cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cardiovascular benefits of improved exercise capacity

The evidence suggesting that regular exercise can help to prevent coronary artery disease is overwhelming. While some studies have suggested that exercise will not provide health benefits, our inactive population needs to pay heed to the substantial data presented by the many international health organisations suggesting the opposite. The American Heart Association Medical/Scientific Statement on Exercise emphasised the large role regular aerobic physical activity plays in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Several human studies have also demonstrated the positive effects of long term exercise on the human heart. For example, it has been shown that a consistent exercise programme can lessen the impact of atherosclerotic plaques through increasing coronary artery diameter. Echocardiography studies on a training group of competitive swimmers have shown that exercise training can induce rapid changes in left ventricular dimensions and mass, which can ultimately lead to an increased stroke volume and increased maximal oxygen consumption. Studies on sedentary individuals have also demonstrated an increase in maximal oxygen uptake with a regular endurance exercise programme. In addition to these health benefits, habitual dynamic exercise can also decrease the likelihood of a cardiac event. Others have demonstrated a 50% lower incidence of coronary events in those individuals maintaining rigorous activity 2 days a week. With the preponderance of evidence revealing the health benefits of habitual exercise, it is striking to learn that more than 50% of the US population exercises for less than 20 minutes, 3 days a week. The widespread nature of this sedentary lifestyle makes inactivity an attributable fraction of the total risk factors associated with cardiac disease. The amount of exercise needed to reduce the risk of coronary artery disease is a minimum aerobic workout of 30 minutes, 4 to 5 times a week, such as a vigorous walk. Comprehensive programmes promoting exercise training should be implemented at a level appropriate to an individual's capacity and need.
Adenosine for the treatment of supraventricular tachycardia in the ED.

Abstract To determine the safety and efficacy of intravenous adenosine as used in the emergency department (ED) for the treatment of presumed supraventricular tachycardia, the investigators performed a retrospective chart review in an urban, university-affiliated ED. Seventy-two consecutive patients were treated with intravenous adenosine for presumed supraventricular tachycardia. Of the 72 patients who were treated with adenosine, 46 patients had a confirmed diagnosis of supraventricular tachycardia. Of these, 39 or 46 (84.8%) converted to sinus rhythm after treatment. Of patients who successfully converted to sinus rhythm, none had recurrent tachycardia or required additional pharmacotherapy. Arrhythmias not successfully treated among the initially misdiagnosed patients were atrial fibrillation (n = 11), atrial flutter (n = 7), tachycardia of other origin (n = 5), and ventricular tachycardia (n = 2). No clinically significant adverse effects were noted among the stydy population. Intravenous adenosine is a safe and efficacious treatment for the emergent treatment of supraventricular tachycardia, including unstable patients (with hypotension and/or chest pain). It is also safe among patients initially presumed to have supraventricular tachycardia, who are later diagnosed with other arrhythmias.
Epithelial tissue architecture protects against cancer

We consider the design of colon crypts from the point of view of minimizing the likelihood of generation of cancerous mutations. A stochastic mathematical model (a finite branching process) is developed and fully analyzed. It is found that depending on the mutation rates, different designs are evolutionarily advantageous. If the mutation rates associated with stem cells are a lot higher than the mutation rates of daughter cells, then few stem cells per crypt is the evolutionarily optimal strategy. If the mutation rates of stem cells are of the same order of magnitude or lower than those for daughter cells, then having as many stem cells per crypt as possible is the desirable design. We also found that the optimal evolutionary strategy may work very well to protect the organism from cancer in the young age, but the same strategy becomes detrimental as the organism ages. It pushes the onset of cancer back in time, but it results in an elevated cancer initiation rates as the organism gets older. Our model quantifies the idea that cancer and aging are the two sides of one coin.
Using the Past to Enhance the Present: Boosting Happiness Through Positive Reminiscence

Two studies explored relations between positive reminiscing and emotional experience – a survey of naturally occurring reminiscence (Study 1) and a field experiment testing the affective consequences of two styles of reminiscing (Study 2). In Study 1, frequency of positive reminiscing predicted perceived ability to enjoy life, and students who reminisced using cognitive imagery reported a greater ability to savor positive events than those who reminisced using memorabilia. In Study 2, students were randomly assigned either to reminisce about pleasant memories using cognitive imagery, reminisce about pleasant memories using memorabilia, or think about current concerns (control condition) for 10 min twice daily for a week. Both reminiscence groups reported greater increases in the percent of time they felt happy over the past week than the control group; and happiness increased more in the cognitive imagery group than in the memorabilia group.
GCN and VOEvent - A Status Report

The GRB Coordinates Network (GCN) has filled an important niche in the conduct and progress of research on GRB for more than 14 years. The methods used to collect and distribute the positions, lightcurves, spectra, and images on GRB is real time (a few seconds) will be reviewed. For the research on GRBs to continue to move forward and for other fields of transient astronomy to move forward, enhancements are needed to the GCN. VOEvents is one of those changes, and that addition will be described here. The enhanced system will be called VO-GCN.
Learning how to develop software using the toy LEGO mindstorms

