cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Natural organic matter and sunlight accelerate the degradation of 17ß-estradiol in water

Nanomolar concentrations of steroid hormones such as 17beta-estradiol can influence the reproductive development and sex ratios of invertebrate and vertebrate populations. Thus their release into surface and ground waters from wastewater facilities and agricultural applications of animal waste is of environmental concern. Many of these compounds are chromophoric and susceptible to photolytic degradation. High intensity UV-C radiation has been demonstrated to degrade some of these compounds in engineered systems. However, the degradation efficacy of natural solar radiation in shallow fresh waters is less understood. Here photolytic experiments with 17beta-estradiol demonstrated modest photodegradation (~26%) when exposed to simulated sunlight between 290 and 720 nm. Photodegradation significantly increased (~40-50%) in the presence of 2.0-15.0 mg/l of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) derived from humic acids of the Suwannee River, GA. However, rates of photodegradation reached a threshold at approximately 5.0 mg/l DOC. Observed suppression of photolysis in the presence of a radical inhibitor (i.e. 2-propanol) indicated that a significant proportion of the degradation was due to radicals formed from the photolysis of DOC. Although photodegradation was greatest in full sunlight containing UV-B (290-320 nm), degradation was also detected with UV-A (320-400 nm) and visible light (400-720 nm) alone.
Measurable prediction for the single patient and the results of large double blind controlled randomized trials.

Background It has been shown that the clinical state of one patient can be represented by known measured variables of interest, each of which then form the element of a fuzzy set as point in the unit hypercube. We hypothesized that precise comparison of a single patient with the average patient of a large double blind controlled randomized study is possible using fuzzy theory. Methods/Principle Findings The sets as points unit hypercube geometry allows fuzzy subsethood to define in measures of fuzzy cardinality different conditions, similarity and comparison between fuzzy sets. A fuzzy measure of prediction is defined from fuzzy measures of similarity and comparison. It is a measure of the degree to which fuzzy set A is similar to fuzzy set B when different conditions are taken into account and removed from the comparison. When represented as a fuzzy set as point in the unit hypercube, a clinical patient can be compared to an average patient of a large group study in a precise manner. This comparison is expressed by the fuzzy prediction measure. This measure in itself is not a probability. Once thus precisely matched to the average patient of a large group study, risk reduction is calculated by multiplying the measured similarity of the clinical patient to the risk of the average trial patient. Conclusion/Significance Otherwise not precisely translatable to the single case, the result of group statistics can be applied to the single case through the use of fuzzy subsethood and measured in fuzzy cardinality. This measure is an alternative to a Bayesian or other probability based statistical approach.
Alkaline phosphatase normalization is associated with better prognosis in primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Background Primary sclerosing cholangitis results in elevated but fluctuating serum alkaline phosphatase levels that occasionally return to normal.
Coherent Raman beat EPR without pre-excitation pulses

Abstract Coherent Raman beat electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra without application of one or more excitation pulses have been observed in the EPR spectrum of the tetramethyl-1,4-benzosemiquinone anion radical in a frozen mixture (50:50) of protonated and fully deuterated isopropyl alcohol at 4.2 K. The free nuclear transition frequencies of hydrogen and deuterium and the small quadrupole coupling of 146 kHz of the deuterium could be measured with high sensitivity and precision (line width ≈40 kHz). The modulation amplitudes of the deuterium matrix lines at 2.2 MHz, as a function of the observer power, reveal a distinct resonance behavior coinciding with the frequency of the transient nutations, that is, when the Rabi frequency is approximately equal to the nuclear precession frequency. These observations suggest that the mechanism of coherence transfer between the electron and nuclear spin systems is related to the Hartmann-Hahn effect.
The effect of pyrolysis and instrument parameters on the results of various supervised learning techniques

Four supervised pattern-recognition procedures—linear discriminant analysis, soft-independent models of class analogy, a univariate expert system, and a multivariate expert system—were applied to pyrolysis-mass spectrometry data from five bacterial species. A test set was generated by individually modifying the tuning parameters of the mass spectrometer followed by collection of one spectrum for each bacteria. Five replicate pyrolysis-mass spectra of each bacteria were used as a training set for the classification of the test set. The multivariate expert system consistently scored over 92% correctly identified, while the other procedures resulted in less than 80% correctly identified. Under these harsh conditions, the multivariate expert system was not affected seriously by the mass spectrometer tuning changes.
Overcoming blocks to creativity in family treatment

This paper arises from a didactic and experiential workshop where the participants examined their ‘problem’ families and the characteristics the families possessed which the therapists did not like. These characteristics were explored and the participants came to an understanding of these ‘problem’ families. Blocks to creativity were discussed and the participants claimed their own ‘blocks’. Style and presence of the therapist as a creative change agent was explored.
The use of response deprivation to increase the academic performance of EMR students

