cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Decision to Purchase Pork in the Away from Home and At Home Markets:: The Case of the United States

This article investigated the decision to eat pork in both the away from home and at home markets. Using data from the United States Department of Agriculture's 1987-88 Nationwide Food Consumption Survey, this study identified several socio-demographic and economic characteristics of consumers who have eaten pork either away from home or at home. Considering that the United States is the largest importer of pork, the information derived from this study is useful for pork processors and producers, not only in the United States but also elsewhere in the world, who wish to anticipate future market changes and derived demands for their products.
Mechanisms of Autoantibody Production in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Autoantibodies against a panoply of self-antigens are seen in systemic lupus erythematosus, but only a few (anti-Sm/RNP, anti-Ro/La, anti-dsDNA) are common. The common lupus autoantigens are nucleic acid complexes and levels of autoantibodies can be extraordinarily high. We explore why that is the case. Lupus is associated with impaired central or peripheral B-cell tolerance and increased circulating autoreactive B cells. However, terminal differentiation is necessary for autoantibody production. Nucleic acid components of the major lupus autoantigens are immunostimulatory ligands for toll-like receptor (TLR)7 or TLR9 that promote plasma cell differentiation. We show that the levels of autoantibodies against the U1A protein (part of a ribonucleoprotein) are markedly higher than autoantibodies against other antigens, including dsDNA and the non-nucleic acid-associated autoantigens insulin and thyroglobulin. In addition to driving autoantibody production, TLR7 engagement is likely to contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory disease in lupus.
Hua Loo-keng and the Movement of Popularizing Mathematics in the People’s Republic of China

This paper examines the mathematical and teaching practices of the renowned self-taught Chinese mathematician Hua Loo-keng in the movement of popularizing mathematics in the People’s Republic of China. In this movement, Hua Loo-keng taught industrial workers and peasants with a low level of education how to use fairly advanced mathematical methods in their workplace (agriculture, transportation, or industry). This paper explores the mathematical concepts that Hua Loo-keng taught the workers and farmers and how they applied them in their workplace. An important element in the movement of popularizing mathematics in the People’s Republic of China is the non-traditional methods by which Hua Loo-keng taught the workers and farmers.
Development and global finance : the case for an international bank for environmental settlements

The approach suggested here was proposed by the author during discussions with members of (a) the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC), (b) the United States Council of Economic Advisors, (c) the Global Environment Facility, and (d) the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. An earlier version of this paper was presented as a keynote address to the Third Annual World Bank Conference on Effective Financing of Environmentally Sustainable Development in October 1995. The author thanks the participants of UNDP meetings in March and June I996 for their comments as well as Dr. Jorge Werthein of UNESCO.
Scaffolding Preservice Science Teachers' Evidence-Based Arguments During an Investigation of Natural Selection

In this qualitative case study, preservice science teachers (PSTs) enrolled in their advanced methods course participated in a complex, data-rich investigation based on an adapted version of the Struggle for Survival curriculum. Fundamental to the investigation was the use of the Galapagos Finches software and an emphasis on giving priority to evidence and constructing evidence-based arguments. The questions that guided the research were: (1) What is the nature of the scientific arguments developed by PSTs? (2) How do PSTs go about constructing scientific arguments (emphasis on processes and strategies)? (3) In what ways do the scaffolds embedded in the Galapagos Finches software influence the development of PSTs arguments? Two pairs of PSTs were selected for in-depth examination. The primary sources of data were the electronic artifacts generated in the Galapagos Finches software environment and the videotaped interactions of both pairs as they investigated the data set, constructed and revised their arguments, engaged in peer review sessions, and presented their arguments to the class at the end of the unit. Four major patterns emerged through analysis of the data. First, using the software, PSTs consistently constructed claims that were linked to evidence from the investigation. Second, although PSTs consistently grounded their arguments in evidence, they still exhibited a number of limitations reported in the literature. Third, the software served as a powerful vehicle for revealing PSTs knowledge of evolution and natural selection. Finally, the PSTs approach to the task had a strong influence on the way they used the software.
A rhodopsin gene mutation responsible for autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa results in a protein that is defective in localization to the photoreceptor outer segment

Over 45 mutations in the rhodopsin gene have been identified in patients with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa, including a cluster near the extreme carboxy-terminus, a region of the protein for which no function has yet been assigned. To elucidate the biochemical defect(s) in this group of mutants, we have studied a naturally occurring stop codon mutation that removes the last five amino acids of rhodopsin (Q344ter). When produced in transfected tissue culture cells, the mutant protein is indistinguishable from the wild type in light-dependent activation of the photoreceptor G-protein (transducin), and in serving as a light-dependent substrate for rhodopskin kinase. Mice that express a Q344ter transgene in rod photoreceptors show nearly normal light responses as determined by suction electrode recordings of the membrane current from single rod outer segments; the main difference between transgenic and nontransgenic responses is a 15% longer time-to-peak in the response of transgenic rods. In the Q344ter transgenic retina, direct immunofluorescent staining with antibodies specific for either wild-type or Q344ter rhodopsin shows abnormal accumulation of the Q344ter, but not the endogenous rhodopsin, in the plasma membrane of the photoreceptor cell body. These data indicate that rhodopsin's carboxy-terminus is required for efficient transportation to or retention in the outer segment.
Particle-to-PFU Ratio of Ebola Virus Influences Disease Course and Survival in Cynomolgus Macaques