The use of the toy LEGO Mindstorms has been used more often in Engineering and Computer Sciences courses in several countries. Undergraduate students at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi implemented seven robotics applications as the final project for the Software Analysis and Design course. The students applied the knowledge acquired in other courses such as Software Engineering, Databases, and several programming courses. The students used Microsoft project for the planning phase and the CASE tool Visible Analyst for the design phase. At the end of the semester there was a robot competition. Two projects are described in this paper.
Fast minimicroassay of serum retinol (vitamin A) by capillary zone electrophoresis with laser-excited fluorescence detection

Abstract In this paper, we present a fast minimicroassay of serum vitamin A by capillary zone electrophoresis with laser-excited fluorescence detection. A 60 cm × 50 μm I.D. fused-silica capillary was used for the separation, and the polymer coating was burned off 20 cm from the cathodic end to form a detection window. The buffer system consisted of 50 m M sodium phosphate plus 10 m M sodium chloride at pH 7.8. A helium—cadmium laser set at 325 nm was used for excitation, and the fluorescence of the vitamin A—retinol-binding protein complex was monitored at 465 nm using a photodiode. The stray and scattered radiation were removed by two special filters. Using this system, about 8 nl of serum sample were injected for direct analysis without any sample preparation. The analysis time for each sample was less than 6 min, and subfemtomole levels of vitamin A in human or animal blood could be easily detected. Therefore, the method is potentially useful for finger-prick vitamin A analysis, especially for babies and young children.
The influence of the sky radiance distribution on the flux density in the shadow of a tree crown

Abstract The simulation of the shortwave diffuse sky radiation in plant radiation regime models has traditionally used the uniform overcast (UOC) sky radiance distribution. It has been assumed that this distribution is a good first estimate to the actual sky radiance for average clear days. To test this assumption, a standard overcast (SOC), a uniform overcast, and a clear sky radiance distribution were simulated and the flux density due to sky radiation in the shadow of an ellipsoidal crown calculated. Results show that the choice of sky radiance distribution greatly influences the sky radiation reaching points in the shadow of the simulated tree. The results support the contention that the SOC and UOC sky radiance distributions are quite similar with respect to the radiant flux density in tree shadows. However, the clear-sky radiance distribution resulted in approximately four times less radiant flux density in the tree shadow than that found for the UOC or SOC sky radiance distributions. It was concluded that (1) the use of the UOC radiance distribution greatly overestimated the diffuse radiation in the shadow of a tree, and (2) a clear sky radiance distribution would enhance the prediction of the radiation regime in crown arrays.
Topical transfection using plasmid DNA in a water-in-oil nanoemulsion

Expression plasmids encoding chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) or human interferon-alpha2 cDNA were formulated in water-in-oil nanoemulsions and applied to murine skin. The histological location of transfected cells was assessed by in situ DNA PCR and showed that the deposition of plasmid DNA was primarily in follicular keratinocytes. Transgene expression in the skin was monitored for 24-72 h, following topical application of either single or multiple daily doses by quantitative RT-PCR and ELISA. It was found that transgene expression was optimal at 24 h following topical application of a single dose of water-in-oil nanoemulsion containing plasmid DNA. Dose-response studies using a total dose of 3, 10 or 30 microg of plasmid DNA suggested that topical transfection using nanoemulsions is subject to both threshold and saturation effects. None of the cationic liposome formulations tested as controls mediated transgenic protein expression at levels higher than background values of the ELISAs used to assay transgenic protein. Single and multiple dose experiments using human interferon-alpha2 as a transgene indicated that the efficiency of nanoemulsion mediated transfection was most effective in the context of normal versus atrophic hair follicles. In addition, the total amount of human interferon-alpha2 present in skin appeared to accumulate as a consequence of multiple dosing. Histologic evaluation of treated skin showed no overt signs of toxicity or irritation associated with the short-term application of the nanoemulsions. The results suggest that water-in-oil nanoemulsions can be used to facilitate transfection of follicular keratinocytes in vivo.
Hydrolysis of phosphoproteins and inositol phosphates by cell surface phosphatase of Leishmania donovani

