cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Numerical model of vertical axis wind turbine performance in realistic gusty wind conditions

Abstract The goal of this study is to implement a numerical strategy to estimate the performance of a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) in response to realistic winds typical of an urban/suburban area over a full year of operation, and to predict the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) produced by that VAWT in comparison to the national electricity price. Wind speed data from sensors located in Oklahoma City were used as input. Three numerical models were implemented, including Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Blade Element Momentum (BEM), and a transient response model based on conservation of angular momentum of the VAWT. Here, CFD is utilized to simulate the flow around an isolated turbine blade in order to obtain the dynamic lift and drag coefficients as a function of azimuth angle, wind speed, and rotational speed. In total, 86 CFD simulations were performed over a range of wind speeds from 3 to 15 m/s and tip speed ratios from 2.5 to 4.5. These results are then used as input to the BEM and transient response models. Results show that the LCOE price for the VAWT is equal to or less than the average national electricity price at four locations where annual average wind speed measures ≥ 4.3 m/s.
Using the Socio-ecological Model to Explore Facilitators and Deterrents of Tobacco Use Among Airmen in Technical Training.

INTRODUCTION Military personnel have some of the highest rates of tobacco use in the USA. Within the Air Force, a common point of Airmen's (re-)initiation of tobacco use is during technical training once the tobacco ban has been lifted. Unfortunately, little is known about what factors facilitate and deter tobacco use during technical training. The socio-ecological model, which emphasizes multiple levels of influence on behavior (e.g., personal, intrapersonal, and environmental), provides a strong and comprehensive basis for which to explore factors that may impact tobacco use during technical training. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-two focus groups were conducted among Airmen (n = 10), Military Training Leaders (MTLs, n = 7), and Technical Training Instructors (TTIs, n = 5). Semi-structured focus group protocols were developed based on the socio-ecological model and included questions intended to elicit factors that facilitated and deterred tobacco use during technical training. Focus groups were transcribed and then coded using a hybrid deductive-inductive process. RESULTS At the personal level, five factors were identified that influenced tobacco use: choice, fit with lifestyle, associations with the tobacco experience, association with military job outcomes, and association with health outcomes. Three interpersonal level factors were identified: peer influence, leadership influence, and normative beliefs. There were two influential environmental level factors: pricing and promotion and access to tobacco. Except for normative beliefs, all personal, interpersonal, and environmental-level factors were discussed as having aspects that could either facilitate or deter tobacco use. Normative beliefs, an interpersonal-level factor, were only discussed as a facilitator of tobacco use. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, study findings can be used to enhance the effectiveness of tobacco prevention and cessation programs for Air Force Technical Trainees. Specific strategies to support the reduction of tobacco use among Airmen are presented.
Wertevermittlung literaturpädagogisch und -didaktisch

Welche Werte konnen durch Literatur vermittelt werden? Welche Rolle spielt Wertevermittlung durch Literatur im Kontext von Schule? Damit nicht analytisches Zerpflucken, sondern ethische Orientierung im Vordergrund steht, stellt der Literaturwissenschaftler und -didaktiker Kaspar H. Spinner in diesem Beitrag vier Hauptaspekte vor, die bei der Wertevermittlung durch Literatur im schulischen Kontext von zentraler Bedeutung sind. Denn Wert erkennen ist wichtiger als bewerten, das konnte die Maxime sein.
Tricuspid Annular Systolic Velocity to Left Ventricular Outflow Velocity Time Integral Ratio: Proof of Concept Utility Analysis.

Background The tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) / pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) ratio has been a useful marker of right ventricular (RV)-pulmonary artery coupling. However, given the intricate functional and mechanical interdependence of the right and left ventricles, we believe this ratio would be less useful when assessing reduced left ventricular (LV) systolic function. Instead, we proposed using the tricuspid annular tissue Doppler imaging systolic velocity to LV outflow tract velocity time integral ratio (TA TDI s' / LVOT VTI r) for this purpose. Methods For this proof-of-concept study, a retrospective analysis was conducted on 60 patients with complete echocardiographic studies while in sinus rhythm. The population was divided as follows; Group 1 included 20 individuals with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) as well as normal RV and PASP. Group 2 was composed of 20 patients known to have been evaluated or treated for pulmonary hypertension, while group 3 was comprised of 20 patients treated for heart failure (HF). Results TAPSE/PASP ratios were no different from any of the studied groups. However, the proposed TA TDI s' /LVOT VTI r was statistically different among all three groups (Group 1: 0.6 ± 0.1*; Group 2: 0.5 ± 0.1°; and Group 3: 0.8 ± 0.3#; p < 0.001). Conclusions Based on these results, there is now a need for additional prospective studies to explore the overall utility of using this TA TDI s' / LVOT VTI r in day-to-day routine assessments not only for diagnostic purposes but also to determine how this ratio correlates with symptoms and changes with therapy.
The deep space network - An instrument for radio navigation for the Mariner mission to Mars - 1969.

