cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Human decision processes: Heuristics and task structure

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses some key findings and methods of behavioral decision theory. The study of human decision processes is currently an active and exciting research domain. Recent progress promises a more complete understanding of information processing strategies in judgment and choice and is building important links to other aspects of human cognition. The identification of cognitive mechanisms has not been limited to the area of judgments under uncertainty. A parallel stream of research focuses on the information processing strategies used for evaluative judgments and choices. Researchers have identified a large number of rules that decision makers use, including compensatory rules (additive utility and additive difference) and non-compensatory rules (conjunctive, disjunctive, and elimination by aspects). Theories that encompass the task-contingent nature of decision making can help in the design and implementation of decision aiding systems and, ultimately, improve the effectiveness of decision making in important problems.
Pesticide Tax, Cropping Patterns, and Water Quality in South Central Texas

The impact of an ad valorem pesticide tax on cropping patterns and pesticide use was examined in the South Central Texas Crop Reporting District. Output supply equations were econometrically estimated and used in the simulation. A 25 percent tax on pesticide was estimated to have major impacts on cropping patterns and on pesticide use. Assuming other input and output prices were unaffected, the supply of one important crop would fall by more than half. Demand for some of the highly soluble and persistent pesticides, which present the greatest threat to groundwater quality, would also decrease substantially (some as much as 50 percent).
Structural Limitations of Model Reference Adaptive Controllers

A general framework is developed for the analysis of performance and robustness properties of tuned adaptive control systems. The analysis is specialized to the case of Model Reference Adaptive Control. It is shown that certain combinations of performance objectives and a priori uncertainty lead to unsolvable MRAC design problems, while other combinations lead to problems which can be solved only by careful choice of the reference model.
Using Model Organism Databases (MODs)

Model Organism Databases (MODs) represent the union of database technology and biology, and are essential to modern biological and medical research. Research communities are producing floods of new data, of increasingly different types and complexity. MODs assimilate this information from a wide variety of sources, organize it in a comprehensible manner, and make it freely available to the public via the Internet. MODs permit researchers to sort through massive amounts of data, providing access to key information that they might otherwise have overlooked. The protocols in this unit offer a general introduction to different types of data available in the growing number of MODs, and approaches for accessing, browsing, and querying these data. Curr. Protoc. Essential Lab. Tech. 1:11.4.1-11.4.17. © 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Keywords: Genome project; genetics; DNA sequence; gene model; protein function
The Role of Metadata in the Infrastructure for Archival Interoperation

Sociolinguists want to be able to share and compare datasets, and they want to do so now and far into the future. Achieving this dream will require that sociolinguistic corpora are archived in a sustainable way and that those corpora are encoded in such a way that interoperation among them is possible. This paper first sets the stage by describing broadly the requirements for sustainable archiving. It then focuses on the role of metadata in constructing an infrastructure that will support the kind of interoperation that is envisioned – both corpus-level metadata for facilitating the discovery of relevant corpora and observation-level metadata for facilitating the comparison of observations that are comparable.
Oral amiodarone for prevention of atrial fibrillation after open heart surgery, the Atrial Fibrillation Suppression Trial (AFIST): a randomised placebo-controlled trial

Summary Background β-blockers and amiodarone reduce the frequency of atrial fibrillation after open-heart surgery but the effectiveness of oral amiodarone in older patients already receiving β-blockers is unknown. We have assessed the efficacy of oral amiodarone in preventing atrial fibrillation in patients aged 60 years or older undergoing open-heart surgery. Methods We did a randomised, double-blind placebocontrolled trial in which patients undergoing open-heart surgery (n=220, average age 73 years) received amiodarone (n=120) or placebo (n=100). Patients enrolled less than 5 days before surgery received 6 g of amiodarone or placebo over 6 days beginning on preoperative day 1. Patients enrolled at least 5 days before surgery received 7 g over 10 days beginning on preoperative day 5. Findings Patients on amiodarone had a lower frequency of any atrial fibrillation (22·5% vs 38·0%; p=0·01; absolute difference 15·5% [95% CI 3·4–27·6%]), and there were significant differences in favour of the active drug for symptomatic atrial fibrillation (4·2% vs 18·0%, p=0·001), cerebrovascular accident (1·7% vs 7·0%, p=0·04), and postoperative ventricular tachycardia (1·7% vs 7·0%, p=0·04). β-blocker use (87·5% amiodarone vs 91·0% placebo), nausea (26·7% vs 16·0%), 30-day mortality (3·3% vs 4·0%), symptomatic bradycardia (7·5% vs 7·0%), and hypotension (14·2% vs 10·0%) were similar. Interpretation Oral amiodarone prophylaxis in combination with β-blockers prevents atrial fibrillation and symptomatic fibrillation and reduces the risk of cerebrovascular accidents and ventricular tachycardia.
Dalton Trevisan e a poética da repetição

