimus muscle fat end points. Expressions of gain efficiency included live weight gain/megacalories of ME and retail product weight/megacalories of ME. Significant differences were observed among breeds in all measures of gain efficiency. Breeds that had the smallest weight to maintain tended to be more efficient in live weight gain in the time constant period, whereas breeds with the highest rate of gain tended to be more efficient in the gain constant period. To marbling score or longissimus muscle fat end points, breeds with the lowest marbling scores and smallest percentage fat in the longissimus muscle on an age constant basis (e.g., Limousin and Gelbvieh) tended to be less efficient, whereas breeds with the highest marbling score and highest percentage of fat in the longissimus muscle on an age constant basis (e.g., Hereford and Angus) tended to be more efficient. Breeds with the highest percentage of retail product (Limousin and Gelbvieh) were more efficient to retail product weight end points, or when retail product weight was the measure of output. Steers fed the higher energy density diet were more efficient in live weight gain to time constant, live weight gain constant, marbling score constant, and longissimus fat constant end points and were more efficient in the production of retail product weight to retail product weight end points because of the shorter period of maintenance. Retained heterosis was not consistent among composites in different measures of gain efficiency. Higher initial weights resulting in greater requirements for maintenance had a negative effect in composites for most measures of gain efficiency.
A programming competition model for small live contests

The ACM International Collegiate Programming competition (ICPC) is one of the most recognized and attended live programming competitions. Its paradigm has been replicated in regional contests and numerous conferences, but the ICPC model offers unique challenges when implemented at small scales. This paper introduces a novel competition model developed to address the challenge of offering an exciting ICPC-like live competition experience to departmental students on a single small campus. Further, this new model may offer a compelling alternative for regional (or larger) competitions.
Gravity and inertia in quantum mechanics

The experiments described in this paper probe the simultaneous effects of gravity, inertia, and quantum mechanics on the motion of the neutron. Using a neutron interferometer of the type developed by Bonse and Hart for x rays, we have observed quantum-mechanical interference phenomena induced by the gravitational field of the Earth and by the Earth's rotation relative to the fixed stars. The importance of these experiments with regard to the role of the principle of equivalence in quantum mechanics is discussed.
God’s Certainty and Man’s Freedom

Philosophers have long worried that holding to the doctrine that God is omniscient is incompatible with human beings having freedom of the sort that is anti-deterministic.1 Prima facie, they are wrong: knowledge does not, by its mere existence, make true what is known, rather it is truth that makes knowledge possible. But many have not been impressed with this simple response and have thought that there is something special about God’s knowledge which shows that this simple response is quite misleading, and which results in an incompatibility between divine omniscience and human freedom.
Digital humanities and the study and teaching of North American religions

The digital humanities are a collection of methodologies with a long history in the disciplines of literature, linguistics, media studies, and pedagogy. These methodologies and the scholars who employ them have recently gained widespread attention among academics and observers of higher education. While the digital humanities have deep roots in the field of religious studies, most scholars of religion have been relatively slow to embrace digital methods for research and pedagogy. This essay provides an introduction to the cluster of research and teaching methods generally grouped under the term “digital humanities.” Digital humanists create digital archives, research collections, and exhibits; map and visualize information using online tools; and develop and apply computational methods of textual and visual analysis. This essay offers examples of scholarship and pedagogy on North American religions that use each of these methodologies, and concludes with a brief discussion of resources for learning about and becoming involved with digital humanities work.
Fair Value or Cost Method: Analytical Hierarchy Process to Multiple Criteria Problem

The purpose of this paper is to address the crucial problem faced by managers in choosing between fair value and cost method using a systematic and rationale ranking of various criteria. The approach used to solve such problem is the analytical hierarchy process developed by Saaty (1980). The selection is based on a set of criteria including information asymmetry, contractual efficiency, corporate size, earning variability, and cost incurred to appoint an expert. Accounting theory choice has attempted to explain the causes behind the adoption of fair value or cost method and the consequences of such adoption using an econometric methodology. Nevertheless, no attempt has been made to help managers make an accounting decision in a quantitative manner. In order to meet this need, this paper aims to propose a decision making model based on the analytical hierarchy process technique in the selection of the optimal accounting policy for the evaluation of firm’s assets. The paper shows that applying the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) model may provide a framework needed to select an accounting policy because it leads to a rationale ranking of different criteria. The paper has implications on the decisions made by managers regarding the accounting policy choice in the wake of the adoption of the International Accounting Standards/International Financial Reporting Standards (IAS/IFRS) standards in several contexts worldwide.
HSP60 Takes a Hit: Inhibition of Mitochondrial Protein Folding