This research was designed to evaluate the proposed advantages of response deprivation as the basis for establishing reinforcement schedules in applied settings. In Experiment 1, response deprivation was used to improve the cursive writing of six EMR children, using math as the contingent response. The results suggested that writing improved in schedules that produced response deprivation and when the children were given corrective feedback on their performances. In Experiment 2, reversibility of reinforcement was investigated in four EMR children working on math and writing tasks. The students were sequentially presented two reinforcement schedules that produced response deprivation; however, the instrumental and contingent responses were reversed from the first to the second. Consistent with the response deprivation view, the results indicated an increase in instrumental responding in both schedules, which suggests that reversibility of reinforcement can be achieved simply by changes in schedule requirements. In summary, the results of both experiments offered support for response deprivation as an alternative method of producing reinforcement in educational settings.
Use of Spiritual Life Maps in a Hospice Setting

Spiritual care is an essential component of holistic hospice care at the end of life. However, hospices vary considerably in the process of spiritual assessment as a precursor to spiritual care. The Spiritual Life Map (Hodge, 2005) is one tool that has been developed to address diverse spiritual perspectives. Introduction and adoption of such a tool may require training and ongoing support to facilitate its use in a hospice setting. This qualitative study evaluated the introduction, demonstration, and use of spiritual life maps in a hospice setting. Focus groups with hospice chaplains and social workers were conducted to assess hospice professionals' definitions of spiritual care and their responses both before and after hands- on training in the use of spiritual life maps as a tool in end of life care. A phenomenological approach to qualitative analysis was used. Results suggest the need for ongoing training and support in addressing spiritual needs at the end of life, and several barriers to the use of ...
Families Under the Microscope: Repeated Sampling of Perceptions, Experiences, Biology, and Behavior

Families are not frozen dioramas; they are alive, active, and changing. Models of real-life marital and family processes require many moving pieces. An intensive repeated measures approach reaches beyond static representations of the family toward more dynamic models that depict “life as it is lived.” The appearance of studies that use diaries and biological sampling in everyday life has burgeoned in the family research literature. These methods are part of a larger class of naturalistic methods that assess families in action and that includes direct video and audio recordings of families in their everyday environments. This article summarizes research that uses diaries, observations, and biological data collected over time in natural settings to study families. It provides an overview of the major research questions, designs, methods of data collection, and statistical models used in those literatures. Theoretical contributions and next steps in naturalistic research on families are discussed.
The Genius Portfolio: How Do Poets Earn Their Creative Reputations from Multiple Products?

How is creativity assessed across multiple products? What parameters influence the audience’s overall impression of an artist’s total body of creative work? This study examines this question in the domain of poetry, as poetry “gatekeepers” rated a series of five poems (all written by the same poet). The central question was what factors impacted the overall ratings of these poems; specifically, the following components were evaluated: average performance (i.e., typical work), maximum performance (i.e., best work), minimum performance (i.e., worst work), variability of performance (i.e., consistency), first performance, and last performance. The average, best, worst, and last poem in each set positively predicted the overall quality of the set. Variability (e.g., the standard deviation) did not make a significant prediction, suggesting that a body of artistic work may not be judged by the consistency of the set. These results suggest an overall stronger effect for ratings of individual items than for consistency when judging a set of creative works. Implications for aesthetic judgment are discussed.
Peroxisome assembly mutations in humans: structural heterogeneity in Zellweger syndrome.

Empty membrane ghosts of peroxisomes were found in fibroblasts from a patient with Zellweger's syndrome, a genetic disease of humans (Santos et al: Science 239:1536–1538, 1988). Import of soluble matrix proteins into the organelle was defective. We have now studied fibroblasts from seven patients representing five complementation groups of the syndrome (defined by complementation for peroxisome enzyme function). We find that empty peroxisome ghosts are present in all seven cell samples. Three patients, representing three complementation groups, give the same membrane pattern by immunofluorescence: few large ghosts. Three other patients, representing two complementation groups, give a second pattern: many large ghosts. The seventh patient's pattern is distinct. Thus, all seven of these patients exhibit Peroxisome IMport (PIM) mutations. Since membrane assembly occurs in these cells, the results indicate that biogenesis of organelle content and membrane proteins proceed by different mechanisms. Growth and division of the empty peroxisomal membrane must occur, but are modified by the mutations (ghost size and abundance vary). Cell fusion and immunofluorescence analyses of peroxisome size and catalase packaging formally demonstrate genetic complementation groups for peroxisome assembly in Zellweger syndrome. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Deformation and unstable flow in hot forging of Ti-6Ai-2Sn-4Zr-2Mo-0.1Si

The stable and unstable plastic flow of Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-2Mo-0.1Si (Ti-6242) has been investigated at temperatures from 816 to 1010 °C (1500 to 1850 °F) and at strain rates from 0.001 to 10 s-1 in order to establish its hot forging characteristics. In hot, isothermal compression, Ti-6242 with an equiaxed a structure deforms stably and has a flow stress which decreases with straining due to adiabatic heating. With a transformed-β microstructure, unstable flow in hot compression is observed and concluded to arise from large degrees of flow softening caused by microstructural modification during deformation and, to a small extent, by adiabatic heating. Both microstructures have a sharp dependence of flow stress on temperature. Using the concepts of thermally-activated processes, it was shown analytically that this dependence is related to the large strain-rate sensitivity of the flow stress exhibited by the alloy. From lateral sidepressing results, the large dependence of flow stress on temperature was surmised to be a major factor leading to the shear bands occurring in nonisothermal forging of the alloy. Shear bands were also observed in isothermal forging. A model was developed to define the effect of material properties such as flow softening rate and strain-rate sensitivity on shear band development and was applied successfully to predict the occurrence of shear bands in isothermal forging.
Chromosomal lesion associated with carcinogen-induced tumours in mice.

