cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Septic Arthritis of the Right Wrist Due to Mycobacterium avium Complex in an Immunocompetent Patient.

Septic arthritis due to Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is extremely rare. While MAC infection is classically associated with HIV/AIDS and immunosuppressed states, it may occur in immunocompetent individuals. We report a case of MAC septic arthritis of a native wrist joint in an immunocompetent host. The diagnosis of septic arthritis due to MAC is commonly delayed and initially misdiagnosed, warranting a high level of suspicion to make an accurate and timely diagnosis. Suspecting the diagnosis when there are atypical features present in the clinical history may be crucial in identifying affected patients.
Caring for Patients Without Documentation Status: What Motivates Us and Sustains Us

Restrictive policies and limited resources create challenges for care delivery for patients without documentation status (PWDS). This study explores the motivators and sustainers for healthcare providers serving PWDS. Twenty-four direct providers in public and private sectors were interviewed using semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Two members of the research team independently coded interviews using inductive thematic analysis. Four major themes emerged illustrating intrinsic and extrinsic sources that motivated and sustained providers: (1) a sense of calling to serve their community; (2) solidarity is sustaining; (3) organizational culture as a key element for provider engagement; (4) insight into necessary change. Providers who care for PWDS are driven and sustained by internal motivations and a sense of solidarity in working towards better care access for their marginalized patients. Findings illustrate the importance of recruiting and retaining providers with histories of recent migration. Immigration and healthcare policy reform may improve provider workflow.
Temporal Learning with Biologically Fitted SNN Models

Spiking Neural Networks (SNN) can model biological neural networks with different levels of details. There are trade-offs between model fidelity and computation efficiency. Which model is the most appropriate one to use depends on the goal and the computation task. Temporal learning is an important feature of the brain, which requires neural networks to integrate information from the past to solve present computation tasks. Prior work has proposed different SNN models for temporal learning, which includes the Leaky-Integrate-and-Fire (LIF), the Adaptive Leaky-Integrate-and-Fire (ALIF), and the Exponential Adaptive Leaky-Integrate-and-Fire (AdEx). These models capture different biological details and exhibit different learning properties. This work aims to compare the model fidelity and learning performance of these three SNN models. Experimental data for in vitro living neural networks is used to first fit parameters of these three models. An automatic fitting tool is used to match the precise spike timing of the in vitro neurons and the modeled neurons. ALIF and AdEX can match with the spiking timing of the biological neuron better than the LIF does. The fitted models are then compared on a delay task, where the network needs to output values that were input into the network in the recent past. To compute the delay task, the Neural Engineering Framework (NEF) is used to implement a Legendre Memory Unit. Good performance is demonstrated on the delay task using ALIF, which suggests the possibility of implementing the algorithm on in vitro living neural networks. This work proposes a new neuron parameter fitting approach, compares three SNN models, and is the first to use detailed adaptive neurons on the delay task with the NEF approach.
Evoked Ionic Alterations in Brain Slices

The use of ion sensitive microelectrodes (ISMs) has made it possible to obtain virtually real time measurements of extracellular ionic events in mammalian brain during a variety of experimental conditions (see Lux, 1974; Somjen, 1979 for reviews). Data emphasize that the concentrations of ionic species vary considerably during physiological and electrical stimulation, and that these changes have specific distributions which appear to depend on the anatomic organization of the structures studied (see also Moody et al., 1974; Nicholson et al., 1978, and others). Two important questions with respect to these ionic shifts relate to 1) their source in terms of the varieties and distributions of conductances in neuronal membranes and 2) their potential capacity to influence the excitability of stimulated, and nearby non-stimulated, neuronal elements.
Fatigue and Cardiac Sympathetic Denervation in Parkinson Disease. (P7.302)

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between fatigue and cardiac sympathetic denervation in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Background: Fatigue represents one of the least understood non-motor manifestations of Parkinson Disease (PD). Decreased cardiac uptake of m-123I-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) was previously reported in PD patients. Cardiac sympathetic denervation seen in many patients with PD has been proposed as a possible mechanism for fatigue. Design and Methods: We recruited 10 PD patients with PD that reported symptoms of fatigue. Outcome measures included Fatigue Severity Score (FSS), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and UPDRS. To quantify cardiac sympathetic denervation, patients underwent nuclear medicine Planar (early and delayed) SPECT scan with 123I-MIBG. Quantitative analysis was performed on the planar images by drawing regions of interest (ROIs) and calculating the Heart to Mediastinum ratio (H/M), as well as the washout ratio between early and delayed images. Results: Ten subjects with PD were enrolled and 8 completed the study. The mean age was 60 years (7 male, 3 female) with an average UPDRS score of 25.9 ± 8.5. The mean FSS was 3.9 ± 1.8. The mean early H/M ratio was 1.38 ± 0.16. Using a linear regression model, we did not find a significant correlation between the FSS score and the early H/M ratio (r2 = 0.26, F-statistic: 2.1 p-value: 0.20). Conclusion: In our sample we did not observe a significant relationship between measures of fatigue and cardiac denervation, as imaged using 123I-MIBG. Additional studies are needed to determine the causes of fatigue using more quantitative measures and larger sample size. Study Supported by GE Healthcare. Disclosure: Dr. Luca has nothing to disclose. Dr. Spengler has nothing to disclose. Dr. Georgiou has nothing to disclose. Dr. Serafini has nothing to disclose. Dr. Singer has received personal compensation for activities with Lundbeck Research USA, Inc., and Allergan, Inc. Dr. Singer has received research support from Allergan, Inc., Teva Neuroscience, and Ipsen.
Four-channel pulse generator for real-time biological investigations

