cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Investment Decisions by Individuals and Groups in `Sunk Cost' Situations: The Potential Impact of Shared Representations

Past research has shown that individuals prefer to continue investing resources into a failing endeavor once a considerable investment has been made, even when abandoning the project would be more rational economically. This phenomenon has been labeled the sunk cost effect (Arkes & Blumer, 1985). Since investment decisions are often made by groups, we compared individual and group propensities for falling prey to the sunk cost effect. We also varied whether or not individuals and groups needed to justify their investment decision to a superior. Both individuals and groups showed the sunk cost effect. Group process analyses showed that error-prone majorities were more powerful than more rational minorities. In addition, group decisions seemed to be a function of two competing task representations - one favoring the sunk cost interpretation and the other favoring economic rationality.
Sleep deprivation effects on the activity of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal and growth axes: potential clinical implications

OBJECTIVES Although several studies have shown that sleep deprivation is associated with increased slow wave sleep during the recovery night, the effects of sleep deprivation on cortisol and growth hormone (GH) secretion the next day and recovery night have not been assessed systematically. We hypothesized that increased slow wave sleep postsleep deprivation is associated with decreased cortisol levels and that the enhanced GH secretion is driven by the decreased activity of the HPA axis. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS After four consecutive nights in the Sleep Laboratory, 10 healthy young men were totally deprived of sleep during the fifth night, and then allowed to sleep again on nights six and seven. Twenty-four hour blood sampling was performed serially every 30 minutes on the fourth day, immediately following the previous night of sleep and on the sixth day, immediately after sleep deprivation. MEASUREMENT Eight-hour sleep laboratory recording, including electroencephologram, electro-oculogram and electromyogram. Plasma cortisol and GH levels using specific immunoassay techniques. RESULTS Mean plasma and time-integrated (AUC) cortisol levels were lower during the postdeprivation nighttime period than on the fourth night (P < 0.05). Pulsatile analysis showed significant reduction of both the 24 h and daytime peak area (P < 0.05) and of the pulse amplitude (P < 0.01), but not of the pulse frequency. Also, the amount of time-integrated GH was significantly higher for the first 4 h of the postdeprivation night compared to the predeprivation night (P < 0.05). Cross-correlation analyses between the absolute values of the time-series of each hormone value and percentage of each sleep stage per half hour revealed that slow wave sleep was negatively correlated with cortisol and positively correlated with GH with slow wave sleep preceding the secretion of these hormones. In contrast, indices of sleep disturbance, i.e. wake and stage 1 sleep, were positively correlated with cortisol and negatively correlated with GH. CONCLUSION We conclude that sleep deprivation results in a significant reduction of cortisol secretion the next day and this reduction appears to be, to a large extent, driven by the increase of slow wave sleep during the recovery night. We propose that reduction of CRH and cortisol secretion may be the mechanism through which sleep deprivation relieves depression temporarily. Furthermore, deep sleep has an inhibitory effect on the HPA axis while it enhances the activity of the GH axis. In contrast, sleep disturbance has a stimulatory effect on the HPA axis and a suppressive effect on the GH axis. These results are consistent with the observed hypocortisolism in idiopathic hypersomnia and HPA axis relative activation in chronic insomnia. Finally, our findings support previous hypotheses about the restitution and immunoenhancement role of slow wave (deep) sleep.
A comparison of vector autoregressive forecasting performance: spatial versus non-spatial Bayesian priors

Forecasting performance of spatial versus non-spatial Bayesian priors applied to a large vector autoregressive model that includes the 48 lower US states plus and the District of Columbia is explored. Accuracy of one- to six-quarter-ahead personal income forecasts is compared for a model based on the Minnesota prior used in macroeconomic forecasting and a spatial prior proposed by Krivelyova and LeSage (J Reg Sci 39(2):297–317, 1999). While the Minnesota prior emphasizes time dependence taking the form of a random walk, the spatial prior relies on past values of neighboring state income growth rates while ignoring own-state past income growth. Our findings indicate that forecast accuracy for longer future time horizons is improved by the spatial prior, while that for shorter horizons is better for the non-spatial prior. This motivated a hybrid approach that combines both spatial and time dependence in the prior restrictions placed on the model parameters.
A prospective comparison of three heat preservation methods for patients undergoing hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass.

