cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Multiple Source Effect and Synthesized Speech: Doubly-Disembodied Language as a Conceptual Framework

Two experiments examine the effect of multiple synthetic voices in an e-commerce context. In Study 1, participants (N = 40) heard five positive reviews about a book from five different synthetic voices or from a single synthetic voice. Consistent with the multiple source effect, results showed that participants hearing multiple synthetic voices evaluated the reviewed books more positively, predicted more favorable public reaction to the books, and felt greater social presence of virtual speakers. The effects were mediated by participants' feelings of social presence. The second experiment (N = 40) showed that the observed effects persisted even when participants, were shown the purely artificial nature of synthesized speech. These results support the idea that characteristics of synthetic voices in doubly disembodied language settings influence participants' imagination of virtual speakers, and that technological literacy does not hinder social responses to anthropomorphic technologies such as text-to-speech (TTS).
State estimation with stacks and interpolating functions for dynamic systems with missing observations and nonlinear interference

Abstract Stack sequential schemes and interpolating functions are used to estimate the states of general discrete dynamic models with missing observations and containing nonlinear random interference. The proposed scheme is faster than the estimation based upon the Viterbi algorithm.
Liver aspirate from a Shar Pei dog

A 5-year-old, neutered male, Shar Pei dog was presented with weight loss, anorexia, lethargy, stranguria, and distal limb edema. Clinicopathologic abnormalities included anemia, an inflammatory leukogram, azotemia, icterus, urinary tract infection, and hepatomegaly with a markedly hypoechoic liver. Cytologic findings in a fine-needle aspirate of the liver included large amounts of amorphous, pink, extracellular matrix between hepatocytes. The amorphous material was congophilic using Congo red stain on a hepatic cytology specimen and green birefringent areas were observed under polarized light, confirming the presence of amyloid. The dog was euthanized and a necropsy was done. Histopathologic evaluation using H&E and Congo red staining confirmed amyloid deposits within the liver, kidneys, intestinal vessels, pancreas, and mesenteric ganglia. Immunohistochemical staining of liver and kidney sections using anti-AA amyloid and anti-P component antibodies confirmed the presence of AA amyloid. In this case, we demonstrated that Congo red staining and polarized light microscopy are a useful diagnostic technique in cytologic specimens of suitable thickness for confirming the presence of amyloid.
MyoD, Myf5, and the calcineurin pathway activate the developmental myosin heavy chain genes

Myogenesis is accompanied by the activation of two developmental myosin heavy chains (MyHCs), embryonic and perinatal, followed by a dramatic decrease in their expression during early postnatal life. The pathways that control the transcription of these genes have not been previously determined. In this study, we identified cis-acting elements and trans-acting factors that regulate the expression of these two developmental MyHCs in the mouse. Between 800 and 1000 bp of proximal promoter sequence is sufficient to drive muscle-specific expression in cell culture. Further, these same regions contain sequences that confer downregulation in postnatal life in vivo. For the embryonic MyHC gene, the region between -791 bp and -626 bp contains the majority of activating elements. In the proximal promoter regions of both genes, we identified two E-box elements that work in conjunction to activate transcription, but only the embryonic MyHC E-boxes bind a complex containing MyoD. In addition, our results reveal activation by calcineurin that is transduced only partially by its conventional downstream effectors, MEF2 and NFAT. Some common features are shared between the promoters of these two genes; however, the mechanisms of their regulation appear distinct.
Effect of glutathione depletion on sulfate activation and sulfate ester formation in rats

Sulfation of organic compounds requires activation of inorganic sulfate via formation of adenosine 3'-phosphate 5'-phosphosulfate (PAPS). Inorganic sulfate can be formed by sulfoxidation of cysteine, which can be derived from GSH. Thus, a decrease in hepatic GSH may impair formation of inorganic sulfate, the synthesis of PAPS, and the sulfation of chemicals. This hypothesis was tested by investigating the effect of GSH depletion on the levels of inorganic sulfate in serum and of PAPS in liver, and on the capacity to form the sulfate conjugate of harmol in rats. Phorone (2 mmol/kg, i.p.) decreased hepatic GSH (97%), serum inorganic sulfate (63%), and hepatic PAPS (48%). Diethyl maleate and vinylidene chloride (6 mmol/kg, each, i.p.) were less effective than phorone in decreasing GSH in liver and inorganic sulfate in serum, and they did not alter hepatic PAPS levels. Three hours after phorone treatment, the nadir of hepatic PAPS concentration, harmol was injected in order to assess sulfation in vivo. After administration of harmol (100 and 300 mumol/kg, i.v.), less harmol sulfate and more harmol glucuronide were found in the serum of phorone-treated rats as compared to control rats. At the higher dosage of harmol, phorone reduced the biliary excretion of harmol sulfate while increasing the biliary excretion of harmol glucuronide. These results indicate that severe GSH depletion decreases PAPS formation and sulfation of chemicals. However, an increase in glucuronidation may compensate for the impaired sulfation.
Automation of the IC layout of continuous-time transconductance-capacitor filters