This study addresses the role of Ebola virus (EBOV) specific infectivity in virulence. Filoviruses are highly lethal, enveloped, single-stranded negative-sense RNA viruses that can cause hemorrhagic fever. No approved vaccines or therapies exist for filovirus infections, and infectious virus must be handled in maximum containment. Efficacy testing of countermeasures, in addition to investigations of pathogenicity and immune response, often requires a well-characterized animal model. For EBOV, an obstacle in performing accurate disease modeling is a poor understanding of what constitutes an infectious dose in animal models. One well-recognized consequence of viral passage in cell culture is a change in specific infectivity, often measured as a particle-to-PFU ratio. Here, we report that serial passages of EBOV in cell culture resulted in a decrease in particle-to-PFU ratio. Notably, this correlated with decreased potency in a lethal cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis) model of infection; animals were infected with the same viral dose as determined by plaque assay, but animals that received more virus particles exhibited increased disease. This suggests that some particles are unable to form a plaque in a cell culture assay but are able to result in lethal disease in vivo. These results have a significant impact on how future studies are designed to model EBOV disease and test countermeasures. IMPORTANCE Ebola virus (EBOV) can cause severe hemorrhagic disease with a high case-fatality rate, and there are no approved vaccines or therapies. Specific infectivity can be considered the total number of viral particles per PFU, and its impact on disease is poorly understood. In stocks of most mammalian viruses, there are particles that are unable to complete an infectious cycle or unable to cause cell pathology in cultured cells. We asked if these particles cause disease in nonhuman primates by infecting monkeys with equal infectious doses of genetically identical stocks possessing either high or low specific infectivities. Interestingly, some particles that did not yield plaques in cell culture assays were able to result in lethal disease in vivo. Furthermore, the number of PFU needed to induce lethal disease in animals was very low. Our results have a significant impact on how future studies are designed to model EBOV disease and test countermeasures.
Overall Adherence to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans Is Associated with Reduced Prevalence of Early Age-Related Nuclear Lens Opacities in Women

Few studies have examined the efficacy of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans in the prevention of age-related chronic disease, such as age-related cataract. We examined whether adherence to the Guidelines was associated with a lower prevalence of age-related nuclear lens opacities in women. Eye exams were conducted in 479 Nurses' Health Study participants aged 52 to 73 y without previously diagnosed cataract or diabetes living in the Boston, MA area. Four FFQs, collected during a 9- to 11-y period before evaluation of lens status, were used to define diet quality according to the following: 1) daily number of servings of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; 2) Recommended Foods Score (RFS); and 3) Healthy Eating Index (HEI). Nuclear opacities were defined as scores >/= 2.5 using the Lens Opacification Classification System III. After adjusting for age, smoking, and other risk factors, women in the highest quartile category of HEI scores were significantly less likely to have nuclear opacities than those in the lowest category [odds ratio (OR) = 0.47; 95% CI: 0.26-0.84]. This association appeared to be stronger among nonusers of supplemental vitamin C (OR = 0.23; 95% CI: 0.10-0.52). Decreased prevalence odds of nuclear opacities were also observed with high intake of fruit (OR = 0.58; 95% CI: 0.32-1.05) and whole grains (OR = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.36-1.15). These results suggest that overall compliance with the Dietary Guidelines, as measured by the HEI, protects against nuclear opacities.
DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF A MILITARY SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS SIMULATOR

This paper describes the design and development of a simulator to be used to determine the quantitative ability of a Military Satellite Communications (Milsatcom) architecture to satisfy communications requirements. Both the architecture analysis process and the design and application of the simulation tool to this process are described.
Ultra-wideband, miniaturized, low profile, omnidirectional antenna using a novel reactive loading approach