Abstract Objective: To prospectively compare 3 methods of body heat preservation in patients undergoing surgery requiring the use of hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Design: Prospective, randomized, and nonblinded. Setting: University teaching hospital. Participants: Adult cardiac surgery patients (n = 101). Interventions: Subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups: Group 1 (n = 33) used a fluid-filled warming blanket, group 2 (n = 31) used a heated and humidified breathing circuit, and group 3 (n = 37) used intravenous fluid warmers for the administration of all fluids. Treatments started on separation from CPB and concluded at the end of the intraoperative experience. Anesthetic technique, minute ventilation, conduct of CPB, and room temperature in the operating room were standardized. Measurements and Main Results: Blood temperature was measured at its nadir on CPB, on separation from CPB, and just before departure from the operating room. No differences were found among groups for CPB duration, coldest venous temperature on CPB, rewarming time, rate of rewarming, room temperature, or blood temperature on separation from CPB. There were no significant differences found in post-CPB temperature afterdrop among groups. Conclusions: This study suggests that there is no statistically significant disparity in the effectiveness of these 3 intraoperative heat preservation methods. Ease of use and cost-effectiveness should guide the choice of warming method post-CPB. Copyright © 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company
Regarding the Putative Eccentricity of Charon's Orbit

Based on astrometry from an orbit derived by Hubble Space Telescope imagery, Charon's orbital eccentricity has been reported to be in the range of 0.003–0.008. Solar and planetary tides are orders of magnitude too small to induce the reported eccentricity. This nonzero value, if correct, therefore indicates some significant forcing against the two-body tidal equilibrium value, which should formally be zero. Here we follow up on a preliminary study to investigate whether the reported eccentricity of Charon's orbit could be due to gravitational perturbations by Kuiper belt object (KBO) flybys through the Pluto-Charon system and KBO impacts directly onto Pluto and Charon. We find it is unlikely that Charon's reported eccentricity could be caused by this effect. Although we cannot rule out some additional source of eccentricity excitation (e.g., an undiscovered satellite in the system, or a Kozai resonance), our analysis indicates it is plausible that Charon's actual orbital eccentricity is substantially smaller than the 0.003 lower limit reported previously.
Libraries and student persistence at southern colleges and universities

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to determine whether or how academic libraries affect student achievement.Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses computation of Pearson's r coefficients and predictor values for correlations of academic library statistics with first‐year retention and six‐year graduation rates reported to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System by Southern Regional Education Board four‐year colleges and universities in 2010.Findings – Book collection size in doctoral university libraries has the strongest correlation with retention and graduation rates, in the sample, and predicts for every 10 percent increase a 0.5 percent improvement in retention and a 0.7 percent higher graduation rate.Originality/value – The paper documents the first impact study to correlate library statistics with both retention and graduation rates from a large sample of doctoral, Masters' and bachelors' degree‐conferring institutions. It calculates 21 predictor values of interest to academic admi...
The estimation of the immigration component of population growth.

The Population Commission Reports (1971 p. 8; 1972 p. 114) focused attention on the size and impact of recent immigration. The Commission expressed concern because about 20 percent of population growth was being contributed by immigration. The same theme was taken up by Leslie Westoff (1973) in her New York Times article where she reported that 23 percent of the population growth in 1972 was due to immigration. There are serious questions about the appropriateness and interpretation of the measure used by the Commission and Westoff. Estimating the size of a component of population growth is an exercise in manipulating the elements of one form of the basic population equation: P(-2) = P(-1) + B – D + I – E where the population size at a point in time 2 (P(-2)) equals the population size at a previous point in time 1 (P(-1)) plus all the births (B) and immigration (I) minus all the deaths (D) and emigration (E) in the interval between time 1 and time 2. (excerpt)
Improved Estimation in Lognormal Models

Abstract The estimation of the function exp(aξ + bσ2) of normal parameters ξ and σ2 on the basis of a random sample X 1, …, Xn is considered. This class of functions includes the mean, the median, and all moments of lognormal distribution. I show that the minimum variance unbiased estimator suggested by Finney (1941) can be substantially improved in terms of mean squared error. A similar result is established for the maximum likelihood estimator. I suggest for practice use the following generalized Bayes estimator when m = [(n+1)/2]: δ(X,Y) = exp(aX + (γ - β)Y) ∑k=0 m (2m - k)!/k!(m - k)!(2βY)k/∑k=0 m(2m - k)!/k!(m - k)!(2γY)k. Here X = ∑I n Xj/n, Y2 = ∑1 n (X1 - X)2, and constants β and γ are determined by formulas β 2 = γ 2 − 2b + 2a/n, γ = 1.5(b-3a2/(2n)). This estimator is shown to be locally optimal for both small and large values of σ2. The results of numerical study of the quadratic risk show the superiority of this estimator over the mentioned traditional procedures.
Analysis of the magnetic moments of mirror nuclei

The analyses of magnetic moments of mirror nuclei originally carried out by Sugimoto are brought up to date. Numerous new measurements strengthen and extend the earlier conclusions. Comparisons are made with the current large shellmodel calculations in the p and s-d shells.
Professional Development 2.0: Transforming Teacher Education Pedagogy with 21st Century Tools.

