cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CMR to stratify post-TAVR paravalvular leak in patients with suboptimal echocardiography

Background Despite extensive pre-procedure evaluation, greater than mild paravalvular leak (PVL) occurs in over 10% of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and is associated with worse outcomes. Echocardiography, the standard method of imaging PVL, often has limited utility due to frequently multiple eccentric regurgitant jets. Acoustic shadowing from the valve stent and native aortic valve calcification may lead to further underestimation of PVL. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is considered the gold standard for quantification of valvular regurgitation. We evaluated the utility of CMR to grade PVL severity and predict outcomes in patients with suboptimal echocardiography. Methods Seventeen non-operative post-TAVR patients (NYHA class III-IV; age 84 ± 5 yrs) underwent CMR due to PVL and symptoms out of proportion to echocardiographic findings or suboptimal echocardiographic study. CMR was performed on a Siemens Avanto 1.5 T with velocity phase imaging in the ascending aorta for flow quantification. CMR PVL severity was graded by regurgitant fraction (RF; mild≤20%, moderate 21-39%, severe ≥40%). Short- and intermediate-term follow-up was conducted after CMR. Patients were followed-up for symptoms and a composite outcome of repeat invasive therapy, heart failure hospitalization, or death.
MULTIPLE DEFINITIONS OF READING DISABILITY: IMPLICATIONS FOR PRESCHOOL SCREENING

A preschool screening battery was evaluated for effectiveness in identifying children who later would be found to have reading disabilities. The battery was used to evaluate 165 preschool children; 95 of these children were available for 3-yr. follow-up assessment. The battery was effective in identifying children at risk for later reading disability by using four different diagnostic criteria. The data suggest that intervention should be directed toward the immature or young boy who shows weaknesses in the preschool acquisition of number concepts and symbol recognition.
The origin of planetary rings

Recent spacecraft and ground-based observations have revealed the presence of narrow rings encircling the planets Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus. The Jovian ring is known to contain at least two small, dark, satellites of diameter between 20 and 40 km in its outer edge. The structure of the Saturnian F ring has been resolved by Voyager 1 and appears to be determined by the action of two small neighbouring satellites which were also imaged by the spacecraft. All nine Uranian rings are extremely narrow and some are appreciably eccentric. The outer 6 ring has very sharp edges and its radial width increases from 20 km at pericentre to 100 km at apocentre. This marked variation in width is also characteristic of the Uranian a and |3 rings and of a narrow ring in the Saturnian system. The structure of the Uranian rj ring is complex and may be similar to that of the Saturnian F ring. The resolution of the numerous, but well defined dynamical problems posed by these narrow rings must precede any discussion of the origin of rings. Two co-orbital Saturnian satellites that appear to move in horseshoe orbits have been discovered. The stability of these orbits and the origin of these and other co-orbital satellites are discussed.
Making generalizations about vectors: Is there a physiology of “the mosquito”?

Many of the generalizations made about mosquito behavior and physiology are based on the extensive research on the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti (L.). However, sufficient differences exist among the numerous species of mosquitoes that make many of these generalizations unwarranted. Some of the specific differences between Ae. aegypti and other mosquito species, particularly the important malaria vector Anopheles gambiae, are discussed.
Self-esteem and hopefulness in adolescents with cancer.

Increased survivorship in childhood cancer has raised questions about adolescents' psychosocial functioning during the treatment experience and long-term adaptation as cancer survivors. This descriptive correlation study examines the relationships among the stages of adolescence, gender, self-esteem, and hopefulness in a sample of 45 adolescents with cancer. The perceived level of self-esteem was measured by using the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory; the amount of hopefulness was measured by using the Hopefulness Scale for Adolescents. Mean scores for self-esteem and hopefulness were comparable to normative data reported for healthy adolescents on each scale. Perceived level of self-esteem and hopefulness did not significantly differ between boys and girls overall; early, middle, and late adolescents; or between boys and girls within each stage of adolescence. A stepwise multiple regression analysis showed self-esteem and the early stage of adolescence accounted for 27.3% (R2 = .306) of the variance in hopefulness scores. Self-esteem was the most significant predictor (F = 12.456, p = .001), explaining 20.7% of the variance (R2 = .225, p = .001). This study contributes to nursing the knowledge of the psychosocial response and the treatment experience in adolescents with cancer. These results can be used in future research to develop and test nursing actions that can influence a perceived sense of self-esteem and hopefulness and potentially allow for continued psychosocial development and effective coping among these adolescents during treatment and into survivorship.
Multi-faceted proteomic characterization of host protein complement of Rift Valley fever virus virions and identification of specific heat shock proteins, including HSP90, as important viral host factors.

