cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The ‘Green Flash.’

IF in my letter in NATURE of Dec. 3, I am understood to have suggested that the green flash seen at sunset had no cause other than a physiological one, I withdraw any implied or hinted suggestion in that direction; for it is evident that a great weight of authority is in favour of a physical cause. My letter, indeed, admitted the likelihood of greenish atmospheric effects; but I wished to contribute a simple fact of observation, which suggested to me—and still suggests—that a suddenly disappearing light may stimulate a momentary green sensation in some persons, even when atmospheric and other conditions for actual colour are absent.
Oppositional Readings of Network Television News: Viewer Deconstruction:

This paper describes an empirical study regarding deconstruction by network television news viewers. We define news deconstruction as the identification and criticism of ideology in news by its viewers. Twelve viewers were given surveys about the news, shown videotapes of NBC news, and asked to fill out cognitive response forms during viewing. We explained our studies of news deconstruction and then interviewed them regarding their impressions of our explanation and their feelings about the ideological aspects of news and how they oppose them. We contentanalyzed the cognitive response and interview data for deconstruction moves using four categories which we call oppositional statement types: 1. Criticism—comments concerning news content.2. Resistance—disbelief in news content.3. Challenge—questioning of factual accuracy of news.4. Deconstruction—exposing ideology that promotes only one view of events and discourages others.Our content analysis indicates that most oppositional moves for the viewers we stu...
XAFS Determination of As(V) Associated with Fe(III) Oxyhydroxides in Weathered Mine Tailings and Contaminated Soil from California, U.S.A.

The speciation of Arsenic (As) in soils and natural waters is critical in determining its environmental fate. As(III) is the most mobile and toxic of the inorganic arsenic species, but is readily oxidized to As(V), which although still quite toxic is far less mobile. Adsorption to sediment particles may remove As(V) from contaminated water, or the precipitation of arsenic minerals such as scorodite (FeAsO 4 .2H 2 O) may control the equilibrium aqueous concentration. We have employed XAFS spectroscopy to examine the solid-phase speciation of arsenic in mine tailings samples and a contaminated soil from California. Quantitative speciation of As was determined using XANES fitting methods and EXAFS analysis; in all samples, As(V) predominates. In an oxidized tailings (no residual sulfides), we find Ag(V) adsorbed/coprecipitated on Fe(III) oxyhydroxides. In less oxidized tailings containing residual sulfides, there is evidence for scorodite or a similar Fe(III) arsenate and a reduced arsenic phase (arsenopyrite or arseniferous pyrite). In a soil contaminated by smelter waste, we detect Mg 3 (AsO 4 ) 2 .8 H 2 O (hoernesite), and suggest the presence of an additional weakly bound As(V) species. XAFS spectroscopy is one of the few techniques for direct determination of arsenic speciation in complex matrices such as soils and mine tailings.
'Serious sport' - J.A. Mangan's contribution to the history of sport.

1. Editing with J.A. Mangan 2. J.A. Mangan and The International Journal of the History of Sport 3. An Ever-widening Sphere: J.A. Mangan's Contributions to an Increasingly 'Global' History of Sport 4. Direct and Indirect Influence: J.A. Mangan and the Victorian Middle Classes: Major Revisionist in the History of Sport 5. Pathfinding and Pathmaking : J.A. Mangan and Imperialism, Education and Socialization 6. Pointing the Way - Antipodean Responses to J.A Mangan's Athleticism and Related Studies: Scotch College, Melbourne, in the Inter-war Years 7. Sport and Gender: J.A. Mangan, Pioneer of Both Projects and Publications 8. Sport, Society and Militarism - In Pursuit of the Democratic Soldier: J.A. Mangan's Exploration of Militarism 9. Sport in the Global Society: Shaping the Domain of Sport Studies 10. J.A. Mangan: Innovating Down South American Way 11. East Meets West and West Meets East: Celebrating The International Journal of the History of Sport 12. Sensitive Supervision: Student Appreciations
PDMS as an Alternate Transmittance Cell Kit in an FTIR Spectrometer

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) based microdevices have bought revolutionary change in the chemical analysis. Suitable mechanical properties of PDMS make it amenable for soft lithography and certain optical properties like transparency in Near InfraRed (NIR) make it a yet unexplored option for use as a window material in Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) Spectrometers. We investigate the utility of PDMS as a transmittance cell kit in FTIR Spectrometer replacing the CaF2 windows. To prove the utility of PDMS as a window material in the NIR region, Samples of Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) were analysed with the PDMS cell kit and the results were compared with the spectral analysis on same samples with a CaF2 kit and it was found that the performance of the PDMS kit is comparable to that of CaF2 cell kit. This opens up multiple opportunities for enabling low cost and rapid liquid sample analyses using PDMS based microfluidic devices directly as window material in an FTIR spectrometer.
Estrogen is necessary for 5α-pregnan-3α-ol-20-one (3α,5α-THP) infusion to the ventral tegmental area to facilitate social and sexual, but neither exploratory nor affective behavior of ovariectomized rats