Leishmania donovani promastigotes contain intense tartrate-resistant cell surface acid phosphatase (ACP1) which blocks superoxide anion production by activated human neutrophils [A.T. Remaley et al. (1984) J. Biol. Chem, 259, 11173-11175]. An extensively purified preparation of ACP1 dephosphorylates several phosphoproteins which are phosphorylated at serine residues; these include: pyruvate kinase (Km 1.6 microM; Vmax 71.4 U (mg protein)-1), phosphorylase kinase (Km 0.076 microM; Vmax 5.4 U (mg protein)-1) and histones (Km 4.86 microM; Vmax 2.2 U (mg protein)-1). However, the specific activity of the leishmanial phosphatase on these phosphoproteins is very low as compared to other phosphoprotein phosphatases. The phosphatase activity of ACP1 was also low on phosphohistone phosphorylated at tyrosine residues. Phosphatidylinositol-4,5-diphosphate (PIP2) and inositoltriphosphate (IP3) were also tested as ACP1 substrates. PIP2 was hydrolyzed rapidly by ACP1. The rate of hydrolysis of PIP2 was higher at pH 6.8 (Km 2.35 microM; Vmax 107 X 10(3) U (mg protein)-1) than at pH 5.5 (Km 4.16 microM; Vmax 71 X 10(3) U (mg protein)-1). 32P-labeled IP3 was also a substrate for ACP1; the hydrolysis products consisted of a mixture of inositoldiphosphate and inositolmonophosphate. ACP1 and ten other phosphatases were tested for their ability to dephosphorylate proteins and to inhibit O2- production by stimulated human neutrophils. There was no correlation between the protein phosphatase activity of the acid- and alkaline phosphatases and their ability to block neutrophil O2- production. The results indicate that ACP1 probably blocks the production of reduced oxygen intermediates by a mechanism that does not involve dephosphorylation of phosphoproteins; however, the possibility that the parasite's phosphatase affects phagocyte metabolism by degrading PIP2 or IP3 should be considered.
More on Rawlsian Optimal Income Taxation: A Complementary Note on E. S. Phelps's “Taxation of Wage Income for Economic Justice”

I. Introduction, 337.—II. The fundamental property of the Rawlsian scheme, 337.—III. Comparative study, 341.—IV. Concluding remarks, 343.
A Numerical Transport Scheme which Avoids Negative Mixing Ratios

A new scheme for numerically integrating the transport equation has been developed. This square root method avoids the problem of negative mixing ratios by using the square root of the concentration instead of the concentration itself as an advective time step. Conservation of total mass at every time step is achieved by extending the concept of quadratic conservation to the numerical time integration method. A few time schemes that fulfill the requirement of step-by-step quadratic conservation are described, the simplest of which is the modified Lax-Wendroff method.
Role of non-anchor residues of Db-restricted peptides in class I binding and TCR triggering

To understand better, the role of non-anchor residues of class I restricted T cell epitopes in class I binding and TCR stimulation, a panel of peptides was synthesized in which each of the non-anchor positions of the Db-restricted influenza peptide, ASNENMETM, was changed to each of the 20 natural amino acids (AAs). The relative affinity of all the peptides for Db was determined and their ability to stimulate anti-ASNENMETM cytotoxic T cell hybridomas was also assessed. The results illustrated that for Db binding, the AAs with the most solvent exposure had the smallest effect on binding. Changes at other positions affected binding to different degrees. Results for the recognition by the T cell hybridomas indicated that a peptide-MHC complex represents a multitude of epitopes, as each hybridoma recognized a different subset of peptides. Most changes in the highly solvent-exposed residues negatively affected recognition by all hybridomas while changes in other positions affected each hybridoma differently, independent of the direction of the side chain of the AA at that position. Furthermore, the use of saturating concentrations of low and high binding peptides showed that, as long as the class I-peptide complex is formed, the T-cell receptor does not differentiate between high and low binding peptides. This indicates that, although the stability of the class I-peptide complex is highly dependent on peptide affinity, the class I MHC conformation induced by low affinity peptides does not necessarily differ significantly from that induced by high affinity peptides. The results of peptide-class I recognition by one ASNENMETM-specific hybridoma was used to construct a peptide that differed from ASNENMETM at four of the nine residues, yet stimulated the hybridoma to a level comparable to ASNENMETM. In addition, peptides bearing the canonical Db-binding motif but unable to bind to the class I molecule with high affinity could be made to bind Db, by changing unfavorable AAs to favourable ones at appropriate positions. The extended motif determined was used to identify more accurately the peptides derived from Coxsakie b3 virus that would bind Db. It was also shown that some of the canonical characteristics of the peptide motif could be obviated and still obtain high affinity binding, provided optimal AAs, were present at secondary anchor positions.
Structural model for crystalline and amorphous Si-Ge alloys.

There are serious contradictions between extended x-ray-absorption fine structure (EXAFS) measurements of the Si-Ge and Ge-Ge bond lengths in both crystalline and amorphous silicon-germanium alloys, and in theoretical and simulation predictions. In particular, results from EXAFS experiments show that the Si-Ge and Ge-Ge bond lengths are independent of the alloy composition, indicating that there is no topological rigidity in the lattice. These EXAFS results on Si-Ge alloys are in sharp disagreement with all previous EXAFS results on III-V and II-VI semiconductor alloys. We discuss the implications of the EXAFS results regarding the local and global structure of the alloys. We also propose a structural model to serve as a focus for further experiments. In order to satisfy the overall floppiness of the network, we suggest that the Si-Ge samples may contain a large density of planar cracks, lined with hydrogen, and separated by \ensuremath{\sim}10 \AA{}. Some measurements that could confirm (or discredit) this model are suggested.
The Influence of Form Criticism on the Study of the Old Testament

