cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heat-capacity studies of crystal-field effects in dilute R Rh 4 B 4 compounds

Specific-heat data are presented for a number of compounds of the form ${R}_{x}{\mathrm{Y}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Rh}}_{4}{\mathrm{B}}_{4}$, where $R$ (= Dy, Ho, Er, and Tm) is a rare-earth element and $x=0.1$. Schottky anomalies arising from crystal-field splittings of the rare-earth ions are analyzed using crystal-field parameters recently determined for Er${\mathrm{Rh}}_{4}$${\mathrm{B}}_{4}$. Utilizing simple scaling arguments for the crystal-field parameters as the rare-earth ion is changed, a satisfactory explanation of the specific-heat data is obtained.
Isoproterenol-induced selective phosphorylation invivo of the 214,000 dalton subunit of rat C6 glioma cell RNA polymerase II

Abstract The phosphorylation in vivo of RNA polymerase II after isoproterenol stimulation of confluent rat C6 glioma cell cultures has been investigated. Glioma cells were incubated in the presence of Na2H32PO4 and stimulated for 1 hour with the β-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol. The phosphorylation pattern was analyzed after purification of RNA polymerase II by immunoprecipitation, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. Isoproterenol markedly increased [32P]phosphate incorporation into the 214,000 dalton RNA polymerase subunit. Analysis of the phosphate acceptor amino acid revealed the presence of only [32P]phosphoserine. The data demonstrates an isoproterenol-induced structural modification of RNA polymerase II.
In vitro conversion of radioglucose to free and protein-bound amino acids by virus-infected mouse brain.

Abstract The amounts and specific activities of the free amino acids of minced 1-day-old mouse brain incubated 24 hr. with glucose-C14 in the presence and absence of Theiler's GD VII virus were determined and compared with the corresponding values for the protein-bound amino acids. Virus propagation stimulated the incorporation of radioactive carbon from glucose into most of the free amino acids as well as the protein-bound amino acids. The specific activities of the labeled, free amino acids were higher than those of their protein-bound counterparts, suggesting that free amino acids were intermediates in the conversion of metabolites derived from glucose into protein-bound amino acids. The data suggest that the effect of the virus was primarily on the reactions leading to the formation of labeled amino acids rather than on the subsequent incorporation of the labeled amino acids.
Adult rafting versus larval swimming: dispersal and recruitment of a botryllid ascidian on eelgrass

The importance of larval dispersal in determining the distribution and abundance of benthic marine organisms is well recognized; however, the contribution of post-larval dispersal has not been measured. I compared the dispersal of swimming larvae with that of rafting colonies in a population of compound ascidians, Botrylloides sp., living attached to leaves of the eelgrass Zostera marina in Tomales Bay, California, USA in 1990–1992. Colonies rafting on broken eelgrass traveled over 200 times farther and had comparable recruitment success relative to swimming larvae. The recruitment of rafting colonies into new habitats was facilitated by the ability of thesecolonial animals to grow asexually onto surrounding substrata. Rafting colonies brooded larvae that were subsequently relased after the colony settled into a new habitat. These results suggest that colonization of new habitats can occur by post-larvae as well as larvae, and that long-range dispersal by species with short-lived larvae may occur by post-larval rafting.
Physician Perspective on Incorporation of Oncology Patient Quality-of-Life, Fatigue, and Pain Assessment Into Clinical Practice

The authors conclude that single-item measures of pain, fatigue, and QOL can be incorporated into oncology clinical practice with positive implications for patients and physicians without increasing duration of visits or work burden.
Simulation of grid computing infrastructure: challenges and solutions

Recent advances in middleware technologies such as grid computing have provided IT architects with the ability to design infrastructures that are more flexible and less dedicated to specific application workloads. However, the capabilities of design and analysis tools that IT architects use have not kept pace. In this paper, we describe our progress in developing an IT infrastructure modeling environment that supports an extensible set of analysis tools. We focus in particular on a discrete-event simulator for analyzing the performance of computational workloads that are running on a grid. The unique modeling requirements and challenges presented by the grid computing infrastructure domain are discussed. Efficient event queue management and other simulation techniques to address these challenges are developed. Finally, we position the role of simulation analysis in the larger context of estimating the business and financial returns from grid computing investments.
Empirical SWE retrieval using airborne microwave and in situ snow measurements

We examine the response of microwave brightness temperatures to snow water equivalent over a wide range of snowpack conditions observed during the Cold Land Processes Experiment (CLPX) in 2002 and 2003. Spatially intensive measurements of snow were collected over the CLPX study areas within the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory's Polarimetric Scanning Radiometer (PSR) was operated to obtain coincident high-resolution (150-500 m) multiband microwave imagery of the snowpack. Together, a robust data set of over 2300 collocated in situ and remotely sensed observations were obtained for this analysis. For each point we modeled brightness temperatures using observed snow properties and the Helsinki University of Technology (HUT) snow emission model. Using observed and modeled data, we developed multiple regression algorithms to retrieve snow water equivalent (SWE). The algorithms use brightness temperature differences between 10.7, 18.7, and 21.5 GHz with 37 GHz and 89 GHz. Results show that the CLPX microwave data are consistent with a) historically established data and, b) after removal of cases with macro vegetation or possible wet snow, with theoretically derived curves for microwave dependence on SWE.
Visuospatial Orientation in Parkinson's Disease