To exploit the increased circuit density available in current technologies for continuous-time (c-t) systems, it is proposed to extend the range of analogue design automation to the larger c-t subsystems, specifically filters, commonly found in communications, mass storage devices and other interfaces to real-world signals. the synthesis is based on LC ladder simulation using only transconductances and grounded capacitors (TGC). the method retains many of the characteristics of digital design automation and therefore allows a direct mapping of these techniques. the TGC approach is shown to require a minimum of component types which are ideally suited to integration in MOS, bipolar or GaAs technologies. A simple example for the automation of c-t filter designs as well as results of CMOS c-t filters are included to demonstrate the viability of this approach. Related and equally important areas addressed are tuning, compensation for parasitics and scaling.
Effect of sucrose as a lyoprotectant on the integrity of paclitaxel-loaded liposomes during lyophilization

AbstractContext: The stability of liposomes in the form of dispersion is a major concern due to drug leakage and fusion or aggregation. The stability can be improved by lyophilization, but the stress induced by the lyophilization process can affect the integrity of liposomes.Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the lyoprotective effect of sucrose on drug leakage and vesicle size of paclitaxel-loaded liposomes during the lyophilization process.Materials and methods: Paclitaxel-loaded liposomal dispersions were prepared with sucrose at several lipid–sugar ratios, and internal–external sugar ratios, and then lyophilized. The entrapped paclitaxel content and vesicle size were monitored before and after lyophilization. The stability of the formulation was evaluated at 5 and 25 °C.Results: A significant increase in free paclitaxel and vesicle size was observed with the liposomes lyophilized without sucrose. Inclusion of sucrose in the formulation significantly reduced the free paclitaxel conce...
The ephrinB2/EphB4 axis is dysregulated in osteoprogenitors from myeloma patients and its activation affects myeloma bone disease and tumor growth

Myeloma bone disease is caused by uncoupling of osteoclastic bone resorption and osteoblastic bone formation. Bidirectional signaling between the cell-surface ligand ephrinB2 and its receptor, EphB4, is involved in the coupling of osteoblastogenesis and osteoclastogenesis and in angiogenesis. EphrinB2 and EphB4 expression in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from myeloma patients and in bone cells in myelomatous bones was lower than in healthy counterparts. Wnt3a induced up-regulation of EphB4 in patient MSCs. Myeloma cells reduced expression of these genes in MSCs, whereas in vivo myeloma cell-conditioned media reduced EphB4 expression in bone. In osteoclast precursors, EphB4-Fc induced ephrinB2 phosphorylation with subsequent inhibition of NFATc1 and differentiation. In MSCs, EphB4-Fc did not induce ephrinB2 phosphorylation, whereas ephrinB2-Fc induced EphB4 phosphorylation and osteogenic differentiation. EphB4-Fc treatment of myelomatous SCID-hu mice inhibited myeloma growth, osteoclastosis, and angiogenesis and stimulated osteoblastogenesis and bone formation, whereas ephrinB2-Fc stimulated angiogenesis, osteoblastogenesis, and bone formation but had no effect on osteoclastogenesis and myeloma growth. These chimeric proteins had similar effects on normal bone. Myeloma cells expressed low to undetectable ephrinB2 and EphB4 and did not respond to the chimeric proteins. The ephrinB2/EphB4 axis is dysregulated in MM, and its activation by EphB4-Fc inhibits myeloma growth and bone disease.
Heterologous transfer of amyloid--human to mouse.

SummaryIntraperitoneal administration of human amyloid spleen homogenate together with casein caused amyloidosis in recipient C3H mice within 5 days. The results suggest the existence of a factor accelerating induction of amyloidosis that is active across histocompatibility barriers and provide a simpler model without immunosuppressive agents for further investigations of this transfer factor.
Transfer matrix approach to propagation of angular plane wave spectra through metamaterial multilayer structures

The development of electromagnetic (EM) metamaterials for perfect lensing and optical cloaking has given rise to novel multilayer bandgap structures using stacks of positive and negative index materials. Propagation of a collection of TE or TM plane waves, comprising the angular plane wave spectrum, through such structures is analyzed by using the transfer matrix method (TMM) on every plane wave component. Results obtained from this TMM approach for a Gaussian spectrum are compared with those using standard FEM techniques.
Gender-based wage differentials in a predominantly female profession: observations from nursing

Abstract Despite numerous studies examining nursing wages, very little attention has focused on nursing wage differentials. We build on previous research by modeling nursing wages and examining male–female wage differences within the context of the current nursing shortage. Our results show that male nurses do earn a wage premium, largely explained by employment as a nurse anesthetist, job satisfaction, and experience. Whether or not this differential indicates discrimination toward females in the US nursing labor market is unclear. Since males represent a small proportion of the nursing workforce, the time required for males to become prevalent in the nursing labor market and help ease the nursing shortage is unknown. Consequently, one must ask whether the male wage premium is sufficient to attract substantial numbers of men into nursing, and whether wages, in general, are sufficient to attract the requisite numbers of males and females into nursing to address the shortage ‘crisis’.
Measurement and quantification of stereotypy in freely behaving subjects: An information analysis