In this issue of Cell Chemical Biology, Wiechmann et al. (2017) identify mitochondrial chaperonin HSP60 as a direct target of myrtucommulone (MC), a nonprenylated acylphloroglucinol that is well known for its apoptotic activity in cancer cells. The authors propose MC as a chemical probe to study HSP60 biology and a potential chemotherapeutic agent in treating cancer and other HSP60-associated diseases.
Outcomes for Surgical Care in the Elderly

Outcomes in geriatric trauma and surgery have received extensive attention in recent peer-reviewed literature. As noted by Maxwell in the previous edition of this chapter [1], there were more than 80 published studies between 1980 and 2014, and in 2015 alone, a search of the Google Scholar web site lists more than 4000 references under the search term “outcomes in geriatric trauma.”
Classification Accuracy of Teacher Ratings When Screening Nonmainstream English-Speaking Kindergartners for Language Impairment in the Rural South.

Purpose We compared teacher ratings as measured by the Teacher Rating of Oral Language and Literacy (TROLL; Dickinson, McCabe, & Sprague, 2001, 2003) and Children's Communication Checklist–Second E...
Self-compassionate writing exercises increase college women's body satisfaction.

In three studies, we tested the effect of self-compassionate, body-compassionate, and body-functionality-focused writing exercises on college women’s body satisfaction. In Study 1, two hundred fift...
Nuclear PTEN Localization Contributes to DNA Damage Response in Endometrial Adenocarcinoma and Could Have a Diagnostic Benefit for Therapeutic Management of the Disease

Endometrial adenocarcinoma (EndoCA) is the most common gynecologic cancer type in the United States, and its incidence is increasing. The majority of patients are disease-free after surgical resection of stage I tumors, which is often followed by radiotherapy, but most patients with advanced disease recur and have a poor prognosis, largely because the tumors become refractory to cytotoxic chemotherapies. PTEN, a commonly mutated tumor suppressor in EndoCAs, is well known for its ability to inhibit the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Nuclear functions for PTEN have been proposed as well, but whether those affect EndoCA development, progression, or outcomes is not well understood. Using immunohistochemistry, nuclear PTEN expression was observed in approximately half of EndoCA patient tumors, independent of grade and cytoplasmic PTEN expression. Higher levels of the DNA damage response (DDR) marker, γH2AX, were observed by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence in human EndoCA tumor sections that were PTEN-negative, in murine EndoCA tissues that were genetically modified to be PTEN-null, and in Ishikawa EndoCA cells, which do not express endogenous PTEN. Overexpression of exogenous PTEN-WT or PTEN-NLS, a modified PTEN with an added nuclear localization signal, significantly improved both DDR and G2-M transition in Ishikawa cells treated with a DNA-damaging agent. Whereas PARP inhibition with Olaparib was not as effective in Ishikawa cells expressing native or PTEN-NLS, inhibition with Talazoparib was not affected by PTEN overexpression. These results suggest that nuclear PTEN subcellular localization in human EndoCA could be diagnostic when considering DDR therapeutic intervention. Mol Cancer Ther; 17(9); 1995-2003. ©2018 AACR.
Can Intraindividual Variability in Cognitive Speed Be Reduced by Physical Exercise? Results From the LIFE Study.

Objectives Findings are mixed regarding the potential to improve older adults' cognitive ability via training and activity interventions. One novel sensitive outcome may be intraindividual variability (IIV) in cognitive speed, or moment-to-moment changes in a person's performance. The present article evaluated if participants who participated in a moderate physical activity intervention showed a reduction in IIV, compared with a successful aging education control group. Method For approximately 2.6 years, sedentary adults aged 70-90 years participated in the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) Study (n = 1,635), a multisite Phase 3 randomized controlled trial to reduce major mobility disability. They completed 4 reaction time tests at baseline and at approximately 24 months post-test. Results Analyses were conducted following both the intent-to-treat principle and complier average casual effect modeling. Results indicated that participants in the physical activity group did not show a reduction in their IIV. Discussion The lack of a significant reduction in IIV may be due to the mild nature of the physical activity program and the cognitively healthy sample. It is also possible that other types of lifestyle activity interventions (e.g., social and cognitive engagement) can elicit reductions in IIV for older adults.
Understanding the Effects of Coordination and Self-Assembly on an Emissive Phenothiazine