The progesterone metabolite, 5alpha-pregnan-3alpha-ol-20-one (3alpha,5alpha-THP, allopregnanolone), acts in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to facilitate exploratory, anti-anxiety, and socio-sexual behavior among ovariectomized (OVX), estrogen (E(2))-primed rats and gonadally-intact rats with high (proestrus) or low (diestrus) endogenous E(2) levels. The extent to which E(2) is required for these effects of 3alpha,5alpha-THP is not known. OVX rats were primed with systemic 17beta-estradiol (10 microg) or oil vehicle and were infused 44 h later with 3alpha,5alpha-THP (100 ng) or beta-cyclodextrin vehicle to the VTA, substantia nigra (SN), or central grey (CG). Rats were assessed in a battery of exploratory (open field), anxiety (elevated plus maze), social (partner preference, social interaction), and sexual (paced mating) tasks. E(2)-priming was necessary for 3alpha,5alpha-THP infusions to facilitate social interaction and mating and midbrain 3alpha,5alpha-THP levels were higher among E(2)-compared to vehicle-primed rats. Irrespective of E(2)-priming, rats infused with 3alpha,5alpha-THP to the VTA, but not SN or CG, demonstrated increased exploration in an open field, anti-anxiety behavior on an elevated plus maze, and preference for a male. Thus, actions of 3alpha,5alpha-THP in the VTA to enhance social and sexual behaviors were reliant on E(2) but increases in exploratory and anti-anxiety behavior were not.
Clinical significance of ventricular ectopic beats in the early posthospital phase of myocardial infarction

The clinical significance of ventricular ectopic beats in the posthospital phase of myocardial infarction was studied in 272 patients aged 65 years or less who were followed up for 1 year after the infarction. Ventricular ectopic beats, identified in 6 hour electrocardiographic tape recordings, obtained before hospital discharge (study 1) and 5 months after discharge (study 2) increased in frequency and complexity in the 5 month interval. Ventricular ectopic beats at a rate of 20 or more per hour recorded before discharge were associated with complex ventricular ectopic patterns in the same 6 hour recording and with frequent (20 or more per hour), early cycle and bigeminal patterns in recordings made 5 months later. Analysis with log-linear modeling indicated that the occurrence of complex ventricular ectopic beats at follow-up examination was associated with the concomitant use of antiarrhythmic agents, but not with use of digitalis, propranolol or tranquilizers. A ventricular ectopic beat frequency of 20 or more per hour at discharge was associated with increased ( P
A Device for Measuring Relative Angular Displacement

A simple, inexpensive, and accurate way to measure relative segmental rotations resulting from torsional loadings locally is described. To measure these rotations, we fabricated a planar spatial linkage (open-loop kinematic chain) requiring only one rotational displacement transducer. This paper describes this device, defines its kinematics, and examines its accuracy.
The Administration of Permanent Registration in Philadelphia.

punishment in accordance with its own notions of the enormity of the offense.... By an ex post facto law is meant one which imposes a punishment for an act which was not punishable at the time it was committed; or imposes additional punishment to that then prescribed; or changes the rules of evidence by which less or different testimony is sufficient to convict than was then required.... The Constitution deals with substance, not shadows. . . It intended that the rights of the citizen should be secure against deprivation for past conduct by legislative enactment under any form, however disguised (Cummings v. Missouri, 71 U.S. [4 Wall.] 277). (Cf. also Drehman v. Stifle, 75 U.S. [8 Wall.] 595; Pierce v. Carskadon, 83 U.S. 234; Calder v. Bull, 3 Dallas 386; and Thompson v. Utah, 170 U.S. 843.)
Hypoxia and estrogen are functionally equivalent in breast cancer-endothelial cell interdependence.

Background Rapid breast tumor development relies on formation of new vasculature to supply the growing malignancy with oxygenated blood. Previously we found that estrogen aided in this neovasculogenesis via recruitment of bone marrow derived endothelial progenitor cells (BM-EPCs), leading to increased vessel formation and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production in vivo. However, the cellular mechanism of this induction and the signaling pathways involved need elucidation.
Identifications of Concepts, Features, and Concerns in Source Code

Software development process transforms requirements into source code. These requirements are formulated as concepts from the problem domain or the solution domain; among them, features are the concepts that describe user selectable behavior. During software evolution, existing concepts and features of the system are changed, deleted, or new ones are added. In order to solve any of these change tasks, the existing concepts need to be precisely identified in the source code. This identification process was initially defined as the concept assignment (location) problem [2]. It is of no surprise that searching and browsing the software artifacts with the goal to identify parts of the source code that implement a concept from the software domain is one of the most common activities during software evolution. The existing methods of concept and feature location fall into two broad categories, based on the information from the software used during the location process: static [3] and dynamic [4]. Concerns of the software system are closely related to the concepts. A major issue during software design is the separation of these concerns [1] from one another through the modularization mechanisms available in the chosen program language. The goal is to implement each concern as one module in the software. The limitations of existing programming paradigms and languages, often combined with the lack of design expertise, result in a sad reality, where concerns are implemented in several modules, often cross-cutting the primary decomposition of the system. 2. Discussion topics
Covert Changes in CaMKII Holoenzyme Structure Identified for Activation and Subsequent Interactions

