cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Changes in liking as a function of the magnitude and affect of sequential evaluations

Abstract A study was conducted to test derivations from the gain-loss model of interpersonal attraction ( Aronson & Linder, 1965 ). In brief, liking change was examined within negative-positive and positive-negative sequences that consisted of evaluations differing in magnitude. The results confirmed gain-loss derivations in both sequences where evaluations of minor importance were followed by evaluations of major importance (a negative-positive sequence induced increases in liking, a positive-negative sequence induced decreases in liking); supportive results were also found in one major-minor sequence. A major negative-minor positive sequence produced increases in liking but the major positive-minor negative sequence did not produce decreases in liking. The increase in liking in the former (−−/+) sequence was significantly greater than the decrease (or lack thereof) in the latter (++/−) sequence ( t = 3.70). In addition, the final liking ratings showed that a positive-negative sequence induced greater liking than a negative-positive sequence ( F = 7.30) rather than the reverse as the gain-loss model predicts. The results were discussed in terms of the limits they suggested for the gain-loss model.
A comparative study of post-heparin lipolytic activity and a purified human plasma triacylglycerol lipase

Abstract 1. 1. Optimal assay conditions were determined for a triacylglycerol lipase purified from human post-heparin plasma. The characteristics of this enzyme were compared to those of crude post-heparin plasma and adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase activities. 2. 2. Assay in solutions of high ionic strength (i.e. l M NaCl) resulted in activation of the purified enzyme. This activation was shown to be associated with a marked reduction in apparent molecular weight by gel filtration experiments. 3. 3. A pH optimum of 9.0 was observed for the purified triacylglycerol lipase. Evidence is presented for the existence of a factor in pre-heparin plasma which can cause a shift in the pH optimum to 7.6. 4. 4. The characteristics of the crude post-heparin plasma triacylglycerol lipase activity are compatible with the presence of both this enzyme and a lipase with the properties of adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase.
ARISTOTELIAN ETHICS AND BIOPHILIA

Biophilia is a concept that has been much utilized as a foundation for an environmental or “land” ethic. E.O. Wilson characterizes it as a genetic disposition that links human survival to valuing living systems. J. Baird Callicott argues that human sentiments are naturally directed to all living systems and beings and this sentiment has evolutionary value. This author contends that if biophilia is to be a viable foundation for such an ethic, it must be conceived more abstractly and broadly as an interconnecting feature of biotic systems. The foundation for such a conception can be found in Aristotle’s ethics, wherein his discussion of friendship, philia , can provide a theory of interspecies obligation. Although Aristotle’s focus in the Nicomachean Ethics is human relations, he makes it clear that this sentiment can be felt towards other living beings. This paper develops a broader conception of philia that includes interspecies relationships and then reconceives the modern concept of biophilia as a form of interspecies philia . It goes on to argue, using Aristotle’s theory of obligation as reciprocity within friendship, that such a re-conception of biophilia might provide another approach to founding an environmental ethic on a theory of sentiment.
HALVING AND DOUBLING ISOMETRIC FORCE : EVIDENCE FOR A DECELERATING PSYCHOPHYSICAL FUNCTION CONSISTENT WITH AN EQUILIBRIUM-POINT MODEL OF MOTOR CONTROL

Several previous investigations have measured accelerating psychophysical functions for perceived force with exponents of about 1.7. Two halving and doubling experiments presented here imply a psychophysical function for perceived force with an exponent between 0.6 and 0.8. That is, more than a doubling of force was needed to double the sensation, and similarly for halving. In the first experiment, subjects squeezed rigid instrumented cylinders between the thumb and first two fingers of each hand. They generated and released a reference force with one hand, and then squeezed the opposite hand to produce a sensation magnitude equal to, twice that, or half that of the reference. An analysis using a model that accounted for compression bias yielded average psychophysical functions with exponents of 0.58 and 0.59 (nondominant and dominant hands, respectively). The second experiment was an attempt to replicate earlier results and to reconcile them with the first experiment by using a paradigm duplicated from a previous study. Subjects in the second experiment made unilateral halving and doubling judgments of handgrip while squeezing a hand dynamometer. Again, the halving and doubling judgments yielded decelerating functions with exponents of 0.75 and 0.80 (nondominant and dominant hands, respectively). Even though the results of the first two experiments contradict earlier investigations, they can be explained by an equilibrium model of motor control assuming that subjects halve and double the central motor command rather than the sensation of force. The force is simply the result of the mechanical equilibrium established between the load and the compliant effector (the hand). The predicted relationship between the motor command judgments, the compliance of the hand, and the resultant forces was confirmed in a third experiment in which the mechanical compliance of the three-finger pinch was measured by using a pneumatic manipulandum to apply force perturbations in a “do-notintervene” paradigm. The measured compliance characteristic was accelerating, just as predicted by the model, in order to produce a decelerating psychophysical function for “perceived force.” In this experiment, then, judgments of perceived force appear to be judgments of the central motor command.
Functions of parahippocampal place area and retrosplenial cortex in real-world scene analysis: An fMRI study