Visuospatial functioning in patients with Parkinson's disease was investigated using neuropsychological measures of basic visual perception, complex perceptual discrimination, and spatial orientation. Three subgroups of patients were described: (a) those with broadly impaired visuospatial abilities, (b) those with generally intact abilities, and (c) those whose performance on a task of spatial orientation was lower than their performance on a task of complex perceptual discrimination. These subgroup differences were also concordant with three other variables: age, duration of disease, and degree of dementia. It is suggested that decreases in spatial orientation functioning in Parkinson's disease may reflect the speed of progression of this disease.
The costs of autotomy and regeneration in animals: a review and framework for future research

Many organisms have the ability to shed an appendage (autotomy) to escape a predator or fouled molting event. Despite its immediate advantage on survivorship, autotomy can have important consequences for locomotion, foraging, survivorship, and/ or reproduction. Thus, regeneration is a way that animals alleviate some of the costs associated with losing an appendage. Like autotomy, however, appendage regeneration can have important consequences for a variety of aspects of fitness; in a wide range of amphibians, reptiles, fishes, and arthropods, the allocation of resources to regenerate a lost appendage negatively affects somatic or reproductive growth. Previous research into the costs associated with regeneration has provided a strong framework to explore how trade-offs associated with regeneration may have influenced its evolution. However, all research to date describing the costs and benefits associated with autotomy and regeneration have compared individuals autotomizing and regenerating an appendage with individuals that have never lost an appendage. I suggest that for studies of the evolutionary significance of regeneration, an alternative comparison is between individuals experiencing autotomy without regeneration and individuals experiencing autotomy with regeneration. Future work in this direction promises new insights into the evolution of regenerative tendencies, as well as how regeneration may be influencing animal form and function. Key words: autotomy, costs, evolution, regeneration, trade-offs. [Behav Ecol]
Politically Motivated Opposition to War

Ever since Thucydides suggested that the Athenian expedition to conquer Sicily in 415 bc was driven in part by Alcibiades' attempt to use a foreign victory to promote his own political fortunes (Thucydides 1996:Book VI), observers have noted attempts by political elites to bolster their domestic positions through adventurous foreign policies and wars. Shakespeare suggested to statesmen that “Be it thy course to busy giddy minds/With foreign quarrels,” and Bodin argued that “the best way of preserving a state, and guaranteeing it against sedition, rebellion, and civil war is to…find an enemy against whom [the subjects] can make common cause” (cited in Levy 1989). The tendency for foreign crises and wars to generate “rally-‘round-the-flag” effects that increase popular support for political leaders is often explained in terms of the “in-group/out-group”(or “conflict-cohesion”) hypothesis (Coser 1956). Conflict with an out-group increases the cohesion of the in-group and support for the group leader. Anticipating this, leaders beset by domestic problems may be tempted to engage in hostile action against an external adversary. The “diversionary theory of war” is now a major research program in the field, and a good example of how a combination of statistical, formal-theoretic, and case study research can contribute significantly to the cumulation of knowledge. The theory posits strategic behavior by the governing elite and a nearly automatic surge of popular enthusiasm and support, but gives little, if any, attention to the role of organized political opposition to the government.2 In focusing on the political incentives of the government and neglecting those of the opposition, scholars have missed an important implication of diversionary theory. Just as political leaders sometimes use military force to advance their domestic interests, the domestic opposition sometimes actively opposes war and tries to prevent the government from initiating it because the opposition expects …
Risk of Lower Extremity Injury in a Military Cadet Population After a Supervised Injury-Prevention Program.

Context: Specific movement patterns have been identified as possible risk factors for noncontact lower extremity injuries. The Dynamic Integrated Movement Enhancement (DIME) was developed to modify these movement patterns to decrease injury risk. Objective: To determine if the DIME is effective for preventing lower extremity injuries in US Military Academy (USMA) cadets. Design: Cluster-randomized controlled trial. Setting: Cadet Basic Training at USMA. Patients or Other Participants: Participants were 1313 cadets (1070 men, 243 women). Intervention(s): Participants were cluster randomized to 3 groups. The active warm-up (AWU) group performed standard Army warm-up exercises. The DIME groups were assigned to a DIME cadre-supervised (DCS) group or a DIME expert-supervised (DES) group; the former consisted of cadet supervision and the latter combined cadet and health professional supervision. Groups performed exercises 3 times weekly for 6 weeks. Main Outcome Measure(s): Cumulative risk of lower extremity in...
On the effects of multiple beacons on localization for wireless sensor networks