New advances in pulse generators for real-time fluorescence microscopy of cell electroperturbation are presented. A MicroPulser described here is constructed as part of a fluorescence imaging system to expose four independent samples on a single microscope slide to nanosecond pulsed electric fields. The all solid-state pulse generator is a totem pole design delivering 450 V pulses with 0.5-ohm source impedance. The pulse generator, voltage monitor, current monitor, four-channel selection circuit, and housekeeping are contained on a 2.5 inchtimes3.8 inch printed circuit board (PC board). Temporal features of a TTL level trigger input are replicated by the variable 0 to 450 V output pulse. Pulse width can range from 11 ns to DC with rise and fall times of about 3 ns. The pulse generator and interchangeable microscope slide reside on a customized stage insert plate for the fluorescence microscope. Optical and electrical interface to the sample on stage are made simultaneously. We describe here the design of the MicroPulser system, the pulse generator electronics, and electrode chamber for cells
Biological principles for ex vivo adult stem cell expansion.

Adult stem cells (ASCs) are the engines that drive the renewal of adult mammalian tissues. They divide continuously, throughout life, to produce new progeny cells that undergo a robust development program of differentiation and maturation to replace older expired tissue cells. The same cell turnover program may function to provide limited repair and regeneration of adult tissues in some cases. The regenerative potential of ASCs drives the current intense interest in adapting them for applications in cell replacement therapy. However, research to explore this potential has been blunted by an unyielding biological problem. ASCs have proven highly refractory to expansion of their numbers and long‐term propagation in culture. A review of reported strategies to overcome this problem reveals that many studies focus on traditional cell culture factors that may not apply to ASCs and overlook a special property of ASCs that may be universally critical for successful expansion, asymmetric cell kinetics (ACK). This property is reflected by the different kinetics fate of the two sister cells resulting from an ASC division: one cell remains an ASC and keeps the potential to divide for the entire life span of the tissue, while the other cell's progeny eventually differentiates and undergoes terminal division arrest. This unique property of ASCs may prove to be the obligatory factor that must be breached by any method that will succeed in accomplishing routine expansion of ASCs of diverse tissue origin.
Salvaged Directors or Perpetual Thrones

Amidst a public outrage at grants of golden parachutes to failed executives, the award of "perpetual thrones" to directors of distressed companies has gone unnoticed. Several merger agreements provide for an undertaking by the acquirer to increase the size of its own board and include a few of the target's board-members on the expanded board. This arrangement is attractive to the target's directors who will be nominated to the acquirer's board. Rather than losing a board seat as a result of the merger, these target directors will be promoted to a board of an even bigger corporation. The increase in the board size may also serve the acquirer's management, as the inflated board size may decrease the monitoring of the board. This arrangement, however, may not serve the best interests of the shareholders of either corporation. There is evidence that suggests that board size is negatively correlated with firm performance. And the potential offer of a perpetual throne further erodes the deterrence effect of the market for corporate control. The possibility of a perpetual throne, which benefits the director in case of a merger, diminishes the director's incentives to maximize the value of the firm as a stand-alone entity. Yet, the tying of perpetual throne provisions with the merger agreement renders shareholder approval (to the extent it is required) useless. The Article puts forward a proposal aimed at restraining perpetual thrones from adversely affecting the market for corporate control and distorting managerial incentives.
Abstract W P305: Processes Trends and Current Clinical Outcomes for IV TPA and Endovascular Stroke Therapies from the INterventional Stroke Therapy Outcomes Registry