Between 8 to 14 calcium-calmodulin (Ca2+/CaM) dependent protein kinase-II (CaMKII) subunits form a complex that modulates synaptic activity. In living cells, the autoinhibited holoenzyme is organized as catalytic-domain pairs distributed around a central oligomerization-domain core. The functional significance of catalytic-domain pairing is not known. In a provocative model, catalytic-domain pairing was hypothesized to prevent ATP access to catalytic sites. If correct, kinase-activity would require catalytic-domain pair separation. Simultaneous homo-FRET and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy was used to detect structural changes correlated with kinase activation under physiological conditions. Saturating Ca2+/CaM triggered Threonine-286 autophosphorylation and a large increase in CaMKII holoenzyme hydrodynamic volume without any appreciable change in catalytic-domain pair proximity or subunit stoichiometry. An alternative hypothesis is that two appropriately positioned Threonine-286 interaction-sites (T-sites), each located on the catalytic-domain of a pair, are required for holoenzyme interactions with target proteins. Addition of a T-site ligand, in the presence of Ca2+/CaM, elicited a large decrease in catalytic-domain homo-FRET, which was blocked by mutating the T-site (I205K). Apparently catalytic-domain pairing is altered to allow T-site interactions.
Evaluating the mediator method: Prism as a case study

A software engineer's confidence in the profitability of a novel design technique depends to a significant degree on previous demonstrations of its profitability in practice. Trials of proposed techniques are thus of considerable value in providing factual bases for evaluation. We present our experience with a previously presented design approach as a basis for evaluating its promise and problems. Specifically, we report on our use of the mediator method to reconcile tight behavioral integration with ease of development and evolution of Prism, a system for planning radiation treatments for cancer patients. Prism is now in routine clinical use in several major research hospitals. Our work supports two claims. In comparison to more common design techniques, the mediator approach eases the development and evolution of integrated systems; and the method can be learned and used profitably by practising software engineers.
A Diagnosis of Two Blocking Events That Occurred Simultaneously in the Midlatitude Northern Hemisphere

Using the Goddard Laboratory for Atmospheres Goddard Earth Observing System-1 analyses, the horizontal distribution of atmospheric forcing processes involved in the growth, maintenance, and decay of two Northern Hemisphere midlatitude blocking anticyclones that occurred simultaneously were examined, with the goal of determining whether there was a dynamic connection between the two cases. The complete form of the Zwack‐ Okossi equation, which is a generalization of the Petterssen‐Sutcliffe development equation, was used as the primary diagnostic tool. The basic analyses were partitioned into their planetary-scale and synoptic-scale components (noninteraction) 500-hPa height tendencies, as well as scale interaction 500-hPa height tendencies. Based on the results of this diagnosis, there was no dynamic connection between these blocking anticyclones. This result agrees with findings of other studies based on a statistical analysis of simultaneous blocking. These results also imply that blocking may be a local phenomenon. The diagnostic results from these blocking events were, in many respects, similar to those of previous studies. However, some key differences were found. For example, it was found here that for both mode 2 blocking events, temperature advection was an important mechanism in block formation. Earlier results showed vorticity advection as the primary atmospheric forcing process in block formation for a mode 1 block. Also, the scalepartitioned results show that upstream cyclones contributed to block formation and intensification in these events directly through the synoptic-scale component, often with the support of the interaction component, of the total forcing. Earlier scale-partitioned results showed that the interaction component of the total forcing was most important in the formation of a mode 1 block.
Building and sustaining profitable customer loyalty for the 21st century

Abstract The concept of customer loyalty is conspicuous by it's ubiquity. Therefore, there is no surprise that it is one of the most widely studied areas by researchers and one of the most widely implemented marketing initiatives by practitioners. This article draws upon past research to review important findings related to customer behavior and attitude in the context of customer loyalty. Further, research related to linking loyalty to profitability and forward looking metric such as the customer lifetime value is reviewed to propose a conceptual framework for building and sustaining loyalty and profitability simultaneously at individual customer level. A two-tiered rewards structure is presented as a means for marketers to operationalize the framework. The conceptual framework hopes to serve as a platform to understand the evolving dominant logic of loyalty programs for building and sustaining loyalty in the twenty first century as well as induce further research in that direction.
Life history antecedents of vocational indecision