The Deep Space Network, as it is configured for the mission to Mars, is described in general terms with particular attention to the metric data capability. The science objectives are described in relation to the requirements for navigational accuracy and scan platform pointing. The methods for validating the raw metric data as supplied to the large-scale, general purpose digital computers which are used for computing orbits are delineated. A brief discussion of the evolution of the astrodynamical constants used in the orbital computation process is presented. Finally, current in-flight status of the mission is reviewed and it will include the latest prediction based on flight data of the navigation accuracy which will be achieved upon encounter with the Planet Mars during the period 31 July — 5 August 1969.
The Anatomical Basis for Sensorimotor Transformations in the Superior Colliculus

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the laminar organization of the superior colliculus, physiological distinctions between superficial and deep layers, retinal influences of the occipital lobe on the deep tectal layers, and indirect visual pathways to the deep layers of the superior colliculus. Projections from the retina and from the occipital cortex terminate almost entirely in the layers above stratum opticum. The superficial layers appear to be involved in relaying visual information to the diencephalon and also to the cerebellum by way of the relay in the lateral pontine nuclei. The anatomical and behavioral results correlate well with differences in the response characteristics of neurons in the superficial and deep layers. Despite the differences in their response characteristics, the superficial and deep collicular layers are in register spatially. The pathway from substantia nigra pars reticulata may provide the input responsible for the initiation of the motor responses. Both visual and nonvisual sensory inputs can be traced to substantia nigra pars reticulata via relays in the corpus striatum. The deep tectal layers—with respect to their connections with the basal ganglia, cerebellum, and cortical nonprimary sensory areas—are remarkably similar to the motor areas of the cortex.
Abstract P281: Cardiovascular Health Correlates of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Patterns in American Adults

Background: Latent class analysis, a data reduction tool, can be used to group people according to the patterns of physical activity in which they engage. Patterns of physical activity may be differentially associated with cardiovascular health measures. We explored the cross-sectional correlation of patterns in objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behavior with cardiovascular health measures. Methods: Accelerometer data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) adult participants in 2003-2006 were used to derive latent classes describing patterns of physical activity and sedentary behavior. Latent classes were defined for both accelerometer measures: percent of wear time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity [MVPA] and percent of wear time in sedentary behavior. Obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2), low- (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), triglycerides, and blood pressure were measured. Hypertension was defined as blood pressure >140/80 mmHg or treatment. Dyslipidemia was LDL ≥190 mg/dL or triglycerides ≥500 mg/dL. History of cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, smoking status, and alcohol consumption (≥12 drinks/year) were self-reported. We included participants ≥20 years with adherent accelerometer data for ≥8 hours/day on ≥3 days. Associations between latent classes and cardiovascular health measures were evaluated using Chi-square tests. Weights were used to account for the NHANES sampling design. Results: Participants (N=7236) were more likely female (53%) and non-Hispanic white (73%), with a mean age of 47 years. The prevalence of obesity was 33%, hypertension 39%, and diabetes 11%. Twenty-three percent were current smokers and 9% had a history of CVD. Five latent classes were identified for MVPA and five for sedentary behavior. Compared to the most active MVPA class (N=62), the least active MVPA class (N=5117) included more individuals with obesity (38 vs. 12%), hypertension (46 vs. 23%), diabetes (14 vs. 1%), and a history of CVD (12 vs. 0%). Former smokers and non-alcohol drinkers also were overrepresented in the least compared to most active class (27 vs. 20% and 31 vs. 21%, respectively). MVPA patterns were similar by dyslipidemia status. Diabetics comprised 25% of the most sedentary class (N=641), compared to 5% of the least sedentary class (N=542). Those with obesity (40 vs. 27%) and hypertension (64 vs. 25%) also were overrepresented in the most compared to least sedentary class. Current smokers comprised 17% of the most and 31% of the least sedentary class, while formers smokers made up 40% of the most and 24% of the least sedentary class. Conclusion: Measures of poor cardiovascular health were associated with less MVPA and more sedentary behavior. Understanding the correlates of physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns may help to inform interventions.
Purification and Characterization of a Lecithin-d(-)-β-Hydroxybutyrate Dehydrogenase Complex

Abstract A complex between partially purified d(-)-β-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase from beef heart mitochondria and soybean lecithin was purified. The active complex contains a single type of polypeptide chain of molecular weight 32,000 as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-acrylamide gel electrophoresis. The amino acid composition of the polypeptide chain is similar to that of many soluble enzymes, despite the very strong interaction with lecithin vesicles which was demonstrated. Cross-linking experiments with dimethyl suberimidate dihydrochloride failed to disclose any polypeptide aggregates in the enzyme-lecithin complex. The apparent Michaelis constants for all four substrates and the temperature dependence of the initial velocity were determined for the purified complex.
Information Theoretic and Statistical Drive Sanitization Models