We used functional MRI to investigate several hypotheses concerning the functions of posterior parahippocampal cortex and retrosplenial cortex, two regions that preferentially activate to images of real-world scenes compared to images of other meaningful visual stimuli such as objects and faces. We compared activation resulting from photographs of rooms, city streets, cityscapes, and landscapes against activation to a control condition of objects. Activation in posterior parahippocampal cortex, including parahippocampal place area, was greater for all scene types than objects, and greater for scenes that clearly convey information about local three-dimensional (3-D) structure (city streets and rooms) than scenes that do not (cityscapes and landscapes). Similar differences were observed in retrosplenial cortex, though activation was also greater for city streets than rooms. These results suggest that activation in both cortical areas is primarily related to analysis or representation of local 3-D space. Th...
Reconstructing Volume Tracking

A new algorithm for the volume tracking of interfaces in two dimensions is presented. The algorithm is based upon a well-defined, second-order geometric solution of a volume evolution equation. The method utilizes local discrete material volume and velocity data to track interfaces of arbitrarily complex topology. A linearity-preserving, piecewise linear interface geometry approximation ensures that solutions generated retain second-order spatial accuracy. Second-order temporal accuracy is achieved by virtue of a multidimensional unsplit time integration scheme. We detail our geometrically based solution method, in which material volume fluxes are computed systematically with a set of simple geometric tasks. We then interrogate the method by testing its ability to track interfaces through large, controlled topology changes, whereby an initially simple interface configuration is subjected to vortical flows. Numerical results for these strenuous test problems provide evidence for the algorithm's improved solution quality and accuracy.
Tracing exhumation and orogenic wedge dynamics in the European Alps with detrital thermochronology

Detrital cooling ages from the pro-foreland and retro-foreland basins of the European Alps record distinctive exhumation trends that correlate with orogenic wedge states inferred from thrust front propagation rates. Periods of rapid hinterland exhumation correlate with relatively slow propagation of deformation toward the foreland and are interpreted to represent subcritical wedge conditions, whereas periods of slow hinterland exhumation correlate with rapid propagation of deformation toward the foreland and indicate supercritical wedge conditions. Similar lag time trends recorded in both the pro-foreland and retro-foreland thus mimic orogenic wedge behavior and suggest that local tectonics and/or climate events do not overprint the regional signal.
Anomalous Pitot tube and hot film measurements in dilute polymer solutions

Abstract The experiments reported show that Pitot tubes and hot film cylinders behave anomalously in the turbulent flow of dilute polymer solutions. The discrepancy in the Pitot tube readings increases with the absolute velocity, the molecular weight and concentration of polymer, and with decreasing Pitot tube diameter. This discrepancy is also a function, as yet undetermined, of the ambient strain rate. Hot film measurements indicate that for cylinders in cross flow the heat transfer is poorer in polymer solutions than in the solvent and exhibits abrupt transitions over which the heat transfer coefficient may vary by threefold. The heat transfer improves with increasing ambient strain rate and with decreasing polymer molecular weight.
Development of an inverse optimization package to plan nonuniform dose distributions based on spatially inhomogeneous radiosensitivity extracted from biological images

An inverse optimization package which is capable of generating nonuniform dose distribution with subregional dose escalation is developed to achieve maximum equivalent uniform dose (EUD) for target while keeping the critical structure doses as low as possible. Relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) maps obtained with a dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced MRI technique were used to delineate spatial radiosensitivity distributions. The voxel rCBV was converted to voxel radiosensitivity parameters (e.g., {alpha} and {alpha}/{beta}) based on previously reported correlations between rCBV, tumor grade, and radiosensitivity. A software package, DOSEPAINT, developed using MATLAB, optimizes the beamlet weights to achieve maximum EUD for target while limiting doses to critical structures. Using DOSEPAINT, we have generated nonuniform 3D-dose distributions for selected patient cases. Depending on the variation of the pixel radiosensitivity, the subregional dose escalation can be as high as 35% of the uniform dose as planned conventionally. The target dose escalation comes from both the inhomogeneous radiosensitivities and the elimination of integral target dose constraint. The target EUDs are found to be higher than those for the uniform dose planned ignoring the spatial inhomogeneous radiosensitivity. The EUDs for organs at risk are found to be approximately equal to or lower than those for the uniformmore » dose plans. In conclusion, we have developed a package that is capable of generating nonuniform dose distributions optimized for spatially inhomogeneous radiosensitivity. Subregional dose escalation may lead to increased treatment effectiveness as indicated by higher EUDs. The current development will impact biological image guided radiotherapy.« less
Heavy-traffic-optimal scheduling with regular service guarantees in wireless networks