The local environment surrounding luminophores can significantly influence their photophysical properties. Herein, we report the self-assembly of a highly emissive platinum(II)-based metallacage. In order to accommodate the connectivity of the platinum(II) building block used in the self-assembly process, the luminophore-containing building block adopts a highly twisted geometry relative to its free form, leading to the emergence of an emissive transition with a radiative rate constant an order of magnitude higher than that of the free luminophore. This increased rate constant is the primary driver for the 10-fold increase in quantum yield from 4.2% to 40%. Model complexes with platinum or methyl groups bound to the nitrogen were synthesized. These complexes had lower quantum yields (10% and non-emissive, respectively) due mainly to decreases in radiative rate constants. Computational studies were conducted and indicated that the excited state of the ensembles, as well as the model complexes, is a result of charge transfer to the pyridyl groups, in contrast to the free luminophore, which involves the diphenyl sulfone moiety. The differences in quantum yields can be explained by a twist in the chromophore upon coordination of platinum or methylation on the pyridyl group, leading to intersystem crossing to a triplet state. This state then becomes more emissive with the addition of platinum, which increases the radiative rate constant via the heavy atom effect. The formation of a metallacage also decreases the non-radiative rate constant by inhibiting the intramolecular motions of the incorporated luminophore.
Remote sensing of dryland ecosystem structure and function: Progress, challenges, and opportunities

Abstract Drylands make up roughly 40% of the Earth's land surface, and billions of people depend on services provided by these critically important ecosystems. Despite their relatively sparse vegetation, dryland ecosystems are structurally and functionally diverse, and emerging evidence suggests that these ecosystems play a dominant role in the trend and variability of the terrestrial carbon sink. More, drylands are highly sensitive to climate and are likely to have large, non-linear responses to hydroclimatic change. Monitoring the spatiotemporal dynamics of dryland ecosystem structure (e.g., leaf area index) and function (e.g., primary production and evapotranspiration) is therefore a high research priority. Yet, dryland remote sensing is defined by unique challenges not typically encountered in mesic or humid regions. Major challenges include low vegetation signal-to-noise ratios, high soil background reflectance, presence of photosynthetic soils (i.e., biological soil crusts), high spatial heterogeneity from plot to regional scales, and irregular growing seasons due to unpredictable seasonal rainfall and frequent periods of drought. Additionally, there is a relative paucity of continuous, long-term measurements in drylands, which impedes robust calibration and evaluation of remotely-sensed dryland data products. Due to these issues, remote sensing techniques developed in other ecosystems or for global application often result in inaccurate, poorly constrained estimates of dryland ecosystem structural and functional dynamics. Here, we review past achievements and current progress in remote sensing of dryland ecosystems, including a detailed discussion of the major challenges associated with remote sensing of key dryland structural and functional dynamics. We then identify strategies aimed at leveraging new and emerging opportunities in remote sensing to overcome previous challenges and more accurately contextualize drylands within the broader Earth system. Specifically, we recommend: 1) Exploring novel combinations of sensors and techniques (e.g., solar-induced fluorescence, thermal, microwave, hyperspectral, and LiDAR) across a range of spatiotemporal scales to gain new insights into dryland structural and functional dynamics; 2) utilizing near-continuous observations from new-and-improved geostationary satellites to capture the rapid responses of dryland ecosystems to diurnal variation in water stress; 3) expanding ground observational networks to better represent the heterogeneity of dryland systems and enable robust calibration and evaluation; 4) developing algorithms that are specifically tuned to dryland ecosystems by utilizing expanded ground observational network data; and 5) coupling remote sensing observations with process-based models using data assimilation to improve mechanistic understanding of dryland ecosystem dynamics and to better constrain ecological forecasts and long-term projections.
Development of an autonomous solvent extraction system to isolate astatine-211 from dissolved cyclotron bombarded bismuth targets