Current drive sanitization techniques employ little or no intelligence to determine if the area being sanitized, with data overwriting, actually contains sensitive resident data. All data blocks in the target area are sanitized, utilizing brute-force sanitization techniques of one to several wipe passes. In reality, a significant number of drives needing sanitization may contain areas with no sensitive data—or even any data. Consequently, sanitizing such areas is counterintuitive and counterproductive. This article proposes two information-theoretic techniques—ERASE and ERASERS, which utilize an entropy measurement of data blocks for quick and effective drive sanitization. The first technique, ERASE, computes the entropy of each data block in the target area. Subsequently, all data blocks, which have an entropy within the user-specified sensitivity range, are wiped. The second technique, ERASERS, which is an extension of ERASE, employs random sampling to enhance the speed performance of ERASE. To achieve ...
Self‐esteem and symptoms of depression in children with seizures: Relationships with neuropsychological functioning and family variables over time

Summary Purpose: To test over time the relationships of neuropsychological functioning to mental health in children following a first recognized seizure and, of primary importance, to determine if the strength of these relationships differs based on risk and protective factors. Methods: In a larger prospective study, 135 children with a first seizure (ages 8–14 years) and 73 healthy sibling controls completed neuropsychological testing at baseline and 36 months. Structured telephone interviews were used to obtain data from children on mental health and family environment; major caregiving parents provided data on demographic and family variables. Data analyses included correlation coefficients and linear regression models. Results: Children with seizures showed an overall trend for improvement in mental health. More children with seizures than siblings had declines in processing speed. Declines in neuropsychological functioning were correlated with worse mental health. With regard to risk and protective factors, higher parent education protected against decline in self-esteem related to decline in processing speed. Better family functioning and greater parental support protected against decline in self-esteem related to decrease in verbal memory and learning. Older child age protected against increase in depressive symptoms related to decline in processing speed. Discussion: Seizure onset had a negative impact on mental health in children with declines in cognitive functioning except for older children and those with more family resources. Children should be assessed for declines in processing speed and, if found, those subgroups of children with less educated or more anxious parents and those in less supportive families should be targeted for interventions.
Six Seconds Per Eyelid: the medical inspection of inmigrants at Ellis Island, 1892-1914

Beginning in 1892, immigrants to the United States were subject to a medical inspection, created to restrict the entry of persons with a eloathsome or dangerous contagiousn disease or mental deficiency. Ellis Island, which received over 10 million newcomers between 1900 and 1914, served as the largest ever medical screening facility. Far from reflecting a unified policy, the medical inspection offered a complicated compromise amidst a swirl of competing interests. Many industrialists blamed the waves of Southern and Eastern European immigrants for urban joblessness, filth, unrest, overcrowding, and disease. In an era of depression, labor groups opposed immigrant competitors for scarce jobs. Nativists believed immigrants could not overcome their defects because these were genetically transmitted. Germ theory proponents recognized communication of microorganisms as the problem, with controlling the spread of infections as the solution. Many Progressive reformers held that the scientific screening of immigrants offered a systematic solution for the disorder. Dozens of immigrant aid societies struggled to attenuate the effects of the inspection, and as depression subsided after 1900, employers, too, favored the influx of immigrants. This paper examines the social and political basis for the inspection, its realization at Ellis Island, and the reasons for its inability to debar large numbers of immigrants.
Studying actin-dependent processes in tissue culture.

The cytoskeletal organization of cells that are grown in tissue culture is often very different from that of cells in living organisms. This casts some doubt as to whether information that comes from studying actin-dependent cellular processes — such as cell motility or differentiation — in cells that are cultured under these conditions is physiologically relevant. Studies on cells grown in improved two-dimensional- and three-dimensional-culture systems that closely mimic the in vivo extracellular-matrix environment should provide a more accurate picture of actin-cytoskeletal function in the living organism.
5'-flanking region of the parathyroid hormone gene mediates negative regulation by 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D3.

To study the effects of 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D3 on the transcription of the human parathyroid hormone (PTH) gene, 684 base pairs of the 5‘-flanking portion of the human PTH gene were fused to the bacterial neo gene. The fusion gene was transfected into rat pituitary cells, and mixed populations of colonies were selected using the neomycin analog, G418. The level of RNA initiated from the human PTH gene promoter region in these cells was suppressed by 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D3. Synthesis of the same transcript under control of a viral promoter was not regulated by 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D3. The effect of 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D3 was detected within 24 h at physiologic doses of 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D3, and was not influenced by addition of cycloheximide. Thus 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D3 acts on the 5‘-flanking portion of the PTH gene to decrease the rate of transcription by a mechanism that requires no new protein synthesis.
Physiological studies on pea tendrils