We consider the design of throughput-optimal scheduling policies in multi-hop wireless networks that also possess good mean delay performance and provide regular service for all links -- critical metrics for real-time applications. To that end, we study a parametric class of maximum-weight type scheduling policies with parameter α ≥ 0, called Regular Service Guarantee (RSG) Algorithm, where each link weight consists of its own queue-length and a counter that tracks the time since the last service. This policy has been shown to be throughput-optimal and to provide more regular service as the parameter α increases, however at the cost of increasing mean delay. This motivates us to investigate whether satisfactory service regularity and low mean-delay can be simultaneously achieved by the RSG Algorithm by carefully selecting its parameter α. To that end, we perform a novel Lyapunov-drift based analysis of the steady-state behavior of the stochastic network. Our analysis reveals that the RSG Algorithm can minimize the total mean queue-length to establish mean delay optimality under heavily-loaded conditions as long as α scales no faster than the order of 1/5√∈, where ∈ measures the closeness of the network load to the boundary of the capacity region. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work that provides regular service to all links while also achieving heavy-traffic optimality in mean queue-lengths.
The position 68(E11) side chain in myoglobin regulates ligand capture, bond formation with heme iron, and internal movement into the xenon cavities.

After photodissociation, ligand rebinding to myoglobin exhibits complex kinetic patterns associated with multiple first-order geminate recombination processes occurring within the protein and a simpler bimolecular phase representing second-order ligand rebinding from the solvent. A smooth transition from cryogenic-like to solution phase properties can be obtained by using a combination of sol-gel encapsulation, addition of glycerol as a bathing medium, and temperature tuning (-15 → 65 °C). This approach was applied to a series of double mutants, myoglobin CO (H64L/V68X, where X = Ala, Val, Leu, Asn, and Phe), which were designed to examine the contributions of the position 68(E11) side chain to the appearance and disappearance of internal rebinding phases in the absence of steric and polar interactions with the distal histidine. Based on the effects of viscosity, temperature, and the stereochemistry of the E11 side chain, the three major phases, B → A, C → A, and D → A, can be assigned, respectively, to ligand rebinding from the following: (i) the distal heme pocket, (ii) the xenon cavities prior to large amplitude side chain conformational relaxation, and (iii) the xenon cavities after significant conformational relaxation of the position 68(E11) side chain. The relative amplitudes of the B → A and C → A phases depend markedly on the size and shape of the E11 side chain, which regulates sterically both ligand return to the heme iron atom and ligand migration to the xenon cavities. The internal xenon cavities provide a transient docking site that allows side chain relaxations and the entry of water into the vacated distal pocket, which in turn slows ligand recombination markedly.
Differential distribution of chicken-I and chicken-II GnRH in the turtle brain.

Abstract Chicken-I and chicken-II gonadotropin-releasing hormone (cI-GnRH and cII-GnRH) were shown to be differentially distributed in the brain of a turtle, Trachemys scripta , by HPLC and specific radioimmunoassays. The cI-GnRH was most concentrated in the median eminence (ME), while cII-GnRH was most concentrated in the caudal brain regions, especially medulla and cerebellum. The ratio of cI- to cII-GnRH in the ME of adults was 8:1. Age- and sex-related differences in GnRH concentrations were observed exclusively in the ME: adult females had significantly higher cI-GnRH than younger females and adult males; adult females also had significantly higher cII-GnRH than hatchling females. Their differential distribution and sex- and age-related differences suggest that the two peptides may have distinct physiological roles; cI-GnRH is likely the form responsible for stimulating gonadotropin release.
The Logarithmic Tail of Néel Walls

We study the multiscale problem of a parametrized planar 180° rotation of magnetization states in a thin ferromagnetic film. In an appropriate scaling and when the film thickness is comparable to the Bloch line width, the underlying variational principle has the form where the reduced stray-field operator 𝒮 Q approximates (−Δ)1/2 as the quality factor Q tends to zero. We show that the associated Neel wall profile u exhibits a very long logarithmic tail. The proof relies on limiting elliptic regularity methods on the basis of the associated Euler-Lagrange equation and symmetrization arguments on the basis of the variational principle. Finally we study the renormalized limit behavior as Q tends to zero.
CHLOROPHYLL REDUCTION IN WESTERN WHEATGRASS (Agropyron smithii Rydb.) EXPOSED TO SULFUR DIOXIDE

Chlorophyll concentrations in western wheatgrass, an important dominant species in the grasslands of the northern Great Plains of North America, exposed to controlled SO2 concentrations were examined. Concentrations of chlorophylls a and b were significantly decreased, without visible plant necrosis. Chlorophyll-a was more sensitive than chlorophyll-b. Sensitivity of chlorophylls to SO2 changed as the growing season progressed, indicating cumulative effects and interactions with normal senescence.
THE SIZE DISTRIBUTION OF HOUSEHOLD DISPOSABLE WEALTH IN THE UNITED STATES