This paper presents a novel approach based on reactive loading of a resonant structure to achieve ultra-wideband operation for a low-profile omnidirectional antenna. The use of the proposed reactive elements generates new resonances in lower frequency band than the original antenna resonant frequency. The key feature of the reactive load design pertains to its frequency response so that while the input impedance of the reactive load is seen as ‘infinite’ at the original resonant frequency, it is seen as ‘capacitive’ at newly generated resonant frequency. Proper combination of these resonant frequencies and their harmonics leads to a very wide bandwidth operation. A circuit model for the reactive load is first proposed and the realization of its electromagnetic model is followed. To implement the proposed method to antenna design, a λ/2 resonant folded monopole antenna exhibiting wider bandwidth than a λ/4 resonant monopole antenna is chosen. It is discussed that 10dB fractional bandwidth (FBW) of the antennas with the proposed reactive loads can be 45% and omnidirectional radiation pattern with vertical polarization be obtained in the operating frequency band.
A nuclear polyhedrosis virus of Pseudoplusia includens (lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract A virus disease of Pseudoplusia includens was confirmed by electron microscopy and histological examination as a nuclear polyhedrosis. The polyhedra exhibited a typical crystalline protein lattice with randomly occluded single virions. The histopathology of the NPV infection followed a sequence of infection and tissue affinity similar to that of other lepidopterous NPV. The tracheal matrix, fat body, and epidermis were the primary sites of infection with the midgut, silk glands, Malpighian tubules, nerve tissue, muscle, and wing buds infected to a lesser degree. Electron microscopy revealed only nonoccluded virions in the nucleus of midgut cells, although polyhedralike protein bodies were observed.
Sensitization of Bacillus subtilis spores to dry heat and desiccation by pretreatment with oxidizing agents.

Aims: To determine if pretreatment with oxidizing agents sensitizes Bacillus subtilis spores to dry heat or desiccation. Methods: Bacillus subtilis spores were killed approx. 90% by oxidizing agents, and the sensitivity of treated and untreated spores to dry heat and desiccation was determined. The effects of pyruvate on spore recovery after oxidizing agent pretreatment and then dry heat or desiccation were also determined. Conclusions: Spores pretreated with Oxone™ or hypochlorite were not sensitized to dry heat or freeze-drying. However, hydrogen peroxide or t-butylhydroperoxide pretreatment sensitized spores to dry heat or desiccation, and the desiccation caused mutagenesis in the survivors. Pyruvate increased recovery of spores treated with hydrogen peroxide alone or plus dry heat or desiccation, and with t-butylhydroperoxide and desiccation, but not with t-butylhydroperoxide alone or plus dry heat. Significance and Impact of the Study: Pretreatment with peroxides sensitizes bacterial spores to subsequent stress. This finding may suggest improved regimens for spore inactivation.
Evidence of space-charge-limited current in amorphous silicon Schottky diodes

Palladium/amorphous silicon (a-SiH x ) Schottky barrier diodes have been found to exhibit superlinear dark forward current-voltage (I-V) characteristics over the temperature range 30 to 130°C. The results are consistent with expected behavior for space-charge-limited current in the presence of distributed traps. The trap parameters are deduced from I-V data.
The relationship between extracellular amino acids and protein synthesis is altered during axonal regeneration

The incorporation of [3H]proline into proteins of goldfish retinal ganglion cells was measured by light microscopic autoradiography of isolated retinas that had been incubated in labeled medium under pulse-chase conditions. It was found that the composition of the immediate precursor pool for protein synthesis is more directly influenced by extracellular amino acids in regenerating cells 14 d after axotomy than in sham-operated controls.
Laser desorption ionization of gramicidin S on thin silver films with matrix isolation in surface plasmon resonance excitation

Abstract Laser desorption ionization (LDI)/laser ablation (LA) time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) studies are performed via back-illumination on thin silver films deposited with gramicidin S, a cyclic decapeptide (1141 Da). Experimental results indicate an electronic excitation mechanism at low laser fluences and a thermal process at high laser fluences. In a perpendicular orientation of the thin silver film with respect to the drift tube axis, better success of chemical ionization (CI) of neutral silver atoms/clusters and gramicidin S molecules by Ag + monomer cations within the ablation plume is evident. When these LDI/LA studies are repeated under surface plasmon resonance (SPR) conditions, the neutral atoms/clusters/molecules undergo SPR LDI/LA via a different laser energy transfer process compared to direct LDI/LA. These results also indicate an electronic excitation mechanism, only with a lower laser fluence requirement. Upon addition of a matrix, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB), CI of gramicidin S molecules by Ag + monomer cations is hindered while the CI of gramicidin S molecules by Na + cations can occur at an even lower laser fluence. Thus, SPR LDI/LA with matrix isolation is an excellent technique for the mass analysis of gramicidin S.
Rocket measurements of mesospheric ionization irregularities

The Langmuir probe technique for measurement of electron concentration in the mesosphere is capable of excellent altitude resolution, of order 1 m. Measurements from nine daytime rocket flights carrying an electron density fine structure experiment frequently show small scale ionization structures in the altitude region 70 to 90 km. The irregularities are believed to be the result of turbulent advection of ions and electrons. The fine structure experiment flown by the University of Illinois is described and methods of analyzing the collected data is presented. Theories of homogeneous, isotropic turbulence are reviewed. Power spectra of the measured irregularities are calculated and compared to spectra predicted by turbulence theories.
Profiling glycosphingolipid structural detail: periodate oxidation, electrospray, collision-induced dissociation and tandem mass spectrometry