Rift Valley fever is a potentially fatal disease of humans and domestic animals caused by Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV). Infection with RVFV in ruminants can cause near 100% abortion rates and recent outbreaks in naive human populations have suggested case fatality rates of greater than thirty percent. To elucidate the roles that host proteins play during RVFV infection, proteomic analysis of RVFV virions was conducted using complementary analytical approaches, followed by functional validation studies of select identified host factors. Coupling the more traditional Gel LC/MS/MS approach (SDS PAGE followed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry) with an alternative technique that preserves protein complexes allowed the protein complement of these viral particles to be thoroughly examined. In addition to viral proteins present within the virions and virion-associated host proteins, multiple macromolecular complexes were identified. Bioinformatic analysis showed that host chaperones were among over-represented protein families associated with virions, and functional experiments using siRNA gene silencing and small molecule inhibitors identified several of these heat shock proteins, including heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), as important viral host factors. Further analysis indicated that HSP inhibition effects occur during the replication/transcription phase of the virus life cycle, leading to significant lowering of viral titers without compromising the functional capacity of released virions. Overall, these studies provide much needed further insight into interactions between RVFV and host cells, increasing our understanding of the infection process and suggesting novel strategies for anti-viral development. In particular, considering that several HSP90 inhibitors have been advancing through clinical trials for cancer treatment, these results also highlight the exciting potential of repurposing HSP90 inhibitors to treat RVF.
A comparison of response modes on the perception of linear extent

The influence of mode of response on the perception of linear extent was investigated by comparing the length reports given by a verbal-response mode absolute judgment with a length-matching response mode. The stimuli were five different lengths, ranging from 51 to 559 mm, and they were shown at two durations, 0.5 and 5.0 sec. The results indicate that there is not a consistent effect of the response mode on the stimulus length and stimulus duration. It is suggested that the choice of response mode be primarily determined by the demands of the experimental testing conditions and apparatus.
Intracellular EDTA Mimics Parvalbumin in the Promotion of Skeletal Muscle Relaxation

Parvalbumin (PA) is an intracellular Ca2+-binding protein found in some muscle and nerves. Its ability to bind Ca2+ and facilitate skeletal muscle relaxation is limited by its Mg2+ off-rate. EDTA serves as an "artificial" PA in that it exhibited similar rate constants for Mg2+ (3 s-1) and Ca2+ (0.7 s-1) dissociation at 10 degrees C. When introduced into frog skeletal muscle, EDTA increased the relaxation rate by approximately 2.7-fold, and with increasing tetanus duration, EDTA lost its ability to contribute to relaxation (and Ca2+ sequestration) at its Mg2+ off-rate. Intracellular EDTA recovered its ability to contribute to muscle relaxation and Ca2+ sequestration at its Ca2+ off-rate. Like PA, EDTA's contribution to muscle relaxation and Ca2+ sequestration was more clearly observed when the SR Ca-ATPase was inhibited. Introduction of EDTA into rat soleus muscle, which has low [PA], increased the relaxation rate in a manner that was analogous to the way in which PA facilitates relaxation of frog skeletal muscle. Thus intracellular EDTA serves as an effective mimic of PA, and its use should aid in our understanding of PA's function in muscle and nerve.
National culture and inter-tier price competition

Purpose – This research aims to examine the role of national culture dimensions in the nature of tier competition between high-tier brands and low-tier brands. Design/methodology/approach – It starts with a conceptual framework based on prospect theory to explain the asymmetric inter-tier competition. It then describes how the national culture dimensions influence the implications of prospect theory and as a result, the nature of inter-tier competition. The paper uses Hofstede's framework to operationalize national culture and derives a number of research propositions that explicate the role of national culture in inter-tier price competition. Findings – The study finds that the extent of asymmetry favouring high-tier brands over low-tier brands depends on the national culture dimensions. Whereas high levels of individualism, power distance, uncertainty avoidance, and masculinity increase the asymmetry favouring high-tier brands, higher long-term orientation decreases asymmetric price competition favourin...
Exotic Dancing: Performing Tribal and Regional Identities in East Malaysia's Cultural Villages

“Cultural villages” constitute laboratories for the reimaginings of local cultures and the remapping of their connections to the state, the region, and the globe. Three “heritainment” tourist shows in East Malaysia contain coded statements about cultural ownership, tribal relations to the state, and the state's relation to international tourist markets.
Exploring the social organisation and structure of stolen data markets

As consumers are increasingly using the Internet to manage their finances, there has been a concomitant increase in the risk of theft and fraud by cybercriminals. Hackers who acquire sensitive consumer data utilise information on their own, or sell the information in online forums for a significant profit. Few have considered the organisational composition of the participants engaged in the sale of stolen data, including the presence of managerial oversight, division of labour, coordination of roles and purposive associations between buyers, sellers and forum operators. Thus, this qualitative study will apply Best and Luckenbill's framework of social organisation to a sample of threads from publicly accessible web forums where individuals buy and sell stolen financial information. The implications of this study for criminologists, law enforcement, the intelligence community and information security researchers will be discussed in depth.
Apparently hypermineralized perilacunar bone an artefact in microradiographs.