Background: There is no national stroke registry that tracks emergency intra-hospital processes of care and 90-day clinical outcomes for both IV TPA and/or emergency endovascular stroke treatment (EVT). We created the INterventional Stroke Therapy Outcomes Registry (INSTOR®) to address this lack of data. Methods: INSTOR is a sophisticated point-and-click analytical tool that tracks emergency processes and clinical outcomes (90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) in standard stacked bar chart) for both IV TPA and EVT for acute stroke. Complex analyses are performed in real-time and presented in multiple graphic formats. Single and multivariate risk adjustment for IV TPA and EVT therapies are performed based upon the presence or absence of diabetes, initial stroke severity, age, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and, for EVT, original location of clot. Results: Since start of use of INSTOR over 30 months ago (data from 10 sites, over 2368 patients, 542 treated ischemic strokes), median times for arrival to CT have declined from 31 to 17 minutes and scan interpretation from 47 to 40 minutes. Arrival to IV TPA has declined from 81 to 70 minutes, and “decision” (TPA-order) to TPA-started from 20 to 13 minutes. Current 90-day mRS 0-1 for IV TPA (minimum NIHSS null, median 11, maximum 36) is 16% for diabetic patients versus 26% for non-diabetic patients. For IV TPA patients, the overall percentage of mRS 0-1 is 22.6 while mRS 0-2 is 44%. However, for those presenting with NIHSS 6-9, mRS 0-2 at 90-days is 76% while those presenting with NIHSS 10-14, it is 43%. For EVT (minimum NIHSS null, median 17, maximum 38), 90-day mRS 0-2 for IV+EVT is 56% at 90-days vs. 32% for EVT alone and variation is shown based upon original clot location. The rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage is 3.8% for IV TPA alone, 6.6% for IV+EVT, and 8.7% for EVT alone. Conclusions: INSTOR is a unique quality improvement tool that presents instant online graphical and numerical analyses of numerous processes of care and clinical outcomes that can be used to improve care.
Flujo de comercio y la politica del tipo de cambio reptante : un modelo de prediccion perfecta de largo plazo

The recent experience of the Southern Cone countries -Chile, Argentina and Uruguay- with the stabilization plan based on a preannounced rate of exchange rate devaluation has been a failure. This paper analyzes the circumstances in which such a policy coul
Phosvitin, a Phosphoglycoprotein I. ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A GLYCOPEPTIDE FROM PHOSVITIN

Abstract The purified preparations of phosvitin, the phosphoprotein of hens' egg yolk, contain 6.5% carbohydrate. Analysis showed 6 residues of hexose, 5 of glucosamine (assumed to occur as N-acetyl derivatives), and 2 of sialic acid per molecular weight of 40,000. In order to determine the mode of attachment of the polysaccharide moiety, phosvitin has been digested with pronase. A sequence of fractionation steps that included gel filtration, chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and DEAE-Sephadex afforded isolation of a glycopeptide containing all of the carbohydrate attached to an aspartic acid residue. Edman degradation on this peptide and on a smaller peptide isolated from the tryptic digest of a partially dephosphorylated preparation of the glycopeptide yielded the sequence [see PDF for sequence] In addition to the demonstration of the occurrence of a sequence of 8 phosphoserine residues, at least 3 of the 5 nonphosphorylated serines of phosvitin were located near the single carbohydrate moiety of this protein.
Is public health ready for genetics? An unanswered question.

seem to be a premature in-dictment of state newborn screening follow-up coordi-nators.Ifindeed19coordinatorswerecounselingparentsagainstfuturereproductionwhenpositivecaseswereiden-tified,itwouldbeasourceofconcern.However,themeth-odology of the study on which this conclusion is basedseems to be flawed. The persons who responded to thesurvey may not have done any counseling in the pro-gram. The mailing list used for this study was one usedfordatareportingfromthestates—notalistofthepeopledoing the counseling. The instructions to “fill out thispacket if your state routinely provides counseling ser-vices to families of newborns with any positive screen,”doesnotdistinguishbetweenroutinecounselingbystatestaff and referral to the private sector. The authors ad-mittosomeconfusionthatmayhavebeencausedbysend-ing out a second questionnaire. Many questions abouttheactualcounselorswereleftblank,suchassexandpro-fession, indicating that the actual counselors were notcompleting the questionnaire.Moreover, the wording of the controversial ques-tion was, “What is your perception about goals for coun-seling parents about positive newborn screening tests?Please rank how important each of the following goalswould be to the members of your state.” Then a goal waslisted “To identify children who might be, for geneticreasons, unsuitable choices for future reproduction.”The respondents could answer “strongly important,”“slightly important,” “neutral,” “unimportant,” or“strongly unimportant.” The instructions said to markthe most appropriate answer. Although there was noway to question the appropriateness of the question,California answered strongly unimportant and com-mented that it was inappropriate. It is not clear whetherthe respondents were projecting the attitudes of themembers of their state, their own attitudes, or statepolicy. The questionnaire’s poor design makes theanswers uninterpretable.Thearticleandtheeditorialdoraiselegitimatecon-cerns. Newborn screening programs in many states areunderfunded and understaffed. There is a need for pro-grams to include counseling by qualified individuals forall families with affected newborns. I agree with the au-thors’ conclusions that further study is needed to im-prove on the quality of counseling in population-basedscreening programs. I agree with the editorial that thereisacriticalneedtoensurethatpublichealthstaffareprop-erly prepared to manage population-based screening.However, we should demand better evidence of the ac-tual content of counseling before we jump to the con-clusionthatasignificantnumberofstatenewbornscreen-ing programs are imparting inaccurate reproductivecounseling or a eugenic agenda.
Glutamate and non-glutamate receptor mediated toxicity caused by oxygen and glucose deprivation in organotypic hippocampal cultures