Cyclotron-produced astatine-211 (211At) shows tremendous promise in targeted alpha therapy (TAT) applications due to its attractive half-life and its 100% α-emission from nearly simultaneous branched alpha decay. Astatine-211 is produced by alpha beam bombardment of naturally monoisotopic bismuth metal (209Bi) via the (α, 2n) reaction. In order to isolate the small mass of 211At (specific activity = 76 GBq·µg−1) from several grams of acid-dissolved Bi metal, a manual milliliter-scale solvent extraction process using diisopropyl ether (DIPE) is routinely performed at the University of Washington. As this process is complex and time consuming, we have developed a fluidic workstation that can perform the method autonomously. The workstation employs two pumps to concurrently deliver the aqueous and organic phases to a mixing tee and in-line phase mixer. The mixed phases are routed to a phase settling reservoir, where they gravity settle. Finally, each respective phase is withdrawn into its respective pump. However, development of a phase boundary sensor, placed in tandem with the phase settling reservoir, was necessary to communicate to the system when withdrawal of the denser aqueous phase was complete (i.e., the intersection of the two phases was located). The development and optimization of the autonomous solvent extraction system is described, and the 211At yields from several ~1.1 GBq-level 211At processing runs are reported.
In-situ 4D visualization and analysis of temperature-driven creep in an oil shale propped fracture

Abstract The proppant embedment due to creep in shales is a known issue affecting the useable lifetime of wells in unconventional oil and gas recovery. One of the factors influencing creep is the presence of organics, whose properties can be very sensitive to temperature. In this work we investigated for the first time the role of temperature-induced creep increase in proppant embedment in an organics-rich Green River oil shale sample via in-situ synchrotron X-ray micro-computed tomography. We observed that temperatures as low as 75 °C already induce fast creep, with a fracture aperture closing rate of 13 μm/h and a loss of fracture conductivity rate of 8.7%/h, due only to proppant embedment, in the measured interval at the first heating stage. Local displacement data analysis provided evidence for markedly plastic deformation around the proppant-shale contacts, in contrast with the brittle proppant embedment observed on more cemented and less organics-rich shales at room temperature. The results highlight how the problem of temperature-dependent mechanical behavior might be more important than previously thought, in shales with a high content in organics, and that in-situ micro-imaging techniques can play a key role in understanding the underlying mechanisms, contributing to solve creep-related problems associated with hydraulic fracturing in complex scenarios.
Medical Therapy in the Preoperative and Postoperative Patient

Medical therapy in ulcerative colitis (UC) often includes the use of immunosuppressant medications including prednisone, thiopurine analogues, biologic medications or cyclosporine. While patients with UC are being treated with medical therapy, the need for surgery may arise. The surgery may be related to a complication of the UC, or may be a non-intestinal surgery that is unrelated to the UC diagnosis. This chapter will cover medical management in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) in the preoperative and postoperative settings. The 10-year cumulative risk of colectomy in patients with UC is 8.7 %, with a 20 % risk in patients with extensive ulcerative colitis. Indications for surgery in UC include refractory disease, cancer or dysplasia, or emergencies including perforation, massive hemorrhage or megacolon. The surgical options in these patients include subtotal or total colectomy with ileostomy in emergency situations, versus total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) as a one, two or three-stage procedure.
Water Accounting at Pumping Station S-5A in Florida

Pumping station S-5A, a complex component of the Central and Southern Florida Flood Control Project, has as its purpose the removal of flood waters from adjoining farmlands, the reduction of the eastward flow to the ocean and the pumping of these excess waters to storage in a conservation area for dry-period use. The complex comprises a pump station equipped with six diesel-powered pumps with a combined capacity of 2.16 million gallons per minute, and three gated control structures. Water accounting is based on continuous records at five gaging stations on adjacent canals and records of pumpage. The flows through each component of the S-5 complex are computed either from the defined relationships between recorded parameters and discharge or as the residual quantity needed to balance the inflows and outflows of the system.
Luminescent lanthanide sensors