When tendrils which have been dark adapted for 3 days are mechanically stimulated, they will only coil appreciably if they are irradiated with light. A spectral response curve suggests that this is a blue light effect. Red or far red light do not modulate this response, but a high intensity flash of blue white light given before the actinic blue light blocks coiling for 30 min. The dark-adapted tendril, which has not been previously rubbed, has the ability to store the tactile sensory information for about 60 min, but loses it if it is not irradiated within 120 min after mechanical perturbation.
On the variable elasticity of the demand for gasoline: The case of the USA

This paper tests the variable elasticity of the demand for gasoline by applying the well-known Box-Cox extended autoregressive (BCEA) model of Savin and White. This model can simultaneously test for functional form and autocorrelation in a time-series regression. Major findings are the log-linear form chosen a priori in most of previous studies can be rejected in favour of the BCEA model; long-run price elasticities varied from -1.118 in 1973 to -0.290 in 1981; and long-run income elasticities declined consistently from 0.944 in 1960 to 0.452 in 1985. These findings have policy implications for more accurate forecast of gasoline demand, gasoline taxes, energy conservation and others.
ULTRASONOGRAPHIC ASSESSMENT OF ABDOMINAL LYMPH NODES IN PUPPIES

The jejunal and medial iliac lymph nodes of 53 clinically normal dogs between the age of 4 and 6 weeks were examined ultrasonographically. At least two jejunal and both left and right medial iliac lymph nodes were seen in all dogs. One hundred forty-five jejunal, 53 right medial iliac and 53 left medial iliac lymph nodes in six litters of dogs, for a total of 251 lymph nodes, were measured for cross sectional maximum diameters. Mean jejunal lymph node length was 16.4 mm (range 6.4-34.9 mm) and mean width was 6.0 mm (range 2.3-15.7 mm). The mean medial iliac lymph node length was 13.6 mm (range 7.2-27.8 mm) and mean width was 4.4 mm (range 1.9-8.2 mm). Significant differences of lymph node size, noted between and within breeds, may not be of clinical significance. The mean size of the combined left and right medial iliac nodes was within previously published ranges for normal adult dogs. Lymph nodes were described in four litters of dogs (162 lymph nodes). Lymph nodes were either uniformly hypoechoic (108/163, 66%) or centrally hyperechoic with a hypoechoic rim (55/163, 34%). Although most (60%) lymph nodes were oval, a variety of shapes were seen, including vermiform and complex branching shapes. We concluded that in 4- to 6-week-old dogs, medial iliac lymph nodes are similar in size to adult dogs and jejunal lymph nodes are multiple, routinely seen, are larger than in adults and often have unconventional shapes.
Mesohabitat associations of the threatened San Marcos salamander (Eurycea nana) across its geographic range

Habitat loss is one of the most critical factors affecting the loss of species. However, habitat conservation of many threatened species is performed with incomplete information on habitat requirements and trophic ecology, thus presenting a challenge to designing and implementing recovery plans. The San Marcos salamander (Eurycea nana) is a federally threatened spring-associated organism whose geographic distribution is limited to the headwaters of the San Marcos River in Texas, USA. Although its designated critical habitat includes the headwaters and the first 50 m of the river, little is known of its habitat requirements or co-occurrence with benthic macroinvertebrates and macrophytes. This study examined mesohabitat associations of the salamander and patterns of co-occurrence with macrophytes and benthic invertebrates within its critical habitat. Surveys of mesohabitat characteristics were conducted during a one-year period and data were analysed to assess mesohabitat associations of the San Marcos salamander and patterns of co-occurrence with invertebrates and macrophytes. Salamanders were distributed throughout the critical habitat, but were almost exclusively found in mesohabitats containing cobble and gravel with coverage of Amblystegium and filamentous algae. The salamander did not exhibit consistent co-occurrence with specific invertebrates or macrophytes across the critical habitat, indicating that salamanders were probably selecting mesohabitats based on benthic substrate and not the biotic communities. Protection of a specific mesohabitat type within the critical habitat of the San Marcos salamander is likely to be one of the most important conservation measures, given that it accounts for ~7% of the total area within the designated critical habitat. These results also emphasize that habitat conservation plans for species at risk should consider that contemporary spatial distribution of species within habitats may be influenced not only by their evolutionary history but also by past and current human pressures. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cryptosporidium parvum scavenges LDL-derived cholesterol and micellar cholesterol internalized into enterocytes