Stereotypy is typically defined as abnormal, repetitive, and purposeless motor behavior. In this study, stereotypy was more rigorously and generally defined in terms ofH, the typical metric for entropy, and was measured using computer-driven analyses of filtered and digitized video records. This technique was validated using rats treated with d-amphetamine, which has been shown to be an effective stimulant of traditionally defined stereotypy in a wide variety of species. Rats were treated with 0, 1, 2, and 4 mg/kg body weight d-amphetamine sulfate, and their unrestrained behavior was recorded on videotape. Our results confirm previous research that found stereotypy to occur at high doses of amphetamine. However, the present measure of stereotypy brought out additional complexities. Our results indicate that stereotypy occurred at significant levels with low drug doses, and, furthermore, that stereotypy in general was highly dependent upon the level of behavioral complexity considered. Finally, we discuss the advantages of the present metric for studying stereotypy.
Luminal Cholecystokinin and Gastrin Cause Gallbladder Contraction

Cholecystokinin-8 placed in the gallbladder lumen causes gallbladder contraction by a neurally mediated, tetrodotoxin-sensitive mechanism. We wished to determine whether other cholecystokinin-like peptides in the gallbladder lumen cause contraction and whether this response is inhibited by cholecystokinin-receptor antagonists. In this study, we measured gallbladder contraction induced by cholecystokinin-like peptides or by hepatic bile placed in the gallbladder lumen. Isolated gallbladders were suspended in an organ bath while luminal hormones were infused. Gallbladder contraction was measured by continuous monitoring of luminal pressure. Cholecystokinin-8, cholecystokinin-5, and gastrin-17 caused dose-related gallbladder contraction with similar potency when placed in the lumen. Each stimulated 70-80% maximal contraction at a luminal concentration of 10(-6) M. Cholecystokinin-receptor antagonists CR1409 and loxiglumide partially inhibited contraction caused by luminal cholecystokinin-8. Bile from fed animals, but not from fasted animals, stimulated gallbladder contraction to 36 +/- 4% of maximal when placed in the gallbladder lumen. We conclude that cholecystokinin and gastrin peptides in the gallbladder lumen cause contraction. This may be mediated through receptors of the cholecystokinin-B type, possibly on intrinsic nerves. Bile from fed animals also contains substances that stimulate gallbladder contraction when bile is placed in the gallbladder lumen. These findings suggest intrinsic nerves participate in the postprandial gallbladder response to cholecystokinin.
An international regulatory clinical trial comparative

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to establish historic regulatory conditions and priority national characteristics eliciting outstanding best practices in clinical trial regulatory systems, towards global health objectives through targeted economic development.Design/methodology/approach – Exploratory review of clinical trial processes of three industrialized nations with similar democratic processes – Japan, the UK and the USA – in order to determine the efficacy of international clinical trials.Findings – Outstanding best practices in national vaccine clinical trials can guide the international economic development, manufacturing and distribution policy strategies necessary to form the basis of a cross‐cultural global delivery system.Originality/value – This study's contribution to academic literature is threefold: first, it reviews established fundamental clinical trial processes for Japan, the UK and the USA; second, it distinguishes similarities and differences to determine best practices; and ...
Electroreduction of primary alkyl iodides in acetonitrile

Abstract The mechanism of cathodic reduction of ethyl-, butyl-, and decyl iodide at mercury and carbon electrodes in acetonitrile solutions is investigated using reverse pulse polarography (RPP) and other voltammetric techniques together with coulometry. The iodide product is determined quantitatively on voltammetric time scales by RPP using the wave for oxidation of mercury in the presence of iodide. On carbon the reduction is a single two-electron process (first electron rate-determining). On mercury the alkyl iodide (RI) is reduced in a one-electron process to form an adsorbed radical, RHg . (ads), which can be reduced further to R − after desorption. Voltammetric and especially coulometric behavior is influenced by dimerization of RHg . to form R 2 Hg and by reaction of the carbanion with proton donors and with RI.
New spectroscopic analyses of the A1Σ+-X1Σ+ bands of 7LiH

Abstract The emission spectrum of 7 LiH has been photographed in the ∼5200- to 8700-A region and the previously taken spectrum in the ∼3400- to 5300-A region has been reexamined. Bands of the A 1 Σ + - X 1 Σ + electronic transition have been analyzed and the observed vibrational structure of the ground state has been extended from v ″ = 5 to v ″ = 12. Rotational levels significantly higher than those previously reported have been observed, and the higher rotational levels of v ′ = 0, 1, and 2 of the A 1 Σ + state were found to be anomalous. This anomaly is attributable to a breakdown of the rotational expansion for the anomalous A 1 Σ + potential. A comparison of observed and theoretical relative band intensities reveals discrepancies presumably related to rotational shifts in transition probabilities, inaccuracies in the vibrational wavefunctions for low v ′ of the A 1 Σ + state, and/or inaccuracies in the A - X electronic transition moment. New RKR turning points have been calculated up to v ″ = 12 of the X 1 Σ + state. A cumulative list of all lines that have been identified belonging to the A 1 Σ + - X 1 Σ + transition of 7 LiH is included.
Elimination of AV nodal reentrant tachycardia with 2:1 VA block by posteroseptal ablation.