Apparently hypermineralized (radiopaque) layers of bone matrix surrounding osteocyte lacunae, as well as radiopaque edges along artificial cracks in the sections, could be eliminated from microradiographs by continuous agitation during development. Other hypermineralized structures, such as peritubular dentin, cementing lines and the inner edges of osteons, persisted and were not artefacts of development.
Sample path optimality for a Markov optimization problem

Abstract We study a unichain Markov decision process i.e. a controlled Markov process whose state process under a stationary policy is an ergodic Markov chain. Here the state and action spaces are assumed to be either finite or countable. When the state process is uniformly ergodic and the immediate cost is bounded then a policy that minimizes the long-term expected average cost also has an n th stage sample path cost that with probability one is asymptotically less than the n th stage sample path cost under any other non-optimal stationary policy with a larger expected average cost. This is a strengthening in the Markov model case of the a.s. asymptotically optimal property frequently discussed in the literature.
Immunocytochemical staining for CEA in small cell carcinoma of lung predicts clinical usefulness of the plasma assay

Recent studies have shown plasma CEA levels are useful in both staging and monitoring response to treatment in patients with small cell cancer of the lung (SCCL). CEA elevations do not occur in all patients however, and have been of less value in patients with limited disease. Immunoperoxidase staining for CEA performed on tumor tissue from 48 patients (17 extensive, 31 limited disease) with SCCL revealed: (1) A strong correlation between positive CEA tissue staining and plasma CEA elevation. Plasma CEA elevations occurred in 18/21 CEA tissue positive patients and correlated with the clinical course in all 18. In contrast elevated plasma CEAs were seen in only 3/27 CEA tissue negative patients; (2) CEA tissue positive patients had a higher incidence of extensive disease (62% versus 18%) and a higher incidence of liver metastases (43% versus 7%); and (3) No correlation between histologic subtype and CEA tissue staining was apparent.
A General Matrix Factorization Method for Network Synthesis

THIS PAPER considers a new matrix factorization method for the synthesis of RLC two terminal-pair-networks. Equivalent matrices suitable for the synthesis of RLC ladder and parallel ladder networks are developed by linear transformations of matrix multiplication. The application of the method is demonstrated through the synthesis of a general minimum-phase transmission function as ladder networks1?4 and a general nonminimum-phase transmission function as parallel ladder networks. The advantage of the present method is that superfluous elements in the realized ladder networks are reduced considerably. Furthermore, an unbalanced form can be obtained for realizing a nonminimum-phase transmission function which has generally been realized in the lattice form.1, 5?7
A CASE OF SECOND CROP SEEDLESS APPLES

During the summer of 1925 a large number of second bloom apples were produced in the University of Arkansas Yellow Transparent orchard. Upon cutting some of these fruits in cross-section the writer was surprised to find them seedless. It seemed at first to be a case of parthenocarpy, but upon further study the evidence pointed to embryo abortion (4). Mature apples normally have from a few to ten fully developed seeds. Various investigators have found a close correlation between the number of normal seeds and the setting and development of various fruits. Sax (7) found seed content to be correlated with setting and regularity in shape of apples, while Muller-Thurgau (6) found size of grape berries to be closely related to seed content, The fact that lop-sided fruits are generally accompanied by the absence of seeds on the less developed side, as pointed out by
Antipsychotic Drugs Activate the C. elegans Akt Pathway via the DAF-2 Insulin/IGF-1 Receptor

The molecular modes of action of antipsychotic drugs are poorly understood beyond their effects at the dopamine D2 receptor. Previous studies have placed Akt signaling downstream of D2 dopamine receptors, and recent data have suggested an association between psychotic illnesses and defective Akt signaling. To characterize the effect of antipsychotic drugs on the Akt pathway, we used the model organism C. elegans, a simple system where the Akt/forkhead box O transcription factor (FOXO) pathway has been well characterized. All major classes of antipsychotic drugs increased signaling through the insulin/Akt/FOXO pathway, whereas four other drugs that are known to affect the central nervous system did not. The antipsychotic drugs inhibited dauer formation, dauer recovery, and shortened lifespan, three biological processes affected by Akt signaling. Genetic analysis showed that AKT-1 and the insulin and insulin-like growth factor receptor, DAF-2, were required for the antipsychotic drugs to increase signaling. Serotonin synthesis was partially involved, whereas the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), SEK-1 is a MAP kinase kinase (MAPKK), and calcineurin were not involved. This is the first example of a common but specific molecular effect produced by all presently known antipsychotic drugs in any biological system. Because untreated schizophrenics have been reported to have low levels of Akt signaling, increased Akt signaling might contribute to the therapeutic actions of antipsychotic drugs.
The Acinetobacter baumannii entA Gene Located Outside the Acinetobactin Cluster Is Critical for Siderophore Production, Iron Acquisition and Virulence