Este trabalho discute a obra de Dalton Trevisan a partir do uso de repeticoes tematicas e formais. A primeira parte do artigo investiga o seu uso peculiar da repeticao tematica como metodo de composicao. A segunda se concentra no que o livro 234 traz como novidade para a obra do autor, atraves da analise das ilustracoes, do aspecto grafico do livro e da organizacao dos fragmentos.
A Comparison with empirical results of the interstitialcy theory of condensed matter

A quantitative and comprehensive comparison of the predictions of the interstitialcy theory of condensed matter with empirical results for characteristic and universal properties of simple dense liquids and glasses is given. The most distinctive thermodynamic properties are the unusually large shear susceptibilities and entropies. These are essentially the same for interstitials in crystals, liquids and glasses.
Optimal Mappings of q-ary and Binomial Trees into Parallel Memory Modules for Fast and Conflict-Free Access to Path and Subtree Templates

The main memory access latency can significantly slow down the overall performance of a computer system due to the fact that average cycle time of the main memory is typically a factor of 5?10 times higher than that of a processor. To cope with this problem, in addition to the use of caches, the main memory of a multiprocessor architecture is usually organized into multiple modules or banks. Although such organization enhances memory bandwidth, the amount of data that the multiprocessor can retrieve in the same memory cycle, conflicts due to simultaneous attempts to access the same memory module may reduce the effective bandwidth. Therefore, efficient mapping schemes are required to distribute data in such a way that regular patterns, called templates, of various structures can be retrieved in parallel without memory conflicts. Prior work on data mappings mostly dealt with conflict-free access to templates such as rows, columns, or diagonals of (multidimensional) arrays, and only limited attention has been paid to access templates of nonnumeric structures such as trees. In this paper, we study optimal and balanced mappings for accessing path and subtree templates of trees, where a mapping will be called optimal if it allows conflict-free access to templates with as few memory banks as possible. An optimal mapping will also be called balanced if it distributes as evenly as possible the nodes of the entire tree among the memory banks available. In particular, based on Latinsquares, we propose an optimal and balanced mapping for leaf-to-root paths of q-ary trees. Another (recursive) mapping for leaf-to-root paths of binary trees raises interesting combinatorial problems. We also derive an optimal and balanced mapping to access complete t-ary subtrees of complete q-ary trees, where 2?t?q, and an optimal mapping for subtrees of binomial trees.
The effects of some ions on the membrane potential of the giant axon of Myxicola

The effects of various ions on the resting membrane potential of the giant axons of Myxicola were determined. The mean resting potential in artificial sea water is 69 mv, inside negative. The membrane potential decreases with incresing external potassium concentrations, while changes in the sodium and chloride concentrations have little or no effect. For potassium concentrations greater than 50 mM/L the relation between membrane potential and concentration approximates that of a perfectly selective potassium electrode. The data for the whole range of concentrations examined can be well fitted by the equation: It was pointed out that the Myxicola giant axons can be studied under space voltage clamp and can be made available in the laboratory for 12 months out of the year. Myxicola then should become a very useful preparation for the study of membrane phenomena.
The impact of adenotonsillectomy on asthma in children.

Objective To investigate the impact of adenotonsillectomy on asthma in the pediatric population. Study design Retrospective chart review. Methods All children who underwent adenotonsillectomy at our institution from 2002-2007 were identified from a medical records database. Of the 560 charts reviewed, 93 of the patients had the diagnosis of asthma from a pediatric pulmonologist. Outcome measures of asthma control were analyzed one year preoperatively and one year postoperatively and included: hospital visits, systemic steroid use, asthma medication use, and asthma control test scores. Results There was a statistically significant improvement in postoperative asthma severity in all measures including mean hospital visits, systemic steroid administration, asthma medication use, and childhood asthma control test scores (p Conclusion This study suggests that adenotonsillectomy, which provides improvement in the upper airway of children, may in turn lead to improvement of the lower airways of children, especially those with bronchial asthma.
Predicted mode of intercalation of doxorubicin with dinucleotide dimers

Abstract Intermolecular molecular mechanics energy calculations have been carried out for doxorubicin interacting with two dinucleotide dimer sequences. The preferred mode of intercalation is in the minor groove with the anthraquinone ring of the drug nearly perpendicular to the base pairs for the (CpG) sequence having alternate C3′ endo-C2′ endo sugar ring puckering. The preferred intercalation conformation of the drug is nearly identical to the N-bromacetyldaunomycin crystal structure. This prediction is qualitatively consistent with the recently reported crystal structure of a d(CpGpCpGpCpG) dimer-daunomycin complex. For the other dinucleotide sequence, (TpC-ApG), minor groove intercalation is also preferred, but the drug conformation can be changed.
Measuring liability for schizophrenia using optimized antisaccade stimulus parameters