In vitro ischemia models have utilized oxygen, or oxygen and glucose deprivation to simulate ischemic neuronal injury. Combined oxygen and glucose deprivation can induce neuronal damage which is in part mediated through NMDA receptors. Severe oxygen deprivation alone however can cause neuronal injury which is not NMDA mediated. We tested the hypothesis that NMDA, or non-NMDA receptor mediated mechanisms may predominate, to induce neuronal injury following severe oxygen deprivation depending on the presence of glucose. We found that NMDA receptor blockade using dizocilpine (MK-801), DL-2-amino-5- phosphonovaleric acid (APV), or CGS 19755, was highly effective in reducing CA1 injury in organotypic hippocampal cultures, caused by complete oxygen and glucose deprivation. Complete oxygen deprivation alone however, caused CA1 neuronal injury which was not diminished using NMDA receptor blockade alone with MK-801 or APV, or in combination with AMPA/kainate receptor blockade using 6-cyano-7- dinitroquinoxalone-2,3-dione (CNQX). Neuronal protective strategies which act primarily through non-glutamate dependent mechanisms, including hypothermia, low chloride and calcium, and the free radical scavenger, alpha-phenyl-tert-butyl nitrone (PBN), provided neuronal protection against complete oxygen, as well as combined oxygen/glucose deprivation. Raising the pH using Hepes buffer during complete oxygen deprivation did not result in neuronal protection by NMDA receptor blockade. Partial oxygen deprivation alone, partial oxygen deprivation combined with glucose deprivation, glucose deprivation alone, and also glutamate exposure, all produced neuronal damage that was reduced by NMDA receptor blockade. The presence of glucose during complete oxygen deprivation appears to prevent glutamate receptor blockade from reducing neuronal injury in organotypic hippocampal cultures.
Telecommunications systems design

Deep space telecommunications systems are used for the transmission of information between a spacecraft and a ground station. A typical deep space telecommunications system is illustrated in Fig. 1-1. It performs three basic functions: telemetry, command, and tracking.
Elastic properties of SixSe1-x glasses.

Transverse and longitudinal phonons have been studied in Si/sub x/Se/sub 1-//sub x/ glasses over a wide composition range. The results show anomalous behavior at x = 0.33 consistent with a structural transformation. Above x = 0.33 our results are consistent with the theory of ''rigidity percolation.''
A cost-effective construction for WDM multicast switching networks

Multicast, or one-to-many, communication is one of the most important collective communication operations. Current trends in networking applications indicate that there will be an increasing demand in future networks for multicast. In particular, as wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) networks emerge, supporting multicast at the WDM layer becomes an important yet challenging topic. In this paper, we consider the issue of supporting WDM multicasting in the widely used three-stage Clos network. Our study demonstrates that the multistage construction with small degrees of limited wavelength conversion is a cost-effective design for WDM multicast switching networks.
Fostering Adolescent Obesity Prevention by Partnering College Student Mentors With a Diverse Middle/High School: A Pilot Study

This study evaluates college student field placements in a diverse middle/high school, consisting of 6th- to 12th-grade students. The college students served as mentors in a nutrition club for the purpose of educating adolescents on better dietary choices in hopes of preventing obesity. The review of literature featured in this research depicts several successful interventions suggesting school-based interventions that include guidance from mentors can be successful. At the end of the program, the mentors were asked to give their insights on the program, showing a positive association between mentor and student on this educative model.
Hierarchical bayesian estimation of quantum decision model parameters

Quantum decision models have been recently proposed to account for findings that have resisted explanation by traditional decision theories. This paper compares quantum versus Markov models of decision making for explaining a puzzling empirical finding from human decision making called dynamic inconsistency --- that is the failure of decision makers to carry out their planned decisions. A large data set that empirically investigated dynamic inconsistency was used to quantitatively evaluate the quantum and Markov models. In this application, the quantum model reduces to the Markov model when one of the parameters is set to zero. The parameters of the quantum model were estimated using Hierarchical Bayesian estimation. The distribution of the key quantum parameter was clearly located in the quantum regime and far below zero as predicted by the Markov model. These results provide further support for quantum models as compared to the traditional models of decision making.
Pathways to a Protein Folding Intermediate Observed in a 1-Microsecond Simulation in Aqueous Solution

An implementation of classical molecular dynamics on parallel computers of increased efficiency has enabled a simulation of protein folding with explicit representation of water for 1 microsecond, about two orders of magnitude longer than the longest simulation of a protein in water reported to date. Starting with an unfolded state of villin headpiece subdomain, hydrophobic collapse and helix formation occur in an initial phase, followed by conformational readjustments. A marginally stable state, which has a lifetime of about 150 nanoseconds, a favorable solvation free energy, and shows significant resemblance to the native structure, is observed; two pathways to this state have been found.
An Eye-Movement Analysis of the Effects of Scotopic Sensitivity Correction on Parsing and Comprehension

Does scotopic sensitivity correction enhance parsing and, thus, comprehension? Twenty-two readers with scotopic sensitivity (mean age = 20.3 yrs.; 40.9% male) parsed sentences under scotopic correction and control conditions. Measures included eye-movement indices of parsing and comprehension questions. Although eye movements suggested enhanced parsing, comprehension scores were not significantly improved with correction.
Framing the Fight: An Analysis of Media Coverage of Female and Male Candidates in Primary Races for Governor and U.S. Senate in 2000