Acinetobacter baumannii causes severe infections in compromised patients, who present an iron-limited environment that controls bacterial growth. This pathogen has responded to this restriction by expressing high-affinity iron acquisition systems including that mediated by the siderophore acinetobactin. Gene cloning, functional assays and biochemical tests showed that the A. baumannii genome contains a single functional copy of an entA ortholog. This gene, which is essential for the biosynthesis of the acinetobactin precursor 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA), locates outside of the acinetobactin gene cluster, which otherwise harbors all genes needed for acinetobactin biosynthesis, export and transport. In silico analyses and genetic complementation tests showed that entA locates next to an entB ortholog, which codes for a putative protein that contains the isochorismatase lyase domain, which is needed for DHBA biosynthesis from isochorismic acid, but lacks the aryl carrier protein domain, which is needed for tethering activated DHBA and completion of siderophore biosynthesis. Thus, basF, which locates within the acinetobactin gene cluster, is the only fully functional entB ortholog present in ATCC 19606T. The differences in amino acid length and sequences between these two EntB orthologs and the differences in the genetic context within which the entA and entB genes are found in different A. baumannii isolates indicate that they were acquired from different sources by horizontal transfer. Interestingly, the AYE strain proved to be a natural entA mutant capable of acquiring iron via an uncharacterized siderophore-mediated system, an observation that underlines the ability of different A. baumannii isolates to acquire iron using different systems. Finally, experimental infections using in vivo and ex vivo models demonstrate the role of DHBA and acinetobactin intermediates in the virulence of the ATCC 19606T cells, although to a lesser extent when compared to the responses obtained with bacteria producing and using fully matured acinetobactin to acquire iron.
Coronary artery bypass grafting in a patient with haemophilia B

Patients with coagulation disorders present the entire open-heart surgical team with an increased challenge. A patient with a known history of moderately severe Factor IX deficiency (2.4% activity) was evaluated for coronary artery disease. Cardiac catheterization revealed a 99% right coronary artery lesion, a long 99% circumflex lesion and normal left ventricular function. Sextuple coronary artery bypass grafting was performed with the aid of aprotinin and Factor IX transfusions. The patient's platelet count after cardiopulmonary bypass was 65,000/mm3, down from a preoperative level of 172,000/mm3, requiring the transfusion of six units of pooled platelets immediately postoperation. The patient was extubated five and a half hours after arriving in the Intensive Care Unit, and his chest-tube drainage after the first 24 hours was 373 ml. Other than a transient episode of atrial fibrillation on the third postoperative day, the patient had an uneventful postoperative course and was discharged on the sixth postoperative day. With the use of aproptinin and the newer monoclonal antibody-purified Factor IX concentrates that have been developed, many of the added risks of performing open-heart surgery on patients with haemophilia B are greatly reduced if not eliminated.
Anecdotes [Google search engine]

The Google search engine is becoming a ubiquitous feature in contemporary Internet culture. Myriad subtleties have developed for the verb "to google", from using the Google search engine to a search for information about a prospective date to an emerging, and corporately contested, synonym for Web searching. Although most people view Google as primarily a Web search engine, a lesser-known aspect also exists that might be useful to computing historians.
Competitive Dynamics in Hierarchically Organized Markets: Spatial Duopoly and Demand Asymmetries

In recent years, there has been considerable interest in the impact of corporate organizational structure on the configuration of prices, outputs, and profits in spatially extensive markets. In previous research I examined the general and analytical conditions defining both the existence and stability of an equilibrium in hierarchically organized spatial markets dominated by oligopolistic corporations that distribute a commodity directly to consumers through their retail franchises. Here I examine the disequilibrium dynamics resulting from this model. A bilevel decisionmaking process is hypothesized in which corporations vary their delivered prices in response to changes in urban market demand and in which franchises vary their retail prices in response both to changes in the cost of the commodity from their parent corporation and to the pricing strategies pursued by their competitors. The complexity of interactions operating between the two levels of the model and the presence of asymmetrical demand cond...
X-RAY STUDIES ON TOBACCO MOSAIC VIRUS

Abstract 1. 1. Confirming earlier work, the 37% survival dose, D0, for inactivation by x-rays of TMV was found to be 2.3 × 105 r., which corresponds to a target volume of 4.1 × 10−18 cc., or about 1 12 the anhydrous particle volume. 2. 2. The stability at 80 °C. of survivors of 5 D0 was found to be the same as that of unirradiated virus, in support of the view that x-ray inactivation is an all-or-none reaction. 3. 3. Reasons are given in support of the view that the target may be the nucleic acid.
Linguistic Composition of the Nations of the World : Vol. 1, Central and Western South Asia. Kloss, H. and McConnell, G.D., eds.