The ability to identify unaffected gene carriers within families may be crucial to the success of schizophrenia genetics studies. Data collected from three family samples (N = 365) demonstrated that poor antisaccade performance is an exceptionally promising indicator of liability for schizophrenia. A particular antisaccade task version provides large separations (5-6 sigma) between proband and normal groups. Poor antisaccade performance alone correctly identified 70% of patients in California, Utah, and Micronesia schizophrenia samples. Twenty-five to 50% of these patients' nonpsychotic first-degree relatives also had poor antisaccade performance, yielding risk ratios around 20:1 for simplex and 50:1 for multiplex schizophrenia families. Poor antisaccade performance is associated with dorsolateral prefrontal cortex pathology, suggesting that dysfunction of this circuitry also may predispose individuals to developing this disease.
The Effect of Glucagon on the Coronary Circulation in Man

Glucagon, 300 µg/ minute, was infused intravenously over 15 minutes in 27 subjects. The patients were divided into three groups: group I, patients without heart disease; group II, patients with arteriosclerotic heart disease; and group III, patients with congestive heart failure. Hemodynamic measurements included observations on myocardial blood flow using bolus injections of 84rubidium and a coincidence counting technic. Myocardial oxygen consumption was determined after coronary sinus intubation in nine of the 27 patients. Significant increases were noted in heart rate, mean arterial pressure, tension-time index/minute and left ventricular work. Myocardial blood flow increased significantly while myocardial oxygen extraction remained constant suggesting that the augmentation in blood flow was sufficient to meet the increased myocardial demands for oxygen. The effects of glucagon on the coronary circulation resemble that of isoproterenol rather than norepinephrine without, however, leading to the product...
Spatial designs when the observations are correlated

Suppose n observations are to be taken within a compact region, where the objective is to estimate the mean level of a multidimensional stationary process using the ordinary sample mean as the estimator. Simulated annealing is used to search for optimal (variance minimizing) designs for the case when the observations are correlated. The results give insight into the sensitivity of optimal designs to the strength and nature of the correlation present, extending and reinforcing previous results for the one-dimensional case. An important outcome is that designs which space out the sampling locations evenly are optimal if the correlation is low.
High temperature transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction studies of twinning and the phase transition at 145°C in LaGaO3

Abstract The first-order structural phase transition in LaGaO3 at Tc = 145°C has been examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray powder diffraction. Both the low temperature (orthorhombic, Pbnm) and high temperature (rhombohedral, R 3 c ) structures have been refined using the Rietveld full-pattern method. TEM reveals numerous twins in both phases. Two types of twin are observed in the low temperature orthorhombic phase which are characterized by reflections across the {112}orth and {110}orth planes. In the rhombohedral phase above Tc, (110)rhomb reflection twins are observed with their mirror planes nearly parallel to the (001)orth plane. The crystallographic relations between the two phases are examined in situ using TEM. Our observations are in general consistent with the white-beam synchrotron X-ray topography studies reported in a companion paper.
A low volume burn resuscitation regimen: Assessment of performance by probit analysis

The findings are presented of a 10-year retrospective review of burn admissions to the Wessex Regional Burn Centre, where a low volume colloid resuscitation regimen is employed. An analysis of mortality probability has been conducted using probit analysis, and the areas of burn injury associated with a 50 per cent mortality probability (LA50) were determined for four different age groups. LA50 values obtained were 0-14 years 59 per cent body surface area (BSA) burn, 15-44 years 70 per cent BSA burn, 45-64 years 38 per cent burn, 65 years and over 17 per cent BSA burn. The figures obtained parallel closely those reported from another large burn centre in the United Kingdom where a widely different fluid regimen is used. The results of this analysis suggest that wide variations in fluid resuscitation regimens, particularly with regard to volume, do little to affect the mortality associated with burn injury as assessed by probit analysis.
Validation of a multipoint approach for modeling spin aerodynamics

during the spin. The rolling-moment and yawing-moment coefficient variations were relatively small, and thus, the steadyspin assumption is reasonable for these quantities. In contrast is the large amplitude of the pitching moment coefficient trace. The maximum and minimum values of the free-spin results are approximately equal to the rotary balance coefficient ±90%. Clearly, the steady-state results do not capture the true nature of the moment coefficient in this case. This trend would obviously be more exaggerated if the spin became more oscillatory.
Helping dyslexic children attend to letters within visual word forms.

Learning to read visual words aloud requires a novel integration of two distinct neurocognitive systems: a visual system that allows one to recognize a visual word from a crowd of letter features and a phonological language system that allows one to recognize and produce spoken words from a crowd of phonetic features (1). Integrating these two systems through the alphabetic principle bestows skilled readers with the ability to appreciate how each letter feature within a crowded visual word form specifically influences each corresponding nuance in its spoken form (e.g., trails vs. traits). Children with developmental dyslexia, a condition that affects as many as 10% of school children (2), face profound challenges in fluently integrating their visual and phonological systems in the service of reading (3). As a result, reading is slow and error prone, which can have severe cascading influences on a child’s life. Thus, a central focus in cognitive investigations of dyslexia has been to gain insight into how individual differences in the development of phonological and/or visual processing systems influence the reading acquisition process. Leveraging such insights to improve reading acquisition has remained a central exemplar for the potential of basic cognitive and developmental sciences to bestow translational benefits to education and society.
A technique for compression testing of composite rings