AbstractThis paper discusses the outcomes of a professional development project offered to faculty of Arizona State University’s College of Teacher Education and Leadership. The goal of this project was to assist instructors with progressing technologies and to help them transform their pedagogy to leverage the affordances provided through the integration of Web 2.0 tools. Through the redesign of an instructional unit to incorporate social networking, instructors experienced positive outcomes. Findings suggest that the benefits of integrating social networking tools used in a meaningful way while carefully considering how they fit within specific content areas and teaching methodologies included increased feedback for students and a more student-centered approach to teaching. These are important considerations for teacher education programs of the 21st century.
Time pressure: An unexamined issue in organizational newcomers' role development

Although the impact of time pressure on integrative problem solving has been widely explored in traditional negotiation research, little attention has been paid to its effect as organizational newcomers negotiate and coordinate work role expectations with supervisors. This study examines the effect of time pressure on three integrative communication dimensions of supervisory role negotiations: directness, elaboration, and mutual concessions. One hundred seventy employed college undergraduates completed survey items pertaining to recalled supervisory discussions of role expectations. Consistent with the hypotheses, time pressure had a significant positive effect on each of the communicative dimensions of the recalled negotiation.
Steam explosions of molten iron oxide drops: easier initiation at small pressurizations

If a light water nuclear reactor core were to overheat, hot molten materials might contact liquid water and cause a steam explosion damaging to the containment structure1. To predict such an occurrence and the ensuing damage, we in the Sandia National Laboratories have been performing large2 and small3,4 scale experiments coupled with analytical modelling5,6. As part of this effort, we have been releasing single drops of a core melt simulant, molten iron oxide, into liquid water. Small steam explosions are triggered shortly afterwards by applying a pressure pulse to the water. The threshold peak pulse level above which an explosion always occurs was studied at ambient pressures between 0.083 and 1.12 MPa. Unexpectedly, the threshold decreased to a minimum in the range 0.2–0.8 MPa and then increased again. The observation that gentle pre-pressurization meant easier triggering should improve the predictive capability of our models and suggest conditions for reducing the hazards of these explosions.
Improving the computational intensity of unstructured mesh applications

Although unstructured mesh algorithms are a popular means of solving problems across a broad range of disciplines---from texture mapping to computational fluid dynamics---they are often dominated not by computation, but by mesh overhead. Our study of an object-oriented mesh-based benchmark reveals that 72% of its execution time is spent on mesh-related operations, such as iterating over faces or chasing pointers. We report a series of optimizations---some traditional, some novel---that dramatically improve the benchmark's computational intensity---the ratio of floating point operations to memory accesses. This improvement is attributable to an eight-fold reduction in memory operations and results in a 4.7x speedup in execution time.Our work demonstrates that common subexpression elimination and code motion are important optimizations for mesh-based codes. However, conservative analysis prevents their application. We discuss these barriers to analysis and argue that an understanding of mesh semantics complements more traditional analyses, such as pointer alias analysis, and certifies the correctness of these optimizations. Our identification of overheads in mesh-based codes, optimizations that address them, and limitations of current compiler analyses are required for our eventual goal of automating these optimizations in a semantics-aware compiler.
Lower respiratory tract infections.

Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are among the most common infections treated by health care providers. They include a variety of infections ranging from mild acute viral bronchitis to life-threatening ventilatorassociated pneumonia. Despite advances in general knowledge concerning such diseases, there remains considerable morbidity and mortality with many LRTIs. LRTIs are also the cause of a great deal of antibiotic use. Although community-acquired pneumonia and ventilator-associated pneumonia generally require antimicrobial therapy for optimalmanagement, almost all cases of acute bronchitis are not caused by bacteria and do not warrant antibacterial agents. Use of antibacterials for acute viral bronchitis is a source of antimicrobial overuse and increases the likelihood of increasing antibiotic resistance. For patients with LRTIs who warrant antimicrobials therapy, most recent guidelines recommend individualizing antimicrobial therapy based on stratification of patient risk factors (eg. underlying conditions and recent use of antibiotics) to assist in optimal antibiotic usage. Since 1998, when LRTIs were last featured in the Infectious Disease Clinics of North America (volume 12, number 3), new information concerning significant aspects of these infections has been published. These include etiology and epidemiology, impact of antimicrobial resistance, diagnostic testing, and considerations of management. This issue reviews many of the important characteristics and management issues (including pathophysiology, diagnosis, management, and prevention) of LRTIs in light of recent information and published guidelines.
Post-term birth as a response to environmental stress: the case of September 11, 2001