La jena estas la unua volumo el sep, per kiuj oni listigos la parolantaron de ciu lingvo kaj dialekto de la mondo. Ili ege utilos al ciu esploristo de la lingvaj politiko, planado, demografio, kaj sociologio, el studoj pri dulingvismo kaj la rilato inter lingvo kaj etneco. La duobla valoro de la volumo estas en sia mallonga sed klarvida teoria enkonduko, kaj en la statistiko pri la okcident- kaj sudaziaj landoj. Kloss, kiel ciam, ofertas sciencan modeion de la enklasigo de donitajoj - neprajo ce iu ajn kompara studo.La diskuto de la tipoj de dulingvisno estas aparte valora. Oni povas distingi dulingvismon kiu ekestas pri kontakto kun alilingvanoj ; anstatauan dulingvismon, ce kiu oni laustupe transiras de unu lingvo al alia; kaj inheran dulingvismon, kie oni vole-nevole iom scipovas alian lingvon, proksime rilatan al la unua. Alia grava distingo estas inter lingvoj nature apartaj disde siaj najbaraj lingvoj, kaj ties apartigo rezulte de konscia planado kaj diferencigo.La politikaj decidoj gravas en la lingva disvolvigo, samkiel en la lingvaj cenzoj. La kompilintoj sajnas starigi purajn 'objektivajn,' 'sociologiajn' kriteriojn ce la identigo de lingvo. Sed oficiala cenzo estas ilo de la stato, au de tiuj grupoj -ekzemple etnoj - kiuj gajnis sufican forton en gi. La lingvaj faktoj en suficas. Se homo deklaras sin lingve aparta, ec se la lingvistiko taksas lian lingvon apenau distingebla, oni devus registri tiun memdeklaron. La lingva mempercepto kaj lingva memdeklaro estas ec baza homa rajto, samkiel la vocdon-rajto. Kaj la deklaroj, kiuj perdigos al la lingvistiko au ne akordigos kun lingvosciencaj principoj, tamen provizos, aliflanke, materialon por analizo ce alia scienco - la politika scienco.La ciferoj donitaj fontas cefe el la pasintaj 25 jaroj. Ce la hinda statistiko, oni pli bone komprenos la lingvajn sangojn ce diversaj provincoj, se oni scias, ke ankau la provincaj limo sangigis.Resume, la libro estas valorega kaj instigas al ec pli streca laboro.
Segregation in food powders

Segregation tendency in food powder mixtures can be monitored by simple vibration or flow tests. It is shown that segregation can occur not only in free flowing powders but also in cohesive powders. The intensity of the phenomenon depends not only on the composition, size and mechanical history of the powder but also on whether the mixture is "ordered" or not.
Focusing the factory: Eight lessons

I n 1982, management at the Copd_‘ys lead to improved plant performance and profitability? rh flexible manufacturing technologies obviate the need to focus the plant? Is plant focus 3 static or dynamic concept? The answers to these questions and others are a critical part of formulating a focused plant strategy. fn this article we will genttrdize from our experience in formally studying focus in a multiindustry sample of 12 manufacturing plants, 3s well as from 40 other plants we’ve studied over the past two ye3rs. (For details on the study, see the Figure.1 We have summarized these experiences into eight lessons or guidelines for managers who are interested in applying the focused factory concept to their plants.
Edwin James-Chronicler of Geology in The American West

Edwin James (1797-1861) was born in Weybridge, Addison County, Vermont, just 5 months after James Hutton, founder of modern geology, died in Edinburgh, Scotland. Edwin was the youngest of 13 children born to Deacon Daniel James and wife Mary. He studied medicine with his older brother in Albany, New York, after graduating from Middlebury College (Vermont) at the age of 19. While studying medicine, he became interested in geology and was influenced by Amos Eaton of the Rensselaer School. Upon completing his medical studies. James accepted a position in the spring of 1820 as a botanist/geologist with the Maj. Stephan H. Long Expedition. He was the first man to reach the summit of James' Peak, now named Pike's Peak, and made notes on the geology of the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains. In 1823 "An Account of an Expedition from Pittsburgh to the Rocky Mountains Performed in the Years 1819 and '20," written mostly by James, was published in Philadelphia (2 vols.) and London (3 vols.). This major work, from a W...
Alpha and beta adrenergic agonists stimulate water absorption in the rat proximal tubule

Simultaneous capillary and luminal microperfusion studies were performed in the rat proximal tubule to determine the effects of the beta agonist isoproterenol and the alpha agonist phenylephrine on water absorption. Capillary and luminal perfusion solutions were composed such that organic solutes were not present, no bicarbonate was present in the lumen, and no chloride gradient was imposed. Under such conditions, water absorption (Jv) averaged 0.36 +/- 0.11 nl . min-1 . mm-1. the addition of isoproterenol to the capillary solution in concentrations of 10(-6) and 10(-4) M resulted in significantly higher Jv's of 0.68 +/- 0.10 and 0.71 +/- 0.11 nl . min-1 . mm-1, respectively. The enhancing effect of isoproterenol was inhibited by the beta blocker propranolol (10(-4) M), but not by the alpha blocker phentolamine (10(-7) M). The addition of phenylephrine (10(-6) M) to the capillary perfusion solution also resulted in a significantly higher Jv of 0.84 +/- 0.14 nl . min-1, an effect inhibited by phentolamine (10(-7) M), but not by propranolol (10(-4) M). Neither phentolamine nor propranolol alone in the concentrations indicated had an effect on water absorption. These experiments indicate that both alpha and beta agonists stimulate water absorption in the superficial proximal tubule of the rat. This effect appears to be relatively specific for each class of agonist, as demonstrated by the effects of the specific antagonists.
Using a Microscale Approach To Rapidly Separate and Characterize Three Photosynthetic Pigment Species from Fern