Cryptosporidium spp. are responsible for devastating diarrhea in immunodeficient individuals. In the intestinal tract, the developmental stages of the parasite are confined to the apical surfaces of epithelial cells. Upon invasion, Cryptosporidium incorporates the microvillous membrane of the enterocyte to form the parasitophorous vacuole (PV) and sequesters itself from the host cytoplasm by rearranging the host cytoskeleton. Cryptosporidium parvum has minimal anabolic capabilities and relies on transporters and salvage pathways to meet its basic metabolic requirements. The cholesterol salvage pathway is crucial for the development of protozoan parasites. In this study, we have examined the sources of cholesterol from C. parvum infecting enterocytes. We illustrated that the intracellular stages of Cryptosporidium as well as the oocysts shed by the host, contain cholesterol. Incubation of infected enterocytes in lipoprotein-free medium impairs parasite development and results in substantial decrease in cholesterol content associated with the PV. Among lipoproteins, LDL constitutes an important source of cholesterol for Cryptosporidium. Dietary cholesterol incorporated into micelles is internalized into enterocytes by the NPC1L1 transporter. We showed that C. parvum also obtains cholesterol from micelles in enterocytes. Pharmacological blockade of NPC1L1 function by ezetimibe or moderate down-regulation of NPC1L1 expression decreases parasite infectivity. These observations indicate that, despite its dual sequestration from the intestinal lumen and the host cytoplasm, C. parvum can, in fact, obtain cholesterol both from the gut’s lumen and the host cell. This study highlights the evolutionary advantages for epicellular pathogens to access to nutrients from the outside and inside of the host cell.
Collaborative Marketing for Virtual Reference: The My Info Quest Experience

This article shares general information about the My Info Quest collaborative, explores publicity for the cooperative and how the public relations committee developed materials for participating libraries and the public, and details how marketing has occurred at the local level.
Dielectric hysteresis under transverse electric fields in sol-gel lead zirconate titanate films deposited on ZrO2 passivated silicon

Abstract Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thick thin films with Zr/Ti ratio of 52/48 have been prepared on ZrO2 passivated, 4 inch-diameter silicon substrates with a thermally grown SiO2 layer. Both the ZrO2 passivated layer and PZT film are deposited through a similar sol-gel processing which can be used to make PZT films with thickness up to 5 μm. Using interdigitated electrode arrays on the upper surface the dielectric and ferroelectric properties of PZT films are characterized, with emphasis on 1 μm-thick films. Dielectric constant of over 1000 with dielectric loss of about 0.01 is achieved for the films. Excellent symmetric hysteresis loops are also obtained with the apparent remanent polarization of around 20 μC/cm2 and coercive field of 20 to 30 kV/cm. The results demonstrate that the properties of these PZT films on ZrO2 passivated silicon substrates are comparable to that of the PZT films on Pt-buffered silicon substrates, and they can be used to fabricate micromachined, d33-mode unimorph bending tr...
The Dilemma of Choosing a Reference Character for Measuring Sexual Size Dimorphism, Sexual Body Component Dimorphism, and Character Scaling: Cryptic Dimorphism and Allometry in the Scorpion Hadrurus arizonensis

Sexual differences in morphology, ranging from subtle to extravagant, occur commonly in many animal species. These differences can encompass overall body size (sexual size dimorphism, SSD) or the size and/or shape of specific body parts (sexual body component dimorphism, SBCD). Interacting forces of natural and sexual selection shape much of the expression of dimorphism we see, though non-adaptive processes may be involved. Differential scaling of individual features can result when selection favors either exaggerated (positive allometry) or reduced (negative allometry) size during growth. Studies of sexual dimorphism and character scaling rely on multivariate models that ideally use an unbiased reference character as an overall measure of body size. We explored several candidate reference characters in a cryptically dimorphic taxon, Hadrurus arizonensis. In this scorpion, essentially every body component among the 16 we examined could be interpreted as dimorphic, but identification of SSD and SBCD depended on which character was used as the reference (prosoma length, prosoma area, total length, principal component 1, or metasoma segment 1 width). Of these characters, discriminant function analysis suggested that metasoma segment 1 width was the most appropriate. The pattern of dimorphism in H. arizonensis mirrored that seen in other more obviously dimorphic scorpions, with static allometry trending towards isometry in most characters. Our findings are consistent with the conclusions of others that fecundity selection likely favors a larger prosoma in female scorpions, whereas sexual selection may favor other body parts being larger in males, especially the metasoma, pectines, and possibly the chela. For this scorpion and probably most other organisms, the choice of reference character profoundly affects interpretations of SSD, SBCD, and allometry. Thus, researchers need to broaden their consideration of an appropriate reference and exercise caution in interpreting findings. We highly recommend use of discriminant function analysis to identify the least-biased reference character.
Primary Cosmic Ray and Solar Protons II