Abstract This study assessed the validity of using systematic life history information (scored biodata) to predict three vocational decision-making criteria in a sample of 200 college students: vocational decidedness and its two components, vocational identity and vocational maturity. Using multiple regression analysis, significant typologies were identified that were predictive of each of the vocational criteria. However, results indicated that the overall construct of vocational decidedness differs somewhat for males and females, in terms of both the interrelationships among the component parts and the specific life history factors that were identified as antecedents of each criterion.
Nature's Bonfire, Million-Fueled: The Poetic Cosmologies of G. M. Hopkins and A. N. Whitehead

This article provides a critical interpretation of Gerard Manley Hopkins' poetry and vision of reality by comparing some of his focal ideas with those of Alfred North Whitehead. There is a fairly explicit theological cosmology in Hopkins' poetry, just as there is poetic expression in the cosmology of Whitehead. The creative and idiosyncratic terms and phrases of Hopkins are explained as they are correlated with technical terms in Whitehead's cosmology. Some of the comparisons or tentative equations worked out in this article include creativity in Whitehead with instress in Hopkins, concrescence in Whitehead with inscape in Hopkins, style in Whitehead with selving in Hopkins, selftaste with satisfaction, and transmutation in Whitehead with rhyming in Hopkins.
Radiation dose and image quality of prospective triggering with dual-source cardiac computed tomography.

Prospectively triggered (PT) cardiac computed tomography (CT), whereby radiation is administered only at a predefined phase of the cardiac cycle, has been shown to substantially decrease radiation dose. The aim of our study was to assess the use of this technique in a clinical population using dual-source cardiac CT. Of 312 consecutive patients referred for a dual-source cardiac computed tomographic examination, PT was used in 42 patients for whom, based on physician judgment, it was decided to minimize radiation, whereas retrospective gating was used for 188 patients (coronary artery bypass grafting and pulmonary vein studies were excluded). Kilovolt and milliampere per second were chosen for each patient based on assessment of body habitus and effective radiation dose was calculated. Analysis of nonevaluable vessels was based on clinical readings. For each study, image quality (IQ) was rated on a subjective IQ score and contrast-to-noise and signal-to-noise ratios were calculated. Of the 42 PT examinations (mean age 44.3 years, body mass index 27.8 kg/m 2 , 62% men), 28 were referred for coronary evaluation, 11 for aortic disease with/without coronaries, and 3 for other reasons (i.e., suspected mass and congenital disease). Average heart rate was 64.5 beats/min. Average radiation dose of all 42 PT scans was 3.2 ± 1.6 vs 13.4 ± 7.8 mSv for the 188 non-PT scans. There was no significant difference in IQ score and contrast-to-noise and signal-to-noise ratios between the 2 groups. Furthermore, the incidence of limited right coronary artery evaluation and of limitations related to right coronary artery motion did not differ between PT and non-PT scans. In conclusion, in selected patients, prospective triggering with dual-source cardiac CT is feasible and results in a dramatic decrease of radiation dose without compromising IQ. Future advances in cardiac CT may further improve this technique, thus allowing for wider use.
At the turn of the 21st century: reflections on our science.

As the new century began, I took over as editor of the journal. By all accounts I inherited a robust journal — thanks to my predecessor. I made little adjustments on process and expanded the Editorial Board to reflect important emerging topics in human factors. The journal I “inherited” was in good shape, and I hope I left it a little better. In this paper, I reflect on the state of our science after making over 500 decisions over eight years (four as editor and four as associate editor). My reflections include issues concerning our theories, methodologies, and practice. These are offered as food for thought and in the hope that as we all reflect on the state of our science, we strive to make it better, more robust, and more relevant and that it has a greater influence on the world we live in. Time will tell.
Estradiol-induced daily luteinizing hormone and prolactin surges in young and middle-aged rats: correlations with age-related changes in pituitary responsiveness and catecholamine turnover rates in microdissected brain areas.

These studies assessed the effects of age on the ability of estradiol-17β (E2) to induce LH and PRL surges in ovariectomized young and middle-aged rats that previously had normal estrous cycles. We determined whether any changes in the timing or amplitude of these surges could be correlated with changes in pituitary responsiveness to GnRH or with changes in norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) turnover rates in microdissected brain regions involved in cyclic gonadotropin release. Young (3–4 months old) and middle-aged (9–12 months old) rats were ovariectomized. One week later (day 0), they received Silastic capsules containing E2 which produced physiological serum concentrations of E2. Groups of rats were bled sequentially via indwelling right atrial cannulae 1–4 days after capsule implantation (days 1–4). All young rats displayed maximal LH surges by day 2 and exhibited equivalent surges on days 3 and 4. Middle-aged rats required the presence of E2 for at least 3 days before a maximal positive feedback ...
Flow structure and optical beam propagation in high-Reynolds-number gas-phase shear layers and jets