In this study, new estimates are presented of the size distribution of household wealth in the U.S. in 1969. Compared to previous studies, its major advance is the inclusion of all marketable or discretionary household assets and liabilities and their alignment with national balance sheet totals. Household disposable wealth (HDW) is defined as the sum of all marketable or fungible assets held by households less liabilities. The Gini coefficient for HDW is 0.72, the share held by the richest one percent of households is 31 percent, and the share held by the top five percent is 49 percent. There is, however, a large variation in the concentration of different household assets. The Gini coefficient is 0.30 for household durables and inventories, 0.69 for equity in owner-occupied housing, 0.94 for bonds and securities, and 0.98 for corporate stock. HDW is then divided into two mutually exclusive components. The first, called “life-cycle wealth,” is defined as the sum of equity in owner-occupied housing, durables, household inventory, demand deposits and currency, and the cash value of life insurance and pensions less consumer debt. This form of wealth tends to be accumulated over the life-cycle for either consumption, liquidity, or retirement purposes. The second, called “capital wealth,” is the sum of time and savings deposits, bonds and securities, corporate stock, business and investment real estate equity, and trust fund equity. Life-cycle wealth is substantially less concentrated than capital wealth. The Gini coefficient for it is 0.59, while that for capital wealth is 0.88. Moreover, among the lower wealth groups, over 80 percent of household wealth takes the form of life-cycle wealth, whereas among the top wealth groups the proportion is under 20 percent. The results suggest substantially different savings motivations between the two groups.
Diagnosis of acute type B hepatitis by a solid phase u-antibody capture radioimmunoassay for IgM class antibody to hepatitis B core antigen: a diagnostic proposal based on a prospective study.

Abstract The diagnostic and prognostic significance of IgM anti-HBc, studied by a solid phase u-antibody capture radioimmunoassay at a serum dilution of 1:4000, was prospectively evaluated in 73 adult patients with acute hepatitis seropositive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Of the 73 cases, 20 (27.4%) cleared their HBsAg within 6 months, while the remaining 53 (72.6%) did not. HBsAg seroconversion to its antibody occurred in 15 (93.8%) of the 16 patients positive for IgM anti-HBc with S/N ratios above 5.0, as did 5 (26.3%) of the 19 with S/N ratios between 2.1 to 5.0, and none (0%) of the 38 negative for IgM anti-HBc (S/N ratios less than 2.1). Therefore, a S/N ratio of IgM anti-HBc above 5.0 is diagnostic for acute type B hepatitis. However, low S/N ratios (2.1-5.0) of IgM anti-HBc were observed in the early stage of some patients with acute type B hepatitis, and would increase to a level greater than 5.0 when assayed again 1-2 weeks later. It was therefore suggested that repeated testing of anti-HBc IgM is mandatory for accurate diagnosis of acute type B hepatitis in patients whose initial serum specimens showed low S/N ratios of IgM anti-HBc. According to this criterion, only 22 (30.1%) of the 73 patients with acute hepatitis seropositive for HBsAg in Taiwan were true acute type B hepatitis, of whom 2 (9.1%) subsequently became chronic HBsAg carriers, while the remaining 51 (69.9%) were chronic HBsAg carriers with other superimposed forms of acute hepatic injury.
Effect of free fatty acids on bilirubin-albumin binding affinity and unbound bilirubin in premature infants.

Background: The author has previously shown that intravenous lipid intake may be associated with an increase in unbound bilirubin in infants ≤28 weeks gestational age. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether this increase in unbound bilirubin is mediated by free fatty acids and to examine the secondary effect of free fatty acids on bilirubin–albumin binding affinity. Methods: A prospective study was conducted to include 26 infants ≤32 weeks gestational age with indirect hyperbilirubinemia and receiving intravenous lipids during the first 10 postnatal days. Blood samples were collected for unbound bilirubin, binding affinity, and free fatty acid measurement at varying intravenous lipid intakes (1–3 g/kg/d). Regression analyses were performed to evaluate the roles of free fatty acids and binding affinity as mediators. Results: Intravenous lipid intake was significantly associated with an increase in free fatty acids and unbound bilirubin in infants ≤28 weeks but not >28 weeks gestational age. In...
Citation-Based Findings are (Largely) a Function of Method of Analysis: A Comment on Black (2012)

Black (2012), using a novel citation-type analysis, identified the most frequently cited journals in forensic psychology. The article prompted two pedagogic concerns: the lack of coverage regarding the attributes and limitations of currently available features of citation operations in major databases, and on the expository level, in addressing a specialist vs generalist audience. The current paper addresses these issues and concludes that databases that offer citation options rely on different methods, coverage, and transparency of functions, there can be much variance in citation-search findings based on the type of analysis performed, and the field of bibliometrics is advancing at a torrid pace. Based on these concerns, citation-based findings would best be considered exploratory in nature.
Trans-cellular Desmin-Lamin B Intermediate Filament Network in Cardiac Myocytes

