cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Same Sex, Different Politics: Success and Failure in the Struggles over Gay Rights

Why, for American same-sex couples, is it so much easier to adopt children than it is to get married? And why does our military prevent gays from serving openly even though jurisdictions nationwide continue to render such discrimination illegal? Illuminating the conditions that engender these contradictory policies, "Same Sex, Different Politics" explains why gay rights advocates have achieved dramatically different levels of success from one policy area to another.The first book to compare results across a wide range of gay rights struggles, this volume explores debates over laws governing military service, homosexual conduct, adoption, marriage and partner recognition, hate crimes, and civil rights. It reveals that in each area, the gay rights movement's achievements depend both on Americans' perceptions of its demands and on the political venue in which the conflict plays out. Adoption policy, for example, generally takes shape in a decentralized system of courts that enables couples to target sympathetic judges, while fights for gay marriage generally culminate in legislation or ballot referenda against which it is easier to mount opposition. Brilliantly synthesizing all the factors that contribute to each kind of outcome, "Same Sex, Different Politics" establishes a new framework for understanding the trajectory of a movement.
Temperature dependence of in vitro pituitary, testis, and thyroid secretion in a turtle, Pseudemys scripta

In vitro culture was used to examine the direct actions of temperature at the level of pituitary hormone [luteinizing hormone (LH), thyrotropin (TSH), growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL)] responses to neuropeptides and two related peripheral endocrine responses [thyroid hormone (T4) and testicular androgen secretion] to pituitary hormones (TSH and gonadotropins) in a turtle, Pseudemys scripta. All these responses were fully suppressed at very low temperatures (5-6 degrees) and maximal near the species' preferred body temperature (28 degrees), but sensitivities differed markedly in intermediate ranges. At the pituitary level, the response of TSH, GH, and PRL to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) was considerably more temperature sensitive than the response of LH to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation. TSH, GH, and PRL were unresponsive at 20 degrees or below, whereas LH secretion was stimulated almost equally between 12 and 28 degrees; the main effect of cooling on LH secretion was to reduce the duration of the response to GnRH. There was no clear effect of previous thermal history on temperature sensitivity of pituitary neuropeptide responsiveness although the general responsiveness of the gland was altered; however, these latter effects may also be related to variations in other factors such as photoperiod, season, and nutrition. Temperature sensitivities of the thyroid and testes also differed, but in the opposite way from the related pituitary cell types. Thyroid glands were relatively insensitive to temperature and responded to TSH between 12 and 32 degrees, with no difference between 20 and 28 degrees. In contrast, testicular androgen secretion showed an abrupt decline in gonadotropin responsiveness below 28 degrees; dose sensitivity, response rate, and maximal output were affected. Results were similar for sea turtle LH, snapping turtle LH, and ovine follicle-stimulating hormone. Thus, the temperature dependence of the two endocrine systems may have a different rate-limiting component.
Disposition of 2-mercaptobenzothiazole and 2-mercaptobenzothiazole disulfide in rats dosed intravenously, orally, and topically and in guinea pigs dosed topically.

To determine the metabolic disposition of [14C]-2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) and [14C]-2-mercaptobenzothiazole disulfide (MBTS), male and female rats were dosed topically. Topical doses were 36.1 micrograms/animal for [14C]MBT and 33.6 micrograms/animal for [14C]MBTS. Although more MBT passed through the skin than MBTS and although, relative to rats, guinea pigs absorbed a greater percentage of the dose (33.4% compared to 16.1-17.5% of the MBT and 12.2% compared to 5.94-7.87% for MBTS), the disposition of radioactivity derived from the two compounds was similar. Washing of the skin removed more of the radioactivity from guinea pigs than from rats. For both sexes of rats dosed intravenously with [14C]MBT (0.602 mg/kg) or [14C]MBTS (0.571 mg/kg), disposition of the compounds was similar. In 72 h, 90.9-101% of the dose appeared in the urine and 3.79-15.1% in the feces. At this time, a small portion of the administered radioactivity (1.52-1.96% of the dose) remained associated with erythrocytes. Oral dosing of rats for 14 d with unlabeled MBT (0.510 mg/kg.d) prior to a single dose of [14C]MBT (0.503 mg/kg) or with unlabeled MBTS (0.521 mg/kg.d) prior to a single dose of [14C]MBTS (0.730 mg/kg). For both sexes, disposition of the compounds was similar. At 96 h after dosing, a small portion of the administered radioactivity (1.20-1.69% of the dose) remained associated with erythrocytes, most of which was bound to the membranes. For both compounds and sexes, 60.8-101% of the radioactivity administered appeared in the urine and 3.46-9.99% in the feces in 96 h. At the time, only trace amounts of radioactivity remained in tissues other than blood. Of these tissues, thyroid contained the highest concentration. In the urine, there was a detectable MBT or MBTS, but there were two metabolites, one of which was identified as a thioglucuronide derivative of MBT. The other was possibly a sulfonic acid derivative of MBT. In conclusion, there were similarities in absorption, distribution, and metabolism of [14C]MBT and [14C]MBTS in rats and in guinea pigs, indicating that [14C]MBTS was readily converted to [14C]MBT.
Hydrogeological characterization of southeast coastal plain aquifers and groundwater discharge to Onslow Bay, North Carolina (USA)