Abstract A compression test fixture and analysis method for composite rings was developed and calibrated using aluminum rings. The fixture loads the rings in hydrostatic compression by taking advantage of Poisson's effect and an axially loaded compliant ring high density polyethylene (HDPE) on the outside of the composite ring. Analysis is presented to calculate the stress and strain in the composite; it is based on the standard hydrostatically loaded cylinder analysis and incorporates the non-linear stress–strain curve of the HDPE as well as the orthotropic nature of the composite material. Preliminary tests performed with thin hoop-wound composite rings corroborate previous results regarding the stress distribution, failure stress and failure mode. Additional tests with aluminum indicate that the stress predictions are accurate for thicker composite rings. A final set of thick hoop-wound composite ring tests investigating the effect of tow tension, hold temperature, and part thickness examine the use of the test method for evaluating composite quality. The results indicate that the processing parameters—tow tension and hold temperature—both significantly effect performance of hoop-wound thermoplastic rings. The effect of thickness is difficult to evaluate due to the change in the ratio of hoop to radial stress as part thickness increases.
Privacy and Ethics in Pediatric Environmental Health Research—Part I: Genetic and Prenatal Testing

The pressing need for empirically informed public policies aimed at understanding and promoting children’s health has challenged environmental scientists to modify traditional research paradigms and reevaluate their roles and obligations toward research participants. Methodologic approaches to children’s environmental health research raise ethical challenges for which federal regulations may provide insufficient guidance. In this article I begin with a general discussion of privacy concerns and informed consent within pediatric environmental health research contexts. I then turn to specific ethical challenges associated with research on genetic determinants of environmental risk, prenatal studies and maternal privacy, and data causing inflicted insight or affecting the informational rights of third parties.
Cardiopulmonary effects of thoracoscopy in anesthetized normal dogs

Abstract Objective To evaluate the effect of an open-chest condition on oxygen delivery in anesthetized dogs. Study design Prospective, controlled experimental study. Animals Eight clinically normal adult Walker Hound dogs weighing 25.6–29.2 kg. Methods Eight anesthetized dogs underwent an open-chest operation after the insertion of thoracoscopy cannulae in the lateral chest walls . A Swan Ganz catheter was used to both measure hemodynamic parameters and obtain mixed venous blood samples for blood gas analysis. A dorsal pedal catheter was placed to both measure arterial blood pressure and obtain blood samples for blood gas analysis. Oxygen delivery index and oxygen extraction ratio were calculated. A randomized block anova for repeated measures was used to evaluate the effect of the treatment on hemodynamic and pulmonary parameters. Results Creation of an open chest did not significantly affect oxygen delivery index (DO2I; p = 0.545). It induced a significant decrease in arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2; p = 0.018) and arterial oxygen content (CaO2; p = 0.025). It induced a significant increase in shunt fraction (p = 0.023), physiologic dead space (p = 0.015), and alveolar-arterial oxygen difference (p = 0.019). Arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2; p = 0.766) and arterial hemoglobin oxygen saturation (SaO2; p = 0.178) were not significantly affected. Diastolic (DPAP; p = 0.050) and mean (MPAP; p = 0.033) pulmonary arterial pressures were significantly increased by opening the chest. Other hemodynamic parameters were not significantly affected. Conclusions Opening the thoracic cavity is not detrimental to hemodynamic function and oxygen delivery in normal dogs, although impaired gas exchange does occur. Clinical relevance Close monitoring of patients is recommended during open-chest thoracoscopy as adverse effects on gas exchange can contribute to hypoxemia.
Use of cyclic antidepressants in patients with cardiac conduction disturbances

Cyclic antidepressants can produce cardiac complications in patients with certain types of cardiac conduction abnormalities. Most cyclic antidepressants have a quinidinelike effect on the heart, which, in combination with Type I antiarrhythmic agents such as quinidine, disopyramide and procainamide, may induce heart block and potentially lethal arrhythmias in susceptible individuals. Patients with known cardiovascular disease warrant careful evaluation before tricyclic therapy is initiated. Guidelines are presented for identifying high-risk patients and for using cyclic antidepressants in patients with cardiac conduction abnormalities.
Charge Transfer between Model Ice Crystals separated in an Electric Field

DAVIS1 has demonstrated theoretically that, in general, the electric field between adjacent surfaces of two conducting spheres is greater than the external field in which the spheres are situated. For example, the field between two identical spheres separated by 10−2 radius is about 50 times greater than the external field if the line of centres is parallel to the field. Electrical breakdown of the air and consequent charge transfer between two spheres can therefore occur at normal pressures in external fields of only several hundred V/cm if their separation is small. This charge transfer process is one possible manifestation of the general inductive theory of thunderstorm electrification, proposed by Sartor2,3.
A barber-based intervention for hypertension in African American men: Design of a group randomized trial