Excessive stretch of heart muscle is thought to be a determinant of myocardial hypertrophy. Because cell shape and nuclear shape are closely coupled in cardiac myocytes, we hypothesize that excessive stretch causes physical deformation of the nucleus which might be responsible for some molecular events leading to hypertrophy. Cell shape and nuclear shape are most likely to be coupled by cytoskeletal elements. With this in mind, we have used immunogold labeling to examine the topological associations of desmin cytoskeletal and lamin B nucleoskeletal intermediate filaments with various intracellular structures in mammalian cardiac myocytes. We found that desmin filaments form a sarcoplasmic network radiating from the sarcolemma to the nuclear surface. Perpendicular to the long axis of the cell, strands of desmin filaments traverse the interfibrillary space in a co-linear arrangement with Z-discs. The desmin filament strands extend between peripheral regions of adjacent Z-discs. Desmin filaments traversing the interfibrillary space closely associate with the surface of mitochondria. At the cell surface, desmin filaments extend from Z-discs to terminate immediately beneath the sarcolemma. Close to the nucleus, desmin filaments extend from Z-discs towards nuclear pores. At the same time, lamin B filaments, which co-localize with heterochromatin immediately beneath the inner nuclear membrane, encircle the inner aspect of each nuclear pore. We hypothesize that desmin and lamin B are functionally anchored to each other at the nuclear pore, either directly or through anchorage proteins within the pore complex.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Quantitative in vivo evidence for broad regional gradients in the timing of white matter maturation during adolescence

A fundamental tenet in the field of developmental neuroscience is that brain maturation generally proceeds from posterior/inferior to anterior/superior. This pattern is thought to underlie the similar timing of cognitive development in related domains, with the dorsal frontal cortices-important for decision making and cognitive control-the last to fully mature. While this caudal to rostral wave of structural development was first qualitatively described for white matter in classical postmortem studies, and has been discussed frequently in the developmental neuroimaging literature and in the popular press, it has never been formally demonstrated continuously and quantitatively across the whole brain with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Here we use diffusion imaging to map developmental changes in the white matter in 32 typically-developing individuals age 5-28 years. We then employ a novel meta-statistic that is sensitive to the timing of this developmental trajectory, and use this integrated strategy to both confirm these long-postulated broad regional gradients in the timing of white matter maturation in vivo, and demonstrate a surprisingly smooth transition in the timing of white matter maturational peaks along a caudal-rostral arc in this cross-sectional sample. These results provide further support for the notion of continued plasticity in these regions well into adulthood, and may provide a new approach for the investigation of neurodevelopmental disorders that could alter the timing of this typical developmental sequence.
Genetic Parameters in Progeny-Test Selection for Field Performance of Strain-Cross Layers

Abstract Heritabilities, genetic and phenotypic correlations and sire × location interaction were estimated for 14 traits from hierarchial covariance analysis within each of four 5-week hatching periods in 9 years. Numbers averaged 93 sires, each with 61 pullets from 11 or 12 dams of two lines distributed among 5 to 14 single-cage field locations, in each of 36 period-years and totalled 204,235 pullets from 3,354 sires. Inbreedings increased .4 to .7% per year but was uncorrelated with reproductive rate or selection applied. Heritability estimates were very stable over time and between seasons, with empirical SE for means of .4 to 1.6%. Lower heritabilities across than within locations, justify multiple-location progeny tests, especially for egg production, sexual maturity, flightiness, shell defects and blood spots. Genetic correlation (rG) changed with time only for body weight with production rate (.03 ± .01 per year) and between seasons only for production rate with egg size and shape, with empirical SE of means for rG of .02 to .04. Important antagonistic genetic correlations were those of egg production and sexual maturity with egg size and specific gravity (−.2 to −.4 ) and of body size with egg size (.4). Corresponding phenotypic correlations were made less antagonistic by favorable environmental correlation. Dam component correlations were made less antagonistic than sire correlations by more favorable correlations for dominance and maternal effects. Favorable genetic correlations increased expected gains from 12-trait index selection less than the unfavorable correlations reduced it. Predicted response in 12-trait breeding value from sire selection was 96% of maximum when only adult mortality, % production, egg size, body size and sexual maturity of progeny were used; addition of excitability and six egg quality items should improve all except specific gravity but reduce progress in egg size.
Improving oral bioavailability of nutraceuticals by engineered nanoparticle-based delivery systems

Many important nutraceuticals have poor oral bioavailability, which greatly lowers their efficacy as health-promoting agents. Engineered nanoparticles (ENs) can be used to fabricate delivery systems that improve oral bioavailability through a number of mechanisms: increasing nutraceutical stability in foods and the gastrointestinal tract (GIT); enhancing nutraceutical solubility in intestinal fluids; facilitating nutraceutical absorption by GIT; and decreasing first-pass metabolism in the gut and liver. This review depicts the mode of actions of different food-grade ENs in improving oral bioavailability of nutraceuticals.
Optical analog to digital converter using optical logic and table look-up

The need for high performance analog to digital (AID) converters, the advantages of optics, and current approaches to AID conversion are reviewed. A novel method, for which a U.S. patent was recently awarded, is proposed that uses comparators, optical logic, and a table look-up to provide optical digital output from an optical analog input. The advantage of the new method is the ability to produce any digital code, optical input! output, and longer word lengths at high speed. Implementations of the optical logic are proposed that use 1-D spatial light modulator devices under development, including self-electro-optic effect devices (SEEDs), double heterostructure optoelectronic switch (DOES) devices, and spatial light rebroadcasters (SLRs). Optical AID converters could make digital multiplication by analog convolution competitive with electronic systems.
Effects of d-amphetamine and naloxone on brain stimulation reward.