This paper concerns the simulation-based investigation of two localization protocols for wireless sensor networks, namely, RBC and MEC2. In particular, for these two range-based protocols, that use information on inter-nodal distance and angle of arrival, we demonstrate their effectiveness in producing accurate localization as well as in containing the propagation of the localization error as the localization process progresses away from the beacon (i.e., from the node that knows its exact location). Our aim here is threefold. We demonstrate the advantages of jointly using range and AoA for increasing localization accuracy. We show the effects of deploying multiple beacons on localization accuracy, and we quantify the improvements. We finally show the differences and possible improvements of manual beacon placement vs. scattering the beacons randomly among the network nodes.
The 2005 USDA Food Guide Pyramid Is Associated with More Adequate Nutrient Intakes within Energy Constraints than the 1992 Pyramid

The USDA issued the Food Guide Pyramid (FGP) to help Americans choose healthy diets. We examined whether adherence to the 1992 and 2005 FGP was associated with moderate energy and adequate nutrient intakes. We used data for 2138 men and 2213 women > 18 y old, from the 2001-2002 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Quadratic programming was used to generate diets with minimal departure from intakes reported for the NHANES 2001-02. We examined the effect of the number of servings/d of Food Pyramid groups set at 1992 and at 2005 FGP recommendations for 1600, 2200, and 2800 kcal (1 kcal = 4.184 kJ) levels. We calculated energy and nutrients provided by different FGP dietary patterns. Within current U.S. dietary practices, following the 1992 FGP without sodium restriction may provide 200 more kcal than recommended for each energy level. Although it can meet most of old nutrient recommendations (1989), it fails to meet the latest dietary reference intakes, especially for the 1600 kcal level. The 2005 FGP appears to provide less energy and more adequate nutrient intakes, with the exception of vitamin E and potassium for some groups. However, without discretionary energy restriction, Americans are at risk of having excessive energy intake even if they follow the 2005 FGP food serving recommendations. Our analysis suggests that following the 2005 FGP may be associated with lower energy and optimal nutrient intake. Careful restriction of discretionary calories appears necessary for appropriate energy intakes to be maintained.
The design of bank-issued market-indexed certificates of deposit – survey, pricing and empirical test

In this paper we make a survey of market-indexed CDs and list 11 factors that must be taken into account in the design of market-indexed CDs. We extend the pricing model developed by Hernandez et al. (2011), which was a non-coupon paying market-indexed CD model, into a model in which the market-indexed CD pays coupons. Moreover, we apply the models developed in Hernandez et al. (2011) to market-indexed CDs to calculate the costs and profits for issuing market-indexed CDs. The results of the empirical tests indicate that the model can estimate the pricing of market-indexed CDs accurately.
Nonlinear system identification for cascaded block model: an application to electrode polarization impedance

An algorithm developed to identify a system divided into cascaded blocks of dynamic linear, static nonlinear, and dynamic linear (LNL) subsystems based strictly on the input-output relationship is presented. The nonlinear element is assumed to be equicontinuous or must be satisfied by the Weierstrass criterion. Therefore, it could either be a continuous type, as represented by polynomial approximation, or an abrupt type, as represented by piecewise-linear segments. The process uses a series of multilevel inputs to decouple the two linear subsystems from the nonlinear subsystem and then applies the predictor-corrector algorithm to minimize a cost function to obtain the parameter of the subsystem. The method does not restrict the type of input signal, and no prior knowledge of the subsystems is necessary. A numerical example for a prescribed system is given, and the results show almost identical values by any one of the three types of input, namely: step, sinusoidal, or white noise. Three computer programs are developed for the identification of the system with odd, even, and piecewise abrupt types of nonlinearity. The method is applied to model the interfacial phenomenon of a noble metal electrode (Pt) at the nonlinear range, and the algorithm is verified by comparison with a previous result. >
DIFFERENTIAL REGULATION OF CONSTITUTIVE MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY COMPLEX CLASS I EXPRESSION IN T AND B LYMPHOCYTES

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigens are constitutively expressed yet highly induced by interferon (IFN) during inflammation. We found that not only IFN-induced but also normal basal expression of MHC I required IFN receptors and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)1, providing genetic evidence for continuous IFN signaling. Surprisingly, an IFN-independent requirement for STAT1 was also found, specifically in T lymphocytes, where MHC class I expression was not fully accounted for by IFN signaling. This IFN-independent pathway maintained tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT1 in T but not B lymphocytes even in the absence of IFN receptors. Interestingly, interleukin (IL)-7 selectively activated STAT1 and induced MHC class I in mature T but not B cells. These loss of function studies demonstrate an essential role of endogenous IFN and activated STAT1 for constitutive MHC class I expression in normal mice and define IL-7–dependent but IFN-independent regulation of STAT1 restricted to T lymphocytes.
Occupancy distribution estimation for smart light delivery with perturbation-modulated light sensing