AV Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia. AV nodal reentry capable of VA block during tachycardia was successfully eliminated using a posteroseptal ablation pulse delivered well away from the site of earliest atrial activation during tachycardia. A possible explanation is that the arrhythmia represented typical AV nodal reentrant tachycardia with transient intra atrial conduction block during tachycardia.
Problems of scale in the modeling and interpretation of coastal dunes

Abstract Coastal dune systems are studied at time scales from seconds to millennia, and space scales from millimeters to kilometers. Present approaches to the study of coastal dunes make it difficult to integrate models and interpretations of these systems over these scale ranges and arrive at reasonable conclusions. It is argued that identification of key controls on dune development, measurement of those controls, and synthesis of data, describing past and present conditions and used as calibration points, will improve the viability of coastal dune models. Theoretical and empirical advances are necessary to improve the reliability of predictions across a range of geomorphological scales. Attempts at linking theoretical (systematic) models, process (synoptic) measurement, and historical or paleoenvironmental (synthetic) approaches make explicit the recognition that at time scales of more than a few hours, and space scales greater than a few hundred meters, deterministic models become unstable vis-a-vis prototype environments. Process “climatologies” provide one means to link process-based work with broader-scaled analysis. As scales increase, such climatologies will become less appropriate as the data become less reliable, or as the systems change, or as the scales become too large relative to the process record lengths. In these conditions, specific data (i.e. samples) representing points in time and space become check points for calibrating models. It should be possible, ideally, to integrate both up and down time and space scales. This is not yet possible.
Validity of the miami structured interview-1 for assessing type a behavior, competitiveness, and aggression in children

The validity of the Miami Structured Interview-1 for measuring Type A behavior in children was examined in 122 boys 8 to 16 years old. We assessed the relationship between interview ratings and Type A and factor analytically derived Type A component scores from the Matthews Youth Test for Health (MYTH), a teacher rating scale. The validity of interview ratings was initially supported by significant correlations with MYTH Type A scores for preadolescents rated by English teachers and adolescents rated by English and mathematics teachers. Principal-components analyses of the MYTH items revealed components we labeled “competitiveness-leadership” and “impatience-aggression.” Interview ratings were related to the competitiveness-leadership component from English and mathematics teachers of both age groups but not the impatience-aggression component. The implications of these findings and the strengths and limitations of the Miami Structured Interview-1 for preadolscents and adolescents are discussed.
Opportunities in chemistry and materials science for topological insulators and their nanostructures

Electrical charges on the boundaries of topological insulators favour forward motion over back-scattering at impurities, producing low-dissipation, metallic states that exist up to room temperature in ambient conditions. These states have the promise to impact a broad range of applications from electronics to the production of energy, which is one reason why topological insulators have become the rising star in condensed-matter physics. There are many challenges in the processing of these exotic materials to use the metallic states in functional devices, and they present great opportunities for the chemistry and materials science research communities.
The sodium superoxide radical: X̃2A2 and Ã 2B2 potential energy surfaces

Abstract The two lowest electronic states of NaO 2 have been studied using ab initio methods, including RHF SCF, CISD, Davidson corrected CISD, UHF SCF, UMP2-UMP4, CASSCF, and CISD on CASSCF based natural orbitals, with basis sets ranging in quality from Na(11s7p/7s5p), O(9s5pld/5s3pld) to Na(13s10p2dlf/7s6p2dlf), O(11s7p2dlf/6s4p2dlf), i.e. from TZ+d to TZ2P+f+R. Total and relative energies, geometries, vibrational frequencies, and dipole moments of stationary points on the X 2 A 2 and A 2 B 2 surfaces have been determined. A C 2v minimum is proposed for X 2 A 2 NaO 2 with r e (OO)=1.335 and r e (NaO)=2.10 A. The analogous structure for the A 2 B 2 state is predicted to have r e (OO)=1.34 and r e (NAO)=2.13 A with an adiabatic excitation energy of T e =8.5 kcal mol −1 . Linear, 2 ΠNaOO, which correlates to the 2 A 2 and 2 B 2 minima via C s transition states, is predicted to be a shallow minimum lying 17 kcal mol −1 above the X 2 A 2 structure but with a barrier to rearrangement of less than 1 kcal mol −1 . The dissociation energy of the ground state of NaO 2 is deduced to be D 0 =38 kcal mol −1 , a value substantially lower than recent experiment estimates.
Markers of coagulation and inflammation often remain elevated in ART-treated HIV-infected patients.