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry applied to methylated glycosphingolipid samples provides a sensitive molecular mass profile with no detectable fragmentation and little matrix background. In a bovine brain preparation, the components GM1a, GD1a/b and GT1a/b were characterized in detail and several minor entities, GT1, GM3, GA1, GM2, were mass profiled. Two additional materials, unrelated to the o-, a-, b- or c-series, were characterized as hexosamine additions to GM1 and GD1a. Structural details of the major components within these samples were obtained by utilizing low-energy collision tandem mass spectrometry and periodate oxidation, which could serve as a basis for more complex and higher molecular mass preparations. Fragment structures in the collision spectra were assigned with the assistance of C1H3 and C2H3 derivatization and by exploiting the natural carbohydrate and ceramide heterogeneity of the samples. Major fragments originate from C1O glycosidic rupture with few ring-opening ions. Glycosidic fragments defined details that allow the determination of structural isomers, while specific fragments of the ceramide moiety differentiate sphingosine from N-acyl heterogeneity. When contrasted with high-energy (8 keV) tandem mass spectrometry, low-energy collision-induced dissociation of multiply charged molecular ions provided more abundant structurally diagnostic fragments.
The key to success "e-environmental solution"

Modern coping with environmental problems supports the sustainable growth of enterprises. Currently Japan ranks first in the number of ISO 14001 environmental management system standard registrations, with over 12,000 enterprises registered and about 70% of its listed companies actively involved. However, in spite of having a very good technical foundation, most of the Japanese companies are unable to envision their future in a situation of economic slowdown that accompanies the loss of speed in environmental management participation after the bursting of the bubble economy. This can be said to be the result of promoting environmental management systems that had become a dead letter without vision, foresightedness and awareness of risks. Today, responding to environmental problems that leads to developing a sustainable society has become a successful factor for enterprises. In this paper, e-environmental solutions of IBM based on its environmental management system that was put into practice for 35 years is introduced. IBM actively pursued leadership in environmental protection in every possible business activity with the policy that had been revised 3 times as the core. Maintaining a safe & sound work environment, protecting the earth's environment and preserving energy and natural resources has contributed to maintaining a sound business for IBM for years.
Theory of antigen-antibody induced particulate aggregation—I. General assumptions and basic theory

A theory of antigen-antibody induced particulate aggregation is developed by investigating the stability of model systems of particles. Conditions for the formation of large aggregates are derived by imposing the requirement that at equilibrium a statistically significant number of redundant bonds would occur in a reduced monomer-dimer model system. A relationship is obtained which predicts the fractional agglutination in the reduced dimer system as a function of the antigen, antibody and particulate concentrations: g 2 f c 0 ( 1 − g ) 2 = s 1 r + s 1 s 2 2 ! r 2 + … + s 1 s 2 … s j j ! r j , where c0 is the initial concentration of monomer, f is a proximity factor, g is the fractional agglutination, si is the average rate of formation of the ith bond from an (i−1)th bound dimer, and r is the average rate of dissociation of a single antibody-antigen bond.
Cross-Sectional Comparisons of the Mathematical Performance of Children with Learning Disabilities Are We on the Right Track Toward Comprehensive Programming?

This study examines the mathematical performance of 220 children from 8 years through 17 years of age diagnosed as having learning disabilities. Student records were searched for data indicating performance on standardized test instruments relating to mathematics. Data for the Woodcock-Johnson Psycho-Educational Achievement Battery math subtests and for the IQ scores from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised were obtained. Comparisons were made among children at different ages and among specific age clusters. Primary attention was directed toward calculations and applications of math concepts and principles. Developmental patterns across the ages studied were discovered. Implications for long-term comprehensive programming are presented.
FUNCTION OF GALANIN IN THE ANTERIOR PITUITARY OF ESTROGEN-TREATED FISCHER 344 RATS : AUTOCRINE AND PARACRINE REGULATION OF PROLACTIN SECRETION

Estrogen is a robust stimulator of galanin synthesis and secretion in the anterior pituitary. Galanin is colocalized in lactotrophs in the estrogen-treated anterior pituitary, and its roles in lactotroph function are still being elucidated. In the present studies, we quantified the phenotypes of estrogen-treated Fischer 344 rat anterior pituitary cells expressing the galanin gene by dual in situ hybridization. The total population of galanin-positive pituitary cells increased from undetectable levels to 16% of all cells after 2 weeks of estrogen treatment. More than 90% of the galanin-positive cells coexpressed PRL messenger RNA, and one-third of the lactotrophs expressed galanin messenger RNA. We hypothesized that galanin in the anterior pituitary may contribute to the heterogeneous secretion of PRL, and that one of the functions of galanin is to regulate PRL secretion in an autocrine/paracrine manner. To test this hypothesis, we performed the reverse hemolytic plaque assay combined with in situ hybridiz...
Relationships of Work Stressors with Aggression, Withdrawal, Theft and Substance Use: An Exploratory Study