HIS year marks the fiftieth anniversary of the appearance of Hermann Gunkel's commentary on Genesis.' His commentary signifies an important turning point in the history of O.T. studies. It was in this work that Gunkel first applied the method of "Gattungsgeschichte," which has since come to be known as "Form Criticism." During these 50 years, Gunkel's method has slowly but steadily gained recognition. On the whole it has exerted a large influence, which is, however, more noticeable among biblical scholars on the continent: Germany and Scandinavia, than in England and America; and more in the New Testament than in Old Testament studies. This is evidenced by the dearth of articles and books which apply the form critical method to the study of the Old Testament literary problems. This attitude among British and American Old Testament scholars is difficult to explain. Part of it may well be due to their pre-occupation with other Old Testament problems, and part of it may be due to the linguistic problem. Very little of Gunkel's and his followers' voluminous literary productions have been translated into English. The best known in the English-speaking world are Gunkel's The Legends of Genesis (1901) and a collection of five essays in What Remains of the Old Testament?, (1928). The late professor James Moffatt expressed astonishment and regret that Gunkel's work had not been made accessible to English readers, for "no Old Testament critic of our age is more suggestive. None appreciates more truly the value of the Old Testament as a religious classic. He is a keen literary critic and also a man of genuine moral and spiritual insight His introduction to an English audience is long overdue."2 Moreover, Professor Albright has said that for the students of the Near
Movements of Rana catesbeiana tadpoles in weak current flows resemble a directed random walk.

SUMMARY Current flow is an important biological stimulus for larval anuran amphibians, but little is known about how it is perceived. We quantified behavioral responses to controlled water flow in the bullfrog tadpole (Rana catesbeiana) at developmental stages prior to metamorphic climax, and examined the contribution of a functioning lateral line system to these behaviors. Tadpoles at these developmental stages show a significant preference for the sides and bottom of a flow tank. In response to water flow at three different rates, they exhibit a significant, time-dependent tendency to move downstream, away from the source of the flow, and to remain in areas where flow is minimized. The consistency of these behaviors at all tested flow rates suggests that the animals are not simply passively pushed by the current; instead, they actively swim away from the current source. Tadpoles do not exhibit positive rheotaxis towards the source of the flow at any flow rate but as a group are randomly oriented. Treatment with cobalt chloride, a known blocker of superficial neuromast function, significantly reduces the tendency to move downstream, but does not alter the preference for the sides and bottom of the tank. Tadpoles9 movements under flow are consistent with a model of locomotion based on a directed random walk.
School-level organizational routines for learning: supporting data use

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to use an extreme case to identify and describe the nature of routines that might support processes and outcomes of data use, drawing from a framework developed by Coburn and Turner (2012a). Design/methodology/approach – The author conducted a four-month case study (Stake, 1995) of an elementary school in a large urban school district that had implemented balanced score cards. The author identified a school that had strong qualities to support data use, including leadership and information systems. Findings – Two school-level organizational routines facilitated teachers’ data use: collaborative teams and processes of inquiry. These routines stored knowledge about the types of data teachers ought to notice, and to a lesser extent, how they ought to interpret data and construct implications for practice. These routines also provided opportunities for single and double-loop learning (Argyris and Schon, 1996) and might contribute to improvements in student learning. This...
sHA 14-1, a stable and ROS-free antagonist against anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins, bypasses drug resistances and synergizes cancer therapies in human leukemia cell

Abstract HA 14-1, a small-molecule antagonist against anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins, was demonstrated to induce selective cytotoxicity toward malignant cells and to overcome drug resistance. Due to its poor stability and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by its decomposition, chemical modification of HA 14-1 is needed for its future development. We have synthesized a stabilized analog of HA 14-1 – sHA 14-1, which did not induce the formation of ROS. As expected from a putative antagonist against anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins like HA 14-1, sHA 14-1 disrupted the binding interaction of a Bak BH3 peptide with Bcl-2 or Bcl-X L protein, inhibited the growth of tumor cells through the induction of apoptosis, and circumvented the drug resistance induced by the over-expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-X L proteins. Interestingly, the impairment of extrinsic apoptotic pathway induced moderate resistance to sHA 14-1. The moderate resistance suggested that sHA 14-1 generated part of its apoptotic stress through the intrinsic pathway, possibly through its antagonism against anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins. The resistance indicated that sHA 14-1 generated apoptotic stress through the extrinsic apoptotic pathway as well. The ability of sHA 14-1 to induce apoptotic stress through both pathways was further supported by the synergism of sHA 14-1 towards the cytotoxicities of Fas ligand and dexamethasone in Jurkat cells. Taken together, these findings suggest that sHA 14-1 may represent a promising candidate for the treatment of drug-resistant cancers either as a monotherapy or in combination with current cancer therapies.
Processing of sub- and supra-second intervals in the primate brain results from the calibration of neuronal oscillators via sensory, motor, and feedback processes.