We report on the structure of the scalar index-of-refraction field generated by turbulent, gas-phase, incompressible and compressible shear layers and incompressible jets, and on associated beam-propagation aero-optical phenomena. Using simultaneous imaging of the optical-beam distortion and the turbulent-flow index-of-refraction field, wavefront-phase functions were computed for optical beams emerging from the turbulent region in these free-shear flows, in an aero-optical regime producing weak wavefront distortions. Spatial wavefront-phase behaviour is found to be dominated by the large-scale structure of these flows. A simple level-set representation of the index-of-refraction field in high-Reynolds-number, incompressible shear layers is found to provide a good representation of observed wavefront-phase behaviour, indicating that the structure of the unsteady outer boundaries of the turbulent region provides the dominant contributions.
Soil Solution Concentrations: Effect of Extraction Time Using Porous Ceramic Cups Under Constant Tension

: Porous ceramic cups under constant tension (0.45 bar) were used to extract solutions from undisturbed soil columns. Solution concentration changed with length of extraction time. Significant relationships were found between extraction time and concentrations of P, Ca, and K in soil solution for two sample depths in an Omega loamy sand soil column. At two extraction time classes and at two sample depths, combined data from 12 soil columns representing two soil series reinforce the relationship. As time to extract a sample increases, the sample probably represents solution held by soil at tensions approaching those applied to the ceramic cup. We recommend that the choice of an extraction tension be given consideration in studies using porous ceramic cups under constant tension for monitoring constituents of soil solution. In addition, care must be taken to attain good physical contact between the cups and the soil material.
Shying Away From a Good Thing: Social Anxiety in Romantic Relationships

Objectives To determine whether social anxiety covaries with satisfaction, social support, and intimacy in romantic relationships. Method Undergraduates and their romantic partners (N = 163) completed self-report questionnaires. Results Higher social anxiety in women, but not men, was associated with wanting, receiving, and providing less support, based on self- but not partner-report measures. Women higher in social anxiety also reported being less satisfied in their romantic relationships and self-disclosing less to romantic partners than women lower in social anxiety. Further, self-reported received support mediated the relationship between social anxiety and romantic relationship satisfaction in women. In both sexes, higher social anxiety was related to perceiving intimacy as riskier and romantic relationships as less emotionally intimate. Conclusions Together, results suggest that social anxiety is associated with interpersonal difficulty even in established romantic relationships.
Patterns of expansion and expression divergence in the plant polygalacturonase gene family.

Background Polygalacturonases (PGs) belong to a large gene family in plants and are believed to be responsible for various cell separation processes. PG activities have been shown to be associated with a wide range of plant developmental programs such as seed germination, organ abscission, pod and anther dehiscence, pollen grain maturation, fruit softening and decay, xylem cell formation, and pollen tube growth, thus illustrating divergent roles for members of this gene family. A close look at phylogenetic relationships among Arabidopsis and rice PGs accompanied by analysis of expression data provides an opportunity to address key questions on the evolution and functions of duplicate genes.
Fabrication of a MEMS-Based Solar Thermal Collector for Energy Sustainability

A micro solar thermal collector has been fabricated by chemical electrodeposition technique. The coating is made of black nickel-tin selective absorber deposited on a copper substrate. The fabrication technique is presented. The electrodeposition was performed using processes that are less hazardous than many common approaches at a near-neutral pH. The procedure was also performed at room temperature. The environmentally friendly plating procedure makes it a potential replacement for black chromium. The final coating has a dendrite crystal structure of about 100 nm in diameter. The use of this selective coating significantly improved the ability of the fabricated solar collector to convert incident radiation to thermal energy. The performance of the collector plate in a simulated solar environment was examined. An increase in the stagnation temperature of the collector of 10 °C was observed when the selective coating was applied to the base collector plate.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Purification, properties and influence of dietary copper on accumulation and functional activity of lysyl oxidase in rat skin

Lysyl oxidase (protein-lysine 6-oxidase; EC 1.4.3.13) is a copper-containing enzyme that functions extracellularly and catalyses the oxidative deamination of peptidyl lysine. Lysyl oxidase was purified 150-175-fold from urea extracts of rat skin and uteri. Features of the enzyme were similar to those reported previously for lysyl oxidase obtained from rat aorta and bovine ligamenture. However, both approximately 40 and approximately 32 kDa polypeptide chains could be isolated from rat skin with apparent lysyl oxidase activity. Antibodies raised in chickens against the approximately 40 kDa form of lysyl oxidase detected the approximately 32 kDa form in immunoblots. Consequently it is inferred that the approximately 32 kDa form of lysyl oxidase is processed from the approximately 40 kDa form of the enzyme. The antibodies were also used to prepare anti(rat lysyl oxidase) affinity columns to facilitate the separation of lysyl oxidase from other proteins in studies to assess the extent to which lysyl oxidase serves as a reservoir for skin copper. At 16 h after an oral dose of copper, as 67Cu, about 6-8% of the total 67Cu incorporated into rat skin was found in association with lysyl oxidase. The lysyl oxidase concentration in rat skin was 2.5-7.5 nmol/g (determined by e.l.i.s.a.). Changing the copper status of rats by feeding a diet deficient in copper did not appear to influence lysyl oxidase accumulation in skin nor the percentage of incorporation of 67Cu in skin as lysyl oxidase. However, when rats were deprived of copper, the functional activity of lysyl oxidase in skin was one-third to one-half the normal values.
Event standardization of sit-to-stand movements.