A rapid separation of three photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a and b and xanthophyll) from fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) is described using microscale solvent extraction and traditional thin layer chromatography that minimizes use of harmful chemicals and lengthy procedures. The experiment introduces students to the concepts of extraction and separation of compounds. Combined with absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy using a plate reader, this laboratory experiment demonstrates the concept of light absorption by different pigments that are involved in photosynthesis as well as their photoluminescence properties. This new approach allows students to perform multilaboratory techniques within a 3 h laboratory session. The experiment has been used successfully in an introductory level course, but it may be easily adapted to second-year courses such as organic chemistry laboratory where these methods are widely used.
Effects of metal ions on action potentials of lobster giant axons

Abstract 1. 1. In the absence of CaII or other polyvalent cations, Panulirus interruptus giant axons are inexcitable. 2. 2. The divalent ions MgII, SrII, BaII, MnII, FeII, CoII, NiII, ZnII and CdII substitute for calcium, with varying effectiveness. 3. 3. The trivalent ions LaIII, YIII and all of the lanthanides substitute for calcium, but cause a lengthening of the spike. 4. 4. The ions PtIV, PdII, AgI, AuIII, CdII, HgII and PbII are toxic at pH 7·5, even in the presence of calcium. 5. 5. The binding site for metals is an oxygen ligand, possibly phosphate.
Death from pelvic fracture: children are different.

This study compares outcome from pelvic fractures in children with that of adults. Data for 23,700 children registered in the National Pediatric Trauma Registry (NPTR) were compared with those of 10,720 adults recorded over 5 years in the registry of our level I trauma center. Patients were categorized by open versus closed fracture and by fracture type as defined by a modification of the Key and Conwell system. Outcome was evaluated by mortality rate and incidence of fracture-induced fatal exsanguination. The 722 pelvic fractures recorded in the NPTR represent 3% of the population and is half the frequency represented by the 532 adults evaluated (P < .001). The overall mortality rate was 5% for children and 17% for adults. Two children died of fracture-related exsanguination; there were 18 such deaths among the adults. Pelvic ring disruption was encountered more commonly among adults, and was associated with a significantly higher mortality rate. Patients with initial hemodynamic instability were more likely to die, although children less so than adults. The authors conclude that children do not die of pelvic fracture-associated hemorrhage as often as adults. Massive blood loss in the child occurs most commonly from solid visceral injury rather than from pelvic vascular disruption.
Near-optimal guidance scheme for a Mars trajectory

Abstract This paper deals with a near-optimal guidance scheme for a spacecraft flying from a low Earth orbit (LEO) to a low Mars orbit (LMO). The importance of guidance can be understood from the following consideration: a small error in the launch velocity at LEO can induce a very large position error on arrival at LMO due to error propagation associated with the large flight time and distance. Indeed, the uncertainties and errors in the thrust, system equations, and measurements constitute a special challenge to the designer of the guidance and control for a Mars mission. On account of the large changes in the gravitational field near a planet, the guidance design has three phases: near-Earth phase, interplanetary phase, and near-Mars phase. The focus of this paper is on guidance for the interplanetary phase. We assume that chemical engines are used and that the control is implemented by changing the magnitude and/or direction of the thrust via propellant consumption. A detector-predictor-corrector scheme is developed for guidance and control. The detector computes the spacecraft trajectory from the current measured state, estimating the trajectory error in the neighborhood of the low Mars orbit. The predictor is activated when the trajectory error exceeds a specified threshold. The task of the predictor is to generate a velocity correction, hence a thrust input, such that the target trajectory (the trajectory after the velocity correction) can rendezvous with the low Mars orbit. The corrector is a feedback control scheme to implement the control commands from the predictor. The key to the guidance design is the predictor. The maximum control margin concept is used in the predictor design to enhance the guidance robustness. Application of this concept means that the target trajectory for rendezvous with the low Mars orbit is to be achieved with minimum propellant consumption. The sequential gradient restoration algorithm (SGRA) is used in conjunction with system decomposition to achieve the real-time implementation of the guidance, and the target trajectory is computed via a two-step process, which includes target restoration followed by velocity restoration. The objective of the target restoration is to generate a trajectory leading from the current position to rendezvous with the low Mars orbit with the minimum velocity change w.r.t. the current velocity; the objective of the velocity restoration is to achieve the required velocity change via proper thrust input to the spacecraft. Considerable enhancement of SGRA for robustness, convergence, and speed can be achieved via this decomposition. Preliminary numerical results are encouraging. They show that the above detector-predictor-corrector scheme can achieve safely the rendezvous with the low Mars orbit, while containing the propellant consumption due to the errors and uncertainties in the thrust, system, and measurements.
Merleau-Ponty and Epistemology Engines

One of us coined the notion of an “epistemology engine.” The idea is that some particular technology in its workings and use is seen suggestively as a metaphor for the human subject and often for the production of knowledge itself. In this essay, we further develop the conceptand claim that Merleau-Ponty’s phenomenological commitments, although suggestive, did not lead him to appreciate the epistemological value of materiality. We also take steps towards establishing how an understanding of this topic can provide the basis for reinterpreting the history of phenomenology.
The Anatomy of Academic Rigor: The Story of One Institutional Journey