Based on findings from the domain of organizational frustration, the conceptual similarity between stress and frustration, and the functional similarity between frustrated events and work stressors, the relationships of behaviours (aggression, withdrawal, theft and substance use) with work stressors and affective reactions were investigated. Relations between reported stressors and behaviours were strongest for the more directly aggressive actions (sabotage, interpersonal aggression, and hostility and complaints), and for intention to quit. Relations with theft and absence were modest. None of the stressors correlated with reported substance use at work. Among the relations between affective reactions and the reported behaviours, anger and job satisfaction correlated with all behaviours except substance use at work. Hierarchical regression results further showed that the observed associations between stressors and behaviours were not attributed to affective variables for most cases.
Cholesterol-Lowering Diets: A Review of the Evidence

To evaluate the efficacy of the high-risk approach and the population approach for cholesterol lowering, large trials of dietary intervention (n≥150) and smaller trials of angiographic assessment of the impact of diet on coronary disease were reviewed. Two trials of dietary therapy as intensive individualized counseling in individuals at usual risk for coronary disease achieved 75% to 80% of the cholesterol lowering predicted by metabolic ward studies and produced a 5% to 14% reduction in total cholesterol levels. Four studies in high-risk individuals exceeded predictions and achieved a 4% to 17% reduction in total cholesterol levels. Similar efficacy was observed in six of the seven trials of diet for secondary prevention. Four trials employing the population approach achieved smaller but often significant reductions in total cholesterol levels of 1% to 11%. No tachyphylaxis to dietary therapy occurred in trials in which dietary counseling was maintained during the trial. The effectiveness of diet is enhanced when individualized counseling is used, follow-up is maintained, and weight reduction is achieved. (Arch Intern Med. 1995;155:17-26)
PROTEOLYTIC ENZYMES AND EXPERIMENTAL DEMYELINATION IN THE RAT AND MONKEY

— Visible lesions from monkeys with acute experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) induced by injection of purified myelin basic protein were assayed for acid proteinase, for a neutral proteinase at pH 6·5, and one lesion was measured for cathepsin A. Acid proteinase was increased to 152–176 per cent of levels in normal-appearing brain areas, neutral proteinase increased to 220–258 per cent, and the one lesion assayed for cathepsin A was 840 per cent of control. These enzymes were measured in the brain stem of Lewis rats with acute EAE as a result of basic protein injection and compared to Freund's adjuvant-injected controls. Acid proteinase was increased significantly to an average level of 128 per cent of control, the increase in neutral proteinase was not significant, and cathepsin A levels were 258 per cent of control, a highly significant increase. The rise in cathepsin A levels was not seen until the onset of paralytic symptoms. The brain stem of Wistar rats treated with whole spinal cord which show EAE in a milder form than the Lewis rat did not contain significantly higher enzyme levels than the control. The increases in acid proteinase and cathepsin A in brain stems were compared to levels of these enzymes in lymph nodes of EAE, Freund's adjuvant-injected controls and uninjected controls. The level of acid proteinase of lymph nodes/g protein did not change appreciably in the course of EAE development in the Lewis and Wistar rats and was about 3–4 times the activity in the brain stem. The cathepsin A in the inguinal lymph nodes of Wistar and Lewis rats injected with whole spinal cord in Freund's adjuvant increases to a level 2× that of the lymph nodes of the uninjected control. The cathepsin A levels in these activated lymph nodes was 6–8 × that of the control brain stem. The lymph nodes of Lewis and Wistar rats injected with Freund's adjuvant alone showed the same increase in cathepsin A as those from rats injected with spinal cord. The brain stem of rats undergoing severe demyelination as a result of chronic administration of triethyl tin did not show the enzyme increases. These results are compatible with the theory that proteolytic enzyme increases in EAE (and probably multiple sclerosis) are due to the invasion of mononuclear cells, some of which are probably lymphocytes. Whether or not these enzymes participate in the actual dissolution of myelin is unknown.
Antimicrobial mixtures used by tissue banks for harvested skin: comparative in vitro activity

The activities of antimicrobial combinations from three geographically diverse skin/tissue banks used in the processing of skin/ tissue were compared using bacteria and yeast isolated from burn patients. All formulations showed 90% or more effectiveness against bacteria generally susceptible to antibiotics but were less effective (60-80%) when tested against bacteria resistant to specific antimicrobials. Anti-yeast activity was present when an appropriate antifungal agent was included in the combination. All formulations were stable for at least six weeks. Results of this study raise certain questions about the use of these antimicrobial combinations in contemporary skin/tissue banking and point the way toward areas for future study.
Application of Queueing Network Models to Optimization of Resource Allocation within Libraries

The activities within a library are combined with the library's floor plan to develop a representation of the library as a network of queues. This model can be used to predict average patron processing times and costs, as well as potential processing bottlenecks, as they are affected by demand characteristics and floor plan variations. Application of the model to an actual library is illustrated. Finally, an approach to optimal allocation of library resources within a queueing network framework is discussed.
To Write or Not to Write: Effects of Task and Task Interpretation on Learning through Writing.