Abstract Luminescent lanthanide optical sensors have been developed that utilize ancillary ligands to enhance detection of a target analyte. In these systems, the lanthanide (ligand) binary complex serves as the receptor, which upon analyte binding forms a ternary complex resulting in detectable change in lanthanide luminescence ( Fig. 1 ). The ancillary ligand improves many properties of analyte detection by protecting the lanthanide and strengthening analyte binding affinity. Encapsulation shields the lanthanide ion from solvent-quenching effects and interfering ions, improving assay sensitivity and selectivity. The ligand-induced enhancement in binding affinity appears to be the result of an increase in positive charge at the analyte binding site due to the electronegative ancillary ligand bound on the opposite hemisphere of the lanthanide. We have elucidated the effects of ancillary ligands for various lanthanide/analyte systems and shown how such effects can greatly improve sensor performance for medical, planetary science, and biodefense applications.
Millimeter-Wave Spectroscopy in the Solar System

A review of some of the basic techniques of millimeter-wave spectroscopy of objects in the solar system is presented. The physics of line formation in planetary atmospheres is discussed, and examples of recent results are presented. The study of gases in the comae of comets is another key area for millimeter-wave spectral line investigations, and techniques for measuring the composition and behavior of gas in the coma are reviewed.
Differential Modulation Schemes for Cooperative Diversity

Recent developments of wireless networks show that cooperative diversity can produce multi-input multi-output (MIMO) advantages by forming a virtual antenna array with distributed network nodes. Although differential schemes have long been appreciated in conventional MIMO communications since they provide the benefit of simplicity at the receiver by avoiding channel estimation, their performance and possible benefits in the distributed scenario have not been thoroughly investigated. In this paper, we examine two differential schemes for a cooperative diversity setup using a decode-and-forward relaying protocol. The first scheme (Scheme I) is a direct extension of the conventional differential scheme for a single-input single-output (SISO) channel; whereas the second (Scheme II) is a distributed cooperative counterpart of differential space-time coding (STC). We develop the maximum likelihood (ML) decision rules for two cases in which the effect of the relay decision is captured by the transition probability. Simulations confirm that both schemes provide full diversity gain. Comparisons of the two schemes show that Scheme I out-performs Scheme II in terms of symbol error rate (SER); while Scheme II can support a higher transmission rate and this rate advantage increases as the number of relays increases.
A mammography database and view system for the African American patients

In this research, we have obtained and scanned mammography films (within the last ten years) of African American women treated at Howard University Hospital Radiology Department, constructed a database using the digitized mammography images, and developed an image viewing system to display these digital mammograms. The images are scanned with the high resolution Kodak LS85 laser scanner. The digital mammography database is powered by MySQL and PHP. It also has a Web-based search engine (with secure access) so that the information can be made accessible to all medical team members. The image viewing software, D-Viewer, is coded in C# and is intended to help medical professionals view and retrieve large data sets in near real time. We have already digitized 260 cases (one case per patient, twenty to forty films per case). We also have developed a MySQL-based image database, and a PHP-based web-search engine to retrieve cases that have masses (benign or malignant) or calcifications (benign or malignant). This database has been evaluated by medical professionals and the experimental results obtained so far are very promising (high image qualities, fast access time). We are currently developing an image content-based retrieval function for the database system in order to provide improved search capability for the medical professionals.
Determination of the Conformation of Nucleic Acids by Electronic CD

The natural and synthetic nucleic acids are polymers of nucleotides that in turn are made up of an aromatic base, a sugar, and a phosphate group. The bases are the chromophores that absorb ultraviolet light to undergo electronic transitions, which begin at 300 nm and continue into the vacuum UV region. In the case of DNA these bases are adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T); in the case of RNA the bases are A, G, C, and uracil (U), which is closely related to T both structurally and chromophorically. The structure of these five bases is given in Fig. 1. The sugar is ribose in the case of RNA and 2′-deoxyribose in the case of DNA. The electronic transitions of the ether and hydroxyl groups of these saturated sugars begin at 200 nm, but their weak intensity is buried under the strong intensity of the electronic transitions of the aromatic bases. Electronic transitions of the phosphate group begin even further into the vacuum UV. Therefore, the CD of the nucleic acids that corresponds to the electronic transitions results from the bases. Open image in new window Figure 1 The electronic structure of the nucleic acid bases: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C) thymine (T), and uracil (U). ○, π electrons; ●, nonbonding electrons.
La cocina en la obra de Marvel Moreno, famosa escritora del Caribe colombiano y reina del carnaval de Barranquilla en 1959