Purpose of review Current antiretroviral therapies have dramatically changed the disease course of HIV infection. Although antiretroviral therapy is effective at decreasing viral replication and preserving CD4 T-cell numbers, low-level immune activation and inflammation persist in virally suppressed HIV-infected patients. This chronic immune activation/inflammation may contribute to an increased risk for venous and arterial thrombosis. Recent findings Several markers of coagulation and inflammation are increased in HIV-infected patients. The Strategies for the Management of Antiretroviral Therapy study reported that plasma D-dimer levels, a marker of fibrinolysis, independently predicted morbidity in HIV-infected patients. Increased plasma and cell surface levels of the procoagulant tissue factor have also been reported in patients with HIV disease. Fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor, and P-selectin are likewise increased in plasma samples of HIV-infected patients; all of these markers suggest HIV-infection results in a procoagulant state. Treatment with antiretroviral therapy reduces, but does not always normalize, levels of biomarkers associated with inflammation and coagulation in HIV+ patients. Summary HIV-infected patients are at greater risk for both venous and arterial thrombosis. Chronic immune activation and inflammation in these patients appears to contribute to coagulation risk. Antiretroviral therapy reduces viral replication, immune activation, and markers of coagulation, but these indices do not always return to normal, even after several years of viremic control.
Assessing immunization rates in an ambulatory care setting

Members of the Collaborative Immunization Initiatives determined the immunization coverage rates for two groups of children in our clinic: those 7 to 12 months old and those 18 to 23 months old. The Clinic Assessment Software Application from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was used. The immunization rates determined by this method appeared to significantly underestimate the vaccination coverage rates in our clinic. A review of available charts included in the original sample was done excluding patients no longer attending our clinic. We found a higher rate of coverage in the same sample and a low rate of missed opportunities for administering immunizations. The major reason for this discrepancy is overly stringent Clinic Assessment Software Application inclusion criteria. Additional factors include failure to take into account the wide range of acceptable ages for administering immunizations and different dosages for different brands of vaccines. Different methods of calculation may cause as much as a 20% difference in immunization rates for the same or similar population groups. Such large differences may lead to vastly different responses and interventions. We believe that a central registry is the most accurate method of determining immunization rates. Until this is widely available and applied, a more accurate measure of a facility’s immunization effectiveness is the number of missed opportunities for administering immunizations.
The use of piezoelectric film and ultrasound resonance to determine the complete elastic tensor in one measurement.

The ultrasonic and elastic properties of materials are conventionally measured using quartz, lithium niobate, etc., transducers and a pulse‐echo technique with the transducer driven at resonance. Problems with the technique include transducer ringing, transducer‐sample coupling, parallelism of sample faces, beam diffraction, and the necessity of remounting transducers in order to measure all of the elastic constants. Usually, these problems can be minimized, but with samples that are only a fraction of a millimeter in size, conventional ultrasound measurements become difficult if not impossible. However, nearly all of these problems may be avoided if a resonance technique is used, and all of the elastic constants may be determined with a single measurement. For the broadband response and minimum transducer loading required for a resonance measurement in a small sample, polyvinylidene flouride (PVDF) piezoelectric film (as thin as 9 μm) is ideally suitable.
Financial Deregulation, the Demand for Money, and Monetary Policy in Australia

Factors contributing to the deregulation of the Australian financial system are reviewed and the implications of deregulation are discussed for the transmission mechanism of monetary policy, the interest elasticity of money balances, and the stability of money demand. Several models of money demand, using three definitions of money, are estimated by both fixed- and random-coefficient techniques. Empirical results provide evidence that financial deregulation has led to a breakdown in the well-behaved money demand relationships that held in the regulated financial environment.
AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE METHOD OF ISOLATING AND RECOVERING THE BACILLUS OF CATTLE ABORTION THROUGH GUINEA PIGS

1. Bacillus abortus Bang can be regularly recovered from guinea pigs inoculated with material containing the bacillus within 3 to 4 weeks. 2. The method is especially useful in recovering the organism from fetal membranes which, as a rule, are obtained after having come in contact with fecal matter, bedding, etc. 3. The spleen is the organ in which the bacteria are regularly present and in largest numbers. Cultures must be made from it to ensure success.
Dynamic Time Domain Backcalculation of Layer Moduli, Damping, and Thicknesses in Flexible Pavements

A dynamic time domain method was developed to backcalculate the layer moduli, damping ratios, and thicknesses of asphalt pavements from dynamic falling weight deflectometer test data. The method uses the SAPSI program as a forward routine and a Newton-Raphson method for the backcalculation. The advantage of the time domain approach is that SAPSI can match selected features of the measured time histories directly, and inaccurate measurements at the ends of histories can be ignored. The peak deflections and the time lag between the peak of the load and the peak of the deflections at different sensors are matched. The Newton algorithm in MICHBACK is adopted to perform the backcalculation. The new algorithm is capable of backcalculating the moduli, damping ratios, and thicknesses of three-layer flexible pavements reasonably well. Backcalculations based on synthetic time histories generated using SAPSI show excellent stability and accuracy. Backcalculation using measured time histories yields less accurate results. Possible sources for the discrepancies when using field data are addressed.
COMPONENTS OF VARIANCE MODELS WITH TRANSFORMATIONS