This study explores the assumption that writing is a way to learn by examining the influence of task interpretation on writing and studying as learning aids. Forty college freshmen performed two tasks: reading-to-write and reading-to-study. Approaches to each task were categorized to test for effects of task interpretation. Students answered passage-specific comprehension questions after each task and gave think-aloud protocols as they worked. To assess learning processes, protocol transcripts were analyzed using a taxonomy of cognitive operations. Writing led to lower scores than studying on two of four comprehension measures. Writing and studying led to different patterns of cognitive operations when students worked with a fact-based source passage, but (a) these differences interacted with task interpretation, and (b) virtually no effects of task were observed on a more abstract passage. Results indicate that task interpretation and the nature of the material to be learned are important mediating varia...
The interrelationship among need for social approval, persuasibility and activation

‘The present study investigates the interrelationships among need for social approval, persuasibility and activation in communication. The study was designed to supply data for improving communication models and to clarify inconsistencies in previous findings.
Use of delayed addition techniques to accelerate integer and floating-point calculations in configurable hardware

This paper proposes and evaluates an approach for improving the performance of arithmetic calculations via delayed addition. Our approach employs the idea used in Wallace trees to delay addition until the end of a repeated calculation such as accumulation or dot-product; this effectively removes carry propagation overhead from the calculation's critical path. We present imager and floating- point designs that use this technique. Our pipelined integer multiply-accumulate design is based on a fairly traditional multiplier design, but with delayed addition as well. This design achieves a 37 MHz clock rate on an XC4036XL-2 FPGA. Next, we present a 32-bit floating-point accumulator based on delayed addition. Here delayed addition requires a novel alignment technique that decouples the incoming operands from the accumulated result. A conservative version of this design achieves a 33 MHz clock rate. Finally, we also present a more aggressive 32-bit floating-point accumulator design that achieves a 66 MHz clock rate. These designs demonstrate the utility of delayed addition for accelerating FPGA calculations in both the integer and floating-point domains.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Silver plasmon rulers as probes in polarization-resolved plasmon coupling microscopy

The distance dependent interactions between individual noble metal nanoparticles enable active plasmonic nanostructures with applications in microscopy, sensing and imaging. If two nanoparticles approach each other close enough for their plasmons to couple, the resonance wavelength of the dimer red-shifts. This effect is utilized in plasmon coupling microscopy (PCM) to resolve subdiffraction limit contacts. We apply polarization resolved PCM to monitor changes in the orientation and interparticle separation of individual silver plasmon rulers during their lateral diffusion on a plasma membrane. The ability to track the position of individual silver plasmon rulers and to simultaneously monitor their rotation and separation in PCM makes plasmon ruler probes for the local structure of the supporting membrane.
Progress towards understanding the functioning of the trabecular meshwork based on lessons from studies of laser trabeculoplasty.

The advent of argon and selective laser trabeculoplasty (ALT/SLT) procedures over the past three decades has stimulated investigation of interactions between the laser light and irradiated trabecular meshwork (TM) cells and tissues. These studies have revealed fundamental aspects of the mechanisms involved in the regulation of aqueous outflow that includes an elaborate molecular signalling system that coordinates the activities of two endothelial cell types that function to maintain aqueous outflow homeostasis.1–5 Importantly, this new information has already helped in developing new trabeculoplasty protocols that are associated with highly predictable and effective outcomes.1 4 This is a promising development likely to promote the earlier and more frequent application of laser trabeculoplasty procedures by clinicians, including perhaps using laser procedures as an initial glaucoma therapy. SLT has been in use clinically to reduce the intraocular pressure (IOP) since the turn of the 21st century.6–8 However, there has been a lack of evidence showing that SLT in fact works by facilitating the egress of aqueous across the trabecular outflow pathway. Now, Goyal et al have corrected this deficiency with the publication in this issue of a landmark article showing that SLT indeed lowers the IOP by increasing aqueous outflow ( see page 1443 ).9 Theirs is a prospective, single-masked, randomised clinical trial assessing the effects of SLT both on tonographic outflow facility and on IOP reduction. Newly diagnosed primary open-angle glaucoma or high-risk ocular hypertension patients with IOP >21 mm Hg were randomly assigned to either 180° or 360° …
Survey of Threats and Assaults by Patients on Psychiatry Residents.