Resumen La obra de Marvel se desarrolla en la Barranquilla de mediados del siglo XX, con mansiones mohosas y rancias, repletas de lagartijas y telaranas, salones polvorientos llenos de espejos, gobelinos y cuadros; jardines con cayenas, acacias y pajaros tropicales, que ademas del mar y el Country Club seran los lugares recurrentes del universo marveliano.
What happens when school reform and accountability testing meet

W E WORKED SO HARD LAST SUMMER and during the school year; the teachers worked nonstop.... We had heard from others, and I believed, that if you teach kids to think critically and analyze, they will do well on any kind of test. But this did not pan out, even though there was a lot of learning going on. The students were engaged, discipline problems dropped by two-thirds, attendance rose, but their test scores went down. We have a new superintendent. She looked at last year's scores and compared them to this year's. She then read out the difference in scores at an administrative council meeting. She read them out from top to bottom (high positive gain to high negative change). My stomach churned as I listened and listened and didn't hear my school. My stomach is still churning .... Maybe the low scores mean we've done a good job of implementing the reform-but that's hollow thanks. (Mitchell, 1996, pp. 17, 9)
Exposure of three generations of the estuarine sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus) to the androgen, 17β-trenbolone: effects on survival, development, and reproduction.

Estimating long-term effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals on a species is important to assessing the overall risk to the populations. The present study reports the results of a 42-week exposure of estuarine sheepshead minnows (Cyprinodon variegatus) to the androgen, 17β-trenbolone (Tb) conducted to determine if partial-(F0) or single-generation (F1) fish exposures identify multigenerational (F0–F3) effects of androgens on fish. Adult F0 fish were exposed to 0.007, 0.027, 0.13, 0.87,and 4.1 µg Tb/L, the F1 generation to ≤0.87 µg Tb/L, the F2 fish to ≤0.13 µg Tb/L, and the F3 fish to ≤0.027 µg Tb/L. The highest concentrations with reproducing populations at the end of the F0, F1, and F2 generations were 4.1, 0.87, and 0.027 µg Tb/L, respectively. Reproduction in the F0, F1, and F2 generations was significantly reduced at 0.87, 0.027, and 0.027 µg Tb/L, respectively. Fish were significantly masculinized in the F1 generation exposed to 0.13 µg Tb/L or greater. Female plasma vitellogenin was significantly reduced in F0 fish exposed to ≥0.87 µg Tb/L. Gonadosomatic indices of the F0 and F1 generations were significantly increased at 0.87 and 0.13 µg Tb/L in the F0 and F1 generation, respectively, and were accompanied by ovarian histological changes. Reproduction was the most consistently sensitive measure of androgen effects and, after a life-cycle exposure, the daily reproductive rate predicted concentrations affecting successive generations. The present study provides evidence that a multiple generation exposure of fish to some endocrine-disrupting chemicals can result in developmental and reproductive changes that have a much greater impact on the success of a species than was indicated from shorter term exposures. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:2079–2087. © 2010 SETAC
Neural plasticity underlying visual perceptual learning in aging

Healthy aging is associated with a decline in basic perceptual abilities, as well as higher-level cognitive functions such as working memory. In a recent perceptual training study using moving sweeps of Gabor stimuli, Berry et al. (2010) observed that older adults significantly improved discrimination abilities on the most challenging perceptual tasks that presented paired sweeps at rapid rates of 5 and 10 Hz. Berry et al. further showed that this perceptual training engendered transfer-of-benefit to an untrained working memory task. Here, we investigated the neural underpinnings of the improvements in these perceptual tasks, as assessed by event-related potential (ERP) recordings. Early visual ERP components time-locked to stimulus onset were compared pre- and post-training, as well as relative to a no-contact control group. The visual N1 and N2 components were significantly enhanced after training, and the N1 change correlated with improvements in perceptual discrimination on the task. Further, the change observed for the N1 and N2 was associated with the rapidity of the perceptual challenge; the visual N1 (120-150 ms) was enhanced post-training for 10 Hz sweep pairs, while the N2 (240-280 ms) was enhanced for the 5 Hz sweep pairs. We speculate that these observed post-training neural enhancements reflect improvements by older adults in the allocation of attention that is required to accurately dissociate perceptually overlapping stimuli when presented in rapid sequence. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI: Memory A.
Increased basic fibroblast growth factor mRNA following contusive spinal cord injury