Background and Purpose: Unlike gait analysis, no commonly accepted method for studying sit-to-stand (STS) movements exists. Most previous studies describing STS events used various methods to identify movement events while restricting sitting positions and movements. The present study observed natural rising from a sitting position using a simple method for measuring this common task. The purposes of this study were to compare commonly performed STS movements and to propose a standard system for defining identifiable sequential events. Subjects and Methods: Ground reaction forces of 100 adults who were healthy (50 male, 50 female) were recorded using a force platform as each participant performed 4 methods of rising from sitting on a standard chair. The 4 STS conditions were: with arms free, with hands on knees, using armrests, and with arms crossed. Results: For each subject, 11 recorded events from the vertical, fore-aft, and lateral dimensions were identified for all arm-use conditions. The only significant and clinically relevant force difference among arm-use conditions was that the armrests condition produced less average force than the other 3 conditions during the seat-off and vertical peak force events. Among average event times, the armrests condition showed significantly longer time to the vertical peak force event than the other conditions. Discussion and Conclusion: Because these events occurred invariably in sequential order for every individual for all arm-use conditions in a relatively large sample of observations during natural STS movements, this method may be useful for establishing a standard method to assess and compare patient functionality and allow comparisons among STS research studies.
The oxidation of octanoic acid by cultured amniotic fluid cells: The effect of cell type and passage number

We have measured the rate of oxidation of [1(-14)C]octanoate in cultured amniotic fluid (AF) cells at various passages and in AF cell lines with different clonal morphology. It is possible that both the passage number and the cell type may influence the outcome of prenatal diagnosis of fatty acid oxidation defects using this technique. We found that there was no significant difference between the three major AF cell types (epithelial, large epithelial, and fibroblast) when analysed at identical passage number but there was a significant reduction in octanoate oxidation in all cell types with increasing passage. For reliable prenatal diagnosis, cell lines of similar low passage number should be used.
Wave propagation in coupled left ventricle-arterial system. Implications for aortic pressure.

Abstract The objective of this study was to examine the effects of wave propagation properties (global reflection coefficient, Γ G ; pulse wave velocity, c ph ; and characteristic impedance, Z o ) on the mechanical performance of the coupled left ventricle–arterial system. Specifically, we sought to quantify effects on aortic pressure ( P ao ) and flow ( Q ao ) while keeping constant other determinants of P ao and Q ao (left ventricular end-diastolic volume, V ed , and contractility, heart rate, and peripheral resistance, R s ). Isolated rabbit hearts were subjected to real-time, computer-controlled physiological loading. The arterial circulation was modeled with a lossless tube terminating in a complex load. The loading system allowed for precise and independent control of all arterial properties as evidenced by accurate reproduction of desired input impedances and computed left ventricular volume changes. While propagation phenomena affected P ao and Q ao morphologies as expected, their effects on absolute P ao values were often contrary to the current understanding. Diastolic ( P d ) and mean ( P m ) P ao and stroke volume decreased monotonically with increases in Γ G , c ph , or Z o over wide ranges. In contrast, these increases had variable effects on peak systolic P ao ( P s ): decreasing with Γ G , biphasic with c ph , and increasing with Z o . There was an interaction between Γ G and c ph such that Γ G effects on P m and P d were augmented at higher c ph and vice versa. Despite large changes in system parameters, effects on P m and P s were modest (<10% and <5%, respectively); effects on P d were always two to four times greater. Similar results were obtained when the single-tube model of the arterial system was replaced by an asymmetrical T-tube configuration. Our data do not support the prevailing hypothesis that P s (and therefore ventricular load) can be selectively and significantly altered by manipulating Γ G , c ph , and/or Z o .
Opening Up a ‘Whole New World’: Employer and Co-Worker Perspectives on Working with Individuals who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Fourteen employers and co-workers who worked with individuals who used augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) completed a survey describing their employment experiences. A qualitative analysis identified four major themes in the responses: (a) benefits of employing individuals who use AAC, (b) challenges to the employment situation, (c) supports to the employment situation, and (d) recommendations for improving employment outcomes for individuals who use AAC. Respondents identified the following as key factors that had a significant impact on employment outcomes for individuals who use AAC: (a) identification and development of good job matches, (b) educational and vocational preparation, (c) reliability of AAC technology, (d) attitudes of co-workers, (e) accessibility of the workplace, and (f) availability of transportation and personal care services.
Efficiency of Information Transmission by Retinal Ganglion Cells