During July and August 1961 the energy spectrum of primary cosmic ray protons was investigated in the energy range from 80 to 350 MeV. The observations were made in five high altitude balloon flights at geomagnetic latitudes lambda is greater than 73 degrees N. Solar flare and quiet day spectra were obtained. A comparison of the 1960 and 1961 results leads to the conclusions that, 1. A significant flux of low energy protons is continually present in the primary radiation in the years of high solar activity; 2. This flux decreases with the declining level of solar activity as the galactic cosmic ray flux increases, It is, therefore, suggested that it is of solar origin; 3. The time dependence of the observed proton flux suggests the following alternatives: a) The particles are produced or released more or less continuously by the sun and do not originate only in the large flare events; or b) The particles are produced in individual large solar flares and subsequently stored over long periods of time. This second alternative would require a new and as yet unknown storage mechanism with a characteristic time of about 30 or more days.
To write what you know: Embodiment, authorship and empathy

The purpose of this research was to examine the consequences of mindfulness and embodiment practices in undergraduate university education. Utilizing teacher-initiated qualitative action research, consequences of mindfulness and embodiment in the classroom was investigated, with students serving as co-investigators. Seventeen students in an undergraduate narrative arts class met twice a week over the course of a semester, and, as a class, participated in embodiment and mindfulness practices in connection with the scheduled course content. The dictate to ‘write what you know’ is a familiar one in creative writing classes, but it seemed that students were not sure what they ‘knew’ until they came present into their own bodies. In so doing, and by placing their cognition in their embodied practice, the students discovered they could achieve a position from which to move into authorship. Two coders engaged in a systematic inductive analysis of students’ writings following the embodiment practice to identify themes present in the written material produced by the students. Themes include embodied attention, authorial voice, and empathetic response.
Tumorigenicity of fluoranthene in a newborn mouse lung adenoma bioassay.

A 24 week lung adenoma bioassay using newborn mice was employed to determine the tumorigenicity of fluoranthene, a common environmental polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon. A 6.5-fold elevation of lung tumor incidence (58%) and a 12-fold increase in numbers (1.08 tumors/mouse) was observed in animals treated with the highest dose (3.5 mg/mouse), but no increase in tumor incidence was induced by 700 micrograms/mouse. Benzo(a)pyrene, used as a positive control at a comparatively low dose (280 micrograms/mouse), was highly potent, inducing lung tumors in 94% of the animals and elevating their number by 44-fold (4.0 tumors/mouse). Most of the mice treated with the highest dose of benzo(a)pyrene (1.4 mg/mouse) died with massive injection site sarcomas. Male mice, surviving for 24 weeks in fluoranthene and benzo(a)pyrene treatment groups that developed lung tumors, had 2- to 3-fold more tumors than comparably treated females. This is the first reported evidence of tumorigenicity of fluoranthene. The significance of these findings in terms of bioassay sensitivity and the implications regarding human health have been discussed.
52-year-old man with acute midabdominal pain

Resident in Internal Medicine (B.L.B.) and Fellow in Gastroenterology (A.J.A.C.), Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Adviser to resident and fellow and Consultant in Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN (S.S.V.) A 52-year-old man with a history of previously treated hepatitis C was admitted to the hospital after presenting to the emergency department with acute abdominal pain of 12 hours’ duration. The continuous, throbbing pain was diffuse but most prominent in the midabdomen. It had progressed throughout the day, and by the time of presentation, the pain was rated 10 on a scale of 1 to 10. The patient described it as “excruciating” and was at times writhing in an effort to find relief. He had not had fever or chills, nausea, vomiting, hematemesis, melena, hematochezia, or diarrhea. He reported ongoing use of chewing tobacco but did not use alcohol or illicit drugs. His family history was remarkable for an unprovoked pulmonary embolism in his sister. Vital signs were stable, and the patient was afebrile. Physical examination confirmed diffuse abdominal pain, most prominent in the epigastric and periumbilical regions. However, there was no rebound, guarding, or peritoneal signs, and the patient allowed several physicians to examine his abdomen thoroughly. Neither abdominal bruits nor Murphy sign was appreciated. The Rovsing sign (palpation of the left lower quadrant resulting in pain in the right lower quadrant) was absent. His physical examination findings were otherwise unremarkable. Laboratory studies revealed the following (reference ranges shown parenthetically): hemoglobin, 14.5 g/dL (13.5-17.5 g/dL); leukocytes, 9.6 10/L (3.5-10.5 10/L); platelet count, 105 10/L (150-450 10/L); creatinine, 0.7 mg/dL (0.8-1.3 mg/dL); lactate, 0.6 mmol/L (0.6-2.3 mmol/L); alkaline phosphatase, 175 U/L (45-115 U/L); aspartate aminotransferase, 42 U/L (8-48 U/L); alanine aminotransferase, 30 U/L (7-55 U/L); total bilirubin, 0.5 mg/dL (0.1-1.0 mg/dL); direct bilirubin, 0.1 mg/dL (0.0-0.3 mg/dL); amylase, 36 U/L (26-102 U/L); lipase, 25 U/L (10-73
Nutritional status as a predictor of morbidity and mortality in maintenance dialysis patients