The few research studies that explore the media's portrayal of female candidates in comparison to male candidates have been limited to general election campaigns and usually to one level of office. To expand this area of research, this study examines the media's portrayal of female and male candidates in primary races at two levels of political leadership in which the representation of women is strikingly low—state governor and U.S. senator—in the 2000 campaign. This study's exploration of how the media portrays female and male candidates relies on a content analysis of articles from major national newspapers and representative major regional newspapers. By studying the media's portrayal of male and female candidates during primary elections at two levels of political leadership, this study provides an understanding about how men and women are framed differently even when vying for their own party's bid and, thus, new insights into how such primary framing can translate into bias during the general elections.
α-Actinin-2 in rat striatum : localization and interaction with NMDA glutamate receptor subunits

Alpha-actinin (alpha-actinin-2) is a protein which links the NR1 and NR2B subunits of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptors to the actin cytoskeleton. Because of the importance of NMDA receptors in modulating the function of the striatum, we have examined the localization of alpha-actinin-2 protein and mRNA in striatal neurons, and its biochemical interaction with NMDA receptor subunits present in the rat striatum. Using an alpha-actinin-2-specific antibody, we found intense immunoreactivity in the striatal neuropil and within striatal neurons that also expressed parvalbumin, calretinin and calbindin. Conversely, alpha-actinin-2 immunoreactivity was not detected in neurons expressing choline acetyltransferase and neuronal nitric oxide synthase. Dual-label in situ hybridization revealed that the highest expression of alpha-actinin-2 mRNA is in substance P-containing striatal projection neurons. The alpha-actinin-2 mRNA is also present in enkephalinergic projection neurons and interneurons expressing parvalbumin, choline acetyl transferase and the 67-kDa isoform of glutamic acid decarboxylase, but was not detected in somatostatin-expressing interneurons. Immunoprecipitation of membrane protein extracts showed that alpha-actinin-2 is present in heteromeric complexes of NMDA subunits, but is not associated with AMPA receptors in the striatum. A subunit-specific anti-NR1 antibody co-precipitated major fractions of NR2A and NR2B subunits, but only a minor fraction of striatal alpha-actinin-2. Conversely, alpha-actinin-2 antibody immunoprecipitated only modest fractions of striatal NR1, NR2A and NR2B subunits. These data demonstrate that alpha-actinin-2 is a very abundant striatal protein, but exhibits cellular specificity in its expression, with very high levels in substance-P-containing projection neurons, and very low levels in somatostatin and neuronal nitric oxide synthase interneurons. Despite the high expression of this protein in the striatum, only a minority of NMDA receptors are linked to alpha-actinin-2. This interaction may identify a subset of receptors with distinct anatomical and functional properties.
Model calculations for the predissociative excitation of CS2

A collinear model for predissociation of linear triatomic molecules is presented. A very steep repulsive potential for CS (A) + S is obtained by fitting the experimental results from the dissociation of CS2 at various excitation energies. Qualitative agreement has also been obtained for the rotational energy distribution of the product fragment. The role of the interfragment effect in determining the CS (A) vibrational distributions is discussed.
CRT-802 What you Need to Know About TAVR to Help Your Bottom Line

Public demand for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) 2.5 years post approval continues to be strong. However institutions are still perplexed on how to decrease cost and improve efficiency. This discussion addresses these challenges with the TAVR population and methods which may increase
Distributions of periods and frequencies of runs in random binary sequences

On considere des suites binaires aleatoires dans lesquelles les 1 et les 0 apparaissent independamment avec des probabilites respectives p et q=1−p. On definit des notions de periodes et de frequences
Inhibition of dopamine synthesis in rat striatal minces: evidence of dopamine autoreceptor supersensitivity to S(+)- but not R(−)-N-n-propylnorapomorphine after pretreatment with fluphenazine

This study provides in vitro evidence that rats pretreated with fluphenazine for 10 days, but not acutely, developed moderate but significant striatal autoreceptor supersensitivity as measured by the ability of S(+)-NPA, a selective DA autoreceptor agonist and very weak postsynaptic agonist, to inhibit tyrosine hydroxylase activity. In contrast, autoreceptor supersensitivity was not found with the nonselective auto- and postsynaptic receptor agonist R(-)-NPA. Presumably, this effect represents some modification of a presynaptic regulatory mechanism controlling DA synthesis which can occur despite a reportedly high striatal DA autoreceptor reserve in rat striatum [2, 7]. Such a mechanism, by tending to reduce synaptic availability of DA, may contribute to tolerance to the transient, early DA-synthesis stimulating actions of acutely administered neuroleptics [4], and help to counterbalance increases in postsynaptic DA receptor abundance and sensitivity associated with long-term neuroleptic treatment.
To be or Not to be Humorous in Class—That is the Question:

This article reports the findings of an experimental study to determine the effectiveness of humor as a teaching tool in international marketing education. The study found that using humorous anecd...
Evidence for the resumption of DNA replication prior to histone synthesis in HeLa cells after release from treatment with hydroxyurea