The processing of time intervals in the sub- to supra-second range by the brain is critical for the interaction of primates with their surroundings in activities, such as foraging and hunting. For an accurate processing of time intervals by the brain, representation of the physical time within neuronal circuits is necessary. I propose that time-dimension of the physical surrounding is represented in the brain by different types of neuronal oscillators, generating spikes or spike bursts at regular intervals. The proposed oscillators include the pacemaker neurons, tonic inputs and synchronized excitation and inhibition of inter-connected neurons. Oscillators, which are built inside various circuits of brain, help to form modular clocks, processing time intervals or other temporal characteristics specific to functions of a circuit. Relative or absolute duration is represented within neuronal oscillators by ‘neural temporal unit’, defined as the interval between regularly occurring spikes or spike bursts. Oscillator output is processed to produce changes in activities of neurons, named frequency modulator neuron, wired within a separate module, represented by the rate of change in frequency, and frequency of activities, proposed to encode time intervals. Inbuilt oscillators are calibrated by (a) feedback processes (b) input of time intervals resulting from rhythmic external sensory stimulation and (c) synchronous effects of feedback processes and evoked sensory activity. A single active clock is proposed per circuit, which is calibrated by one or more mechanisms. Multiple calibration mechanisms, inbuilt oscillators and the presence of modular connections prevent a complete loss of interval timing functions of the brain.
Laser ablation of nanoscale particles with 193 nm light

Laser interaction with nanoscale particles is distinct and different from laser-bulk material interaction, where a hot plasma is normally created. Here, we review our studies on 193 nm laser ablation of various nanoscale particles including NaCl, soot, polystyrene, and gold. The 20 ns laser beam with fluences up to 0.3 J/cm 2 irradiates nanoparticles in a gas stream at laser repetition rates from 10 to 100 Hz. The particle size distributions before and after irradiation are measured with a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS), and particle morphology is examined with electron microscopy. All the nanomaterials studied exhibit a similar disintegration pattern and similar particle formation characteristics. No broadband emission associated with particle heating or optical breakdown is observed. The nanoparticles formed after irradiation have a smaller mean diameter and an order of magnitude higher number concentration with a more spherical shape compared to the original particles. We use the photon-atom ratio (PAR) to interpret the laser-particle interaction energetics.
Addiction to Prescription Opioids: Characteristics of the Emerging Epidemic and Treatment with Buprenorphine

Dependence on and abuse of prescription opioid drugs is now a major health problem, with initiation of prescription opioid abuse exceeding cocaine in young people. Coincident with the emergence of abuse and dependence on prescription opioids, there has been an increased emphasis on the treatment of pain. Pain is now the "5th vital sign" and physicians face disciplinary action for failure to adequately relieve pain. Thus, physicians are whipsawed between the imperative to treat pain with opioids and the fear of producing addiction in some patients. In this article, the authors characterize the emerging epidemic of prescription opioid abuse, discuss the utility of buprenorphine in the treatment of addiction to prescription opioids, and present illustrative case histories of successful treatment with buprenorphine.
Regulators for optimal periodic processes

A feedback controller called a periodic regulator is developed for implementing an optimal periodic process to a physical system under state deviations and constant parameter variation. The objective of the periodic regulator is to bring the perturbed plant back to a neighboring optimal periodic path in such a manner that the infinite-time second-variation of the cost is minimized. The transition matrix associated with the variational problem evaluated over one period is symplectic and generically possesses two unity eigenvalues coupled in the same Jordan box; the primary eigenvector associated with the unity eigenvalue corresponds to the orbital velocity direction. It is shown that there exists a locally stable subspace in the neighborhood of the periodic orbit. Moreover, a simple condition is given for defining the state variation which guarantees that it is contained in this stable subspace. A controller including feedback of the parameter variation is derived which provides first-order convergence to a new optimal periodic trajectory. Finally, The periodic regulator developed is applied to a simple two-state periodic optimal control problem to demonstrate its convergence properties. >
Water bears in the Anthropocene: a comparison of urban and woodland tardigrade (Phylum Tardigrada) communities in Southwestern Louisiana, USA

Humans have had such a profound effect on global ecosystems, including biodiversity, that Anthropocene is being increasingly used as a chronological term to mark the period of greatest human impact. No areas show the effect of human impact on the environment more than cities, which often have novel combinations of species in unique communities. Tardigrades ( Phylum Tardigrada ) have often been collected in cities, but studies dedicated to urban tardigrade biodiversity are few, and those comparing urban diversity with nearby rural or natural sites even fewer. In this paper we compare the diversity and abundance of tardigrade species in Lake Charles with a nearby forested nonurban site, Sam Houston Jones State Park (SHJSP). Although tardigrade density did not differ significantly between Lake Charles and SHJSP, species richness and diversity were greater in SHJSP (17 species, H1=3.01) than in Lake Charles (8 species, H1=1.30). All but one species found in Lake Charles also occurred in SHJSP. The number of species found in Lake Charles lies within the range (5-10) found in previous urban surveys. All tardigrade studies comparing urban with nearby nonurban habitats have found lower species richness in cities.
The Acquisition of Political Orientations by College Students: A Theoretical Model