PRIMARY tumours induced by polycyclic hydrocarbons have been examined by several investigators to evaluate the importance of karyotype modification in carcinogenesis1–3. A significant number of such tumours has been characterized by cells with aneuploid chromosome numbers. In a study of 14 fibrosarcomas induced by methylcholanthrene in a variety of F1 hybrids of inbred mouse strains, Hellstrom2 reported that only 4 tumours contained predominantly diploid cells. The cells comprising the remaining ten tumours were either hyperdiploid, triploid, or hypertetraploid. Marked variability in chromosomal pattern was observed from one tumour to another as well as within any one tumour.
Microwave spectra, ab initio and DFT calculations and molecular structure for (η7-cycloheptatriene)Ti(η5-cyclopentadienyl) and (η7-cycloheptatriene)Cr(η5-cyclopentadienyl)

Abstract Microwave spectra of 1-d-(η 7 -cycloheptatriene) 48 Ti(η 5 -cyclopentadienyl) (CHT–Ti–Cp) and two singly substituted 13 C isotopomers were measured and gas phase structural parameters were determined. Rotational transitions were also measured for (η 7 -cycloheptatriene) 52 Cr(η 5 -cyclopentadienyl). Rotational constants for the Ti complex were found to be A = 1720(4) MHz, B = 769.269(1) MHz and C = 766.131(1) MHz and for [ 13 CC 6 H 7 – 48 Ti–C 5 H 5 ], A = 1773(2) MHz, B = 769.6931(4) MHz and C = 761.1789(5) MHz and for [1-d-C 7 H 6 48 TiC 5 H 5 ] and A = 1270(5) MHz, B = 767.0142(9) MHz and C = 765.323(1) MHz for [C 7 H 7 48 Ti 13 CC 4 H 5 ]. A structural analysis for the (CHT–Ti–Cp) data showed that the cycloheptatriene ring protons droop towards titanium as predicted by DFT and MP2 calculations. The droop of the protons toward the metal was experimentally determined to be 8.0(2)° out of the plane of the cycloheptatriene ring. The ring center distance to titanium was found to be 2.01(3) A for Ti–Cp and 1.48(3) A for Ti–CHT using a least squares fit to the measured rotational constants and fixing many of the structural parameters to the calculated values. The spectrum of the normal isotopomer (η 7 -cycloheptatriene)Ti(η 5 -cyclopentadienyl) was re-measured and a discussion of the possible 47 Ti quadrupole coupling constants is presented. The chromium analog K = 0 spectrum was analyzed to obtain B = 851.229 MHz, and D J = 0.028(6) kHz. Results from structure calculations are reported and discussed for (CHT–M–Cp) complexes with M = Ti, Cr, Zr, Hf, Mo, W using MP2, B3PW91 and B3LYP methods.
Parallel Kinematic Machine Positioning Accuracy Assessment and Improvement

Abstract Although parallel kinematic machines potentially offer high force/torque capacity, structural rigidity, speeds, and dexterity, characterization of the first generation of hexapods has proven the need for improving the positioning accuracy before these new machines will be accepted for manufacturing applications. This paper proposes a systematic approach to assess the accuracy of a parallel kinematic machine subject to structural errors and then to effectively compensate for them. Analytical models were constructed for both the nominal and actual structures. Sensitivity analysis was performed, and it was determined-that of the 33 sources of error, only the six due to strut length deviations are significant. Simulations indicate that the accuracy of strut length calculations shows a discrepancy of at most ±4 micrometers. In summary, the simulation and preliminary experimental results show that the performance of parallel kinematic machines can be enhanced through error modeling and compensation.
Needle aspiration of nonperitonsillar head and neck abscesses. A six-year experience.

• Twenty-five patients with various head and neck abscesses have been managed with needle aspiration as the initial surgical modality over a six-year period. Twenty (83%) of 24 patients' abscesses resolved without formal surgical intervention. Patient 25 in the series whose abscess, though initially resolving, reaccumulated within two weeks requiring an incision and drainage. Recurrent cancer was then diagnosed. Eight of ten large-volume abscesses (over 10 mL) were controlled with needle aspiration. Fourteen patients required multiple aspirations, five of whom had indwelling catheters placed to facilitate abscess decompression. These data confirm that needle aspiration is an effective means of controlling nonperitonsillar abscesses of the head and neck. (Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg1988;114:1312-1314)
The effects of dietary vitamin E and selenium deficiencies on plasma thyroid and thymic hormone concentrations in the chicken