Hydroxyurea, which brings about a rapid but reversible inhibition of DNA replication and histone synthesis in HeLa cells [l-7], has provided valuable information regarding the relationship between these metabolic events. Although time course and biochemical changes associated with inhibition have been extensively examined [l-7], little is known regarding the release from the metabolic block imposed by hydroxyurea. Because of the potential value of this inhibitor for further assessing the apparent functional coupling of DNA replication and histone synthesis, we have examined histone and DNA synthesis at various times after removal of hydroxyurea from HeLa cell cultures. These results indicate that the resumption of DNA synthesis precedes that of histone synthesis.
The Impact of Product Dissection Activities on the Novelty of Design Outcomes

This paper explores the effect of a product dissection activity on design novelty in engineering design. Novelty is an important aspect of design ideation effectiveness. Therefore, identifying the factors that influence novelty will expand the understanding of the design process, as well as improve design pedagogy. Previous studies have found that participation in product dissection activities positively impacted creativity, but did not study creativity in terms of novelty, making it unclear if product dissection activities will impact the novelty of generated designs. Furthermore, although product dissection has been studied in team environments, individual factors such as the personality traits of the team members was not explored for their effect on the exposure to the dissection activity, and hence the effect on the novelty of generated designs. Our empirical experimentation showed that extraverted participants had a higher level of exposure to the body design dissection activity and developed more novel ideas than those who were not extraverts. These results contribute to our understanding on how team-based dissection activities influence the novelty of generated designs in an engineering design setting.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Ligand-mediated metal-metal interactions in (ν5:ν5-fulvalene) bis (dicarbonylcobalt) and rhodium complexes

Abstract Gas phase photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) is used to investigate the bonding and electronic structure in (fv) [M(CO) 2 ] 2 (fv = fulvalene, η 5 : η 5 -C 10 H 8 2− ; M = Co, Rh). The results for these bimetallic complexes are also compared to those for the analogous monometallic complexes CpM(CO) 2 (Cp = η 5 −C 5 H 5 − ; M = Co, Rh) which have been reported previously. The low valence ionization patterns observed for CpCo(CO) 2 and (fv)[Co(CO) 2 ] 2 are very similar, indicating that there is little electronic interaction between the two metals of the dicobalt complex. The spectrum of (fv)[Rh(CO) 2 ] 2 also is very similar to the spectrum of CpRh(CO) 2 , except that the first metal ionizations in the bimetallic rhodium compound show a significant splitting (0.45 eV). This splitting is due to electronic interaction between the two metal centers which occurs via communication through the fulvalene π system. The differences in electronic structure are compared to the differences in electrochemical behavior of the Co and Rh fulvalene complexes.
POLLEN-OVULE RATIOS AND BREEDING SYSTEM EVOLUTION IN SOLANUM SECTION BASARTHRUM (SOLANACEAE)'

Pollen-ovule ratio, pollen grains per flower, pollen grain volume, pollen biomass, ovules per ovary, seeds per fruit, seed volume, seed biomass, and corolla size were studied to reveal patterns of variation within a monophyletic group. Solanum sect. Basarthrum includes 22 neotropical species of two clades, one having small, few-seeded red fruits, and the other having larger, many-seeded green fruits. The former includes self-incompatible species and a dioecious species, while the latter includes self-incompatible species, self-compatible (and autogamous) species, and a domesticate (the "pepino"). Although the pollen quantity and ovule quantity of the self-incompatible species are significantly higher in the green-fruited subgroup than in the red-fruited subgroup, the pollen-ovule ratios of the self-incompatible species are not significantly different between the two subgroups, suggesting parallel evolution of the pollen-ovule ratio. Furthermore, the pollen-ovule ratio tracks the breeding system: self-incompatible species have significantly higher pollen-ovule ratios than self-compatible species, resulting both from fewer pollen grains and more ovules of the latter. The pollen-ovule ratio of the dioecious species is among the highest of all, resulting only from fewer ovules. The pepino is self-compatible but has a pollen-ovule ratio like its wild selfincompatible progenitors and shows wide variation in seed production and pollen quality, but not in pollen quantity. Among all species, pollen size and quantity are inversely proportional, as are seed size and quantity. Although pollen-ovule ratios (P/Os) are widely used in breeding system studies, there is no clear consensus on
E3DVar: Coupling an Ensemble Kalman Filter with Three-Dimensional Variational Data Assimilation in a Limited-Area Weather Prediction Model and Comparison to E4DVar