Abstract Background: Different types of retinal ganglion cells convey different messages to the brain. Messages are in the form of spike patterns, and the number of possible patterns per second sets the coding capacity. We asked if different ganglion cell types make equally efficient use of their coding capacity or whether efficiency depends on the message conveyed. Results: We recorded spike trains from retinal ganglion cells in an in vitro preparation of the guinea pig retina. By calculating, for the observed spike rate, the number of possible spike patterns per second, we calculated coding capacity, and by counting the actual number of patterns, we estimated information rate. Cells with "brisk" responses, i.e., high firing rates, and a general message transmitted information at high rates (21 ± 9 bits s −1 ). Cells with "sluggish" responses, i.e., lower firing rates, and specific messages (direction of motion, local-edge) transmitted information at lower rates (13 ± 7 bits s −1 ). Yet, for every type of ganglion cell examined, the information rate was about one-third of coding capacity. For every ganglion cell, information rate was very close (within 4%) to that predicted from Poisson noise and the cell's actual time-modulated rate. Conclusions: Different messages are transmitted with similar efficiency. Efficiency is limited by temporal correlations, but correlations may be essential to improve decoding in the presence of irreducible noise.
Impact of American College of Surgeons Oncology Group Z11 on surgical training at an academic cancer center.

Abstract Background The application of the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group Z0011 trial (Z11) has resulted in fewer completion axillary lymph node dissections (ALNDs) for select patients. We hypothesize that the application of Z11 may result in fewer ALND cases for surgeons in training. Methods In the setting of an academic cancer center incorporating Z11 into routine practice, we compared the total number of ALND performed in a pre-Z11 period (January 2007–April 2011, 52 mo) and post-Z11 period (April 2011–February 2014, 34 mo). We also identified the number of patients in the post-Z11 era in whom ALND was omitted as a result of Z11. Clinical and pathologic characteristics among these groups were analyzed. Results A total of 279 and 191 ALNDs were performed in the pre-Z11 and post-Z11 groups, respectively. Variables were similar among these groups with respect to demographics, tumor characteristics, and surgeries performed. There was no difference in the monthly rates of ALND between groups—5.37 cases/mo (pre-Z11) and 5.62 cases/mo (post-Z11), P = 0.52. We identified a total of 53 patients for whom ALND was omitted due to Z11 application in the post-Z11 period, representing a potential 21.7% decrease (53/191 + 53) in the number of ALNDs in this period. Conclusions Although the application of Z11 could potentially impact surgical training with a 21.7% decrease in ALND cases (53/191 + 53), the surgical case volume at an academic cancer center absorbs this decrease and maintains consistent levels of training for ALND.
Background and demographic factors that influence graduation: A comparison of six different types of majors

How are engineering students different from other students? This study determined which demographic and background variables influenced graduation for engineering students, as well as education, business, psychology, health, and social science students. Once determined, a comparison between disciplines was made to discover if or how engineering students differ from other students. To perform the analysis, logistic regression with backwards elimination was used. The results showed that high school grade point average was a significant influence with respect to graduation for each discipline except psychology and business. A student's American College Test (ACT) English score was a significant and positive variable for both business and engineering majors while ACT math scores were only statistically significant for engineering students. These findings could potentially be used for recruiting as well as retention.
2 — Chordal Graphs

Let P be an undirected graph with vertices V and edges E. Fix an enumeration, {v1,v2,...,vn}, of V and let M(P) = {A ∈ Mn (ℂ)| = 0 if (vi,vj) ∉ E where ei is the standard orthonormal basis of ℂn. Mn (ℂ)+ is the set of positive semi-definite n × n matrices with complex entries. For X ⊂ Mn (ℂ)+ a cone, define the order of X, denoted ord(X), to be the smallest integer k such that the elements of X of rank at most k generate X as a cone. For any set X, let Mm (X) denote m x m matrices with entries from X. It is known that a graph P is chordal if and only if ord(Mm (M(P))+) = 1 for every positive integer m, where Mm (M(P))+ = {A ∈ Mm (M(P))|A is positive semi-definite}. We characterize, in a graph theoretic way, graphs P for which ord(Mm (M(P))+) = ord(M(P)+) ≤ 2 for every positive integer m.
Role of Amicus Briefs in Environmental Cases at the Court of Appeals

The central focus of this paper is the role of amicus briefs at the Court of Appeals using environmental cases of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and Clean Air Act (CAA) and comparing decisions from the Clinton Administration with those from the Bush Administration. In earlier works, Caldeira and Wright (1990), Songer and Kuersten (1995), Songer, Kuersten, and Kaheney (2000), and Collins (2007) examine the influence of amici briefs at the Supreme Court and the state court levels. However, more work is needed to determine if the briefs improve a litigant’s chance of success at the Court of Appeals. I look at whether amicus briefs matter in environmental cases from the circuit courts for the CWA and CAA. The data for this analysis include all cases in which the CWA and CAA were the primary statutes under dispute. The case list was acquired by conducting a Lexis and Westlaw search for cases from 1994-2007. Each case is coded for litigant type using Wheeler and Songer’s classifications of individuals, businesses, state and local governments, and the federal government. To test for partisan effects between the administrations, each case was coded for ideology of the judge using the GHP scores and ideology of appointing president. Additional variables include race and gender of the justices, a count for the number of support briefs, and the circuit deciding the case.
Homology and Development of Insect Wing Tracheae