The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) draws from student feedback to gauge the level of academic challenge at particular institutions (Kuh 2009). Inspired by attempts to understand the implications of NSSE data on other campuses (Payne et al. 2005), a cross-disciplinary research group at our institution developed a multidimensional model of academic rigor. We argue that learning is most rigorous when students are actively learning meaningful content with higher-order thinking at the appropriate level of expectation within a given context. The model allows instructors and institutional decision-makers to aim towards increased levels of academic rigor in classrooms, departments, and across campus.
QUALITATIVE/QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES IN EDUCATION: A LINGUISTIC PERSPECTIVE

The study of language has a special role in discussions of qualitative methodology by anthropologists. In Section (I) the origins of this role are sketched, and in (II) some consequences and implications. The principal implication is the need for a study of language that is equivalent to linguistic ethnography, addressed to institutions of our own society, such as education. This need, the possibility that change in this regard is up against deeply embedded cultural views of language, and the study of assessment of language development outside of schools are touched on in (III). (IV) takes up the characterization of the kind of ethnography that is intended, stressing a distinction between “ethnography” and “field work,” a conception of linguistic inquiry as generi-cally the interpretation of codes, and a conception of ethnography as the discovery and interpretation of cultural worlds. (V) brings the discussion of ethnography and the preceding discussion of linguistic methodology together. (VI) adds reflections on uses of language by anthropologists. The possible democratic implications of one use of language in anthropology are also suggested.
Dendrochronological Potential and Productivity of Tropical Tree Species in Western Kenya

This study focuses on tropical tree growth rates in Western Kenya. The dendrochronological potential of each study species was determined by visual examination of rings, and then cumulative growth trajectories for diameter were synthesized for species of sufficient sample size (n ≥ 3), based on ring-width chronologies. The 14 tree species considered were: Acacia mearnsii, Bridelia micrantha, Combretum molle, Croton macrostachyus, Cupressus lustianica, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Eucalyptus grandis, Eucalyptus saligna, Grevillea robusta, Mangifera indica, Markhamia lutea, Persia Americana, Syzygium cumini, and Trilepisium madagascariensis. The species with the highest dendrochronological potential included Acacia mearnsii, Cupressus lusitanica, the Eucalyptus spp. and Mangifera indica, which are all non-native species that successfully crossdated. The results also indicated that the species with highest dendrochronological potential had strong radial growth synchrony, which was reflected in high inter-tree correlation and (or) high growth variance explained by the first principal component axis. Furthermore, A. mearnsii and E. camaldulensis were sensitive to annual precipitation and moisture index. The species with the lowest dendrochronological potential were Grevillea robusta and Markhamia lutea. In terms of productivity, the three fastest growing species in the study, based on annual diameter increment, were Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Eucalyptus grandis, and Acacia mearnsii. This study also has great potential to extrapolate historical patterns of diameter growth to understanding annual aboveground biomass and carbon dynamics in Western Kenya.
A method for risk mitigation during the requirements phase for multimedia software systems

The Multimedia Requirements Method for Easy Risk Mitigation (MURMER) is proposed. This method represents requirements for multimedia document types containing audio, video, image or textual data. MURMER aims to increase the overall transparency and reliability of representations as well as provide a straightforward and clear understanding of the whole requirement pane of the final product. It also aims to decrease risk levels associated to the requirements phase and improves overall completeness. The feasibility of the proposed method is shown in a Composting 101 tutorial example created in Macromedia Flash and corresponding MS Powerpoint documents. MURMER investigation is compared to other UML-driven schemes. Its efficiency is based on simplicity and completeness. It is also effective as a risk mitigator.
The development of reflex bladder activity following spinal cord injury in cats and a method to control it

Spinal cord transection is associated with the development of detrusor external sphincter dyssynergia in cats. These findings indicate that the cat is a suitable model for the study of lower urinary tract dysfunction after spinal cord injury. Inhibition of reflex detrusor activity was achieved by activation of a sacral inhibitory pathway by electrical stimulation of the sacral roots or anal sphincter in normal and spinal—injured animals, indicating presence of a sacral inhibitory pathway.
The meaning of party labels

To determine the meaning(s) of the concepts “Republican,” “Democrat,” and “Independent,” the most frequently cited attributes of each party label were scaled in terms of their semantic centrality. An analysis of the magnitude scale values demonstrates that the labels “Republican” and “Democrat” have unique cognitive properties which easily discriminate one label from another. The most characteristic and discriminating properties refer to (1) voting, (2) electioneering, and (3) other forms of electoral behavior. Although these two labels have many strong properties over which there is considerable agreement, such consensus is lacking for the fewer and weaker properties which characterize and discriminate the label “Independent.” Whereas “Republican” and “Democrat” are sharply delineated, semantic inversions of one another, the concept “Independent” is ambiguously defined and only weakly distinguishable from other concepts.
Leiomyoma of the Esophagus