Neurotrophic factors appear to be crucial for the survival and potential regeneration of injured neurons. Injury of the peripheral nervous system results in the induction of a number of neurotrophic molecules. Less is known about the response of central nervous tissue to injury. We have examined changes in levels of mRNA for three trophic factors, basic and acidic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF, aFGF), and nerve growth factor (NGF), after a standardized incomplete thoracic contusive spinal cord injury (SCI). RNase protection assays showed a rapid increase (3-fold) in the content of bFGF mRNA by 6 hours after SCI in tissue that included the injury site. No effect of injury was seen in segments of cervical or lumbar cord. bFGF mRNA at the injury site remained significantly increased at 1 and 7 days after SCI. Further, at 7 days, the increase was anatomically restricted to the rostral portion of the injury site suggesting the involvement of specific pathways in the maintenance of high levels of bFGF mRNA. No change in the levels of aFGF mRNA was seen after SCI. Similarly, no difference in the expression of the mRNA for NGF or its high affinity receptor (trkA), were observed at 6 h, 1 or 7 days following SCI. Our observation of a specific effect of SCI on bFGF mRNA expression supports a speculative hypothesis that bFGF may play a role in the partial recovery of function seen following incomplete contusive spinal cord injury.
Dual-Laser Probe Measurement of Blade-Tip Clearance

This paper describes two dual-laser probe integrated fiber optic systems for measuring blade tip clearance in rotating turbomachinery. The probes are nearly flush with the casing inner lining, resulting in minimal flow disturbance. The two probes are closely spaced in a circumferential plane and are slanted at an angle relative to each other so that the blade tip traverse time of the space between the two laser beams varies with the tip radius, allowing determination of the tip clearance at the rotor operating conditions. The tip clearance can be obtained for all the blades in a rotor with a single system, provided there are no synchronous vibrations present at a particular operating condition. These probes were installed in two holders; one provided an included angle between the probes of 20 deg, and the other provided an included angle of 40 deg. The two configurations were calibrated in a vacuum spin rig facility that is capable of reproducing realistic blade tip speeds.
Integrated conversion of hemicellulose and cellulose from lignocellulosic biomass

Using gamma-valerolactone (GVL) as solvent, the cellulosic fraction of lignocellulosic biomass can be converted into levulinic acid (LA), while at the same conditions the hemicellulose fraction can be converted into furfural. This process allows for the conversion of hemicellulose and cellulose simultaneously in a single reactor, thus eliminating pre-treatment steps to fractionate biomass and simplifying product separation.
Anemia and mortality in hemodialysis patients: accounting for morbidity and treatment variables updated over time.

Anemia and mortality in hemodialysis patients: Accounting for morbidity and treatment variables updated over time. Background The objective of this study was to gain insight into the associations of anemia with mortality among maintenance hemodialysis (HD) patients and patient subgroups by an analysis that more comprehensively represents hemoglobin (Hb) level, morbidity, and treatment characteristics over time than was possible in prior observational studies. Methods A cohort study was conducted among 5517 subjects in the American arm of the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study Phase I. We used proportional hazard analysis to model all-cause mortality as a function of Hb level measured 1, 3, and 6 months previously. Forty-five potentially confounding patient-level characteristics were considered, including demographics, comorbidities, and time-updated levels of erythropoietin and parenteral iron dosing, medical events, and laboratory and dialysis measures. Results Compared to Hb 11 to Conclusion Our findings confirm the associations of Hb levels ≥11 g/dL with longer survival among maintenance HD patients, but show no additional survival advantage for patients with Hb levels ≥12 g/dL. Further investigation of the relationships among anemia, treatment of anemia, and survival is warranted.
Lipid peroxidation and loss of potassium from red blood cells produced by phototoxic quinolones