Summary Power transformations are a popular way to improve the agreement between the observations and the assumptions in a statistical model. In this paper it is assumed that the data, after appropriate power transformation Λ, satisfies a variance components model, with independent Gaussian components. The focus is on inference for quantities which have an interpretation regardless of the choice of Λ (Carroll & Ruppert, 1981) – in particular the intraclass correlation coefficient ρ, the predicted probability of a new observation being less than a specified value and the predicted quantile. It is shown that, in the case Λ= 0, the asymptotic variance of ρ is the same, whether or not one treats Δ as estimated or as known. This supports an empirical conjecture of Solomon (1985). For predicted probabilities and predicted quantiles the variance when A is estimated is shown to be only slightly greater than the variance assuming Δ is known, except in the tails of the distribution where there can be substantial difference between the two variances.
Diminished Virulence of Glucan Synthesis-Defective Mutants of Streptococcus mutans

The virulence of cell surface-associated, glucan synthesis-defective mutants of Streptococcus mutans strain 6715-13 was studied. Representatives from three groups of such mutants were tested for their pathogenicity in conventionalized, specific pathogen-free rats and gnotobiotic rats. The mutants differ from the wild-type strain in that each failed to form plaque on the smooth surfaces of the teeth and to cause smooth surface caries. Although the ability to form cell surface-associated glucans was not a strict requirement for the expression of virulence in the sulci of the teeth, it augmented virulence at such sites. However, the ability to form cell surface-associated glucans and to adhere to the teeth was clearly not the sole determinant of virulence.
Cross-sectional study of the characteristics of reported elder self-neglect in a community-dwelling population: findings from a population-based cohort

Background: Elder self-neglect is an important public health issue. However, little is known about the characteristics of self-neglect and its association with social factors among
Focused ultrasound: relevant history and prospects for the addition of mechanical energy to the neurosurgical armamentarium.

Although the concept of focused ultrasonography emerged more than 70 years ago, the need for a craniectomy obviated its development as a noninvasive technology. Since then advances in phased array transducers and magnetic resonance imaging technology have resurrected the ultrasound as a noninvasive therapeutic for a plethora of neurological conditions ranging from embolic stroke and intracranial hemorrhage to movement disorders and brain neoplasia. In the same way that stereotactic radiosurgery has fundamentally changed the scope and treatment paradigms of tumor and specifically skull base surgery, focused ultrasound has a similar potential to revolutionize the field of neurological surgery. In addition, focused ultrasound comes without the general complexity or the risks of ionizing radiation that accompany radiosurgery. As the quest for minimally invasive and noninvasive therapeutics continues to define the new neurosurgery, the focused ultrasound evolves to join the neurosurgical armamentarium.
Human tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase can efficiently complement the Saccharoymces cerevisiae homologue, Wrs1P

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases corresponding to each of the 20 amino acids are essential proteins for nearly all cells. The tryptophan-specific enzyme in the cytoplasm of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ScWRS) is a 49-kDa protein encoded by the WRS1 gene and required for survival. The human enzyme (HsWRS) is a 54-kDa protein with 46% sequence identity to ScWRS. HsWRS has a kinase domain in the N-terminal region and a serine phosphorylation site near the C-terminus not present in the yeast enzyme. To determine if the gene encoding the human protein could functionally complement the WRS1 gene, HsWRS cDNA was cloned in the expression vectors pVT100U and pYES then transformed into a diploid yeast where one copy of WRS1 had been replaced with a G418R gene. Tetrads derived from these transformants were dissected and spores germinated on media selecting for the presence of the plasmids. Haploid colonies were then tested for resistance to G418. G418R cells were unable to grow in the presence of 5-fluoroorotic acid, indicating their dependence on the plasmids for viability. Polymerase chain reaction analysis of these cells confirmed the presence of the HsWRS gene and the absence of WRS1. Growth rates of cells expressing HsWRS are essentially identical to the parent. This demonstrates that the human enzyme can function in yeast and effectively replace the ScWRS protein in spite of the presence of two unique functions and a >50% overall difference in amino acid sequence.
Precautions regarding nonword repetition tasks