The advent of modern light-emitting diode (LED) techniques enables us to develop novel lighting systems with numerous previously unavailable features. Specifically, by using the fixtures for both illumination and to interrogate the space, source-to-sensor communication becomes possible at very low cost. In this paper, we present a novel framework to estimate the occupancy distribution in an indoor space using color-controllable LED fixtures (the same fixtures providing the illumination, simultaneously) and sparsely distributed non-imaging color sensors. By modulating randomly generated perturbation patterns onto the drive signals of the LED fixtures and measuring the changes in the color sensor responses, we are able to recover a light transport model for the room. Two approaches are proposed to estimate the spatial distribution of the occupancy, based on a light blockage model and a light reflection model, respectively. These two approaches, which can be combined, can faithfully reveal the occupancy scenario of the indoor space, while preserving the privacy of its occupants. An occupancy-sensitive lighting system can be designed based on this technique.
High-resolution NMR field-cycling device for full-range relaxation and structural studies of biopolymers on a shared commercial instrument.

Improvements are described in a shuttling field-cycling device (Redfield in Magn Reson Chem 41:753–768, 2003), designed to allow widespread access to this useful technique by configuring it as a removable module to a commercial 500 MHz NMR instrument. The main improvements described here, leading to greater versatility, high reliability and simple construction, include: shuttling provided by a linear motor driven by an integrated-control servomotor; provision of automated bucking magnets to allow fast two-stage cycling to nearly zero field; and overall control by a microprocessor. A brief review of history and publications that have used the system is followed by a discussion of topics related to such a device including discussion of some future applications. A description of new aspects of the shuttling device follows. The minimum round trip time to 1T and above is less than 0.25 s and to 0.002 T is 0.36 s. Commercial probes are used and sensitivity is that of the host spectrometer reduced only by relaxation during travel. A key element is development of a linkage that prevents vibration of the linear motor from reaching the probe.
Mast cells mediate the microvascular inflammatory response to systemic hypoxia

Systemic hypoxia produces an inflammatory response characterized by increases in reactive O2 species (ROS), venular leukocyte-endothelial adherence and emigration, and vascular permeability. Inflam...
Exploring Darwin's correspondence: some important but lesser known correspondents and projects

This paper explores Darwin's 14,000 plus letters and suggests that in spite of the enormous amount of published material on Darwin and his work, there remains much untapped information in his correspondence. A quantitative analysis of his correspondence reveals that many of Darwin's most important sources and projects have not been researched. I provide examples in two of his correspondents, William B. Tegetmeier and John Scott, who were extremely important to Darwin's work in domestic animal breeding and plant hybrid studies, respectively. In addition, Darwin's work on seed viability and distribution are discussed to illustrate both the extent of his correspondence network and the complexity of his many sub-projects. The appendices suggest avenues for the further research of Darwin's correspondence by correlating the amount of correspondence with the amount of published material on the correspondents.
Complete polarization measurements for non-symmetric Raman tensors: Symmetry assignments of ferrocytochrome C vibrations†

The three invariants of the Raman tensors of eight strong Raman active vibrations of ferrocytochrome c have been determined using both linearly and circularly polarized light at 5145 A. The relative intensities of the perpendicular, parallel, contrarotating and co-rotating components have been measured and analysed by the method of McClain to obtain the symmetry assignment of each of these vibrations; the symmetry group of the heme is believed to be Cs showing a plane of reflection as the only symmetry element. Since the lowering of the symmetry of the heme group is due to hemeprotein interactions, Raman Polarization measurements appear to offer a new probe for obtaining the strength of such interaction.
Differential files: their application to the maintenance of large databases

The representation of a collection of data in terms of its differences from some preestablished point of reference is a basic storage compaction technique which finds wide applicability. This paper describes a differential database representation which is shown to be an efficient method for storing large and volatile databases. The technique confines database modifications to a relatively small area of physical storage and as a result offers two significant operational advantages. First, because the “reference point” for the database is inherently static, it can be simply and efficiently stored. Second, since all modifications to the database are physically localized, the process of backup and the process of recovery are relatively fast and inexpensive.
Cell cycle regulation during development and dormancy in embryos of the annual killifish Austrofundulus limnaeus

Embryos of the annual killifish Austrofundulus limnaeus can enter into a state of metabolic dormancy, termed diapause, as a normal part of their development. In addition, these embryos can also survive for prolonged sojourns in the complete absence of oxygen. Dormant embryos support their metabolism using anaerobic metabolic pathways, regardless of oxygen availability. Dormancy in diapause is associated with high ATP and a positive cellular energy status, while anoxia causes a severe reduction in ATP content and large reductions in adenylate energy charge and ATP/ADP ratios. Most cells are arrested in the G1/G0 phase of the cell cycle during diapause and in response to oxygen deprivation. In this paper, we review what is known about the physiological and biochemical mechanisms that support metabolic dormancy in this species. We also highlight the great potential that this model holds for identifying novel therapies for human diseases such as heart attack, stroke and cancer.
The World at America's Doorstep: Service Learning in Preparation to Teach Global Students