Background Barbershops constitute potential sites for community health promotion programs targeting hypertension (HTN) in African American men but such programs previously have not been formally evaluated. Methods A randomized trial (ClinicalTrials.gov no. NCT00325533) will test whether a continuous HTN detection and medical referral program conducted by influential peers (barbers) in a receptive community setting (barbershops) can promote treatment-seeking behavior and thus lower blood pressure (BP) among the regular customers with HTN. Barbers will offer a BP check with each haircut and encourage appropriate medical referral using real stories of other customers modeling the desired behaviors. A cohort of 16 barbershops will go through a pretest/posttest group-randomization protocol. Serial cross-sectional data collection periods (10 weeks each) will be conducted by interviewers to obtain accurate snapshots of HTN control in each barbershop before and after 10 months of either barber-based intervention or no active intervention. The primary outcome is BP control: BP Conclusions By linking community health promotion to the health care system, this program could serve as a new model for HTN control and cardiovascular risk reduction in African American men on a nationwide scale.
Desipramine effects on cocaine self-administration by rhesus monkeys

Abstract The effects of desipramine treatment (0.56–10.0 mg/kg per day) on cocaine self-administration were compared to saline treatment in five rhesus monkeys. Cocaine (0.050 or 0.100 mg/kg per inj) and food (1 g banana pellets) self-administration were maintained on an FR 4 (VR 16:S) reinforcement schedule. Desipramine (or an equal volume saline control solution) was infused over 1 h each day through the second lumen of an intravenous catheter. After 5 days of baseline saline treatment, seven doses of desipramine each were administered for 5 days in an ascending order. Cocaine self-administration increased (P
Reversible inhibition of cell multiplication in vitro by inhibitors of arginine esteroproteases

Abstract Two classes of active-site specific inhibitors of trypsin-like proteases have been shown to inhibit reversibly the multiplication of eukaryotic cells in vitro . The competitive inhibitors p -aminobenzamidine and benzamidine were found to arrest the growth of normal and transformed mouse fibroblasts and human KB cells. The inhibition of cell multiplication occurred within 24 h and was accompanied by substantial decreases in the rates of DNA and protein synthesis. The rate of RNA synthesis was relatively unaffected by the protease inhibitors. In agreement with the known inhibition constants ( K i ) for their action against trypsin, p -aminobenzamidine was a much more effective inhibitor of cell multiplication than benzamidine. In addition, tosyllysine chloromethyl ketone (Tos-LysCH 2 Cl), an active-site titrant and irreversible inhibitor of trypsin, was found to cause a reversible inhibition of growth. These results suggest that an essential protease activity is necessary for cell multiplication. However, in the case of mouse L-cells, all of the inhibitors and particulary p -aminobenzamidine caused excessive accumulation of lactate in the extracellular medium. This observation, which suggests the possibility of additional sites of action of these compounds in cells, was found to depend upon the cell type and appears to be unrelated to the inhibition of growth.
Effect of volatile anesthetics on the hepatic UDP-glucuronic acid pathway in mice.

Abstract Large, rapid decreases in hepatic UDP-glucuronic acid concentrations occur in rats following exposure to myriad chemicals. In fact, 80% reductions in UDP-glucuronic acid occur within minutes after exposure to inhalation anesthetics. The present study was designed to determine whether this decrease in hepatic UDP-glucuronic acid may be due to (a) a decrease in the precursor UDP-glucose; (b) decreased activity of UDP-glucose dehydrogenase, which oxidizes UDP-glucose to UDP-glucuronic acid; (c) increased activity of UDP-glucuronosyltransferases; or (d) increased activity of nucleotide pyrophosphatase, which degrades UDP-glucuronic acid to glucuronic acid-1-phosphate. Exposure to halothane, isoflurane and sevoflurane decreased UDP-glucuronic acid concentrations by 40–52% as compared to that in unanesthetized control mice. No sex-dependent or anesthetic-induced effects of UDP-glucose levels and the activities of UDP-glucose dehydrogenase and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase were observed. Nucleotide pyrophosphatase activity was increased by 47–65% in female mice after inhalation of halothane, isoflurane and sevoflurane. The apparent V max for hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenol thymidine 5′-monophosphate ester by nucleotide pyrophosphatase was increased by 56–80% in female mice, whereas the apparent K m was unchanged. These alterations in nucleotide pyrophosphate kinetics may be responsible, in part, for the marked decrease of hepatic UDP-glucuronic acid concentrations by the volatile anesthetics.
A Comparative Assessment of Fluo Ca2+ Indicators in Rat Ventricular Myocytes