Beginning at hatching, male Cornell K strain single comb white leghorn chickens were fed a basal diet, with or without vitamin E (100 IU/kg) and/or selenium (Se, 0.2 ppm). After 3 weeks of treatment, animals fed either the Se-deficient or basal diet had significantly reduced plasma Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase activities when compared to those fed a vitamin E and Se-supplemented diet. Similarly, animals fed the vitamin E-deficient or basal diet had significantly reduced plasma alpha-tocopherol levels. The effect of these treatments on plasma concentrations of thyroid hormones (T(3)/T(4)), growth hormone (GH), and thymic hormone (thymulin) was determined using radioimmunoassay and ELISA. A deficiency in Se, but not in vitamin E, resulted in an increase in plasma T(4) concentrations while plasma T(3) concentrations were decreased. Plasma GH levels showed some fluctuation as a result of the dietary treatments but there was no significant correlation between plasma GH levels and any of the other variables. A significant decrease in plasma thymulin levels was observed in Se-deficient birds compared to those receiving adequate Se in the diet. A vitamin E deficiency had no measurable effect on plasma thymulin levels. From these studies, we conclude that plasma thymulin concentrations directly correlate with plasma T(3) concentrations which are negatively affected by a Se deficiency.
In-store one-to-one marketing

Abstract With the proliferation of electronic media, one-to-one marketing has become more accessible and it is moving toward widespread adoption. It is particularly important for retailers, where several forms of one-to-one marketing are performed either before or after a shopping experience. One-to-one marketing during the shopping experience is still elusive; however, with recent technological advances it could soon become reality. We show how it can be carried out by using either personal digital assistance devices and wireless communication, or radio frequency identification. The main concept is based on providing coupons during a shopping experience and then routing the customer within the facility to possibly redeem them. The novel approach of selecting the coupons based on the already purchased goods enables one-to-one marketing during the actual shopping trip. Several models are presented based on the underlying technology and the option of a loyalty card. The concepts are computationally evaluated based on data obtained from a grocery store. They allude to substantially increased revenue by the store.
Chemotherapy-induced anemia at an urban academic medical center: iron studies and supplementation.

Abstract Objectives: To determine the number of patients with chemotherapy-induced anemia receiving an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) in whom iron studies were completed and iron supplementation was provided and to document the response rate of ESA therapy without parenteral iron at our medical center. Design: Retrospective chart review. Setting: Urban (Chicago) academic medical center between January 2004 and December 2005. Patients: Ambulatory patients with a nonmyeloid malignancy receiving chemotherapy during a 2-year period in whom hemoglobin (Hb) was less than 11 grams/dL or ESA therapy was documented. Intervention: Review of medical records. Main outcome measures: Number of patients reaching target Hb, time to reach target Hb, number of patients receiving a transfusion, number of patients with iron studies, and number of patients receiving iron supplementation. Results: A total of 174 medical records were reviewed, and 50 patients met study criteria. Of these, 38 patients were treated with darbepoetin alfa, 11 patients were treated with epoetin alfa, and 1 patient was not treated with either agent. 20 patients achieved the target Hb level of 12 grams/dL within a median of 7 weeks (range 1-24 weeks). Only five patients treated with an ESA received iron supplementation, one responder and four nonresponders. Iron indices were measured in 20 patients (40%); 14 patients were candidates for iron therapy based on transferrin saturation, and 3 of these 14 patients received oral iron supplementation. Six responders and six nonresponders received a transfusion (25%). Conclusion: The overall response rate and time to Hb response were consistent with previous reports. Iron indices were not commonly measured before ESA therapy was started, and only a few patients were provided oral iron supplementation at our medical center.
On-Chip Bondwire Magnetics with Ferrite-Epoxy Glob Coating for Power Systems on Chip

A novel concept of on-chip bondwire inductors and transformers with ferrite epoxy glob coating is proposed to offer a cost effective approach realizing power systems on chip (SOC). We have investigated the concept both experimentally and with finite element modeling. A <path id="x1D444" d="M745 361q0 -134 -83.5 -233t-214.5 -130l16 -11q97 -67 250 -132l-8 -23q-76 3 -131 16q-81 19 -242 125l-20 13q-129 8 -209 91t-80 208q0 160 116 271t289 111q136 0 226.5 -83t90.5 -223zM645 356q0 127 -57.5 201.5t-169.5 74.5q-126 0 -210.5 -104.5t-84.5 -248.5 q0 -97 46 -166.5t129 -87.5l84 15l29 -19q104 21 169 121.5t65 213.5z"> factor of 30–40 is experimentally demonstrated for the bondwire inductors which represents an improvement by a factor of 3–30 over the state-of-the-art MEMS micromachined inductors. Transformer parameters including self- and mutual inductance and coupling factors are extracted from both modeled and measured <path id="x1D446" d="M457 488l-30 -3q-17 148 -131 148q-53 0 -84.5 -34.5t-31.5 -82.5q0 -42 25.5 -72t74.5 -62l33 -22q63 -42 95 -85t32 -102q0 -84 -67 -137t-163 -53q-58 0 -113 22t-70 43l-4 152l27 4q4 -32 15 -62.5t31 -59.5t53.5 -47t76.5 -18q56 0 92 35t36 96q0 39 -25 70t-78 68 l-31 22q-32 23 -53.5 41.5t-45 57t-23.5 77.5q0 82 58 132.5t156 50.5q46 0 101 -17l18.5 -6t17 -6t8.5 -3q-4 -55 0 -147z"> -parameters. More importantly, the bondwire magnetic components can be easily integrated into SOC manufacturing processes with minimal changes and open enormous possibilities for realizing cost-effective, high-current, high-efficiency power SOCs.
Appendix A—Research on limestone‐caverns