Summary The natural geochemical tracer 222 Rn was used to quantify submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) onto the continental shelf of Onslow Bay, North Carolina. Water column samples were collected aboard the R/V Cape Hatteras on July 21–26, 2002, and an additional nearshore water column transect and groundwater samples were collected in 2005/2006. Assessment of SGD was accomplished using a mass balance approach that quantified sources and sinks of radon, including benthic flux, exchange across the pycnocline or air–sea interfaces, horizontal transport into and out of the study area, and a water column inventory. Four independent geochemical box models were developed to quantify SGD regionally and with distance from shore. Overall, water column inventories and diffusion rates decreased with distance from shore. Average water column inventories were 8520 ± 1310, 7230 ± 1190, and 760 ± 510 dpm m −2 for three shore-parallel boxes from nearshore to offshore, and resulted in a regional average of 5800 ± 1050 dpm m −2 for the Regional box model. Diffusion rates of radon through the sediment–water interface were 0.9 ± 0.2, 0.6 ± 0.1, and 0.4 ± 0.1 dpm m −2 min −1 for the near to offshore models, and averaged 0.6 ± 0.1 dpm m −2 min −1 for the Regional box model. SGD estimates were calculated using two end-member 222 Rn activities for the advecting fluids which allowed a distinction between terrestrially-driven SGD and total SGD. Terrestrially-driven and total SGD estimates averaged 0.2 and 0.7 cm d −1 , respectively. The calculated terrestrially-driven SGD is as important in the delivery of fresh water as riverine sources to Onslow Bay and a significant contributor to the South Atlantic Bight.
Patience is a virtue: the effect of slack on competitiveness for admission control

We consider the online competitiveness for scheduling a single resource non-preemptively in order to maximize its utilization. Our work examines this model when parameterizing an instance by a new value which we term the patience. This parameter measures each job's willingness to endure a delay before starting, relative to this same job's processing time. Specifically, the slack of a job is defined as the gap between its release time and the last possible time at which it may be started while still meeting its deadline. We say that a problem instance has patience κ, if each job with length ||J|| has a slack of at least κ ċ ||J||.Without any restrictions placed on the job characteristics, previous lower bounds show that no algorithm, deterministic or randomized, can guarantee a constant bound on the competitiveness of a resulting schedule. Previous researchers have analyzed a problem instance by parameterizing based on the ratio between the longest job's processing time and the shortest job's processing time. Our main contribution is to provide a fine-grained analysis of the problem when simultaneously parameterized by patience and the range of job lengths. We are able to give tight or almost tight bounds on the deterministic competitiveness for all parameter combinations.If viewing the analysis of each parameter individually, our evidence suggests that parameterizing solely on patience provides a richer analysis than parameterizing solely on the ratio of the job lengths. For example, in the special case where all jobs have the same length, we generalize a previous bound of 2 for the deterministic competitiveness with arbitrary slacks, showing that the competitiveness for any κ ≥ 0 is exactly 1 + 1/(⌊κ⌋ + 1). Without any bound on the job lengths, a simple greedy algorithm is (2+ 1/κ)- competitive for any κ > 0. More generally we will find that for any fixed ratio of job lengths, the competitiveness of the problem tends towards 1 as the patience is increased. The converse is not true, as for any fixed κ > 0 we find that the competitiveness is bounded away from 1, no matter what further restrictions are placed on the ratio of job lengths.
Simplified spectraphotometric method for the detection of red blood cell agglutination

Human error is the most significant factor attributed to incompatible blood transfusions. A spectrophotometric approach to blood typing has been developed by examining the spectral slopes of dilute red blood cell (RBC) suspensions in saline, in the presence and absence of various antibodies, offering a technique for the quantitative determination of agglutination intensity [Transfusion39, 1051, 1999TRANAT0041-113210.1046/j.1537-2995.1999.39101051.x]. We offer direct theoretical prediction of the observed change in slope in the 660-1000 nm range through the use of the T-matrix approach and Lorenz-Mie theory for light scattering by dilute RBC suspensions. Following a numerical simulation using the T-matrix code, we present a simplified sensing method for detecting agglutination. The sensor design has been prototyped, fully characterized, and evaluated through a complete set of tests with over 60 RBC samples and compared with the full spectrophotometric method. The LED and photodiode pairs are found to successfully reproduce the spectroscopic determination of red blood cell agglutination.
Synthesis of poly(para-phenylene)(2-isocyano-2-tosylpropane-1,3-diyl), poly(para-phenylene)(2-oxopropane-1,3-diyl) and oligo(cyclopentadienones) via carbonylative coupling of α,α′-dibromoxylene