Immigration trends in the United States necessitate the preparation of new K-12 teachers to teach diverse populations and to recognize the capabilities of immigrant and refugee children. Transformative learning that results from service learning offers a promising opportunity for preservice teachers to gain awareness and change their attitudes toward these children. This study examined the role of service learning where undergraduate education students tutored at a local refugee agency or elementary school. An analysis of their journal entries indicated changes in beliefs and attitudes toward refugee and other immigrant children, including the acknowledgement of their motivation and determination when confronted by challenges not faced by students born in the United States.
Impacts of RF radiation on the human body in a passive RFID environment

In this paper, we present an experimental study on the SAR of the human head in an environment with a typical RFID reader system. The results predict that 2 RFID reader antennas at distances of 10 cm from the human head operating additively, will contribute to a SAR in the human head of up to a maximum of 2.02763 W/kg, which is above the limit for safe exposure of RF radiation as allowed by FCC is the US (1.6 W/kg).
Manufacturing against the Odds: Small‐Scale Producers in an Andean City

Manufacturing against the Odds: Small-Scale Producers in an Andean City. HANS C. BUECHLER and JUDITH-MARIA BUECHLER. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1992. 311 pp. $46.50 (paper). ISBN 0–8133–8448–6.
Lighting energy conservation: simple analytic methods with time-lapse photography

Although time-lapse photography offers great potential for providing information on lighting energy conservation, it has been undeveloped because the quantity and detail of the data demand a great deal of time for analysis. Two simple analytic procedures are described to make time-lapse photography more useful: (1) a sampling procedure for data reduction, and (2) a formula for computing wasted lighting energy based upon occupancy and light usage. It is argued that poor utilisation of lighting energy can be addressed with these procedures.
IEEE 802.16J multihop relays for aeromacs networks and the concept of multihop gain

The potential benefits and challenges of applications of IEEE 802.16j-based relays in AeroMACS networks are discussed at the outset. Perhaps the most important advantage of application of multihop relays in AeroMACS networks is the flexible and cost effective radio range extension that it may allow for airport areas shadowed by large constructions and natural obstacles with virtually no increase in the required network power levels. With respect to PHY layer RSs may be classified as Transparent Relays (TRS) and Non-Transparent Relays (NTRS). While a TRS essentially functions as a repeater and bears no logical connection to the subscriber station (SS), a NTRS operates as a “mini base station (BS)” and is physically and logically connected to the SSs that it serves. Regarding MAC sublayer functionalities, RSs may operate in centralized or distributed modes. Distributed mode means that the RS is capable of scheduling network resources in coordination with multihop relay base station (MR-BS); otherwise the RS is in centralized mode. The RS can be in distributed or centralized mode with respect to security arrangements as well. The NTRS relays may further be divided into two categories; time-division transmit and receive relays (TTR) and simultaneous transmit and receive (STR) relays; both of which are supported by IEEE 802.16j standard. The TTR relay communicates with its subordinate and superordinate nodes using the same radio channel. The employment of relays in an AeroMACS network requires no alteration in the subscriber system. The key concept of “multihop gain”, which explains how the application of multihop relay enables performance enhancement in AeroMACS networks, is introduced. Under a reasonable set of assumptions and using a simple analysis, multihop gain is quantified in the form of an equation that provides a raw measure of this gain in Decibel.
Effects of Grazing Intensity, Precipitation, and Temperature on Forage Production

Abstract Questions have been raised about whether herbaceous productivity declines linearly with grazing or whether low levels of grazing can increase productivity. This paper reports the response of forage production to cattle grazing on prairie dominated by Kentucky bluegrass ( Poa pratensis L.) in south-central North Dakota through the growing season at 5 grazing intensities: no grazing, light grazing (1.3 ± animal unit months [AUM] · ha -1 ), moderate grazing (2.7 ± AUM · ha -1 ), heavy grazing (4.4 ± AUM · ha -1 ), and extreme grazing (6.9 ± AUM · ha -1 ; mean ± SD). Annual herbage production data were collected on silty and overflow range sites from 1989 to 2005. Precipitation and sod temperature were used as covariates in the analysis. On silty range sites, the light treatment produced the most herbage (3 410 kg · ha -1 ), and production was reduced as the grazing intensity increased. Average total production for the season was 545 kg · ha -1 less on the ungrazed treatment and 909 kg · ha -1 less on the extreme treatment than on the light treatment. On overflow range sites, there were no significant differences between the light (4 131 kg · ha -1 ), moderate (4 360 kg · ha -1 ), and heavy treatments (4 362 kg · ha -1 ; P s 0.05). Total production on overflow range sites interacted with precipitation, and production on the grazed treatments was greater than on the ungrazed treatment when precipitation (from the end of the growing season in the previous year to the end of the grazing season in the current year) was greater than 267.0, 248.4, 262.4, or 531.5 mm on the light, moderate, heavy, and extreme treatments, respectively. However, production on the extreme treatment was less than on the ungrazed treatment if precipitation was less than 315.2 mm. We conclude that low to moderate levels of grazing can increase production over no grazing, but that the level of grazing that maximizes production depends upon the growing conditions of the current year.
Phase II trial of paclitaxel, fluorouracil, and cisplatin in patients with advanced carcinoma of the esophagus