This paper suggests a multidimensional model by which the acquisition of political attitudes, beliefs, and knowledge may be investigated. Three hypotheses were examined by use of data on college students and a control group of town cohorts. The first hypothesis, that political socialization is not uniform across levels, was confirmed. The second hypothesis, that political affect remains relatively stable throughout the college years while political cognition changes, was also confirmed. Finally, the third hypothesis, that present structural variables have a greater effect on cognition while background variables are more likely to have an impact on affect, was verified for the students and partly verified for the town cohorts. The verification of these hypotheses demonstrates the utility of a complex differentiated model such as the one that has been postulated. One fruitful use of this typology lies in the possibility that researchers could develop linkages between it and a developmental model of politica...
VISUAL ATTENTION IN RETARDED ADULTS: COMBINING STIMULI WHICH CONTROL INCOMPATIBLE BEHAVIOR

Eight severely retarded young men learned color and line-tilt discriminations. After 95% accuracy was achieved for both dimensions, they were combined to form “conflict-compound” stimuli in which prior reinforcement history was reversed for one element of the compound and unchanged for the other. When responding to the compound was 95% accurate, control exerted by each element was measured. The unchanged element consistently exercised control in agreement with the reinforcement contingencies associated with the compound, regardless of whether it was color or line orientation. The reversed element, which had a conflicting prior history or reinforcement, most often exerted control associated with original training, or no control, suggesting that it had been “ignored” during the compound. Conflict compounds produced selective attention. When elements were combined to form “compatible-compound” stimuli, both exercised control in agreement with the compound in post-tests. Selective attention was not produced by compatible compounds.
Behaviour-genetic analysis of canary song: inter-strain differences in sensory learning, and epigenetic rules

The relation between genes and canary song learning preferences was analysed with two experiments. A breeding experiment used inbred canaries, Serinus canaria, reared in isolation from adult songs to uncover differences in the song learning of Roller canaries, Border canaries and their hybrid. Given a choice of a Roller and a Border canary tutor song, all Rollers selectively learned from the Roller song, all Borders learned only from the Border song, but the hybrids learned from both tutor songs. A pair of social experiments confirmed these strain-typical learning preferences in conditions permitting social interaction and some cross-fostering. Cross-fostering showed that early experience with an alien-strain female parent does not noticeably affect the development of canary song learning preferences, and that neither strain is totally incapable of hearing and learning from songs of the other strain. The study provides empirical evidence for canary epigenetic rules, which are postulated gene-inherited mechanisms that guide cultural transmission. Some epigenetic rules for canary song learning are described.
The microcirculation in experimental hypertension and aging

Objective: The purpose of this manuscript is to review the literature concerning the alterations in the microvasculature in experimental hypertension and aging. We also present new unpublished data and results where previous studies have not addressed important questions. Methods: The new studies were performed using a chronic cranial window to allow multiple observations of the cortical surface vasculature over time. In vivo video, microscopic techniques were used to study long-term changes in microvascular caliber (vasomotion). In some studies, a chronic, in-dwelling aortic catheter allowed chaotic analysis of short-term blood pressure and heart rate variations. Results: In these new studies we demonstrated a reduction in number of small arteriolar endpoints per cortical surface area in the spontaneously hypertensive rat and in the old Brown-Norway rat. There was also a reduction in the number of arteriole-to-arteriole anastomotic connections in the older rat. These vascular changes in the old rat were revised or prevented by caloric restriction. In the old rat, there was also a reduction in the variability of blood pressure, heart rate and microvessel caliber (vasomotion). Conclusions: These studies suggest that there is an alteration in the morphology of the small arterioles in hypertension and aging, that may lead to reduced ability to perfuse cortical tissue. In addition, there appears to be a diminution of overall short-term cardiovascular and microvascular control.
Selective Intergroup Bias in Both Authoritarians and Non-Authoritarians after Playing a Modified Prisoner's Dilemma Game

56 male and 56 female undergraduates played a modified Prisoner's Dilemma game, two teams playing on each occasion. Ss chose a competitive or cooperative strategy toward both their opponents and partners on 20 trials. Partners received more cooperative choices (p < .01). Ratings on ability, sociometric, and motive traits improved for both ingroup and outgroup, however, ingroup ratings tended to improve more. The ingroup-outgroup differential was significantly stronger for game-relevant motive traits than for any other type of trait. The results support a “selective bias” hypothesis, which implies that bias in intergroup perceptions is especially great in the case of motives aroused by intergroup contact. A projective mechanism which defends against the perception of reprehensible motives in the ingroup might account for this selective bias.
Biological gray scale for digital imagery