Poly(para-phenylene)(2-oxopropane-1,3-diyl), a potential precursor of linear graphene, is generated in low yield from hydrolysis of a previously unknown poly(para-phenylene)(2-isocyano-2-tosylpropane-1,3-diyl) generated from inexpensive, commercially available starting materials.
Analysis of point-contact Andreev reflection spectra in spin polarization measurements

We present a systematic analysis of point-contact Andreev reflection (PCAR) spectra for ferromagnetic materials, using both modeling and experimental data. We emphasize the importance of consistent data analysis to avoid possible misinterpretation of the data. We consider the relationship between ballistic and diffusive transport, the effect of different transport regimes on spin polarization measurements, and the importance of unambiguous identification of the type of transport regime. We find that in a realistic parameter range, the analysis of PCAR spectra of purely diffusive character by a ballistic model yield approximately the same (within $\ensuremath{\sim}3%$) values of the spin polarization and the barrier strength $Z$ larger by $\ensuremath{\sim}0.5--0.6$. We also consider the dependence of polarization values on $Z$, and have shown by simple modeling that letting the superconducting gap vary as an adjustable parameter can result in a spurious dependence of the spin-polarization ${P}_{c}$ on $Z$. At the same time we analyzed the effects of finite $Z$ on the apparent value of ${P}_{c}$ measured by the PCAR technique, using a large number of examples from both our own measurements and from the literature. We conclude that there is a system-dependent variation in ${P}_{c}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}(Z)$, presumably due to spin-flip scattering at the interface. However, the exact type of this dependence is hard to determine with any statistical certainty.
IMPROVING PROSE MEMORY AND SOCIAL INTERACTION USING QUESTION ASKING READING WITH ADULT DAY CARE CLIENTS

A reading group activity at an adult day care center was implemented using Question Asking Reading (QAR). The QAR procedure utilizes a set of external prompts to socially distribute the task of reading and to facilitate individual comprehension of text. The QAR procedure was compared to the existing reading group activity for amount of social interaction during the activity and retention of information presented. The QAR procedure produced more social interaction, and the participants exhibited better comprehension and retention of the information. These results were obtained with both the experimenter and a day care staff member as group leaders and with clients possessing a wide range of disabling conditions and levels of orientation.
Interpreting Surrogate Consent using Counterfactuals

Philosophers such as Dan Brock believe that surrogates who make health care decisions on behalf of previously competent patients, in the absence of an advance directive, should make these decisions based upon a substituted judgment principle. Brock favours substituted judgment over a best interests standard. However, Edward Wierenga claims that the substituted judgment principle ought to be abandoned in favour of a best interests standard, because of an inherent problem with the substituted judgment principle. Wierenga's version of the substituted judgment principle and his counterexample to the principle's successful interpretation of valid surrogate consent is presented. A new version of what is meant by the substituted judgment principle is advanced. The new version is not beset with the problems Wierenga initially ascribed to the substituted judgment principle.
Relict magnesian calcite oolite and subsidence of the Amazon shelf

Oolitic sediments occur over large portions of the outer continental shelf off northernmost Brazil and southern French Guiana. Carbon-14 dates, stable isotope values and analogies with similar deposits from other areas in the world indicate that the ooids were formed in shallow water (possibly protected hypersaline environments) during low stands of sea level. In contrast to both modern ooids and other relict ooids, however, the Amazon shelf ooids are composed entirely of magnesian calcite (12 mol % MgCO3) and possess radial crystal microstructures. A comparison of water depths and ages of the Amazon ooids with the generally accepted eustatic sea level curve indicates that the Amazon shelf subsided more than 100 m 16-21 thousand years ago. Prior to and subsequent to the subsidence, however, the outer shelf remained relatively stable.
Electrophoresis of slender particles

The hydrodynamic theory of slender bodies is used to model electrophoretic motion of a slender particle having a charge (zeta potential) that varies with position along its length. The theory is limited to systems where the Debye screening length of the solution is much less than the typical cross-sectional dimension of the particle. A stokeslet representation of the hydrodynamic force is combined with the Lorentz reciprocal theorem for Stokes flow to develop a set of linear equations which must be solved for the components of the translational and angular velocities of the particle. Sample calculations are presented for the electrophoretic motion of straight spheroids and cylinders and a torus in a uniform electric field. The theory is also applied to a straight uniformly charged particle in a spatially varying electric field. The uniformly charged particle rotates into alignment with the principal axes of ∇ E ∞ ; we suggest that such alignment can lead to electrophoretic transport of particles through a small aperture in an otherwise impermeable wall. The theory developed here is more general than just for electrophoresis, since the final result is expressed in terms of a general 'slip velocity’ at the surface of the particle. Thus, the results are applicable to diffusiophoresis of slender particles if the proper slip-velocity coefficient is used.
Mass Efficiency Trends for Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Systems