Self-stimulation thresholds were determined in rats by means of a modification of the psychophysical method of limits. Reinforcement values were determined after the administration of d-amphetamine alone, naloxone alone, and naloxone administered concurrently with d-amphetamine. d-Amphetamine yielded dose-related decreases in the threshold (0.25–2.00 mg/kg IP), while naloxone alone (2.0–16 mg/kg IP) caused no consistent changes. For each animal, a dose of d-amphetamine that substantially lowered the threshold was then selected to be administered with varying doses of naloxone. The threshold-lowering effect of d-amphetamine was blocked by naloxone at doses as low as 2.0 or 4.0 mg/kg. This finding suggests the possible involvement of an opiate receptor in the mediation of the enhancement by d-amphetamine of brain stimulation reward.
Physicians' dual agency, stewardship, and marginally beneficial care.

The high cost of health care in the United States is commonly called a crisis. Nearly everyone agrees that physicians—by virtue of their prescription pens or, increasingly, their mouse clicks—shoul...
Drivers of Innovation and Influence of Technological Clusters

Abstract:Innovation is the engine of economic growth and competitive advantage. Naturally, understanding the drivers of innovation and creating an environment to promote innovation and technology breakthroughs are of great interest to R&D managers. A body of knowledge has evolved around the geographic agglomeration of firms and the effect of localized knowledge spillovers on innovation. While the existing literature supports the notion that clustering results in increased innovation output, little is known about the specific mechanisms by which knowledge is exchanged in these areas and the dynamics that lead to increased innovation generated by companies operating in such environments. This article discusses knowledge transformation in the innovation process and how it relates to localization. The authors present the results of a survey of inventors in the telecom industry, assessing the factors that influence innovation within and outside technological clusters.
Transfer of CVD-Grown Monolayer Graphene onto Arbitrary Substrates

Reproducible dry and wet transfer techniques were developed to improve the transfer of large-area monolayer graphene grown on copper foils by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The techniques reported here allow transfer onto three different classes of substrates: substrates covered with shallow depressions, perforated substrates, and flat substrates. A novel dry transfer technique was used to make graphene-sealed microchambers without trapping liquid inside. The dry transfer technique utilizes a polydimethylsiloxane frame that attaches to the poly(methyl methacrylate) spun over the graphene film, and the monolayer graphene was transferred onto shallow depressions with 300 nm depth. The improved wet transfer onto perforated substrates with 2.7 μm diameter holes yields 98% coverage of holes covered with continuous films, allowing the ready use of Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy to study the intrinsic properties of CVD-grown monolayer graphene. Additionally, monolayer graphene transfer...
Cardiac hypertrophy and sudden death in mice with a genetically clamped renin transgene

Several mouse models have already proved valuable for investigating hypertrophic responses to cardiac stress. Here, we characterize one caused by a well defined single copy transgene, RenTgMK, that genetically clamps plasma renin and thence angiotensin II at high levels. All of the transgenic males develop concentric cardiac hypertrophy with fibrosis but without dilatation. Over half die suddenly aged 6-8 months. Telemetry showed disturbances in diurnal rhythms a few days before death and, later, electrocardiographic disturbances comparable to those in humans with congestive heart failure. Expression of seven hypertrophy-related genes in this and two categorically different models (lack of atrial natriuretic peptide receptor A; overexpression of calsequestrin) were compared. Statistical analyses show that ventricular expressions of the genes coding for atrial natriuretic peptide, β myosin heavy chain, medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, and adrenomedullin correlate equally well with the degree of hypertrophy, although their ranges of expression are, respectively, 50-, 30-, 10-, and 3-fold.
Woodpecker Densities in the Big Woods of Arkansas

Abstract Sightings of the now-feared-extinct ivory-billed woodpecker Campephilus principalis in 2004 in the Big Woods of Arkansas initiated a series of studies on how to best manage habitat for this endangered species as well as all woodpeckers in the area. Previous work suggested that densities of other woodpeckers, particularly pileated Dryocopus pileatus and red-bellied Melanerpes carolinus woodpeckers, might be useful in characterizing habitat use by the ivory-billed woodpecker. We estimated densities of six woodpecker species in the Big Woods during the breeding seasons of 2006 and 2007 and also during the winter season of 2007. Our estimated densities were as high as or higher than previously published woodpecker density estimates for the Southeastern United States. Density estimates ranged from 9.1 to 161.3 individuals/km2 across six woodpecker species. Our data suggest that the Big Woods of Arkansas is attractive to all woodpeckers using the region, including ivory-billed woodpeckers.
Use of Vascularized Muscle Flaps in the Healing of Compromised Wounds