The fluo family of indicators is frequently used in studying Ca(2+) physiology; however, choosing which fluo indicator to use is not obvious. Indicator properties are typically determined in well-defined aqueous solutions. Inside cells, however, the properties can change markedly. We have characterized each of three fluo variants (fluo-2MA, fluo-3 and fluo-4) in two forms-the acetoxymethyl (AM) ester and the K(+) salt. We loaded indicators into rat ventricular myocytes and used confocal microscopy to monitor depolarization-induced fluorescence changes and fractional shortening. Myocytes loaded with the indicator AM esters showed significantly different Ca(2+) transients and fractional shortening kinetics. Loading the K(+) salts via whole-cell patch-pipette eliminated differences between fluo-3 and fluo-4, but not fluo-2MA. Cells loaded with different indicator AM esters showed different staining patterns-suggesting differential loading into organelles. Ca(2+) dissociation constants (K(d,Ca)), measured in protein-rich buffers mimicking the cytosol were significantly higher than values determined in simple buffers. This increase in K(d,Ca) (decrease in Ca(2+) affinity) was greatest for fluo-3 and fluo-4, and least for fluo-2MA. We conclude that the structurally-similar fluo variants differ with respect to cellular loading, subcellular compartmentalization, and intracellular Ca(2+) affinity. Therefore, judicious choice of fluo indicator and loading procedure is advisable when designing experiments.
A semirigid bender analysis of an extensive set of rotation-vibration levels in

Abstract The semirigid bender model of Bunker and Landsberg [ J. Mol. Spectrosc. 67 , 374–385 (1977)] has been used to determine effective bending potentials for C 3 in many of the lower stretching vibrational states from recently published experimental measurements on the ground state of this molecule. No barrier to linearity is found in the effective bending potential for either the zero point ( v 1 = v 3 = 0) or the equilibrium stretching states, however, the effective potentials show a very flat minimum in both cases. The effective bending potential develops a much sharper minimum as the symmetric stretch ( ν 1 ) is excited. By contrast, it develops a barrier at the linear configuration as the antisymmetric stretching vibration ( ν 3 ) is excited. These observations are qualitatively rationalized by considering the bending angle dependence of the G -matrix elements for the stretching vibrations.
Dreaming the American Dream: Individualism and Positive Psychology

Although positive psychology now promotes itself globally, its American roots are evident in its persistent though unacknowledged attachment to an American-inspired brand of individualism. That attachment is evident in the movement's endorsement of self-fulfillment as the ultimate life goal, its promotion of self-improvement via personal effort, and its narrow sense of the social. We maintain that the bounded, autonomous self that strides through a positive life is an illusion, as is the notion that human flourishing and happiness are readily available to all. We also take issue with the individualistic vision that pervades positive psychologists’ descriptions of society and social institutions. Taking as an example A Primer in Positive Psychology (a recent textbook written by one of the founding fathers of positive psychology and highly praised by the others), we argue that positive psychology's rendering of social institutions is fundamentally asocial and neglects gender, class, ethnicity, and power relations.
The political consequences of thatcherism

While the economic changes effected by the British Conservative government in the 1980s are transparent, there is considerable debate as to whether there was a political dimension to the “Thatcher Revolution.” This paper argues that the Conservatives were successful in undertaking social structural reforms that effectively moved the political center of gravity in Britain to the right and toward the government's preferred market-oriented policy agenda. The government's strategy—manifest in the sale of council houses to tenants and of shares in privatized corporations to individuals, and its attack on organized labor—was narrowly targeted on the swing electorate among wealthier members of the lower socioeconomic strata. The Labour party has acknowledged the successes of the Conservatives' structural reforms, and has moved its policy platform, in Downsian fashion, to the right in order to regain electoral competitiveness.
The Role of Head Computed Tomography Imaging in the Evaluation of Postoperative Neurologic Deficits in Cardiac Surgery Patients

Background Computed tomography (CT) scans of the head without contrast are routinely obtained to evaluate neurologic deficits after cardiac surgery, but their utility is unknown. We evaluated our experience with this imaging modality to determine its value. Methods We retrospectively identified cardiac surgery patients with postoperative neurologic deficits occurring during the first week after surgery between January 2000 and December 2012. Stroke was defined by neurologist's determination, whereas a nonfocal deficit (NFD) was defined by the presence of seizure, delirium, or cognitive impairment. We defined early noncontrast head CT as occurring within 7 days of surgery. Outcomes included positive findings on CT, in-hospital mortality, and length of stay. Multivariate logistic regression identified predictors of positive findings on head CT. Results Within the population of 11,070 postoperative patients, 451 had early noncontrast head CT scans (4%). Two hundred two (44.7%) were associated with stroke, and 249 (55.2%) were associated with NFD. Among stroke patients, 40 of 202 (20%) showed acute infarction, 17 of 202 (8%) showed subacute infarction, and 5 of 202 (2%) showed hemorrhage. Among NFD patients, 1 of 248 (0.4%) showed acute infarction, 4 of 248 (1.6%) showed subacute infarction, and 1 of 248 (0.4%) showed hemorrhage. There was no difference in in-hospital mortality (stroke, 42 of 201 [21%] versus NFD, 41 of 248 [16%]; p = 0.2) or length of stay (stroke, 24 d versus NFD, 22 d; p = 0.5). On multivariable logistic regression, only focal deficits and aortic procedures predicted a positive finding on CT scan. Conclusions This study reviewed the utility of early postoperative noncontrast head CT in cardiac surgery patients. With focal neurologic deficits, this imaging modality was positive for approximately one third of patients, but rarely positive for NFD. Its use in this setting has limited utility.
A comparison of traditional psychotherapy and social skills training for improving interpersonal functioning of mentally retarded adults