This paper describes an approach to aid in conceptualizing flight systems with advanced propulsion for future missions. In particular, this approach allows the designer to examine the trade space of propulsion options more broadly and in a more level fashion. Trades between propellant mixture ratios and the number of engines can be done rapidly. Mass efficiency is the figure of merit for this new approach and it is defined as the ratio of the delivered mass to the initial mass. The results lead to designs that are more mass efficient than designs that may have been s elected using a more typical approach. This approach has been validated by comparison with detailed analyses and can easily be modified to support other studies.
Measuring Traffic Reduction from Bicycle Commuting

Increased bicycle commuting is said to reduce motor vehicle traffic, but can this reduction be measured? To address one aspect of this question, Bike to Work Day events are used to explore how the volume of motor vehicle traffic changes when the volume of bicycle traffic doubles. In many communities, Bike to Work Day is an annual 1-day event that encourages commuting by bicycle. Because event participation rates were high in Boulder, Colorado, the city was chosen as an example to investigate this issue. Bicycle and motor vehicle traffic volumes measured by continuous counters on Bike to Work Day were compared with volumes from comparable workdays. Bicycle volume on Bike to Work Day was roughly double that on comparable workdays; motor vehicle volume on Bike to Work Day was lower than on comparable Wednesdays in 88% of the 16 cases studied and significantly lower at the 80% confidence level in 31% of the cases. The observed decrease in motor vehicle volume is of the order of magnitude expected for the obse...
Nocturnal Asthma Symptoms and Poor Sleep Quality Among Urban School Children with Asthma

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to describe nocturnal asthma symptoms among urban children with asthma and assess the burden of sleep difficulties between children with varying levels of nocturnal symptoms. Methods We analyzed baseline data from 287 urban children with persistent asthma (aged 4–10 years) enrolled in the School-Based Asthma Therapy trial; Rochester, New York. Caregivers reported on nocturnal asthma symptoms (number of nights/2 weeks with wheezing or coughing), parent quality of life (Juniper's Pediatric Asthma Caregivers Quality of Life Questionnaire), and sleep quality by using the validated Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire. We used bivariate and multivariate statistics to compare nocturnal asthma symptoms with sleep quality/quantity and quality of life. Results Most children (mean age, 7.5 years) were black (62%); 74% had Medicaid. Forty-one percent of children had intermittent nocturnal asthma symptoms, 23% mild persistent, and 36% moderate to severe. Children's average total sleep quality score was 51 (range, 33–99) which is above the clinically significant cutoff of 41, indicating pervasive sleep disturbances among this population. Sleep scores were worse for children with more nocturnal asthma symptoms compared with those with milder symptoms on total score, as well as several subscales, including night wakings, parasomnias, and sleep disordered breathing (all P P = .018) and worse parent quality of life ( P Conclusions Nocturnal asthma symptoms are prevalent in this population and are associated with poor sleep quality and worse parent quality of life. These findings have potential implications for understanding the disease burden of pediatric asthma.
The missing vital sign: The significance of bilateral arm blood pressures.

Common approaches to measuring blood pressure (BP) may be failing our patients. Poor techniques prompted as much by efficiency as patient care and especially the practice of limiting BP measurement to one arm may lead to missed or inadequate diagnosis for cardiovascular disease. Taking bilateral arm BPs screens patients for subclavian artery stenosis. Several studies show that subclavian artery (SCA) stenosis is a marker for other cardiovascular diseases. However, taking bilateral arm BPs using poor technique provides useless patient data on which to base medical recommendations. A recent clinic patient demonstrated why it is important to take bilateral arm BPs. J.R. is a 59-year-old Caucasian man who had a history of hypertension (HTN) and dyslipidemia and presented to his primary care with complaints of shortness of breath. J.R. said his primary care provider always checked his BP in his left arm because thewall mounted sphygmomanometer was on the left side of the examination table. J.R. underwent a stress test to evaluate his shortness of breath, when he was found to have a 40 mm Hg lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) in the left arm than in the right. Although the stress test ultimately showed no ischemia, the resting echocardiogram showed have a 4.5-cm ascending aortic aneurysm.
Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics of Viral Evolution

This paper uses methods drawn from physics to study the life cycle of viruses. The paper analyzes a model of viral infection and evolution using the "grand canonical ensemble" and formalisms from statistical mechanics and thermodynamics. Using this approach we enumerate all possible genetic states of a model virus and host as a function of two independent pressures–immune response and system temperature. We prove the system has a real thermodynamic temperature, and discover a new phase transition between a positive temperature regime of normal replication and a negative temperature “disordered” phase of the virus. We distinguish this from previous observations of a phase transition that arises as a function of mutation rate. From an evolutionary biology point of view, at steady state the viruses naturally evolve to distinct quasispecies. This paper also reveals a universal relationship that relates the order parameter (as a measure of mutational robustness) to evolvability in agreement with recent experimental and theoretical work. Given that real viruses have finite length RNA segments that encode proteins which determine virus fitness, the approach used here could be refined to apply to real biological systems, perhaps providing insight into immune escape, the emergence of novel pathogens and other results of viral evolution.
Fast transmission CT reconstruction for SPECT using a block-iterative algorithm