General—James H. Gardner, Tulsa, Oklahoma, who published during the year a paper “Origin and development of limestone-caverns” (Bull. Geol. Soc. Amer., v. 46, pp. 1255–1274), has continued the study of some aspects of the problems mentioned In that paper in connection with the Carlsbad Cavern. Correspondence with M. E. Roberts, petroleum-geologist of Odessa, Texas, has brought out additional evidence regarding the recent age of the Cavern and its relation to uplift along the sides of the Guadalupe Mountains which has tilted the stalactites from a vertical position. A. C. Swinnerton, Yellow Springs, Ohio, has continued study on the relation of the general theories of cavern-origin to structural control reported in abstract in the Proceedings of the Geological Society of America for 1934, page 115. He is also engaged in compiling a bibliography of caves. Contributions and suggestions for the bibliography will be welcome.
Experimental measurement and modeling of downflow condensation in a circular tube

Abstract This study explores the interfacial and heat transfer characteristics of annular condensation of FC-72 in vertical downflow. Two separate condensation test modules are employed, one for high-speed video imaging of the film interface and the second for heat transfer measurements. Condensation in both test modules is achieved by rejecting the heat to a counterflow of cooling water. The heat transfer measurements are obtained along the inner wall of an 11.89-mm i.d. and 1259.84-mm long stainless steel tube. For very low FC-72 flow rates, the film is observed to be both smooth and laminar. The film turns turbulent with a very wavy interface as the flow rate of FC-72 is increased, especially for exit film Reynolds numbers above 1800. The heat transfer coefficient decreases axially because of a gradual thickening of the liquid film. However, the data show a downstream minimum before the heat transfer coefficient increases again towards the outlet as the film transitions to turbulent flow, enhanced by the more intense downstream waves. A control-volume-based model is proposed, which incorporates an eddy diffusivity profile for the liquid film that accounts for interfacial dampening of turbulence due to surface tension. The model shows good accuracy in predicting the average condensation heat transfer coefficient data, evidenced by a mean absolute error of 12.59%.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection of intact guinea pig tracheas cultured in a unique matrix-embed/perfusion system

A new method for the in vitro culture of entire, intact tracheas from adult guinea pigs is described. Matrix-embed/perfusion (MEP) culture is based on an immobilization of the tissue in nutrient agar. The tubular piece of agar-embedded organ was contained in a special perfusion block with two wells for liquid medium at either end. When incubated on a rocker platform, liquid medium flows through the trachea and supplies oxygen and nutrients. In this configuration, tracheas maintain near-normal metabolism (ATP content and dehydrogenase activity), structure (as determined by light and electron microscopy), and function (ciliary motion). Tissues could be maintained in vitro in a normal state for at least 4 wk, with reduced ciliary motion and cell metabolism detectable for at least 6 wk. Agarembedded tissues from the MEP cultures were nearly identical to those cultivated with standard tracheal ring explant techniques. Tracheas in the MEP cultures were infected withMycoplasma pneumoniae. Attachment was neuraminidase-sensitive. Mycoplasma attachment was lowest on the epithelium along the dorsal ridge, but was uniform along the length of the trachea. Ciliostasis and cytonecrosis induced byM. pneumoniae was dose dependent. The matrix-embed/perfuse technique appears to have considerable potential for several types of in vitro studies on trachea or other tubular organs.
Confidence Subset Containing the Unknown Peaks of an Umbrella Ordering

Abstract Umbrella ordering has received considerable attention in the statistical literature during the past 15 years. However, there is still no solution to the important problem of estimating the unknown peaks of an umbrella ordering. This article discusses confidence estimation of the unknown peaks. A random subset of all of the treatments that contains the unknown peaks of an umbrella ordering with any prespecified confidence level is considered. The proposed order-restricted confidence subset theory explicitly utilizes the order information and has several advantages for umbrella orderings over the usual subset selection theory. The utility and general applicability of the proposed method is shown by its applications in various experimental designs, assuming normal or other location-scale distributions with known or unknown variances. Examples based on real data are provided.
Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone and Prostaglandin E1 Stimulation of Cyclic 3',5'-Adenosine Monophosphate in Thyroid Slices