This study examines the performance of a hybrid ensemble-variational data assimilation system (E3DVar) that couples an ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) with the three-dimensional variational data assimilation (3DVar) system for the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model. The performance of E3DVar and the component EnKF and 3DVar systems are compared over the eastern United States for June 2003. Conventional sounding and surface observations as well as data from wind profilers, aircraft and ships, and cloud-tracked winds from satellites, are assimilated every 6 h during the experiments, and forecasts are verified using standard sounding observations. Forecasts with 12- to 72-h lead times are found to have noticeably smaller root-mean-square errors when initialized with the E3DVar system, as opposed to the EnKF, especially for the 12-h wind and moisture fields. The E3DVar system demonstrates similar performance as an EnKF, while using less than half the number of ensemble members, and is less sensitive to the use of a multiphysics ensemble to account for model errors. The E3DVar system is also compared with a similar hybrid method that replaces the 3DVar component with the WRF four-dimensional variational data assimilation (4DVar) method (denoted E4DVar). The E4DVar method demonstrated considerable improvements over E3DVar for nearly all model levels and variables at the shorter forecast lead times (12‐48 h), but the forecast accuracies of all three ensemble-based methods (EnKF, E3DVar, and E4DVar) converge to similar results at longer lead times (60‐72 h). Nevertheless, all methods that used ensemble information produced considerably better forecasts than the two methods that relied solely on static background error covariance (i.e., 3DVar and 4DVar).
THE EPISTEMIC STATUS OF THEISTIC BELIEF

Until recently, theological discussions of religious epistemology have been notoriously vague, imprecise and confused. Recent work of such thinkers as Alston, Mavrodes, and Plantinga, however, signals a fall from epistemological innocence, and questions about the rationality of belief in God or, more generally, about the status of religious claims to knowledge are again at the forefront of philosophical and theological discussions. The varied theories of truth, justification, and knowledge developed by modern philosophy give renewed pertinence to the perennial question of the rationality of theistic belief. Can belief in God be in accord with the canons of rationality? This paper briefly explores the most compelling contemporary accounts of the epistemic status of theistic belief and considers if any of them has the twin virtues (from the theological perspective) of accurately describing the nature of theistic belief and of allowing the theist to meet our human obligation to rationality.
DNA synthesis cycle in Blepharisma.

SYNOPSIS. Observations made with tritiated thymidine uptake indicate that Blepharisma cannot utilize this precursor directly from the organic medium. An intermediary, such as a food organism (bacteria or Tetrahymena, is needed. These food organisms are not only capable of incorporating thymidine from the medium, but must also break it down or prepare it in a form that is utilizable for Blepharisma. DNA synthesis phase in Blepharisma occurs 17 hours after division. Maximum incorporation is obtained 18 and 19 hours postdivision and lasts thru 24 hours. This is followed by a 1–2 hour postsynthesis phase and division.
Association of facial skin aging and vitamin D levels in middle-aged white women

To investigate the relationship between UV-induced skin photodamage and 25(OH) vitamin D levels, we performed a cross-sectional study in 45 female subjects aged >40. Menopausal status, smoking status, skin cancer history, oral supplement use, and season of blood draw were recorded and serum 25(OH)D measured. A single-blinded, dermatologist evaluated standardized digital facial images for overall photodamage, erythema/telangiectasias, hyperpigmentation, number of lentigines, and wrinkling. Adjusting for age and season of blood collection, women with lower photodamage scores were associated with a 5-fold increased odds of being vitamin D insufficient (OR 5.0, 95% CI: 1.1, 23). Low scores for specific photodamage parameters including erythema/telangiectasias, hyperpigmentation, and wrinkling were also significantly associated with vitamin D insufficiency. Our results suggest an association between skin aging and 25(OH)D levels.
Imipramine treatment and preference for sweets

Antidepressant-induced changes in food preference were investigated in a group of 40 depressed patients before and during treatment with imipramine. As part of a validated survey, the Pittsburgh Appetite Test, self-reported food preference was categorized by both nutrient and hedonic properties to define individual response. After 4 months of treatment, 14 patients (35%) expressed a clear desire for high-carbohydrate/high-fat foods with a sweet taste. Within this group, eight patients already preferred these foods while medication-free, while six subjects demonstrated a change in preference to these foods during treatment. The other 26 patients (65%) showed no consistent changes in food preference. These results suggest that while approximately one-third of imipramine-treated patients report a preference for sweets, only 15% actually developed this preference during treatment.
Volvulus of the splenic flexure.

Two proved cases of volvulus of the splenic flexure the second and third to be reported in the literature, are described, and the associated congenital and acquired colonic disease are discussed.
Is the bad news principle for real

Abstract The bad news principle states that only the expected severity of future bad news matters for the decision whether to invest today, good news should not matter at all. This paper tests this prediction using firm level expectation data.
Panel recommendations on Oil Spill Risk Assessment

A technical panel was convened by the Minerals Management Services (MMS) of the Department of Interior to identify deficiencies and recommend improvements in their Oil Spill Risk Analysis (OSRA) model. Members of the panel were J. M. Bane, Jr. (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill), G. S. Janowitz (North Carolina State University, Raleigh), T. H. Lee (University of Miami, Miami, Fla.), G. L. Mellor (Princeton University, Princeton, N.J.), M. L. Spaulding (University of Rhode Island, Kingston), and F. M. Vukovich (Research Triangle Institute, Raleigh-Durham, N.C.). The present OSRA model uses climatologically derived near-surface velocity fields on which are superposed oil trajectory velocities derived from the so-called “3.5% rule”: this uses a wind series derived from a “transition probability matrix” statistical approach.
Munsell reflectance spectra represented in three-dimensional euclidean space

In this article we describe the results of an investigation into the extent to which the reflectance spectra of 1269 matt Munsell color chips are well represented in low dimensional Euclidean space. We find that a three dimensional Euclidean representation accounts for most of the variation in the Euclidean distances among the 1269 Munsell color spectra. We interpret the three dimensional Euclidean representation of the spectral data in terms of the Munsell color space. In addition, we analyzed a data set with a large number of natural objects and found that the spectral profiles required four basis factors for adequate representation in Euclidean space. We conclude that four basis factors are required in general but that in special cases, like the Munsell system, three basis factors are adequate for precise characterization. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 28, 182–196, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/col.10144
Migration and social structure: analytic issues and comparative perspectives in developing nations.