PURPOSEWe have previously identified paclitaxel as an active single agent in the treatment of esophageal cancer. We performed a phase II trial of paclitaxel in combination with cisplatin and fluorouracil (5-FU), conventionally used chemotherapy for esophageal cancer. The antitumor response, toxicity, and survival of patients treated with the three-drug regimen were evaluated.PATIENTS AND METHODSSixty-one patients with advanced, surgically unresectable, or metastatic squamous cell or adenocarcinoma of the esophagus were treated. No prior chemotherapy was allowed. Thirty patients had adenocarcinoma and 31 patients had squamous cell carcinoma. The majority (47 patients; 77%) had metastatic disease and 14 patients (23%) had an unresectable primary or locally recurrent tumor. Patients received paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 by 3-hour infusion day 1; cisplatin 20 mg/m2 daily days 1 through 5, and 5-FU by continuous infusion at a dose of 1,000 mg/m2 daily days 1 through 5. Because of toxicity observed in the first 10 pati...
Reconceptualising Advocacy: Creating Inclusive Education in US Universal Pre-Kindergarten.

This narrative inquiry concerns preschool education in the USA. It describes and analyses the barriers and possibilities for inclusion/exclusion that educators and parents of young children in a We...
Dynamic Effects of Self-Relevance and Task on the Neural Processing of Emotional Words in Context

We used event-related potentials (ERPs) to examine the interactions between task, emotion, and contextual self-relevance on processing words in social vignettes. Participants read scenarios that were in either third person (other-relevant) or second person (self-relevant) and we recorded ERPs to a neutral, pleasant, or unpleasant critical word. In a previously reported study (Fields and Kuperberg, 2012) with these stimuli, participants were tasked with producing a third sentence continuing the scenario. We observed a larger LPC to emotional words than neutral words in both the self-relevant and other-relevant scenarios, but this effect was smaller in the self-relevant scenarios because the LPC was larger on the neutral words (i.e., a larger LPC to self-relevant than other-relevant neutral words). In the present work, participants simply answered comprehension questions that did not refer to the emotional aspects of the scenario. Here we observed quite a different pattern of interaction between self-relevance and emotion: the LPC was larger to emotional vs. neutral words in the self-relevant scenarios only, and there was no effect of self-relevance on neutral words. Taken together, these findings suggest that the LPC reflects a dynamic interaction between specific task demands, the emotional properties of a stimulus, and contextual self-relevance. We conclude by discussing implications and future directions for a functional theory of the emotional LPC.
Rendición de cuentas electoral por la economía en América Latina

This article reviews the role that economic performance plays as incumbents look to maintain political support in Latin America. Survey data from 18 Latin America countries in 2014 show that Latin Americans’ perceptions of economic performance reflect macroeconomic outcomes, respondents’ own personal situations, and political considerations. Respondents hold politicians accountable for perceived sociotropic outcomes, with those who perceive that things have gone badly considering alternatives to the incumbent more than abstention or nullifying their vote. Finally, the electoral effect of economic performance varies systematically across countries, with economic volatility increasing its salience while political and economic factors that concentrate control of economy in domestic actors and economic policy in the incumbent party facilitate attributing responsibility to the government. While perceived outcomes have their roots in a variety of national-level and personal factors, voters generally approach accountability for those outcomes in a sophisticated manner.
Medical management of epileptic seizures: challenges and solutions

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurologic illnesses. This condition afflicts 2.9 million adults and children in the US, leading to an economic impact amounting to $15.5 billion. Despite the significant burden epilepsy places on the population, it is not very well understood. As this understanding continues to evolve, it is important for clinicians to stay up to date with the latest advances to provide the best care for patients. In the last 20 years, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved 15 new antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), with many more currently in development. Other advances have been achieved in terms of diagnostic modalities like electroencephalography technology, treatment devices like vagal nerve and deep-brain stimulators, novel alternate routes of drug administration, and improvement in surgical techniques. Specific patient populations, such as the pregnant, elderly, those with HIV/AIDS, and those with psychiatric illness, present their own unique challenges, with AED side effects, drug interactions, and medical-psychiatric comorbidities adding to the conundrum. The purpose of this article is to review the latest literature guiding the management of acute epileptic seizures, focusing on the current challenges across different practice settings, and it discusses studies in various patient populations, including the pregnant, geriatric, those with HIV/AIDS, comatose, psychiatric, and "pseudoseizure" patients, and offers possible evidence-based solutions or the expert opinion of the authors. Also included is information on newer AEDs, routes of administration, and significant AED-related drug-interaction tables. This review has tried to address only some of these issues that any practitioner who deals with the acute management of seizures may encounter. The document also highlights the numerous avenues for new research that would help practitioners optimize epilepsy management.
Potential Implication of Residual Viremia in Patients on Effective Antiretroviral Therapy