Biological evolution has adapted human vision to terrestrial light contrasts. Earthly scenes have a typical bimodal contrast histogram, with a reflection mode and a shadow mode. Consequently, human sensitivity to gray-scale differences also is bimodal. Luminance differences are most discriminable at the modal intensities of the terrestrial contrast distribution so that vision conveys maximum information about the world. By inverting this biologic, an image can be computationally adapted to the human visual system. Using Paul Whittle's model of gray-scale sensitivity as a basis, distinct pixel intensities in image data are mapped to optimally discriminable displayed luminances. Since this approach is scene dependent and display dependent, the optimum gray scale must be recomputed for each displayed image, background luminance and display environment.
CD4 effector T cell subsets in the response to influenza: heterogeneity, migration, and function.

The immune response of naive CD4 T cells to influenza virus is initiated in the draining lymph nodes and spleen, and only after effectors are generated do antigen-specific cells migrate to the lung which is the site of infection. The effector cells generated in secondary organs appear as multiple subsets which are a heterogeneous continuum of cells in terms of number of cell divisions, phenotype and function. The effector cells that migrate to the lung constitute the more differentiated of the total responding population, characterized by many cell divisions, loss of CD62L, down-regulation of CCR7, stable expression of CD44 and CD49d, and transient expression of CCR5 and CD25. These cells also secrete high levels of interferon γ and reduced levels of interleukin 2 relative to those in the secondary lymphoid organs. The response declines rapidly in parallel with viral clearance, but a spectrum of resting cell subsets reflecting the pattern at the peak of response is retained, suggesting that heterogeneous effector populations may give rise to corresponding memory populations. These results reveal a complex response, not an all-or-none one, which results in multiple effector phenotypes and implies that effector cells and the memory cells derived from them can display a broad spectrum of functional potentials.
Research on the DDS' CPLD Control to Generate Special Band Signal

Direct digital frequency synthesis (DDS) in often used in RF(Radio Frequency) systems, such as MRI(Magnetic Resource Imaging). This paper describes a DDS chip AD9854 's structure and its essential program by a CPLD chip XCldrldrldrldrldrXLldrldrR gives us material internal structure and how to program AD9854, and how to generate a radio frequency by AD9854 with CPLD's control. The program code is written in VHDL, and all codes are simmulated through ModelSim SE 5.6d. At last, the paper gives conclusion that using CPLD control DDS chip to generate radio frequency is absolutely feasible.
A Catalytic Role of Dihydroriboflavin in the Geometrical Isomerization of all-trans Retinal

The mechanism of visual pigment regeneration during dark adaptation has remained obscure despite sporadic study in a number of laboratories (1–7). It has, however, been clearly established (8) that the apoprotein of rhodopsin reacts spontaneously with 11-cis retinal to regenerate the visual pigment. If 11-cis retinal arises through the direct geometrical isomerization of all-trans retinal, it would then seem reasonable to look for the occurence of such a reaction in photoreceptor outer segments where the Schiff base, metarhodopsin II, and possibly free all-trans retinal occur transiently as a result of visual pigment bleaching. Our recent studies (9, 10) indicate some of the metabolic requirements for rapid complete regeneration of photosensitive pigment in preparations of bleached bovine photoreceptors incubated with all-trans retinal.
Endogenous Determination of Parenting Preferences by Interaction of an Internal and an External Game

Marriage partners' parenting preferences are shown to be determined by an internal (within the household) game, the outcome of which is influenced by "extra-environmental parameters" in the form of an external game between outside gender-based interest groups and the government.
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Behavioral Interventions for Fecal Incontinence With Constipation

Background Multiple treatments exist for fecal incontinence. However, the relative and additive influence of commonly used behavioral approaches remains unclear. Objective We conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials to synthesize the effects of behavioral treatment of fecal incontinence with constipation in children aged 4-18 years. Mixed treatment comparisons (MTCs) and random effects models were used to analyze outcomes. Risk of bias and quality of evidence were rated. Results Although 10 studies were identified for MTCs, results did not yield reliable or valid estimates. Four studies were retained for random effects pooled outcome analysis. Results indicated that behavioral intervention was more effective than control conditions for author-defined success and soiling frequency. Conclusion Although evidence supports behavioral treatments for fecal incontinence with constipation in children, available evidence is limited. More and higher-quality trials are needed to better understand the relative effects of different treatments, including behavioral strategies.
Using Execution Paths to Evolve Software Patches

We present an evolutionary approach using Genetic Programming (GP) to automatically create software repairs. By concentrating the modifications on regions related to where the bug occurs, we effectively minimize the search space complexity and hence increase the performance of the GP process. To preserve the core functionalities of the program, we evolve programs only from code in the original program. Early experimental results show our GP approach is able to fix various program defects in reasonable time.
Sex-related differences in habitat selection in wintering American kestrels, Falco sparverius