Alterations of the cationic permeability of red blood cell membranes induced by the photosensitiser nalidixic acid were demonstrated by evaluating the potassium loss from intact erythrocytes. The results show that an increase in intracellular potassium efflux, precedes the photohemolysis induced by nalidixic acid. The addition of a nonpermeable osmotic solute, such as sucrose, inhibited photohemolysis but not the potassium loss, indicating a colloid osmotic lysis. Lipid peroxidation induced by nalidixic acid and other photosensitiser quinolones (oxolinic acid and rosoxacin) was time irradiation-dependent. Although rosoxacin was the most photoperoxidative, none of the three quinolones studied produced significant lipid peroxidation. However, of the three quinolones studied, only rosoxacin considerably diminished the percentage of the cholesterol extracted from red blood cell membranes. It is postulated that the increased cation permeability induced by nalidixic and oxolinic acids cannot be attributed to cholesterol oxidation nor to lipid peroxidation; a more probable mechanism is photo-oxidation of amino acid residues of the membrane proteins. However, the lysis induced by rosoxacin is caused by photo-oxidation of cholesterol, not excluding other cellular targets.
Status epilepticus in the elderly: etiology, seizure type and outcome

ABSTRACT- We have studied status epilepticus among 342 patients who had their first seizures after the age of 60 years. One hundred and two patients (30%) had status epilepticus. Cerebrovascular disease (35%) was the leading cause of status, followed by head trauma (21%), multifactorial etiology (11%), metabolic disorders (10%), brain tumors (8%) and CNS infection (2%). The etiology of status remained undetermined in 13 patients (13%). The majority (80%) had partial status or generalized status with focal onset. Overall mortality was 35%.
Endogenous Protection and Trade Negotiations

Research on the political economy of trade policy shows that a country's level of protection responds to variation in macroeconomic conditions and partisan control of government. Research on trade negotiations poses a challenge to the market-for-protection account provided by endogenous protection theory. Negotiations motivate exporters to lobby for domestic tariff cuts as a means of gaining reciprocal access to foreign markets. Responding to identical forces in the macroeconomy, import-competing industries and exporters lobby for opposite policy changes. As a result, the causal processes identified in endogenous protection theory are weakened or even reversed. I demonstrate that the incentives of exporters to lobby for tariff cuts are sharper than the corresponding incentives facing protectionist interests and that elected officials have reason to abandon some protectionist constituencies in order to cater to exporters. In a set of empirical tests, I show that tariffs do not respond to macroeconomic and partisan conditions as predicted by endogenous protection theory; instead, tariffs in the major trading states respond to the tariffs of their main negotiating partners.
High-speed signal propagation on lossy transmission lines

This paper addresses some of the problems encountered in propagating high-speed signals on lossy transmission lines encountered in high-performance computers. A technique is described for including frequency-dependent losses, such as skin effect and dielectric dispersion, in transmission line analyses. The disjoint group of available tools is brought together, and their relevance to the propagation of high-speed pulses in digital circuit applications is explained. Guidelines are given for different interconnection technologies to indicate where the onset of severe dispersion takes place. Experimental structures have been built and tested, and this paper reports on their electrical performance and demonstrates the agreement between measured data and waveforms derived from analysis. The paper addresses the problems found on lossy lines, such as reflections, rise-time slowdown, increased delay, attenuation, and crosstalk, and suggests methods for controlling these effects in order to maintain distortion-free propagation of high-speed signals.
A constructive definition of third normal form

The concept of normalisation and the definition of third normal form occupy a central place in the relational model of database. Normalisation has been described as an analytic process in which an initially unconstrained collection of relations is successively decomposed into a collection of smaller relations satisfying the constraints of the three normal forms. Normalised relations constitute the basis on which data manipulation languages - relational algebra, relational calculus and others - have been defined. As yet, however, there is no generally recognised data definition language for the relational model. A pre-requisite for this would be a constructive definition of third normal form, that is, a definition in terms of rules for building normalised relations from simple domains. This paper considers how such a definition may be achieved by applying two ideas derived from the study of programming languages; the notion of data type, and the notion of a selector as used in formal language definition. The result is an abstract syntax of relations. This is compared with the standard definition of normalisation and its completeness is critically examined.
Direct solution of Markovian phage attachment to bacteria in suspension

Abstract A Markov process of phage attachment to bacteria in suspension is considered. For such a stochastic process, the probabilities P ( n 0 , n 1 ,…, n r ; v 0 ; t ) of n 0 , n 1 ,…, n r bacteria having 0, 1,…, r phages attached to them (where r is the maximum number of phages that can be attached to a bacterium) and v 0 unattached phages at t ⩾ 0 are related by a rather complicated differential-difference equation. This article presents a direct solution of such a stochastic process with constrained random variables.