Thyroid-stimulating hormone increased the cyclic 39,59-adenosine monophosphate concentration in dog thyroid slices during a 1-minute incubation period and produced a maximum effect soon thereafter. The elevation persisted for at least 30 minutes. The concentrations of the cyclic 39,59-adenosine monophosphate increased as the TSH concentration was increased from 0.125 to 50 milliunits per milliliter. Prostaglandin E 1 , which increases glucose oxidation in dog thyroid slices, also increased the concentration of cyclic 39,59-adenosine monophosphate. Although sodium fluoride stimulates thyroid adenyl cyclase, it did not increase concentration of cyclic 39,59-adenosine monophosphate. Carbamylcholine and menadiol sodium diphosphate augment glucose oxidation in dog thyroid slices but do not change concentrations of cyclic 39,59-adenosine monophosphate.
Recent advances in acid- and base-catalyzed organic synthesis in high-temperature liquid water

Abstract High-temperature (200– 350 ∘ C) liquid water (HTW) is a promising reaction medium for conducting acid- and base-catalyzed organic synthesis reactions in an environmentally responsible manner. This article provides a summary of recent advances made concerning acid- and base-catalyzed organic synthesis in HTW. One advance is demonstrating that rates of acid-catalyzed reactions conducted in HTW can be accelerated while maintaining the solvent benignity by using CO 2 as an additive. A second advance is showing that additional commercially significant chemical products can be synthesized in HTW without catalyst. A third advance is demonstrating that product selectivity can be controlled by process variables such as temperature, water density, and heat-up time. A fourth advance is the emergence of mechanistic insight regarding acid- and base-catalyzed reactions in HTW. For example, we discuss the possibility that protons or hydroxide ions resulting from the dissociation of water may not be responsible for the occurrence of some classically acid- or base-catalyzed reactions in HTW without catalyst.
On providing feedback to reading miscues

Abstract The author examines the potential for oral reading with individual students at their instructional level as a means for developing basic word recognition strategies. Three dimensions of feedback are identified with respect to the teacher's crucial role of providing feedback during such reading interactions. The first dimension of selectivity relates to how teachers determine which miscues they will or will not make an overt response to. The second dimension of timing addresses the question of when such feedback should be offered. And the final dimension of form considers the actual characteristics of the prompt itself.
Viability of uranium nitride fueled high-conversion PWR

Abstract Light water breeder reactors have been examined periodically for decades, and considerable research into the neutronics and thermal hydraulics of several designs has been performed. Currently, there is an interest in reduced moderation boiling water reactors in Japan and in the United States, where Department of Energy (DOE)-sponsored university research programs are examining proposed breeding BWRs. This study assesses the thermal hydraulic and neutronic feasibility of a nitride fueled pressurized water reactor (PWR) breeder design. Because of the higher fuel density, the use of nitride fuel would be preferable to the traditional oxide fuel for a high conversion PWR design. To illustrate the advantage, a design that uses large hexagonal assemblies was considered. The design has 14 inner seed pin rows and 4 outer blanket pin rows, leading to 505 inner seed pins and 366 outer blanket pins per assembly. Each assembly contains 6 thimble locations for control rods. The same assembly type can be used at all locations in the core. For this study a fuel pin diameter of 1.2 cm was used with a gap of 1 mm between pins. The seed regions had 12.75% percent of the heavy metal as fissile plutonium (Pu-239 and Pu-241), hosted in depleted uranium (0.25% U-235). The plutonium vector for the seed region was 2.7% Pu-238, 47.9% Pu-239, 30.3% Pu-240, 9.6% Pu-241, 8.5% Pu-242 and 1.0% Am-241. The Blanket regions contained only depleted uranium with 0.25% U-235. This assembly was modeled with the Monte Carlo depletion code Serpent to determine the initial to final fissile inventory ratio (FIR). The as-specified assembly model did not achieve an FIR value above 1.0, so the water in the thimble regions was changed to void, to lower the H/HM ratio. This led to FIR values above 1.0 for the oxide, the 85% theoretical density nitride (N85) and the 95% theoretical density nitride (N95). All designs had an FIR of 1.03 at 35 MWd/kgHM. However, the single batch discharge burnup of the assembly was much higher for the nitride cases. The burnups were 15.6, 24.5 and 32.2 MWd/kgHM for the oxide, N85 and N95 respectively. The KfK correlation for critical heat flux was applied to calculate the minimum departure from nucleate boiling ratio (MDNBR), whose value was set to be 1.45. With an acceptable core pressure drop of 400 kPa and acceptable vibration magnitude, the maximum power in an assembly and the maximum flow rate were determined. A nitride fuel had a larger MDNBR than the oxide fuel. This increase is likely a result of spectrum hardening, which was found to reduce the fractional amount of power generated in the seed region, where departure from nucleate boiling (DNB) occurs. Because of the longer neutron mean free path in the harder spectrum, more fission events occur in the blanket. The coolant density coefficient of the nitride fuel was found to have positive coefficient values in voided thimble tube cases. However, the power coefficient was negative and has the ability to limit power increases. The radially reflective assembly boundary may have made the analysis more conservative than full core analysis.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments, pore water and the amphipod Pontoporeia hoyi from Lake Michigan