Objectives The authors sought to determine the prevalence of threats and assaults by patients on psychiatry residents, their consequences, and the perceived adequacy of supports and institutional responses.
Review of Lundy Braun, Breathing Race Into the Machine: The Surprising Career of the Spirometer From Plantation to Genetics

Debates over the relation between race and biology have long been fraught with political, social, and scientific contestation, but in recent years they have reemerged with a new urgency as advances...
Separating “us” from “them”: Neanderthal and modern human behavior

Neanderthals have always been treated like the poor relation in the human family. From the recognition of the first partial skeleton from Feldhofer, Germany, in 1856, Neanderthals made scientists uneasy. Initially they were viewed as too physically apelike to fit into Homo sapiens and too brutishly primitive to have been capable of modern human behavior (1). Now, new information on Neanderthal adaptations has come from Gibraltar, an island where an adult Neanderthal cranium and pieces of a Neanderthal child's skull were found previously. As reported in this issue of PNAS, evidence from Vanguard and Gorham's caves indicates that Neanderthals used unexpectedly modern and complex subsistence strategies (2).
The Effect on Vasopressin Release of Microinjection of Cholinergic Agonists into the Paraventricular Nucleus of Conscious Rats

Abstract We have studied in conscious unrestrained rats under basal conditions the effect of activation of muscarinic and nicotinic receptors in the paraventricular nucleus on vasopressin secretion and mean arterial blood pressure. The microinjection of oxotremorine (0.2, 2 or 20 ng), a specific muscarinic agonist, produced a substantial, dose-dependent, transient increase in the plasma vasopressin concentration. There was also a rise in mean arterial blood pressure and a bradycardia that followed the same time-course as the change in plasma vasopressin levels. The microinjection of nicotine (0.1, 1 or 10 HQ) into the paraventricular nucleus had only questionable effects on vasopressin release and mean arterial blood pressure; heart rate was unaffected. These findings suggest that muscarinic receptors may be of primary importance in the paraventricular nucleus in the Cholinergic stimulation of vasopressin release.
RELATION OF GUSTINESS TO OTHER METEOROLOGICAL PARAMETERS

Abstract Two years of data have been processed to show relationships between wind gustiness and other meteorological parameters. The gustiness classification used at Brookhaven National Laboratory is defined by the range and appearance of the horizontal wind direction trace. The seasonal and diurnal variations are presented. Gustiness is closely related to lapse rate and solar radiation, while its association with wind speed and Sutton's index of turbulence is not as distinct.
Viral haemorrhagic fevers in ancient Mesopotamia

In the course of preparing a book on ancient Mesopotamian medicine, the authors found descriptions of signs and symptoms compatible with viral haemorrhagic fevers.
Relation of olfactory bulb and cortex. II. Model for driving of cortex by bulb

The major projection pathway of the olfactory bulb is by way of the lateral olfactory tract (LOT) to the olfactory cortex. Oscillatory bursts of extracellular potential appear during inspiration in both bulb and cortex. Based on anatomical and physiological considerations, a model was proposed, consisting of a bulbar transmitter, a conduction line representing axons in the LOT, and a cortical receiver. The model predicted the relation between phase and frequency of bulbar and cortical burst pairs, based on the expectation that the bulb drives the cortex. Experimental phase-frequency plots were computed from bursts of 9 bulbocortical electrode site pairs from each of 10 rabbits. For each site pair, the model predicted the expected range of the joint variation of phase and frequency, using the known distance between the bulbar and cortical sites. The model was highly successful (greater than 95% prediction accuracy) for one quarter of the total number of site pairs examined. The wide range of variation for the rest of the data suggested that higher order interactions are responsible for the phase relation between bulb and cortex. Convergence of input, independence of the cortical generator, cortical feedback to the bulb and synchronization by an outside source are all discussed as possible contributors to this variation.
Particle beam sample introduction into glow discharge plasmas for speciation analysis

Abstract This paper reviews the use of the particle beam (PB) as a transport-type interface for the introduction of liquid samples into glow discharge (GD) plasmas. Emphasis is placed on the PB interface as a coupling for liquid chromatography (LC) with optical emission spectroscopy (OES) and mass spectrometry (MS) detection methods. Advantages and disadvantages of the particle beam sample introduction for LC–MS and LC–OES as well as a comparison with other interfaces (i.e. moving belt) are covered. Fundamental aspects of the particle beam such as solvent removal and analyte delivery are highlighted. Furthermore, the development of the particle beam interface is discussed regarding its potential for providing “comprehensive speciation” analysis of solution-phase samples. Specifically, the particle beam/hollow cathode–optical emission spectroscopy (PB/HC–OES) technique provides information towards metal and non-metals determinations as well molecular species identification of organic compounds, organometallics, and small biomolecules via empirical formulae determinations. Particle beam–glow discharge mass spectrometry (PB/GDMS) also provides molecular species information through fragmentation pattern analysis of plasma-produced mass spectra that are similar in structure to electron impact (EI) sources. The evolving capabilities of the PB/GD couplings deliver analytical information that is not available from any other spectrochemical source. The technique has relevance to an incredible range of analytical applications and warrants further investigation by other researchers and instrument manufacturers.
The Role of Financial Education in the Management of Retirement Savings

We investigate the role of financial education in the management of Defined Contribution retirement savings plans. We survey Finance and English professors from universities across the United States and compare the management of their savings in the TIAA-CREF® plans. We find that compared with English professors, Finance professors allocate a larger share of their retirement savings to equities, they manage their retirement portfolios more actively, and they are less likely to practice naive diversification strategies.
CdSe and CdSe(ZnS) quantum dots in 2D: A Langmuir monolayer approach