The authors present an iterative transmission reconstruction algorithm based on principles used for block-iterative emission reconstruction. Filtered backprojection (FBP) is adequate for transmission CT image reconstruction under ideal conditions. In cases where insufficient count rates are obtained, FBP suffers from significant biases. The authors' block-iterative transmission algorithm is developed by analogy to ordered-subset emission CT algorithms. They show similarities between their algorithm and a previously-proposed Ordered-Subset Convex (OSC) algorithm. Under ideal conditions, the authors' block-iterative transmission algorithm generates estimates of attenuation line integrals that are not significantly different from those from FBP or OSC. In the case of very low count-rate data, the authors' block-iterative algorithm produces line integral estimates that are less biased than those from FBP and nearly identical to those from OSC. They show that their algorithm is more computationally efficient than OSC, but that OSC performs slightly better with different subset configurations. It is concluded that both BIT and OSC are viable alternatives to FBP, especially under poor imaging conditions.
Highlights on the first line treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in men and women. The estimated deaths from pancreatic cancer in 2012 in the United States are 37,390, and the five-year survival for all patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma is less than 5%. Majority of patients present with incurable metastatic pancreatic cancer. The 2012 American Society of Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting offered new insights into metastatic pancreatic cancer and we discuss Abstracts #4018, #4019, #4022, #4042, #4043, #4048, #4050 and comment on them in this paper. Image: Stained glass windows by Tommaso Juglaris at Goddard Chapel at Tufts University. Medford, MA, USA (Emily Zilm for Tufts University) .
Viral titers in nasal lining fluid compared to viral titers in nasal washes during experimental rhinovirus infection.

Abstract Background: The concentration of rhinovirus in nasal wash specimens from infected volunteers peaks at 48–72h after inoculation. The volume of expelled nasal fluid peaks at the same time, raising the question of whether the viral concentration in nasal wash reflects viral replication in nasal cells or merely the production of an increased volume of nasal fluid during a cold. Objectives: To determine the amount of rhinovirus in nasal lining fluid during colds before the nasal fluid has been diluted in a nasal wash. Study design: Rhinovirus titers were determined in nasal wash specimens collected daily for five days from 14 subjects with type16 rhinovirus infection. The urea concentration in nasal lining fluid equals that in blood. By determining the urea concentration in a nasal wash and comparing it to the urea concentration in blood from the same subject, it was possible to determine the amount of dilution of the nasal lining fluid. The dilution factor (reciprocal of the dilution) was then used to calculate the viral concentration in undiluted nasal lining fluid. Results: The dilution factor in 70 nasal washes varied from 5 to 64. The viral GMTs (+S.E.) in nasal washes were 1.79 (+0.3) TCID 50 /ml at 24h, 3.11 (+0.15) at 48h, and 2.61 (+0.3) at 72h. The viral GMTs in nasal lining fluid, based on urea adjusted values, paralleled those in nasal washes but were approximately one log higher. Virus concentrations returned to near baseline values by day 5. Conclusions: The temporal pattern of rhinovirus shedding observed in nasal wash specimens, with a peak in virus concentration at 48–72h after infection, is a true indication of virus production in nasal cells and not an artifact of the increased amount of nasal fluid produced during the early phase of a cold.
Effects of 4 Hand-Drying Methods for Removing Bacteria From Washed Hands: A Randomized Trial

• O b j e c t i v e: To evaluate the effects of 4 different drying methods to remove bacteria from washed hands. • Subjects and Methods : One hundred adult volunteers participated in this randomized prospective study. All bacterial counts were determined using a modified glove-juice sampling procedure. The difference was determined between the amounts of bacteria on hands artificially contaminated with the bacterium Micrococcus luteus before washing with a nonantibacterial soap and after drying by 4 different methods (cloth towels accessed by a rotary dispenser, paper towels from a stack on the hand-washing sink, warm forced air from a mechanical handactivated dryer, and spontaneous room air evaporation). The results were analyzed using a nonparametric analysis (the Friedman test). By this method, changes in bacterial colonyforming unit values for each drying method were ranked for each subject. • Results: The results for 99 subjects were evaluable. No statistically significant differences were noted in the numbers of colony-forming units for each drying method (P=.72). • Conclusion: These data demonstrate no statistically significant differences in the efficiency of 4 different hand-drying methods for removing bacteria from washed hands.
Spatial variation in density, mean size and physiological condition of the holarctic amphipod Diporeia spp. in Lake Michigan