Using nonword repetition tasks as an experimental approach with both adults and children has become quite common in the past 10 to 15 years for studying lexical learning and phonological processing (e.g., Bailey & Hahn, 2001; Gathercole, Frankish, Pickering & Peaker, 1998; Munson, Edwards, & Beckman, 2005; Storkel, 2001; Vitevich & Luce, 2005). In her Keynote, Gathercole (2006) indicates that “The ability to repeat multisyllabic nonwords…probably represents the most effective predictor of language learning ability that is currently known” and that “nonword repetition…may also hold the key to understanding developmental disorders of language learning.” Her Keynote reviews many of the findings from a variety of nonword repetition studies with typically developing children and children with specific language impairment (SLI) or other language-related disorders. Despite the substantial benefits and interesting findings that nonword test paradigms have provided in addressing different issues, a number of questions and precautions should be kept in mind regarding such approaches. Researchers who routinely employ these procedures are likely to be well aware of these issues, and in fact, Gathercole points out some of the limitations. For those less familiar with nonword repetition tasks, it seems advisable to reinforce the need for a certain amount of caution in evaluating the results of such approaches.
Choroid-Plexus Transport of Enkephalins and Other Neuropeptides

The concept that uptake of small molecules by choroid plexus in vitro is representative of transport by choroid plexus in vivo has been well established in the past 20 years through the work of Lorenzo, Lajtha, Cutler, and others.8,10-12 The transport of amino acids, neurotransmitter amines, vitamins, and a variety of drugs has been described, and functional roles for transport of each category of substance have been proposed. Thus, the transport of amino acids can be viewed as a homeostatic mechanism that influences protein synthesis in the nervous system,4 and the transport of neurotransmitter amines such as norepinephrine and 5-hydroxytryptamine may serve to remove these substances released into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from brain.15 Drugs are believed to be transported by systems that have as their primary role the transport of one of the natural substances mentioned.
Thinking About Me How Social Awareness Evolved

Humans seem unique in their consideration of others' goals, motivations, intentions, and needs. But the human form of social awareness did not spring from nowhere; certain mechanisms shared across primates formed the foundation from which these processes derived. A review of recent nonhuman primate research points to particular ancestral mechanisms, including an interest in images moving in synchrony with self, a mirror neuron system that responds in the same way to actions made by the self and by others, and inherited social tolerance that provided the bases for social thinking. Still there is a gap in tracking social awareness from these basic beginnings to the ability to think about self and other with respect to intentions and goals. Comparative and clinical work will fill in this gap and will map brain processes onto social thinking.
Optimized Synthesis and Structural Characterization of the Borosilicate MCM-70

A structure analysis of the borosilicate zeolite MCM-70, whose synthesis had been patented in 2003, was reported in 2005. Unfortunately, that structure analysis was somewhat ambiguous. Anisotropic line broadening made it difficult to model the peak shape, some peaks in the electron density map could not be interpreted satisfactorily, the framework geometry was distorted, and MAS NMR results were partially contradictory. In an attempt to resolve some of these points, an optimization of the synthesis was undertaken, and the structure was reinvestigated. The structure was solved from synchrotron powder diffraction data collected on an as-synthesized sample (Pmn2_1, a = 13.3167(1) A, b = 4.6604(1) A, c = 8.7000(1) A) using a powder charge-flipping algorithm. The framework topology, with a 1-dimensional, 10-ring channel system, is identical to the one previously reported. However, the B in this new sample was found to be ordered in the framework, fully occupying one of the four tetrahedral sites. Two extra-framework K^+ ion positions, each coordinated to five framework O atoms and one water molecule, were also found. The solid state ^(29)Si, ^(11)B and ^1H NMR results are fully consistent with this ordered structure.
CyberHood Connections: Educational Webmasters and Designing Hypermedia Environments.

As access to the Internet grows, educators are defining how to use its resources for classroom instruction, alternative education models, and as an instructional tool that supports student learning and achievement. The Center for Urban Youth and Technology (CUYT) has developed a design model that introduces educators, teachers, and students to hypermedia and the Internet. The basis for the CyberHood initiative is a concern about the economic and educational conditions in urban cities and a belief in the potential of technology to support and improve the same. Working collaboratively with an Internet web company (the Aframian World Enterprises) and a school-to-work program (Youth Construction Initiative Program) at the University at Albany, our research focused on development of an educational hypermedia model for instruction and design.
PRODUCTION, ISOTOPIC COMPOSITION, AND ATMOSPHERIC FATE OF BIOLOGICALLY PRODUCED NITROUS OXIDE

The anthropogenic production of greenhouse gases and their consequent effects on global climate have garnered international attention for years. A remaining challenge facing scientists is to unambiguously quantify both sources and sinks of targeted gases. Microbiological metabolism accounts for the largest source of nitrous oxide (N2O), mostly due to global conversion of land for agriculture and massive usage of nitrogen-based fertilizers. A most powerful method for characterizing the sources of N2O lies in its multi-isotope signature. This review summarizes mechanisms that lead to biological N2O production and how discriminate placement of 15N into molecules of N2O occurs. Through direct measurements and atmospheric modeling, we can now place a constraint on the isotopic composition of biological sources of N2O and trace its fate in the atmosphere. This powerful interdisciplinary combination of biology and atmospheric chemistry is rapidly advancing the closure of the global N2O budget.
Diffusion and redistribution of rubidium in hollow-core photonic bandgap fibers