Abstract Recent years have produced many advances in quantum dot synthesis, application and analysis while their importance in the fields of chemistry, biology, engineering and physics has grown as well. Opposed to the bulk state properties, quantum dots are dependent upon the quantum confinement effect in all three spatial dimensions and so their applications have been broadened to optical switches and fluorescence labeling among others. Compiled here are extensive results in the characterization of quantum dots using the Langmuir monolayer technique to approach these quantum dots in their two dimensional state. Variation of ligands around the nanoparticles at the air–water interface has revealed that a more condensed packing state is achieved with the use of smaller ligands. Properties such as the limiting nanoparticle area, molar absorptivity, and self-assembly manipulation have shown the local-hexagonal packing structure of the quantum dots at the air–water interface. As characterized by an expansion on the Langmuir technique, film thickness has also been analyzed under AFM and HR-TEM to observe the multilayer effect during isotherm formation.
Meta-analysis in the social sciences:

Meta-analysis is a class of statistical methods for combining the results from a series of studies addressing the same research question. These methods can powerfully test hypotheses that cannot be answered clearly with one or a few studies and eliminates the ambiguity that results from narrative reviews of a research literature or from counting the number of studies that support a particular conclusion. The usefulness of meta-analysis is demonstrated by reviewing instances in psychotherapy, education, and medicine that show how meta-analysis was used successfully to end acrimonious debate and reach a firm and lasting conclusion.
The importance of screening edentulous patients for oral cancer

A study of the dental status of 947 patients with oral cancer was conducted to determine how dentists might gain better access to patients in whom this disease develops. This access could lead to earlier diagnosis and thereby improve the prognosis. Dental profiles revealed that 68% of the patients were partially or totally edentulous, 14% had neglected teeth, and the remaining 18% had intact dentitions. The mean age of patients was 61.7 years. Efforts should be made to promote the recall of edentulous patients. This may facilitate an earlier discovery of many oral cancers.
The Fat of the Land: Linking American Food Overconsumption, Obesity, and Biodiversity Loss

Americans’ excessive consumption of food harms their health and quality of life and also causes direct and indirect environmental degradation, through habitat loss and increased pollution from agricultural fertilizers and pesticides. We show here that reducing food consumption (and eating less meat) could improve Americans’ health and well-being while facilitating environmental benefits ranging from establishing new national parks and protected areas to allowing more earth-friendly farming and ranching techniques. We conclude by considering various public policy initiatives to lower per capita caloric intake and excessive meat consumption, and to translate this temperate behavior into substantial environmental protection.
Current Mercury Distribution and Bioavailability in Floodplain Soils of Lower East Fork Popular Creek, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA

The objectives of this study were to investigate the current status of mercury distribution, speciation and bioavailability in the floodplain soils of Lower East Fork Poplar Creek (LEFPC) after decades of US Department of Energy’s remediation. Historically as part of its national security mission, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Y-12 National Security Facility in Oak Ridge, TN, USA acquired a significant fraction of the world’s supply of elemental mercury. During the 1950s and 1960s, a large amount of elemental mercury escaped confinement and is still present in the watershed surrounding the Y-12 facility. A series of remediation efforts have been deployed in the watersheds around the Oak Ridge site during the following years. The sampling fields were located in a floodplain of LEFPC of Oak Ridge, TN, USA. A series of surface soils (10–20 cm) were sampled from both wooded areas and wetland/grass land. Two 8×8 m fields were selected in the woodland. Five profiles each consisting of three layers were randomly taken from each field. The three layers were the surface layer at 0–10cm, subsurface layer at 50–60 cm, and bottom layer at 100–110 cm. Soil in both wood and wetland areas was well developed with a clear B horizon. The present study clearly shows that the total mercury in floodplain soils of LEFPC significantly decreased after the series of remediation. This study confirmed the long-term effectiveness of these remediation actions, especially after excavation of highly contaminated floodplain soils. However, the average total mercury level of all soil samples collected are in the range of 50–80 mg/kg, still significantly above toxic level (> 5mg/kg). Furthermore, contrary to conventional believing, the major mercury form in current soils of this particular area of floodplain of LEFPC is mainly in non-cinnabar mercury bound in clay minerals (after decades of remediation). The floodplains can act both as a medium-term sink and as long-term sources. Native North American earthworms (Diplocardia spp.) and adjacent soils were taken from each spot in each field. Our results show strong linear relationships between mercury concentrations in earthworms (both mature and immature groups) and non-cinnabar mercury form, while cinnabar mercury is less bioavailable to native earthworms. Earthworms may be used as a potential mercury ecological bio-indicator (bio-marker) for demonstrating mercury bioavailability and ecotoxicity in the ecosystem. The long-term stability, mobility and bioavailability of mercury contaminants in these floodplains still needs to be monitored continuously and closely.Copyright © 2010 by ASME