Six cases of leiomyoma of the esophagus have been presented. The exact etiology of this tumor is not known, although it is believed to originate from the muscular layer. See Image in the PDF File It may occur anywhere in the esophagus, but most often is found in the lower third. These tumors may grow slowly and may be of long duration. They may remain asymptomatic. Some are discovered accidentally by x-ray or during postmortem examination. The majority produce dysphagia. Diagnosis is suggested by x-ray and by esophagoscopy. Biopsy is contraindicated and is dangerous in the face of subsequent surgery. Treatment by enucleation or resection gives good results.
Coupled flexural-torsional nonlinear vibrations of microcantilever beams

In this paper the problem of coupled flexural-torsional nonlinear vibrations of a piezoelectrically-actuated microcantilever beam is investigated considering beam's simultaneous flexural, torsional and longitudinal vibrations. Application of such problem is utilized in several nanotechnological instruments such as atomic force microscopy, nanomechanical cantilever sensors and friction force microscopy. The actuation and sensing are both facilitated through bonding a piezoelectric layer (here, ZnO) on the microcantilever surface. The piezoelectric properties combined with nonlinear geometry of the beam introduce both linear and nonlinear coupling between flexural vibration as well as longitudinal and torsional vibrations. The governing equations of motion are obtained with piezoelectric nonlinearity appearing in quadratic form while inertia and stiffness nonlinearities as cubic. An experimental setup consisting of a commercial piezoelectric microcantilever installed on the stand of an ultramodern laser-based microsystem analyzer is designed and utilized to verify the theoretical developments. First and second flexural natural frequencies are both experimentally and numerically obtained and are shown to be in good agreement. Both linear and nonlinear simulation results are compared with experimental results and it is observed that nonlinear modeling response matches the experimental findings very closely.
A kinetic modeling study of n-pentane oxidation in a well-stirred reactor

Abstract Oxidation of n-pentane in a well-stirred reactor is examined, using a numerical model and a detailed chemical kinetic reaction mechanism, including 53 chemical species and 326 elementary reactions. Temperatures studied range from 1068K to 1253K, and the pressure is atmospheric. The major reaction paths consuming n-pentane are H-atom abstraction by OH radicals, followed in importance by H-atom abstraction by H and O atoms and the unimolecular decomposition to produce ethyl and n-propyl radicals. Logically distinguishable H atom sites in n-pentane are treated separately, and decomposition of the three different types of pentyl radicals via β-scission is found to dominate over isomerization through internal H atom transfer or reaction with molecular oxygen. Computed and measured results for chemical species concentrations show substantial agreement at temperatures below 1200K. However, at higher temperatures, the computed oxidation of the n-pentane is more rapid than measured. In the experiments, n-pentane oxidation does not become so rapid as to cause a clear breakdown is reactor homogeneity until the temperature exceeds 1260K. Modifications in some of the elementary reaction rate constants were found to produce much better agreement between computed and measured results in the temperature range from 1200 to 1260K. Explanations for this behavior are discussed, using a detailed sensitivity analysis of the computational model results.
YA is needed for proper nuclear organization to transition between meiosis and mitosis in Drosophila

Background The Drosophila YA protein is required to initiate the embryonic cleavage divisions. After egg activation, YA enters nuclei and interacts with chromatin and the nuclear lamina. This study was designed to define more precisely the events prior to the first cleavage division that are dependent upon YA.
Simultaneous control of emission localization and two-photon absorption efficiency in dissymmetrical chromophores.

The aim of the present work is to demonstrate that combined spatial tuning of fluorescence and two-photon absorption (TPA) properties of multipolar chromophores can be achieved by introduction of slight electronic chemical dissymmetry. In that perspective, two model series of structurally related chromophores have been designed and investigated. One is based on rod-like quadrupolar chromophores bearing either two identical or different electron-donating (D) end groups and the other on three-branched octupolar chromophores built from a trigonal donating moiety bearing identical or different acceptor (A) peripheral groups. The influence of the electronic dissymmetry is investigated by combined experimental and theoretical studies of the linear and nonlinear optical properties of dissymmetrical chromophores compared to their symmetrical counterparts. In both types of systems (i.e., quadrupoles and octupoles), experiments and theory reveal that excitation is essentially delocalized and that excitation involve...
Caregivers' playfulness and infants' emotional stress during transitional time

The purpose of this study is to explore the playfulness of the teachers of infants and its relations to infants' emotional distress during the transitional time at a child care centre. The study used a qualitative case study. Two infant caregivers in a university-based child care centre participated in this study. For the three-month research period, observations, interviews, ongoing conversations, email exchanges and field notes were used as data sources. The findings revealed that the infant caregivers' playfulness appeared in a wide range of verbal and non-verbal behaviours, gestures and expressions. Also, the caregivers' playfulness helped to alleviate infants' emotional distress and made smooth transitions to new experiences. The study suggests playfulness is a constructive way for infants to build up the relationship between infants and teachers.