Abstract The current antiretroviral therapy (ART) has suppressed viremia to below the limit of detection of clinical viral load assays; however, it cannot eliminate viremia completely in the body even after prolonged treatment. Plasma HIV-1 loads persist at extremely low levels below the clinical detection limit. This low-level viremia (termed “residual viremia”) cannot be abolished in most patients, even after the addition of a new class of drug, i.e., viral integrase inhibitor, to the combined antiretroviral regimens. Neither the cellular source nor the clinical significance of this residual viremia in patients on ART remains fully clear at present. Since residual plasma viruses generally do not evolve with time in the presence of effective ART, one prediction is that these viruses are persistently released at low levels from one or more stable but yet unknown HIV-1 reservoirs in the body during therapy. This review attempts to emphasize the source of residual viremia as another important reservoir (nam...
Condensation of Acetol and Acetic Acid Vapor and Nitrogen Using Sprayed Aqueous Liquid

A cellulose-derived fraction of biomass pyrolysis vapor was simulated by evaporating acetol and acetic acid with heated nitrogen. After generating the vapor/nitrogen mixture, it was superheated in a tube oven and condensed by contact with an aqueous mist created by an ultrasonic spray nozzle. The rates of condensation and fractions of vapor condensed were determined for various fluid flow rates to estimate liquid flow rates necessary to obtain complete acetol vapor condensation. The effect of noncondensible gas on the condensation was determined by varying the ratio of nitrogen to acetol vapor. For standard conditions, no effect of nitrogen content on rate was seen for vapor contents greater than 10 mol %, which would include any practical fast pyrolysis vapor. Increasing the concentration of condensed vapor in the aqueous solution spray, up to 30 wt %, had little effect on the condensation rate.
Ligand-decorated nanogels: fast one-pot synthesis and cellular targeting

Nanoscale vehicles for delivery have been of interest and extensively studied for two decades. However, the encapsulation stability of hydrophobic drug molecules in delivery vehicles and selective targeting these vehicles into disease cells are potential hurdles for efficient delivery systems. Here we demonstrate a simple and fast synthetic protocol of nanogels that shows high encapsulation stabilities. These nanogels can also be modified with various targeting ligands for active targeting. We show that the targeting nanogels (T-NGs), which are prepared within 2 h by a one-pot synthesis, exhibit very narrow size distributions and have the versatility of surface modification with cysteine-modified ligands including folic acid, cyclic arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (cRGD) peptide, and cell-penetrating peptide. T-NGs hold their payloads, undergo facilitated cell internalization by receptor-mediated uptake, and release their drug content inside cells due to the reducing intracellular environment. Selective cytotoxicity to cells, which have complementary receptors, is also demonstrated.
Studies on the biochemistry and fine structure of silica shell formation in diatoms. IV. Fine structure of the apochlorotic diatom Nitzschia alba Lewin and Lewin.

The fine structure and pigmentation of an apochlorotic diatom isolated from decaying Macrocystis pyrifera is described. The morphology of acid cleaned shells suggests that the isolate is Nitzschia alba Lewin and Lewin. Light microscope observations indicated a centrally located nucleus and numerous highly refractile bodies which stained differentially with Nile blue and Sudan black B. The stained globules could be correlated in thin-sectioned profiles with either electron dense or lucent areas depending on the fixation technique. In the electron microscope the nucleus, Golgi complex, and mitochondria were similar in appearance to those described for other diatoms. Proplastid-like organelles, delimited by a double membrane, and containing small vesicles were also observed. Neither carotenoids nor chlorophylls could be detected by spectroscopic or spectrofluorometric analysis in vivo or in organic solvent extracts. Deposition of new walls was initiated by formation of silicon deposition-vesicles in the central region of dividing cells. The acentric raphes were deposited last. The genesis and interrelationship of the old plasmalemma, silicalemma, and newly formed plasmalemma are discussed.
Behavior Evaluation Scale: validity in studies on social anxiety.