The article titled “The Impact of Pharyngeal Closure Technique on Fistula After Salvage Laryngectomy” by Patel et al1 is a retrospective review of 350 patients from 8 institutions, who underwent salvage laryngectomyafter radiotherapy and/or chemoradiotherapy. The authors stratified patients into 3 groups according to pharyngotomy closure technique. The closure types included (1) primary closure, (2) closure using a fasciocutaneous free flap, and (3) closure using a pectoralismyofascial onlay flap. As described in other studies, the authors found that the use of nonirradiated, vascularized tissue reduced the incidence and duration of fistula. Interestingly, Patel et al1 found that the pectoralis myofascial flap, when applied as an overlay flap, was the most efficacious technique to reduce the rate of postoperative fistula. This study represents an important contribution to the literature because the rates of salvage surgery and the attendant complications associated with those surgical procedures has risen significantly over the past 2 decades. While there have been several small series evaluating the techniques for pharyngotomy closure, this multi-institutional retrospective analysis highlights the importance of using vascularized muscle for healing a compromised wound bed. There is scientific evidence to suggest that muscle improves healing, compared with fasciocutaneous tissue.2 This article provides important insight into the healing of compromised wounds and suggests that vascularized muscle flaps, like omentum,3 provide a benefit for the closure of radiation-compromised pharyngotomy defects. This work also raises questions related to the mechanism of action of healing, as well as the question whether muscles secrete factors that promote healing, as has been demonstrated in omental flaps.3
Luminescent properties of adducts of BIS(η5-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)- ytterbium(II)

Abstract Several adducts of (η5-Me5C5)2Yb(II), l , have been found to exhibit photoluminescence (PL) in the near-ir spectral region at 295 K.
RESA--A wholly new process for fine oxide powder preparation

A new process for making fine (10–1000 nm) oxide powders has been devised. It is based on striking an are between two metallic electrodes submerged in a dielectric liquid, typically water. By controlling the process parameters (voltage, amperage, and composition of liquid), one can obtain fine sols of the anhydrous oxides of Al, Ti, Zr, etc., and exercise some control over the particular phase in variable valence metals such as Cr.
Homogamy and Intermarriage of Japanese and Japanese Americans With Whites Surrounding World War II

Although some sociologists have suggested that Japanese Americans quickly assimilated into mainstream America, scholars of Japanese America have highlighted the heightened exclusion that the group experienced. This study tracked historical shifts in the exclusion level of Japanese and Japanese Americans in the United States surrounding World War II with homogamy and intermarriage with Whites for the prewar (1930–1940) and resettlement (1946–1966) marriage cohorts. The authors applied log-linear models to census microsamples (N = 1,590,416) to estimate the odds ratios of homogamy versus intermarriage. The unadjusted odds ratios of Japanese Americans declined between cohorts and appeared to be consistent with the assimilation hypothesis. Once compositional influences and educational pairing patterns were adjusted, however, the odds ratios increased and supported the heightened exclusion hypothesis.
Measurements of dose from secondary radiation outside a treatment field

Radiation dose to organs outside the radiotherapy treatment field can be significant and therefore is of clinical interest. We have made measurements of dose at distances up to 70 cm from the central axes of 5 X 5, 15 X 15 and 25 X 25 cm radiation fields of 300 kVp, 4 MV and 8 MV X rays, and 60Co gamma rays, at the surface and at depths in water of 5 and 10 cm. Contributions to the total secondary radiation dose from water scatter, machine (collimator) scatter and leakage radiation have been separated. We have found that the component of dose from water scatter can be described by a simple exponential function of distance from the central axis of the radiation field for all energies and field sizes. Machine scatter contributes 20 to 40% of the total secondary dose depending on machine, field size and distance from the field. Leakage radiation contributes very little dose, but becomes the dominant component at distances beyond 60 cm from the central axis. Estimates of the risk of second tumors in long term survivors indicate a small incremental increase above the natural incidence rate based on information from the 1980 BEIR Committee report.
Scalable Dynamic Load Balancing Using UPC

An asynchronous work-stealing implementation of dynamic load balance is implemented using Unified Parallel C (UPC) and evaluated using the Unbalanced Tree Search (UTS) benchmark [Olivier, S., et al., 2007]. The UTS benchmark presents a synthetic tree-structured search space that is highly imbalanced. Parallel implementation of the search requires continuous dynamic load balancing to keep all processors engaged in the search. Our implementation achieves better scaling and parallel efficiency in both shared memory and distributed memory settings than previous efforts using UPC [Olivier, S., et al., 2007] and MPI [Dinan, J., et al., 2007]. We observe parallel efficiency of 80% using 1024 processors performing over 85,000 total load balancing operations per second continuously. The UPC programming model provides substantial simplifications in the expression of the asynchronous work stealing protocol compared with MPI. However, to obtain performance portability with UPC in both shared memory and distributed memory settings requires the careful use of one sided reads and writes to minimize the impact of high latency communication. Additional protocol improvements are made to improve dissemination of available work and to decrease the cost of termination detection.
The role of amplifiers in sexual selection: An integration of the amplifying and the Fisherian mechanisms