Abstract Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations were measured in Pontoporeia hoyi , the most abundant benthic organism in Lake Michigan, and in its associated sediment/pore water matrix. Individual PAH concentrations ranged from 10 ppb to 1 ppm in three sedimentary environments having different levels of organic carbon. Pore water concentrations appeared to be independent of sediment concentrations. P. hoyi bioconcentration factors ranged from approximately 10 4 to 10 5 for seven analyzed PAHs. A major fraction of the phenanthrene, fluoranthene and pyrene in P. hoyi appears to come from sediments and pore water, while chrysene and BaP are primarily obtained from water.
Japanese and American Education: Attitudes and Practices

Under the present educational centralization Japanese secondary school teachers are severely handicapped in carrying out the goals of cultivating a spontaneous spirit and creating a culture rich in individuality. Although Japanese nursery, kindergarten, and elementary teachers could provide many hints to improve the methodology of their American counterparts, the reverse is true at the secondary and college levels. American teachers try to encourage students to be creative in approaching a problem, writing an essay, and sketching an object, and they will suggest appropriate courses, recommend books, and encourage intellectual challenge, while Japanese secondary school teachers' goal is narrowly focused on presenting designated textual material in as efficient a manner as possible. In the United States, farmers constitute less than ten percent of the population, but American schools still operate as if students had to return home each day for chores, or as if the summer vacation and fall schedule had to be used to help parents with planting, cultivating, and harvesting crops.Today, most American mothers work full time and children have much more free time and live in less secure urban environments. The amount of time spent attending school in Japan and the United States is just one of the cultural attitudes that is examined in this book.
Preparation and Use of Inexpensive Crude Pepsin for Enzyme Hydrolysis of Fish

A high quality white, fluffy, water-soluble fish protein hydrolysate (FPH) powder can be prepared by pepsin hydrolysis of fish flesh. However, the use of this process is limited by the high cost of pepsin which must be purchased as pharmaceutical grade. A practical method was developed for producing crude pepsin preparations of sufficient purity to allow efficient operation of the FPH process. Samples of crude enzyme prepared by autodigestion of hog stomach mucosa, especially at pH 1.0, gave high pepsin activity. A detailed procedure is presented for preparing this high activity, low cost crude pepsin for the FPH process.
Characterization and quantification of microstructures of a fluorinated terpolymer by both homonuclear and heteronuclear two- dimensional NMR spectroscopy

Fluoropolymers are usually insoluble in organic solvents. Insolubility of fluoropolymers limits basic characterization such as microstructural investigations. In the family of fluoropolymers, terpolymer of tetrafluorethylene (TFE), hexafluoropropylene (HFP), and vinylidene fluoride (VDF), named THV is one of the newest members. There are nine grades of THV available. Among the nine grades, THV-221 G is an ideal model polymer for basic characterization purposes. THV-221 G is soluble in solvents such as acetone and ethyl acetate. In the current report, both homonuclear and heteronuclear 2D NMR experiments were employed in solution on THV-221 G. The homonuclear gradient correlation spectroscopy NMR measurement revealed that THV has two adjacent TFE units in addition to TFE-HFP sequence orders. The fraction of the microstructures is quantified by the analysis of 1D solution 19F NMR spectrum. Further, the gradient heteronuclear single quantum coherence experiment helped with the clarification of chemical environments of the units TFE, HFP, and VDF. The 1D solution 13C NMR spectrum was helpful in clarifying sequence assignments of VDF. It is concluded that THV is a random polymer with a limited fraction of TFE-TFE and TFE-HFP sequence orders in addition to head-to-tail polymerization of VDF unit. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reflective writing in the internal medicine clerkship: a national survey of clerkship directors in internal medicine.

Background and Purpose: Reflective writing programs have been implemented at many medical schools, but it is unclear to what extent and how they are structured. Methods: We surveyed the 107 Clerkship Directors of Internal Medicine member institutions on use of reflective writing assignments during the internal medicine clerkship. Results: Eighty-six of 107 (80%) institutional members completed the survey. Thirty-five percent reported having a reflective writing assignment, 48% did not, and 6% did not but were considering starting one within the next 2 years. Of the 30 assignments, most were partially structured (60%), involved small-group discussion (57%), and provided individual student feedback (73%). A minority (30%) contributed to the students’ grade. Respondents believed assignments contributed to students’ learning in multiple domains, most often Professionalism (97%) and Communication (77%). Conclusions: Although reflective writing programs were common, variability existed in their structure. Furth...
Clinical Skills Development Using On-line Problem-Based Learning for Assessment, Management and Prevention of Pressure Ulcers in Persons With Spinal Cord Injury

Pressure ulcers (PUs) constitute a health problem that is one of the greatest contributors to morbidity secondary to spinal cord injury (SCI). Research efforts in the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Secondary Conditions in the Rehabilitation of Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury address the problem by identifying gaps in the knowledge base, specifically, determining the interrelationships between pressure, pressure relief, and skin breakdown in persons with SCI. Education and training efforts complement this research by exploring more effective means of transferring and mobilizing knowledge about PUs in persons with SCI and those who help them manage their health. There is little evidence regarding what constitutes high-quality PU and wound care education for resident physicians and other health care professionals. The purpose of this article is to provide a review of the literature on applications of digital multimedia to facilitate evaluation of clinical skills among medical trainees. We...
Band-edge features in disordered systems