There are profound relationships between migration and social structure, reflecting the varieties of migration types, the complexities of social structure, and the reciprocal ways migration and social structure are interrelated over time, in different societies, for different communities and social groups. Almost every thread of social structure may be linked to migration patterns at macro- and micro-levels of analysis, cross-sectionally and longitudinally, with variation over the life cycle, connections to levels of socioeconomic development, and relationships to social class and subject to political control. This paper focuses on several propositions that identify and illustrate the complexities of these linkages in developing nations and suggests some of the ways in which our understanding of social structure enhances the analysis of migration processes and vice versa.
Preparing the preschool child for a visit to the dentist.

Abstract Two commercial films were evaluated in comparison with a cartoon and no film for preparing preschool children for a dental examination and prophylaxis. The participants in the study were 145 children, who were assigned randomly to the four experimental conditions. The commercial films did not appear to have any significant advantage over control conditions. Older children were significantly better behaved in the dental surgery and took less of the dentist's time.
Mass diffusion and isothermal catalytic selectivity

An elementary analysis provides a general expression for isothermal selectivity in the first-order reaction sequence A → B → C as catalysed by porous pellets consisting of micropores branched from macropores. Selectivity (yield of B) is concisely related to the intrinsic rate constants, the micro- and macropore effectiveness factors and the fluid phase transport coefficients for the pertinent species. Conditions corresponding to zero and negative selectivity are specified in terms of effective rate coefficient and intraparticle diffusivity ratios for a given intrinsic (surface) selectivity.
Diversity and Composition of Viral Communities: Coinfection of Barley and Cereal Yellow Dwarf Viruses in California Grasslands

Abstract: Most species host multiple pathogens, yet field studies rarely examine the processes determining pathogen diversity within a single host or the effects of coinfection on pathogen dynamics in natural systems. Coinfection can affect pathogen transmission and virulence. In turn, coinfection can be regulated within hosts by interactions such as cross‐protective immunity or at broader spatial scales via vector distributions. Using a general model, we demonstrate that coinfection by a group of vectored pathogens is highest with abundant generalist vectors and weak cross‐protection and coinfection‐induced mortality. Using these predictions, we investigate the distribution of five coexisting aphid‐vectored, viral pathogens (barley and cereal yellow dwarf luteoviruses and poleroviruses) in a native perennial grass (Elymus glaucus) in both space (700 km) and time (4 years). Observed coinfection rates were much higher than expected at random, suggesting that within‐host processes exerted weak effects on wi...
Spectral theory for linearizations of dynamical systems

The description of the asymptotic growth rates for the solution trajectories of a system of differential equations is a central problem in the qualitative theory of dynamical systems. These growth rates are described by the eigenvalues of the Jacobian matrix for trajectories near a critical point, by the Floquet exponents for trajectories close to a periodic orbit and, generally, by the Lyapunov characteristic exponents in a neighborhood of an arbitrary trajectory. In the examples, the asymptotic behavior of the solution trajectories is given by the association of a “spectrum,” and this is a recurrent theme in the method of linearization. Sacker and Sell [IO] recently introduced a spectral theory for differential systems of quite general type: the (linear) skew-product flows (see Section 3). Their work is in the spirit of the classical linearization theory and is closely tied to the idea of the Lyapunov exponents. We prefer to use the word “spectrum” literally, identifying it with the spectrum of an operator on a Banach space. In general, we consider a one-parameter group 4’ of homeomorphisms of a compact metric space M which, for example, may be the solution flow of a differential equation on a smooth manifold. Second, we assume that a continuous vector bundle (E, M) is defined, i.e., a locally trivial continuous map n: E -+ M with linear fibers which are isomorphic to either real n-dimensional space R” or complex n-dimensional space C”. In case #’ is the flow of a vector field X on M, this vector bundle could be the tangent bundle TM. Finally, we assume that there is group of homeomorphisms @’ on E with n# = 4% and such that @i: E, --t E,,c,, is a linear isomorphism for each x E M. For instance, in case 4’ is smooth, Cp’ could be the tangent flow on TM given by the derivative of 4’. Using the compactness of M we define a Finsler on E which continuously assigns a norm, denoted / I, to each fiber E,. With this assignment, the space r(E) of continuous sections of E (functions q: M + E such that 7~ o q(x) = x) forms a Banach space with norm IIqll= supXEM u x 155 1 ( )I. The topology of T(E) is