Thirty-five mild to moderately retarded outpatients were randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions; no treatment, traditional psychotherapy, and social skills training. For the two latter conditions treatment was provided on a twice weekly basis during 1 hour sessions with three to five clients and a therapist in each of several treatment groups in the two training conditions. Training in the traditional psychotherapy groups was oriented toward establishing group cohesion and expressing feelings. Social skills training was aimed at specific “target behaviors” such as decreasing complaining statements and increasing positive statements about others. In both groups the topic for discussion was events at the workshop. Performance of specific target behaviors was assessed and general measures of social competence and psychotic characteristics were obtained at pre-, post-, and follow-up assessments. Social skills training proved to be significantly more effective than traditional psychotherapy or no treatment in changing behavior with three of four dependent measures.
A Trypsin-Like Enzyme in Acrosomal Extracts of Chicken, Turkey and Quail Spermatozoa

Abstract The presence of an active trypsin-like enzyme in the acrosomes of chicken, turkey and quail spermatozoa was evaluated. Pooled semen samples (0.5 ml.) were collected from each species and the sperm washed several times with modified Ringer’s solution. Acrosomal extracts were prepared and assayed for trypsin-like enzyme by the presence of esterase activity using TAME (p-toluensulfonyl- l -arginine methyl ester) as a substrate and measuring the change in optical density per minute at 247 mμ. Esterase activity of acrosomal extracts obtained from recently ejaculated spermatozoa of the chicken, turkey and quail indicate that an active trypsin-like enzyme is present in the acrosomes of spermatozoa from all three of these species.
Privatization in Latin America: Lessons for transitional Europe

Abstract Latin American economies are predominately private with functioning financial systems, substantial purchasing power and widespread understanding of how markets work. Nevertheless, transitional and Latin American privatizers share similar problems: poor performing state firms, varied commitment to privatization, technical difficulties and adverse macroeconomic conditions. Five lessons from Latin America are particularly relevant for transitional economies: (a) privatization can help foster competition; (b) governments can build competent institutions for privatization despite weak capacity; (c) labor can benefit without majority control; (d) transparency and share distributions help win public support; and (e) selling profitable, efficient firms can benefit the economy.
On evaluating Weibull fits to mechanical testing data

Abstract The use of coefficient of determination, R 2 , and the Anderson–Darling ( A 2 ) hypothesis test to evaluate the goodness-of-fit to the two-parameter Weibull distribution was investigated. Results of Monte Carlo simulations for sample sizes between 5 and 100 indicated that guidelines provided previously in the literature are too conservative for sample sizes up to 80. New guidelines for the use of R 2 and A 2 for sample sizes between 5 and 100 have been developed. The two measures of goodness-of-fit were found to agree more than 95% of the time, regardless of sample size. The use of the new guidelines has been demonstrated on two datasets from the casting literature.
Gold bowtie nanoantennas for surface-enhanced Raman scattering under controlled electrochemical potential

Abstract Single gold bowtie nanoantennas are used for surface-enhanced Raman scattering under controlled electrochemical potential. Raman spectra of para -mercaptoaniline molecules chemisorbed to newly-prepared bowties at low laser power show only stable a 1 or a 2 symmetric modes. Surprisingly, electrochemical cycling induces a reproducible switching-on of b 2 symmetric modes. The changes are related to electrochemically-induced surface roughening which alters the relative orientation between adsorbate and local electromagnetic fields. Finite-difference time-domain calculations along with symmetry-based arguments allow determination of the initial orientation of the adsorbed molecules. Our findings underscore the necessity of well-characterized substrates for a meaningful analysis of surface-enhanced Raman spectra.
Confirmation of the presence and use of sandy beach surf-zones by juvenile Chinook salmon

Migration patterns and habitat use of sub-yearling Chinook salmon during initial ocean entrance is poorly understood. Twenty-five years ago, sub-yearling Chinook salmon were hypothesized to stay close to shore (<5 km). To test this hypothesis we sampled the surf-zone of a southern Oregon dissipative sandy beach throughout the summer of 2006 (06/07–09/29) using a beach seine in 1 m of water depth. We caught 48 sub-yearlings over six dates (07/22 to 09/01). Mean standard length of Chinook salmon caught in the surf-zone increased from 9.1 ± 0.6 (07/22/06) to 11.6 ± 0.7 cm (09/01/06), suggesting a mean increase of 0.6 mm in standard length (S.L.) per day. Early in the summer, smaller fish fed mostly on amphipods. Later in the summer, larger juveniles fed primarily on larval and juvenile fish. All prey items were common in the surf-zone. Juveniles appear to migrate from the estuary to the surf-zone where they feed on the local zooplankton for up to two summer months before migrating offshore.
High school students' ideas about theories and theory change after a biological inquiry unit