Despite the complexity of real disordered materials, the electronic properties often have similar features in dissimilar materials, suggesting the presence of universal features, particularly near band edges. In the present paper, we demonstrate that under certain conditions, including weak disorder, band-edge features are universal for fewer than two dimensions. For higher dimensions, universality remains after a nonuniversal shift of the edge of the unperturbed band. The white-noise model proves very useful in the universality arguments.
The Role of Oral Pathobionts in Dysbiosis during Periodontitis Development

An emerging concept is the tight relationship between dysbiosis (microbiota imbalance) and disease. The increase in knowledge about alterations in microbial communities that reside within the host has made a strong impact not only on dental science, but also on immunology and microbiology as well as on our understanding of several diseases. Periodontitis is a well-characterized human disease associated with dysbiosis, characterized by the accumulation of multiple bacteria that play individual and critical roles in bone loss around the teeth. Dysbiosis is largely dependent on cooperative and competitive interactions among oral microbes during the formation of the pathogenic biofilm community at gingival sites. Oral pathobionts play different and synergistic roles in periodontitis development, depending on their host-damaging and immunostimulatory activities. Host immune responses to oral pathobionts act as a double-edged sword not only by protecting the host against pathobionts, but also by promoting alveolar bone loss. Recent studies have begun to elucidate the roles of individual oral bacteria, including a new type of pathobionts that possess strong immunostimulatory activity, which is critical for alveolar bone loss. Better understanding of the roles of oral pathobionts is expected to lead to a better understanding of periodontitis disease and to the development of novel preventive and therapeutic approaches for the disease.
Design of fault-tolerant associative processors

Recent advances in computer technology have made the design of large and very flexible associative processors possible. Such systems are extremely complex and must be adequately protected against failures if they are to be used in critical application areas such as air traffic control or for performing control functions in fault-tolerant computers. This paper summarizes the results of a study which has indicated the techniques that are applicable in the design of fault tolerant associative processors. Associative processors are divided into four classes of fully parallel, bit-serial, word-serial, and block-oriented systems. A technique for modularizing the design of an associative processor is given. The detection of errors within modules is discussed for the four classes mentioned above. Several schemes for reconfiguration are discussed which allow us to establish an appropriate inter-communication pattern after replacing the faulty module by a spare. The design of a fault-tolerant associative processor, which uses some of the techniques discussed previously, is presented.
The presence of a family witness impacts physician performance during simulated medical codes.

Objective:To determine whether the presence and behavior of a family witness to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) impacts critical actions performed by physicians.Design:This was a randomized comparison study of physicians’ performance during a simulated cardiac arrest with three different family
Light induced enhancement of transient heat transfer from a solid into liquid helium I

Abstract We report preliminary studies of a new effect: enhancement of transient heat transfer from a bismuth crystal into liquid helium by a light pulse. We found that when a single crystal of bismuth is rapidly heated above a certain threshold temperature in a bath of liquid helium by a step-function electric current, the application of a light pulse of intensity 1 to 200 mW cm −2 and duration 2 μs to 1 ms causes a decrease of up to 75% in the total crystal superheat temperature within 3 ms. The threshold temperature is less than the homogeneous nucleation temperature of liquid helium. The marked increase in heat transfer across the solid-liquid interface, associated with the observed rapid cooling, is believed to be caused by increased bubble activity due to the light induced rapid nucleation of bubbles near the interface. Although the exact nature of the interaction mechanism involved is unclear at this time, several hypotheses are presented and discussed.
Microwave Processing of Polymers - An Overview

This paper surveys some of the recent research into the microwave processing of polymers. The mechanism of coupling of the radiation with polymers is described and a historical perspective is presented on the development of this technology from the 1960’s when the processing of rubber was first initiated, to current research in high performance materials and composites. The controversial area of microwave effects on processing is also discussed.
Objective and Subjective Measures: Assessment of Three Measures of Participation Among People With Spinal Cord Injuries

This article reviews three measures of participation in a large spinal cord injury sample: the Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique Short Form (CHART-SF), the PAR-PRO, and the Community Integration Measure (CIM). The first two are based on quantitative assessment and the CIM is subjective. The PAR-PRO and CIM demonstrated adequate reliability. Factor analysis of the CIM indicated that it measures a single construct. A five-factor solution was obtained for the PAR-PRO, the interpretation of which was unclear. The CHART scales and PAR-PRO were more closely associated with functional measures and the CIM with scores measuring quality of life. All measures were associated with health perceptions.
Selective Auditory Attention in Adults: Effects of Rhythmic Structure of the Competing Language

Purpose The authors assessed adult selective auditory attention to determine effects of (a) differences between the vocal/speaking characteristics of different mixed-gender pairs of masking talkers...