SUMMARY 1. We examined spatial patterns in population characteristics (density, biomass, mean body length) and physiological condition (lipid content, length-weight) of the amphipod Diporeia spp. in Lake Michigan by collecting samples at up to 85 sites in late summer 1994 and 1995. Variables were examined relative to water depth and three lake regions: south, central and north. Most major river systems are found in the south, and this region is more nutrient-enriched compared to the north. 2. Over all sites, mean density was 5240 m ‐2 , biomass was 4.1 g dry wt m ‐2 , and mean body length was 5 mm. While maximum densities were related to depth, with a peak at 30‐70 m, greatest densities occurred on the west side of the lake, and low densities were found in the south-east, north-east and lower Green Bay. High densities in the west probably resulted from upwelling, and reduced densities in the south-east may reflect food competition with Dreissena polymorpha (zebra mussel). 3. Lipid content, weight per unit length, and mean length declined with increased water depth, but depth-related trends were most evident in the south. Overall, mean lipid content and weight per unit length were significantly lower in the south (16.6% dry wt, 0.59 mg at 5 mm body length) compared to the north (23.7% dry wt, 0.78 mg at 5 mm body length). These regional differences may have resulted from greater diatom availability in the north and competition from D. polymorpha in the south. Triacylglycerols and phospholipids were the dominant lipid classes in all three regions. Although the mean proportion of triacylglycerols, the energy-storage lipid, was lower in the south than in the north, regional differences in proportions of lipid classes were not significant. 4. Mean lipid content and weight per unit length of Diporeia in the south were lower than values found in the late 1980s prior to the establishment of Dreissena. Mean lipid content of mature individuals is now at levels considered a minimum for successful reproduction.
Polymer nanocomposite thin film mirror for the infrared region.

Thin film metal oxide coatings have been used commercially as electromagnetic filters from the UV to infrared regions for over half a century. Deposition onto a substrate has typically been accomplished using vapor deposition techniques [1‐3] and more recently sol‐gel methods. [4‐7] These coatings provide very good optical and mechanical performance when applied to substrates with similar thermal and mechanical properties. When conventional metal oxide coatings are applied to flexible, relatively soft substrates such as polymers, mismatches in mechanical properties can reduce interfacial adhesion or accelerate mechanical failures. [8,9] Theauthorsrecentlyshowedthatathinfilmpolymer nanocomposite can be applied to a polymer substrate and maintain adhesion even under high strains. [10] This paper describes the first time demonstration of an IR mirror using a relatively inexpensive method to apply complicated thin film dielectric stacks to a polymer substrate that can function effectively in high strain systems. Ultrathin layers of polymer nanocomposites can be used to develop electromagnetic filters, with improved mechanical performance, on compliant substrates such as polymers. Self-assembled polymer nanocomposite thin film layers composed of UV-cured acrylates and metal oxide nanoparticles were developed as antireflective coatings for ophthalmic lenses. [11,12] The primary failure mode in this application is associated with intrinsic stresses introduced during processing and thermal cycling of the plastic. Nanocomposite coatings outperform ceramic coatings on plastic substrates because the primary failures are ductile, limiting secondary cracks propagating from abrasions and thereby reducing haze. [10] Ceramic thin films in similar studies exhibited brittle fracture, which led to secondary cracks and higher haze measurements. [8,9] The use of nanoparticles at high packing densities,
Minority Groups in Public Bureaucracies: Are Passive and Active Representation Linked?

Do minority civil servants actively represent the minority community more than white officials do ? Many observers express doubts. Clearly, there are formidable barriers to nonwhite civil servants acting as representatives of their racial groups. Nonetheless, existing evidence suggests that nonwhite officials do serve in this capacity under certain circumstances. A major task for students of public administration is to specify what these circumstances are. The author notes several societal and job related factors which increase prospects that minority officials will actively represent their racial communities.
A national survey of herbal preparation use by nurse-midwives for labor stimulation: Review of the literature and recommendations for practice

To document the use of herbal preparations for cervical ripening, induction, and augmentation of labor by certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) and nurse-midwifery education programs, a national survey of 500 members of the American College of Nurse-Midwives was conducted. Forty eight nurse-midwifery education programs were also surveyed to determine whether they were formally or informally educating students in the use of herbal preparations for cervical ripening, induction, or augmentation of labor. The results of this study, a review of the literature, professional issues, and recommendations for clinical practice are presented in this article. Of 500 questionnaires mailed to ACNM members, 90 were returned from CNMs who used herbal preparations to stimulate labor and 82 were returned from CNMs who did not use herbal preparations to stimulate labor. Three questionnaires were excluded due to incomplete data or blank questionnaires. No significant differences were noted in relations to geographical region, midwifery education, or highest level of education between the CNM respondents who did and those who did not use alternative methods to stimulate labor. Of the CNMs who used herbal preparations to stimulate labor, 64% used blue cohosh, 45% used black cohosh, 63% used red raspberry leaf, 93% used castor oil, and 60% used evening primrose oil. CNMs who used herbal preparations to stimulate labor were younger (43 versus 45 years, P < .01) and more likely to deliver at home or in an in-hospital or out-of-hospital birthing center (P < .0006), than CNMs who never used herbal preparations to stimulate labor. The most cited reason for using herbal preparations to stimulate labor was that they are “natural,” whereas the most common reason for not using herbal preparations was the lack of research or experience with the safety of these substances. Sixty-nine percent of CNMs who used herbal preparations to stimulate labor learned about using them from other CNMs, 4% from formal research publications, and none from their formal education programs. Although 78% of the CNMs who used herbal preparations to stimulate labor directly prescribed them and 70% indirectly suggested them to clients, only 22% had included them within their written practice protocols. Seventy-five percent of the CNMs who used herbal preparations to stimulate labor used them first or instead of pitocin. Twenty-one percent reported complications including precipitous labor, tetanic uterine contractions, nausea, and vomiting. Sixty-four percent of the nurse-midwifery education programs included instruction in the use of herbal preparations to stimulate labor in their formal curricula, and 92% included informal discussions on the use of herbal preparations. Evening primrose oil was the most common herbal preparation discussed in nurse-midwifery education programs. Castor oil was the most commonly used herbal preparation used by nurse-midwives in clinical practice.
Reconsidering the Relationship Between Generic and Situated IL Approaches: The Dreyfus Model of Skill Acquisition in Formal Information Literacy Learning Environments, Part I