Students' epistemological beliefs about scientific knowledge and practice are one impor- tant influence on their approach to learning. This article explores the effects that students' inquiry during a 4-week technology-supported unit on evolution and natural selection had on their beliefs about the nature of science. Before and after the study, 8 students were interviewed using the Nature of Science interview developed by Carey and colleagues. Overall, students held a view of science as a search for right answers about the world. Yet, the inconsistency of individuals' responses undermines the assumption that students have stable, coherent epistemological frameworks. Students' expressed ideas did not change over the course of the intervention, suggesting important differences between students' talk during inquiry and their abilities to talk epistemologically about science. Combined with previous work, our findings emphasize the crucial role of an explicit epistemic discourse in developing students' epistemological understanding. 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 40: 369-392, 2003 Students beliefs about the nature of scientific knowledge and the ways in which that knowledge is produced and evaluated affect how they attempt to learn science (Hammer, 1994; Hogan, 1999; Roth & Roychoudhury, 1994; Songer & Linn, 1991). One of the primary goals in current national standards for science education is that students' engagement in inquiry should help them develop a sophisticated understanding of the nature of science (e.g., National Research Council, 1996). This poses a dilemma: If students' beliefs about science are going to drive, at least in part, the ways in which they conduct their own inquiry, how can such inquiry change students' beliefs about what science is about? There is a large body of research to suggest that students' beliefs about science and their views of themselves as science learners may be inconsistent with goals for scientific inquiry and inquiry-based science learning (for reviews, see Driver, Leach, Millar, & Scott (1996) and Lederman (1992)). This raises two serious questions regarding inquiry- based science learning approaches: Can inquiry experiences in fact change students' beliefs about
Gastric bypass induces early alterations in gut hormone gene expressions associated with glucose metabolism

Abstract Introduction: For morbidly obese patients, insulin-resistant diabetes mellitus (type-2 DM) resolves within weeks following gastric bypass surgery, prior to any significant weight-loss. It has been proposed that diversion of nutrient flow away from the stomach may be responsible for this observation. This study prospectively evaluated the effects of roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) on insulin resistance and gene expression profiles of gut hormones related to glucose metabolism. Methods: Five women (mean age 35, mean BMI 44 kg/m2) were admitted to the General Clinical Research Center for intravenous glucose tolerance tests (IVGTT) prior to undergoing RYGB and again at postoperative follow-up within 2 months. Gastric pouch biopsies were obtained at the time of surgery and then again by endoscopy at follow-up. Specimens underwent mRNA extraction, labeling, and hybridization, and an Affymetrix microarray scanner was used to analyze the gene chips. mRNA quality was confirmed by Northern or spectrophotometry. Data were analyzed for fold-changes of metabolic hormones with known influence upon systemic insulin-glucose metabolism. Results: After surgery, all patients exhibited greater normalization of IVGTT compared with baseline. Significant alterations in expression were identified in 5 genes related to human insulin-glucose metabolism; pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase-4 (−8.7 folds, p Conclusions: Systematic gene expression profiling may lend mechanistic insights into resolution of type-2 DM induced by RYGB, and may serve as biomarkers for predicting the efficacy of weight-reduction surgery.
Genetic, biochemical, and developmental studies of nystatin resistant mutants in Dictyostelium discoideum.

Conditions are given for the isolation of nystatin resistant mutants of the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum. These mutants fall into three phenotypic groups; corresponding to three genes: nysA, nysB, and nysC. Mutants in nysB and nysC affect sterol metabolism since they have altered sterol compositions. Each group contains several unique, but as yet unidentified, sterols in place of the wild type sterol. The nysC strains are most nystatin resistant, display altered sensitivity to some drugs, and grow on nystatin from amoebae or spores. All other mutants are nystatin resistant only as amoebae. Although nysC mutants grow normally, they make small fruiting bodies which appear to result from the formation of smaller aggregates.
Family context and adolescents' fertility expectations.

Data from the National Longitudinal Surveys of Labor Market Experience of Youth are used to examine and contrast the effects of family context and individual characteristics on adolescents' expectations about adolescent fertility, nonmarital childbearing, family size, and childlessness. The findings indicate that family structure has modest but specific effects on adolescents' fertility expectations. Living with mothers only increases expectations for nonmarital childbearing, and living with fathers (without biological mother) lowers the total number of children expected. Larger subsize raises expectations for nonmarital childbearing and family size. Poverty raises expectations for adolescent childbearing but does not affect other fertility expectations. Adolescent women are less likely than men to expect nonmarital childbearing, and overall, expect fewer children. Blacks are more likely than Whites to expect adolescent and nonmarital fertility and Hispanics are significantly less likely than non-Hispanic...