The American kestrel, Falco sparverius, has sex-related diVerences in habitat use during the non-breeding season, with females occupying more open habitats than males. Two competing hypotheses have been proposed to explain this phenomenon: (1) males and females prefer diVerent habitats, and (2) males and females prefer similar habitats, but larger females exclude smaller males from preferred areas. This study experimentally investigated habitat selection in wintering kestrels by temporarily removing kestrels from areas, and then observing the numbers and sex of the kestrels that occupied vacated areas. The home ranges of 20 birds (10 males and 10 females) were mapped and their occupants removed. Areas vacated in early winter (November 1994) werefilled more quickly than those vacated in late winter (February 1995). Areas previously held by females were reoccupied more frequently than were those previously occupied by males. Female kestrels reoccupied vacated female areas more than vacated male areas. Male kestrels reoccupied vacated female and male areas equally. The results demonstrate that (1) high-quality kestrel habitat may be limited in the non-breeding season, (2) vacated areas are more likely to be reoccupied in the early winter than in late winter, (3) female kestrels appear at an advantage relative to males in occupying scarce and competed-for areas, and (4) male kestrels will use female areas when female occupants have been removed. It is hypothesized that open habitats are preferred over less open habitats because the former oVer reduced risk of predation from bird-eating hawks. ? 1997 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour
Effect of deposition pressure on the microstructure and thermoelectric properties of epitaxial ScN(001) thin films sputtered onto MgO(001) substrates

Four epitaxial ScN(001) thin films were successfully deposited on MgO(001) substrates by dc reactive magnetron sputtering at 2, 5, 10, and 20 mTorr in an Ar/N2 ambient atmosphere at 650 °C. The microstructure of the resultant films was analyzed by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Electrical resistivity, electron mobility and concentration were measured using the room temperature Hall technique, and temperature dependent in-plain measurements of the thermoelectric properties of the ScN thin films were performed. The surface morphology and film crystallinity significantly degrade with increasing deposition pressure. The ScN thin film deposited at 20 mTorr exhibits the presence of oriented secondary grains resulting in decreased electric properties and a low thermoelectric power factor of 0.5 W/mK2 at 800 K. The ScN thin films grown at 5 and 10 mTorr are single crystalline, yielding the power factor of approximately 2.5 W/mK2 at 800 K. The deposition performed at 2 mTorr produces the highest quality ScN thin film with the electron mobility of 98 cm2 V−1 s−1 and the power factor of 3.3 W/mK2 at 800 K.
Silicon-on-Ferroelectric-Insulator — A comparative analysis of the partially and fully depleted devices

Recently, Silicon-on-Ferroelectric Insulator FET (SOFFET) device was proposed as new sub-60mV/decade structure. In this work, we present a comparative analysis of the electrical characteristics and the performance of the partially depleted (PD) and the fully depleted (FD) versions of the proposed SOFFET. This comparison is based on simplified capacitance models. These models are used to analyze and study the dependence of the subthreshold swing on the material and geometric parameters of the device. It is demonstrated that by carefully optimizing the thickness of the ferroelectric film, dielectric property of the insulator, and the channel thickness, the subthreshold swing and the threshold voltage can be lowered in both PD and FD versions of the SOFFET. It is observed that FD-SOFFET provides lower body factor and subthreshold swing compared to the PD-SOFFET.
Encoding image edges as a curve collection

We present a lossless compression algorithm for coding image edges. First, we determine an optimal order of all edges by solving a traveling salesperson problem and then code efficiently the starting point of each edge with respect to one of the two end points of the previous edge in the order. Next, we code the remaining edge points using a modified chain difference coding algorithm. This algorithm reduces entropy of the source. Finally, we use LZW for entropy coding of the output. We provide experimental results to compare the coding rate of our algorithm for some natural images with arithmetic coding of chain difference code and JBIG.
Self Expression In Technical Courses: Making It Happen

This paper examines how Team Learning allows students to express themselves through their work. I define expression to include taking ownership of ones work, i.e. working through self-motivation rather than through the dictates of a teacher, and participating in a community of workers. This participation includes working with colleagues on projects of interest to the community, submitting ones work to the scrutiny of the team and the larger community, and evaluating colleagues work in the same manner. I present the results of my use of Team Learning in four computer programming classes.
Perception, Cognition, and Evaluation of Urban Places

Just walking through the vast main concourse of Grand Central Terminal in New York . . . almost always triggers in me a spontaneous and quiet change in perception. . . . The change—one that is reasonably well known to all of us . . . — lets me gently refocus my attention and allows a more general awareness of a great many things at once: sights, sounds, smells and sensations of touch and balance as well as thoughts and feelings. When this general kind of awareness occurs, I feel relaxed and alert at the same time. (Hiss, 1987, p. 45)
EITC and the Self-employed: Real or Reporting Effects?

Saez finds that the budget constraint nonlinearities caused by the earned income tax credit (EITC) lead to bunching behavior for the self-employed but not for salaried workers. Possible explanation...