In a non-Fisherian genetic model I have shown that sexual displays can evolve even if displays are not directly and unconditionally preferred by females (a basic requirement in any Fisherian model), provided that they amplify previously recognized differences in male quality. Here I show how this amplifying mechanism interacts with the traditional Fisherian mechanism of sexual selection. The theory that integrates these two mechanisms provides a more robust, entirely selective scenario of the evolution of mating preferences and sexual displays.
Topology Visualization of the Optical Power Flow through a Novel C-Shaped Nano-Aperture

We recently discovered that C-shaped sub-wavelength (nano) metallic apertures when irradiated at specific resonance frequencies have extraordinary power transmission five to six orders of magnitude beyond what is observed for conventional round or square apertures. These apertures produce optical spot sizes as small as 25-50 nm using visible light in the near-field of the aperture with a brightness 10-100 times higher than that of the illuminating beam. A proper understanding into this remarkable phenomenon can aid in the development and understanding of a multitude of applications of these apertures including dense data storage, particle manipulation, and nano-scale photonic devices. Current scalar visualization approaches typically are insufficient to significantly aid in the understanding of these complex near-field optical problems. For example, two common approaches involving either visualization of scalar electromagnetic wave amplitudes in 2-D or rudimentary arrow plots of the vector fields produced in Finite-Difference-Time- Domain simulations are clearly inadequate. Both techniques provide only partial insight into the problem, as only specific planes can be visualized and therefore the global structure of the fields cannot be readily inferred. Understanding of the three-dimensional electromagnetic vector fields and energy flows related to the illumination of nano-sized apertures is critically important in near-field applications, as simple scalar analysis is not suitable at these small dimensions [8]. An ideal visualization tool that has not been used before in studying the optical behavior of near-field apertures is three-dimensional vector field topology. The global view of the vector field structure is deduced by locating singularities (critical points) within the field and augmenting these points with nearby streamlines. We have used for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, three-dimensional topology to analyze the topological differences between a resonant C-shaped nano-aperture and various non-resonant conventional apertures. The topological differences between these apertures are related to the superiority in power throughput of the C-aperture versus conventional round and square sub-wavelength apertures. We demonstrate how topological visualization techniques provide significant insight into the energy enhancement mechanism of the C aperture, and also shed light on critical issues related to the interaction between multiple apertures located in close proximity to each other, which gives rise to cross-talk, for example as a function of distance. Topological techniques allow us to develop design rules for the geometry of these apertures and their desired spot sizes and brightness. The performance of various sub-wavelength apertures can also be compared quantitatively based on their topology. Since topological methods are generically applicable to tensor and vector fields, our approach can be readily extended to provide insight into the broader category of Finite-Difference-Time-Domain nano-photonics and nano-science problems.
Software Development for Digital Control

The use of computers in control is not a new phenomenon; however, in the past, the number of individuals involved in developing software for digital control systems has been relatively small and applications generally have been limited to large plants. The current availability of very inexpensive computing power in microcomputers and the continued cost reduction and performance improvement of minicomputers has brought the many advantages of digital control within the economic range of even the most limited applications. At the same time, the requirements for increased energy efficiency, pollution control, and reliability have expanded the demand for sophisticated control, particularly in the automotive and appliance industries.(1–3) In some cases the advancing technology has created new classes of products such as active optical instruments(4) and sophisticated toys and other consumer products.
Dissipating the foggy myth of the black cloud.

Tanz and Charrow 1 should be commended for their attempt to dissipate the stratospheric (or perhaps cumulus) legend of the so-called black cloud. Their evidence appears to show that actual work experiences during the internship year do not differ greatly between residents. Differences in perceived workload, however, were attributed in part to differences in work styles, and not to actual workload. In my experience, many residents who have acquired the reputation of a black or white cloud have had this title bestowed on them while working in the emergency department (ED). A somewhat related reputation of "sieve" or "wall" may also be accorded a resident working in the ED, depending on the number of admissions for which he or she is responsible. I suspect that the overall workload between residents in the ED is also similar and am curious if Tanz and Charrow have any information regarding the interns' ED
Are Buchberger's criteria necessary for the chain condition?

Buchberger's Grobner basis theory plays a fundamental role in symbolic computation. The resulting algorithms essentially carry out several S-polynomial reductions. In his Ph.D. thesis and later publication Buchberger showed that sometimes one can skip S-polynomial reductions if the leading terms of polynomials satisfy certain criteria. A question naturally arises: Are Buchberger's criteria also necessary for skipping S-polynomial reductions? In this paper, after making the question more precise (in terms of a chain condition), we show the answer to be ''almost, but not quite'': necessary when there are four or more polynomials, but not necessary when there are exactly three polynomials. For that case, we found an extension to Buchberger's criteria that is necessary as well as sufficient.