Many epidemiologic studies indicate that protein-energy malnutrition is a strong predictor of morbidity and mortality in maintenance hemodialysis and chronic peritoneal dialysis patients. Those parameters of protein-energy malnutrition that have been most clearly associated with morbidity or mortality include serum albumin, dietary protein intake as indicated by the protein equivalent of total nitrogen appearance (PNA, also referred to as PCR), and the predialysis serum urea nitrogen. In large scale clinical surveys, low predialysis serum creatinine, cholesterol, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and bicarbonate also correlate with increased mortality rates in maintenance hemodialysis patients. These correlations may reflect an association between dietary intake and mortality. The paucity of data correlating energy intake or body composition (e.g., total body protein or nitrogen, skeletal muscle mass, total body fat) with clinical outcome may reflect the difficulty of obtaining these data in large scale prospective or retrospective analyses. The correlation between protein-energy malnutrition and increased morbidity and mortality rates does not prove that a higher protein and/or energy intake or a more optimal body composition will improve the patient's outcome. Prospective, randomized studies will be necessary to examine this question. However, two retrospective analyses of the effect of intradialytic parenteral nutrition on mortality rates in maintenance hemodialysis patients are consistent with the thesis that increased nutrient intake will reduce mortality in maintenance hemodialysis patients. Methods for assessing protein-energy nutritional status are discussed. There are essentially no data indicating that the more complicated and expensive techniques for nutritional assessment have important advantages over the more simple methods for the clinical management of maintenance dialysis patients.
The reality of reality television: Does reality TV influence local crime rates?

Abstract Overnight celebrity status of reality-based television cast members and filming locations may result in negative outcomes such as increased crime. Using a popular reality show filmed in Laguna Beach, we employ a difference-in-differences approach to analyze changes in the city's crime rates.
Language of science II: Degrees of knowing

July 2007 Physics Today 11 See www.pt.ims.ca/12308-8 I exchanged private e-mails with Helen Quinn shortly after our writings appeared in the same issue of PHYSICS TODAY. She wrote that her “impression is that the idea of a law became archaic right about the time it was realized that Newton’s laws were not absolutely true in all circumstances. But we never gave up using the term for ideas that had already been blessed with that language usage.” She asked, as does William Hooper, who would decide, and whether some international body of physicists should be empowered to promote theories to laws, just as the International Astronomical Union declared that Pluto is not a planet. I agree with that proposal, but I’ll caution that Pluto is still a planet to me. Hence, I make my own prejudice clear as to theories versus laws. Unlike Gregory Mead, Joseph Ribaudo, or Lewis Wedgewood, I find the idea of a law much more compelling than a theory. In my own corner of physics— elementary-particle or high-energy physics—we have, for example, string theory and supersymmetry theory. Although both propose solutions to perceived problems with the standard model of high-energy physics, neither has made a prediction that has yet been verified by experiment. (My theoretical colleagues will disagree, and they will happily point out that in supersymmetric theories, in which every quark, lepton, and gauge boson we currently know acquires a new partner, about half of the supersymmetric particles have already been discovered. Some may argue that the observation of “dark matter” is actually the detection of supersymmetric particles, but to me the connection has not yet been made.) Furthermore, in casual conversation, private thinking, or everyday life, one frequently hears—or asks—the question, “Does it violate the laws of physics?” I’ve never heard “Does it violate the theories of physics?” I vote for the laws of special relativity, and in deference to history and the input from readers of my letter, let a duly organized body of physicists assign attribution, lest others do it for us. Richard W. Kadel (rwkadel@lbl.gov) Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Berkeley, California
Thermal Dissociation Kinetics of Solid and Liquid Ammonium Nitrate

Thermogravimetry has been used to study the kinetics of the thermal dissociation of solid and liquid ammonium nitrate. Model-fitting and model-free kinetic methods have been applied to the sets of isothermal and nonisothermal measurements to derive kinetic characteristics of the processes. The application of the model-fitting method to the isothermal data has demonstrated that both solid- and liquid-phase kinetics are characterized by a single activation energy of ∼90 kJ mol-1 and by the model of a contracting cylinder. A model-free isoconversional method has also been applied to isothermal and nonisothermal data and has yielded an activation energy of ∼90 kJ mol-1, which is essentially independent of the extent of conversion. The obtained kinetic characteristics have been assigned to the process of dissociative sublimation/vaporization.
The role of cytokines in mycobacterial infection

Mycobacterial infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The pathogenesis of infection and the mechanisms for the development of protective immunity are poorly known, but cytokines appear to play an important role in the modulation of the immune response. Evidence exists for the role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in the host defense against mycobacteria. In this article we discuss recent findings about the role of cytokines in leprosy, tuberculosis andMycobacterium avium infection, usingin vitro andin vivo human and murine data.
Brain damage is a family affair.