The present study was an initial effort to evaluate the use of the Behavior Evaluation Scale, a measure of the tendency to perceive behavior as pathological, in studies on social anxiety. 61 undergraduate students provided ratings on attributional dimensions and completed the scale as well as the Fear of Negative Evaluation questionnaire. There was a moderate correlation of .48 between the Behavior Evaluation Scale scores and fear of evaluation In addition, participants who perceived the behavior as pathological scored higher on fear of evaluation only if they made internal or general attributions. Results suggest that the perception of behavior as measured by the Behavior Evaluation Scale and the fear of evaluation are distinct constructs. Suggestions for further examination of the scale's validity are discussed.
Steel connection failures during the northridge earthquake

Publisher Summary The January 1994, Northridge earthquake caused unprecedented damage at beam-to-column connections in modern steel moment resisting frames. Almost all of the moment connection failures observed in this earthquake involved the standard welded flange-bolted web detail. This chapter attempts to explain the possible causes of the observed damage by examining the basic deficiencies in the current approach to design for such connections and proposes a possible strategy for repair and rehabilitation of these damaged frames. The intent of this design is that the ductile yielding should occur away from the connection detail but the actual damage observed in the Northridge earthquake indicates that there was a high stress concentration at the connections that caused the cracking to occur primarily in the beam tension flange fusion zone of the weld root with propagation out into the column flange. The basic deficiencies in the design are due to the effect of composite floor slab, the effect of vertical acceleration, and the effect of flexibility in the panel zone.
“Enzymatic” Photoreduction of Carbon Dioxide using Polymeric Metallofoldamers Containing Nickel–Thiolate Cofactors

We report photoreduction of CO2 using enzyme-mimicking polymeric metallofoldamers containing Ni-thiolate co-factors. Metallofoldamers consisting of folded polymers incorporated with Ni-thiolate complexes were prepared via intramolecular Ni-thiolate coordination with thiol-functionalized linear copolymers. The folded polymer backbone can resemble the protein framework to provide a second coordination environment to active sites. We show that Ni-metallofoldamers are superiorly active and selective for CO2 photoreduction. At 80 oC, the turnover frequency of Ni-metallofoldamers can reach 0.69 s-1, corresponding to 2500 turnovers per hour per Ni site. Our findings are expected to provide useful guidelines to investigate artificial enzymes and to understand the role of protein frameworks in photosynthesis.
Screening of unapproved drugs using portable Raman spectroscopy

We present a four-step screening approach for unapproved drugs. The screening approach is both qualitative and quantitative in design in order to determine if the sample under study contains the correct and acceptable amount of the declared active pharmaceutical ingredient. Four commercially-available unapproved antibiotic and antiviral drugs were used in this study. Out of the 40 individual samples tested, 100% of the samples matched for the declared active pharmaceutical ingredient with no false positives. Following this qualitative identification step, a quantitative assay was used to determine the potency of the product. The assay involves dissolving the sample in water and using a partial least squares model to predict the potency of the product. The average Raman potency results for the four products tested were compared with chromatographic reference methods and the spectroscopic data were found to be within ∼1-6% of those obtained with the reference method for the four products tested. The results indicate that aqueous-based Raman assays may be a suitable field-deployable alternative to traditional techniques run in a laboratory environment.
“An Earnest Desire for the Truth despite Its Possible Unpleasantness”: A Comparative Analysis of the Atlanta University Publications and American Journal of Sociology, 1895 to 1917:

The authors examine the methodological sophistication of the research conducted by the W.E.B. Du Bois–led Atlanta Sociological Laboratory (ASL), the first American school of sociology, and Albion S...
Optimization of EEG-based imaginary motion classification using majority-voting

Electroencephalography is widely used to record neural activity with electrodes positioned at specific locations on a human scalp. These recorded signals are interfaced with a computer which is referred to as noninvasive Brain Computer Interface (BCI). An important application of this technology is to help facilitate the lives of the tetraplegic through assimilating human brain impulses and converting them into mechanical motion. However, BCI systems are remarkably challenging to implement as recorded brain signals can be unreliable and vary in pattern throughout time. In this paper, a novel classifier structure is proposed to classify different types of imaginary motions (left hand, right hand, and imagination of words starting with the same letter) across multiple sessions using an optimized set of electrodes for each user. The proposed technique uses raw brain signals obtained utilizing 32 electrodes and classifies the imaginary motions using Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). To enhance the classification rate and optimize the set of electrodes of each subject, a majority voting system combining a set of simple ANNs is used. This electrode optimization technique achieved classification accuracies of 69.83%, 94.04% and 84.56% respectively for the three subjects considered in this study.
Recombinant DNA Plasmid Transmission to Indigenous Organisms during Waste Treatment

The release of genetically engineered microorganisms into the environment will occur because of its importance to industrial and agricultural progress. Since organisms designed for release can be modified to survive only the time necessary for their function, the greatest potential for environmental damage depends upon the capability for mobilization of the genetically engineered DNA sequences (GEDS). Mobilization of GEDS to indigenous wastewater organisms by the process of bacterial conjugation has been demonstrated. This gene transfer, which will occur in a laboratory-scale waste treatment facility (~20 L capacity), depends on the presence of bacteria containing conjugative plasmids, many of which are indigenous to waste water. Sensitive detection of GEDS transfer requires the use of DNA-DNA hybridization. Environmental conditions do affect the frequency of conjugal gene transfer.