This is the first of two papers discussing the application of Berkeley phenomenologist Hubert Dreyfus’ five-stage model of skill acquisition to information literacy (IL) theory and practice. This paper will review and build on previous discussions of the relation between generic, conceptual, competency-based approaches to IL definition and instruction and what has come to be called “situated” approaches, arguing that both the generic and situated approaches to IL ought to find a place within a complex learning continuum. Dreyfus’ model depicts this continuum as one in which learners start out as novice rule-followers and then develop, over time and with guidance from instructors, into experts capable of situated, embodied coping. The Dreyfus model is here put forward as a synthetic approach that can be used by IL theorists and instructors to design curricula aimed at maximizing the learning potential of students in formal learning environments.
Introducing undergraduates to programming using robots in the general education curriculum

This paper outlines some of the relevant components of our first offering of the Programming with Robots course and ideas we have for enhancing the "GenEdness" of the course.
Whooping Cough in 2014 and Beyond: An Update and Review

Pertussis, or whooping cough, has had a dramatic resurgence in the past several years and is the most common vaccine-preventable disease in the world. The year 2012 marked the most cases in the United States in > 50 years. Large outbreaks have occurred in multiple states, and infant deaths have drawn the attention of not only health-care providers but also the media. Although the disease is theoretically preventable by vaccination, it remains a challenge to control. New vaccination strategies have been implemented across different age groups and populations of patients, but vaccine coverage remains dismally low. Acellular vaccines, although safe, do not afford the same long-lasting immunity as the previously used whole-cell vaccine. Ultimately, improvements in the development of vaccines and in vaccination coverage will be essential to decrease the burden of pertussis on society. This article provides a review of pertussis infection and discusses advances related to the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infection, as well as continued areas of uncertainty.
Detection of Environmental Impacts: Natural Variability, Effect Size, and Power Analysis

The power of any test of an environmental impact is simultaneously constrained by (1) the variability of the data, (2) the magnitude of the putative impact, and (3) the number of independent sampling events. In the context of the Before–After—Control–Impact design with Paired sampling (BACIP), the variability of interest is the temporal variation in the estimated differences in a parameter (e.g., population density) between two unperturbed sites. The challenges in designing a BACIP study are to choose appropriate parameters to measure and to determine the adequate number and timing of sampling events. Two types of studies that are commonly conducted can provide useful information in designing a BACIP study. These are (1) long—term studies that provide estimates of the natural temporal and spatial variability of environmental parameters and (2) spatial surveys around already—perturbed areas ("After—only" studies) that can suggest the magnitude of impacts. Here we use data from a long—term study and an After—only study to illustrate their potential contributions to the design of BACIP studies. The long—term study of parameters sampled at two undisturbed sites yielded estimates of natural temporal variability. Between site differences in chemical—physical parameters (e.g., elemental concentration) and in individual—based biological parameters (e.g., body size) were quite consistent through time, while differences in population—based parameters (e.g., density) were more variable. Serial correlation in the time series of differences was relatively small and did not appear to vary among the parameter groups. The After—only study yielded estimates of the magnitude of impacts through comparison of sites near and distant from a point—source discharge. The estimated magnitude of effects was greatest for population—based parameters and least for chemical—physical parameters, which tended to balance the statistical power associated with these two parameter groups. Individual—based parameters were intermediate in estimates of effect size. Thus, the ration of effect size to variability was greatest for individual—based parameters and least for population and chemical—physical parameters. The results suggest that relatively few of the population and chemical—physical parameters could provide adequate power given the time constraints of most studies. This indicates that greater emphasis on individual—based parameters is needed in field assessments of environmental impacts. It will be critical to develop and test predictive models that link these impacts with effects on populations.
Identification of barriers to adaptation of battlefield technologies into civilian trauma in California.