Abstract Behavioral alterations due to brain damage that compromise the quality of patients' lives also affect the well-being of patients' families. Family distress following head injury has been well-documented. With other cerebral disorders, similar emotional burdens and family disruptions are experieneced by the immediate family. Most families suffer many of the core problems arising from the patient's dependency and cognitive inefficiency, and from social reactions to the patient's disability. Moreover, emotional disturbances and executive disorders associated with the site or nature of the lesion(s) affect patients' interaction with their families differentially creating distinctive patterns of family burden. Specific family problems may be relieved through education, counselling, and emotional support.
A Method for Measuring Extremely Small Non-Uniformities in the Optical Thickness of Evaporated Films

Methods are described for measuring accurately the half-widths of frustrated total reflection filters (see reference 1) of very narrow pass bands, and for detecting extremely small non-uniformities in the spacer layers of these filters. The latter method, permitting observation and measurement of thin film non-uniformities appreciably less than one unit cell provides a very sensitive means of studying thin film structures and the mechanism of formation.
Electrokinetic Transport of Molecules Through Nanochanneled Membranes

Our research group was the first one to microfabricate and demonstrate nano-channels in silicon membranes (1, 2). We employed nano-channeled chips to provide immuno-isolation for cell transplantation towards the treatment of diabetes (3), for biomolecular separation (4), and for the controlled passive and active release of drug molecules from implanted capsules (5). We showed that the constraints placed upon molecular agitation in nano-channels affected their concentration-driven transport kinetics (6, 7). A zero-order passive release of biological molecules was achieved, by the rational tailoring of nano-channels dimensions. This achievement allowed releasing of a constant amount of drugs over a long period of time. However, the development and optimization of many drug therapies require long-term drug delivery with controlled but variable dosage using miniaturized systems (8). Moreover, application such as drug release from implanted devices requires tight operational control, of regulatory agency caliber. We have engaged in the development and characterization of elecroosmotic nano-channels membranes, and present our results in this communication. These include the influence of the drug release rate on nanochannel size, membrane configuration, and applied voltage.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
A Fast-Reacting and Versatile Optokinetic Stimulus Pattern by Computer Graphics with Application Examples

A computer-assisted system for the study of optokinetic nystagmus is described. Computer graphics provides OKN stimulus pattems controlled with a great accuracy and flexibility. The method can be combined with other techniques in eye movement instrumentation. A few application examples are given to show these advantages.
Esters of 3-Nitrocumic Acid

Experimental data concerning a number of esters of 3-nitrocumic acid are presented. A number of physical constants are included. An attempt was made to prepare 3-hydroxy-2-carboxy-4-isopropylbenzoic acid.
Evaluation of an Early Discharge Program of Mothers and Infants Following Childbirth in a Military Population. 894

To evaluate the outcome of an early discharge program regarding the length of stay, hospital expense, maternal satisfaction, and patient safety in a military population.
Brain catecholamines and serotonin levels in various strains and genera of mice and a possible interpretation for the correlations of amine levels with electroshock latency and behavior.

Abstract In a group of six genera and three strains of mice, widely differing in habitats and in behavioral profiles, the brain levels of DOPA, dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and serotonin were determined. Marked differences, up to three-fold, were found. Genera and strains with the highest levels of dopamine also had the highest levels of norepinephrine, epinephrine, and serotonin. Electroshock seizure latencies were well correlated with the biogenic amine levels; shorter latencies occurred in mice with low amine levels, longer latencies occurred in those with higher amine levels. A possible relationship between brain amines and certain behavioral characteristics of these genera is also discussed.
Special ultrastructural features of parathyroid cells from Swiss mice bearing Ehrlich's ascites tumor.

As part of studies on Ehrlich's ascites tumor cells transplanted into Swiss mice some unique myeloid figures, were found with electron microscopy in parathyroid cells, consisting of electron dense rings partially or completely encircling the nuclei of many cells in 7 of the 30 treated animals examined. These dense rings were seen to be made up of tightly matted bands, which at free ends, spread out to become continuous with agranular endoplasmic reticulum. The nuclei of these altered cells were quite pleomorphic and were closer together than in normal tissue, indicating decreased cell volume. Rough endoplasmic reticulum was scarce, mitochondria were long and slender and free ribosomes were widely scattered in the cytoplasm. A possible explanation for the development of these focal areas of degeneration is given.
Japan's Emerging Maritime Strategy: Out of Sync or Out of Reach?

Japanese political and military leaders are allowing a gap between policy and maritime strategy to open, endangering the operational effectiveness of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. Tokyo has come to recognize the diplomatic value of nontraditional military missions such as disaster response and humanitarian relief—witness its robust response to the 2004 tsunami. Such missions now represent a core task of the JMSDF. At the same time, Tokyo has left the full range of traditional missions in place without supplying additional resources. Japanese maritime strategy urgently needs to be clarified, keeping ends in balance with means.