Works on wing tracheation in connection with wing venation studies usually pay little attention to the nature and origin of the tracheae themselves. This paper aims to demonstrate certain reservations that must be applied when attempting to homologize wing tracheae of insects. Each instar, including the pupal stage, possesses its own tracheal system; prior to a molt new tracheal linings are secreted; at a molt old tracheal linings are removed along with the spiracle to which they are ultimately connected. The system of one instar may differ from that of the next, in correlation with different functional requirements. Pupal wing tracheation may differ considerably from adult wing tracheation; some of the adult tracheae are formed around pre-existing pupal tracheae, others are new developments, and some pupal tracheae are not represented in the adult. Tracheae of one segment are independent of those of another. Anterior and posterior wing tracheae belong to different spiracles, as also do the anterior and posterior portions of the “transverse basal trachea.” The “transverse basal trachea” is, in fact, a fine longitudinal trunk, and is part of the basic tracheal framework. It is a modification found in the thoracic segments of wing-bearing insects. No developmental evidence exists for either “fusion” or “migration” of wing tracheae.
The Role of Radionuclide Ventriculography in the Assessment of Prognosis in Patients with CAD

One of the most important roles of cardiovascular nuclear medicine in evaluating patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is predicting patient outcome. Measurements of ventricular function obtained by radionuclide ventriculography play a key role in defining a patient's prognosis. Because ventricular function correlates well with the total extent of myocardial ischemic burden, data derived from radionuclide ventriculography serve as valuable prognostic indicators. Radionuclide ventriculography provides noninvasive information that is comparable to contrast angiography for predicting subsequent cardiac events and mortality in patients with CAD.
Respiratory potential in sapwood of old versus young ponderosa pine trees in the Pacific Northwest

Our primary objective was to present and test a new technique for in vitro estimation of respiration of cores taken from old trees to determine respiratory trends in sapwood. Our secondary objective was to quantify effects of tree age and stem position on respiratory potential (rate of CO2 production of woody tissue under standardized laboratory conditions). We extracted cores from one to four vertical positions in boles of +200-, +50- and +15-year-old Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws. trees. Cores were divided into five segments corresponding to radial depths of inner bark; outer, middle and inner sapwood; and heartwood. Data suggested that core segment CO2 production was an indicator of its respiratory activity, and that potential artifacts caused by wounding and extraction were minimal. On a dry mass basis, respiratory potential of inner bark was 3-15 times greater than that of sapwood at all heights for all ages (P < 0.0001). Within sapwood at all heights and in all ages of trees, outer sapwood had a 30-60% higher respiratory potential than middle or inner sapwood (P < 0.005). Heartwood had only 2-10% of the respiratory potential of outer sapwood. For all ages of trees, sapwood rings produced in the same calendar year released over 50% more CO2 at treetops than at bases (P < 0.0001). When scaled to the whole-tree level on a sapwood volume basis, sapwood of younger trees had higher respiratory potential than sapwood of older trees. In contrast, the trend was reversed when using the outer-bark surface area of stems as a basis for comparing respiratory potential. The differences observed in respiratory potential calculated on a core dry mass, sapwood volume, or outer-bark surface area basis clearly demonstrate that the resulting trends within and among trees are determined by the way in which the data are expressed. Although these data are based on core segments rather than in vivo measurements, we conclude that the relative differences are probably valid even if the absolute differences are not.
Effective Integration of Informatics Tools to Enhance the Drug Discovery Process

Effective integration of data and laboratory informatics tools promises the ability for organizations to make better informed decisions about resource allocation during the drug discovery and development process, and for more informed decisions to be made with respect to the market opportunity for compounds. There are technologies on the horizon that could dramatically change how informatics organizations design, develop, deliver, and support applications and data infrastructures to deliver maximum value to drug discovery organizations. There are numerous benefits of integrating laboratory informatics tools like Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), Chromatographic Data Systems (CDS), Electronic Laboratory Notebooks (ELN), and Analytical Instrumentation and Scientific Data Management Systems (SDMS) for drug discovery processes, but there is no well-established path for effective integration of these tools. We propose in this article four new integration models for effective integration of labor...
Don't Forget the Fine Print: MOOCs and Student Privacy

This chapter presents issues related to the legal privacy rights of MOOC enrollees and considers the role of institutional values and missions; it concludes with recommendations for enhancing student privacy.