ABSTRACTObjective: To characterize the adoption of routine battlefield medical techniques (tourniquets, hemostatic agents, and tactical combat casualty care into civilian prehospital trauma care and to identify the barriers to their use in the state of California through anonymous electronic survey of local emergency medical services agency (LEMSA) directors. Results: The response rate for this survey was 50% (14/28). The majority of LEMSA directors (86%) were emergency medicine physicians. Tourniquets were used by 57% of respondents. The top three reasons cited for not using tourniquets included different injury patterns in civilian trauma, no proven benefit of use, and increased risk of complications. Hemostatic agents were used even less frequently in civilian practice (7%) but had similar barriers to use. Only 36% of LEMSA directors use tactical combat casualty care with tactical emergency medical services, but when used, respondents had higher usage of tourniquets. Overall lack of training, no proven...
Association of Multiple Mini-Interview Scores with First Year Medical Student Success in Problem-Based Learning

This study’s purpose was to determine if there was a meaningful association between the multiple mini-interview (MMI) scores of students admitted to a US medical school and their subsequent performance during the basic science component of the curriculum which relies heavily on problem-based learning (PBL). The authors used data from the matriculating classes of 2010–2012 (n = 125). Collected data included student MMI scores, highest MCAT score, undergraduate GPA, and demographics. The authors correlated MMI scores with PBL ratings using the Sequenced Performance Inventory and Reflective Assessment of Learning (SPIRAL), a modified version of a small group scoring rubric. The authors analyzed the data using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The authors found significant positive correlations between the MMI and 12 of the 14 SPIRAL factors. The correlation between the MMI score and the average of the 14 SPIRAL factor ratings was 0.325 (p < 0.01). The authors found no significant correlations between the MMI score and MCAT scores, GPA, age, or gender. Previous studies have reported on the predictive validity of the multiple mini-interview (MMI) process regarding non-cognitive learning aspects and teamwork dynamics. Our findings lend support to the growing MMI literature by showing that the MMI model is associated with aspects of small group learning. The MMI is a valued part of this school’s admissions process for selecting students who may be more successful in learning activities involving groups. Other schools of medicine may find the MMI to be a valuable addition to their admissions process for assessing non-cognitive skills.
Core excitons at the boron K edge in hexagonal BN

High-resolution measurements of soft-x-ray absorption near the boron $K$ threshold of hexagonal BN display a prominent peak at 192.0 eV. The angular dependence of this absorption for $p$-polarization geometry is consistent with a final state constructed mostly of $\ensuremath{\pi}$-like wave functions. Although higher-energy parts of the spectrum can be approximated by an effective-mass exciton theory, the 192.0-eV peak requires a substantial central-cell correction. This core exciton is thus highly localized in real space and delocalized in $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}$ space. It seems likely that a mixture of $\ensuremath{\sigma}$- and $\ensuremath{\pi}$-like wave functions is necessary to describe the final state; this could account for the observed line strength at normal incidence which is not zero.
Stimulus articulation and backward learning

An eight-pair PA list of low-meaningfulness paralogs was learned to a criterion of two successive errorless trials by two groups of Ss, one of which articulated the stimuli while the other did not. All Ss then learned the same pairs in the backward direction for 16 trials, half of each group articulating the stimuli. Stimulus articulation had no effect on first-list learning. First-list articulation facilitated backward recall, the effect diminishing as backward learning progressed.
An electric go-kart camp to attract high school students to a STEM career

The electric go-kart camp began in 2013 as a way to encourage high school students to choose STEM as possible career. It is open to high school students and is designed to give participants an overview of the physics, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering associated with the design and operation of a battery powered kart. To pique their interest driving time is built into each day of the camp culminating in a 25 mile endurance test on the final day. The go-kart camp is still evolving with its operation, organization and lessons learned described along with key insights such as staffing, pricing, recruitment and course material will be discussed.
Discussion on the staffs training of power enterprise and the development of innovation consciousness

Starting with the staff training practice,combining with the training experience of the author's workplace,describes the significance and relative relationship of the staffs training and the development of innovation consciousness.From the aspects of training concept,training standard,training mode and training content analyzes how to ensure the efficiency of the staff training and develop the staffs' innovation consciousness,puts forward some practical methods of the staffs training and the development of innovation consciousness.
The Trump Show

Trump is more than a symptom of manipulative infotainment and cultural decline: His political ascendency speaks to reality TV’s long-established role in governing practices.
Probably They are God’s Children: Theodore Beza’s Doctrine Of Baptism

The discussion that took place between Theodore Beza and Jacob Andreae during the Colloquy of Montbeliard in 1586 highlights the differences among the French Reformed doctrine, the doctrine derived from the Basle Reformation, and the Lutheran doctrine. It also makes very clear how consistendy the Genevan Reformers related their sacramental theology, their understanding of the work of the Holy Spirit, and their doctrine of predestination.
Gunmen and Ice Cream Cones: Harm to Autonomy and Harm to Persons.

You are about to order a strawberry ice cream cone when someone places a gun to your head and forces you to order vanilla. You order that boring flavor and eat the cone while the gunman retreats. D...