We characterize the diffusion and redistribution processes that Rb atoms undergo on the inner silica surface of hollow-core photonic bandgap fibers by investigating the dynamics of fiber-transmission and light-induced atomic desorption.
Myocardial infarct reconstruction and sizing by three-dimensional echocardiography

Current 2-D echo methods are based on use of geometric assumptions that are likely to be invalid in the presence of infarction. 3-D echo eliminates these assumptions and uses a line of intersection display to position non-parallel, unevenly spaced, non-intersecting images of the ventricle. Chamber boundaries are traced and infarct margins marked. Using a polyhedral surface reconstruction algorithm total endocardial surface area (TESA) and infarct surface area (ISA) are computed. The accuracy of this method was assessed by using a pin model, fixed animal hearts, and in humans, by comparison to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Accuracies for TESA and ISA for the pin model were 1.36% and 2.13%, and for the fixed hearts were 1.61% and 3.48%. In 15 normal humans, 3-D TESA correlated very well with MRI TESA with a standard error of the estimate of 8 cm/sup 2/. 3-D echo accurately computes surface areas presented to it by the operator without the use of geometric assumptions. >
How Many Deaf People Are There in the United States? Estimates From the Survey of Income and Program Participation

The Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) is one of a few national surveys that regularly collects data identifying the American population of persons with hearing loss or deafness. Estimates from the SIPP indicate that fewer than 1 in 20 Americans are currently deaf or hard of hearing. In round numbers, nearly 10,000,000 persons are hard of hearing and close to 1,000,000 are functionally deaf. More than half of all persons with hearing loss or deafness are 65 years or older and less than 4% are under 18 years of age. However, these findings are limited to those who report difficulty hearing "normal conversation" and do not include the larger population of persons with hearing loss for which only hearing outside the range and circumstances of normal conversation is affected. Policy makers, communications technology manufacturers, health and education service providers, researchers, and advocacy organizations have an interest in these results.
Are There Delusions Specific for Paranoid Disorders vs. Schizophrenia

DSM-1II proposes that only persecutory delusions and delusions of jealousy can occur in paranoid disorders, all other types of delusions in the absence of an affective syndrome being indicative of schizophrenia . The scant empirical evidence relevant to this issue suggests that the type of delusion on admission is not predictive of outcome in patients with paranoid psychosis. These findings raise questions about the validity of the distinction drawn in DSM-III between types of delusions.
Two-dimensional, frequency domain, adaptive system modeling using three-dimensional spatiotemporal inputs

In this paper, an adaptive, frequency domain, steepest descent algorithm for two-dimensional (2-D) system modeling is presented. The algorithm is derived here for the equation error model, and models the 2-D spatially linear and invariant unknown system by a 2-D auto-regressive, moving-average (ARMA) process. The proposed technique is implemented in the 3-D spatiotemporal domain. At each iteration, corresponding to a given pair of input and output images, the algorithm is formulated to minimize the energy of an error-function in the frequency-domain by adjusting the coefficients of the 2-D ARMA model. Signal dependent, optimal convergence factors, referred to as the homogenous convergence factors, are developed. Computer simulations demonstrate the algorithm's excellent adaptation accuracy and convergence speed. For illustration, the proposed algorithm is successfully applied to modeling a time varying 2-D system. >
Perispinal etanercept: a new therapeutic paradigm in neurology

Etanercept is a potent antagonist of TNF, a pleotropic immune signaling molecule that is also a pivotal regulator of synaptic function. Excess TNF is centrally involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of inflammatory neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, sciatica, traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury. Perispinal etanercept produces rapid improvement in both Alzheimer's disease and sciatica and in other forms of disc-related pain. Basic research and the observed clinical effects suggest that etanercept has the surprising ability to penetrate into the cerebrospinal fluid after perispinal administration. Perispinal administration is a novel method of delivery designed to introduce this anti-TNF molecule into the bidirectional cerebrospinal venous system and the cerebrospinal fluid to facilitate its selective delivery to either spinal structures or the brain. The scientific rationale, physiologic mechanisms, clinical effects and potential clinical indications of this therapeutic approach are the subject of this article.
The greying of the baby boom in the United States: framing the policy debate.

Issues surrounding the retirement of the large post-World War II baby boom generation in the United States are often framed either in terms of impending intergenerational crisis or as an event to which the United States can gradually adjust. This paper examines these two perspectives as they compete to define U.S. social security policy. It suggests that the intergenerational crisis perspective functions primarily as an ideological argument and strategy for de-structuring social welfare policy. In contrast the gradual adjustment perspective provides a stronger basis for planning social security and other policy responses to the ageing of the baby boom. However it is not informed by a clear social vision and has not as yet responded sufficiently to the potential divisiveness which may accompany changing demography. Also to date relatively little attention has been paid to the diverse social and economic circumstances of baby boomers and the implications of this diversity for retirement planning. (EXCERPT)