Background and objectives: Despite growing interest in the role of maternal psychosocial stress as a determinant of preterm birth, no existing work has examined the relation between maternal stress and post-term birth (≥42 weeks). We hypothesize that prolonging gestation past term may represent an adaptive strategy to a suboptimal environment. Methodology: We examined the relationship between exposure to the September 2001 terrorist attacks and odds of post-term birth in California. We calculated the expected odds of post-term birth among conception cohorts of singleton gestations in California between October 1996 and November 2005. We used time series analysis to test for higher than expected odds of post-term birth among the 10 cohorts exposed to the attacks of September 2001 (those conceived from December 2000 to September 2001). Results: The observed odds of post-term delivery among gestations at 33–36 weeks in September 2001 were higher than statistically expected for all race/ethnic and sex groups. Conclusions and implications: Our finding that odds of post-term birth were higher than expected among pregnancies exposed to the September 2001 terrorist attacks in late gestation provides initial support for the hypothesis that exposure to a psychosocial stress during pregnancy may result in prolonged gestation.
Inactivation of astroglial NF-κB promotes survival of retinal neurons following ischemic injury

Reactive astrocytes have been implicated in neuronal loss following ischemic stroke. However, the molecular mechanisms associated with this process are yet to be fully elucidated. In this work, we tested the hypothesis that astroglial NF-kappaB, a key regulator of inflammatory responses, is a contributor to neuronal death following ischemic injury. We compared neuronal survival in the ganglion cell layer (GCL) after retinal ischemia-reperfusion in wild-type (WT) and in GFAP-IkappaBalpha-dn transgenic mice, where the NF-kappaB classical pathway is suppressed specifically in astrocytes. The GFAP-IkappaBalpha-dn mice showed significantly increased survival of neurons in the GCL following ischemic injury as compared with WT littermates. Neuroprotection was associated with significantly reduced expression of pro-inflammatory genes, encoding Tnf-alpha, Ccl2 (Mcp1), Cxcl10 (IP10), Icam1, Vcam1, several subunits of NADPH oxidase and NO-synthase in the retinas of GFAP-IkappaBalpha-dn mice. These data suggest that certain NF-kappaB-regulated pro-inflammatory and redox-active pathways are central to glial neurotoxicity induced by ischemic injury. The inhibition of these pathways in astrocytes may represent a feasible neuroprotective strategy for retinal ischemia and stroke.
Dynamically scripted artificial intelligence

In this paper, we describe techniques used in developing an extensible Artificial Intelligence system.
Motion of the Shoulder Complex During Multiplanar Humeral Elevation

Background: Many prior studies have evaluated shoulder motion, yet no three-dimensional analysis comparing the combined clavicular, scapular, and humeral motion during arm elevation has been done. We aimed to describe and compare dynamic three-dimensional motion of the shoulder complex during raising and lowering the arm across three distinct elevation planes (flexion, scapular plane abduction, and coronal plane abduction). Methods: Twelve subjects without a shoulder abnormality were enrolled. Transcortical pin placement into the clavicle, scapula, and humerus allowed electromagnetic motion sensors to be rigidly fixed. The subjects completed two repetitions of raising and lowering the arm in flexion, scapular, and abduction planes. Three-dimensional angles were calculated for sternoclavicular, acromioclavicular, scapulothoracic, and glenohumeral joint motions. Joint angles between humeral elevation planes and between raising and lowering of the arm were compared. Results: General patterns of shoulder motion observed during humeral elevation were clavicular elevation, retraction, and posterior axial rotation; scapular internal rotation, upward rotation, and posterior tilting relative to the clavicle; and glenohumeral elevation and external rotation. Clavicular posterior rotation predominated at the sternoclavicular joint (average, 31°). Scapular posterior tilting predominated at the acromioclavicular joint (average, 19°). Differences between flexion and abduction planes of humerothoracic elevation were largest for the glenohumeral joint plane of elevation (average, 46°). Conclusions: Overall shoulder motion consists of substantial angular rotations at each of the four shoulder joints, enabling the multiple-joint interaction required to elevate the arm overhead. Clinical Relevance: Improved knowledge of the normal motion of the shoulder during humeral elevation will improve the assessment of patients with shoulder motion abnormalities, planning for rehabilitation programs, and performance of stabilization procedures.
Synthesis and Characterization of Advanced Durum Wheat Hybrids and Addition Lines with Thinopyrum Chromosomes

Durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L., 2n = 4x = 28; AABB genomes) is a natural hybrid-an allotetraploid between 2 wild species, Triticum urartu Tumanian (AA genome) and Aegilops speltoides Tausch (BB genome). Even at the allotetraploid level, durum wheat can tolerate chromosomal imbalance, for example, addition of alien chromosome 1E of diploid wheatgrass, Lophopyrum elongatum. Therefore, one way to broaden its genetic base is to add a desirable chromosome(s) from diploid wild relatives. We attempted chromosomal engineering with chromosomes of a diploid wheatgrass, Thinopyrum bessarabicum-a source of resistance to some diseases including Fusarium head blight. Several advanced hybrids and alien addition lines were studied using traditional cytology, multicolor fluorescent genomic in situ hybridization, and molecular markers. Hybrid derivatives varied in chromosome number from F1 to F8 generations and in backcross generations. In advanced generations, we exercised selection against 28-chromosome plants and in favor of 30-chromosome plants that helped recover 14 addition lines in the F8 generation, as indicated by the absence of segregation for 29-chromosome plants. Disomic additions showed regular meiosis with 15 bivalents, 14 of durum wheat, and 1 of Th. bessarabicum. The addition lines will facilitate further chromosome engineering work on durum wheat for broadening its genetic base.
Paternal support and preterm birth, and the moderation of effects of chronic stress: a study in Los Angeles county mothers.

Maternal psychosocial stress is an important risk factor for preterm birth, but support interventions have largely been unsuccessful. The objective of this study is to assess how support during pregnancy influences preterm birth risk and possibly ameliorates the effects of chronic stress, life event stress, or pregnancy anxiety in pregnant women. We examined 1,027 singleton preterm births and 1,282 full-term normal weight controls from a population-based retrospective case–control study of Los Angeles County, California women giving birth in 2003, a mostly Latina population (both US-born and immigrant). We used logistic regression to assess whether support from the baby’s father during pregnancy influences birth outcomes and effects of chronic stress, pregnancy anxiety, and life event stress. Adjusted odds of preterm birth decreased with better support (OR 0.73 [95%CI 0.52, 1.01]). Chronic stress (OR 1.46 [95%CI 1.11, 1.92]), low confidence of a normal birth (OR 1.57 [95% CI 1.17, 2.12]), and fearing for the baby’s health (OR 1.67 [95%CI 1.30, 2.14]) increased preterm birth risk, but life events showed no association. Our data also suggested that paternal support may modify the effect of chronic stress on the risk of preterm birth, such that among mothers lacking support, those with moderate-to-high stress were at increased odds of delivering preterm (OR 2.15 [95%CI 0.92, 5.03]), but women with greater support had no increased risk with moderate-to-high chronic stress (OR 1.13 [95%CI 0.94, 1.35]). Paternal support may moderate the effects of chronic stress on the risk of preterm delivery.
Family Stress and Children's Language and Behavior Problems: Results from the National Survey of Children's Health.

The impact of language delays and behavior problems in young children on family function was assessed using data from the 2003 National Survey of Children's Health. Over 50% of parents who reported concerns regarding their children's language skills also reported concerns regarding their children's behavior. Although parents reported increased stress and more difficulty coping and meeting their children's needs when they were concerned about their children's language skills, children with behavior problems were especially stressful for families. Parental stress increased as children with challenging behaviors reached preschool age. To address the negative impact on family function, service providers must couple specific intervention strategies and methods that improve language skills and mitigate behavior problems in young children.
Smooth time-varying pure feedback control for chained non-holonomic systems with exponential convergent rate

The feedback stabilisation problem of non-holonomic chained systems and a novel feedback design scheme is proposed, which renders a smooth, time-varying, aperiodic, pure feedback control with exponential convergence rates. There are three main advantages with the proposed design. (i) In general, time-varying designs are mostly periodic and render asymptotic stability, whereas the proposed approach is aperiodic and have exponential convergent rates. (ii) A novel state scaling transformation is proposed. It shows that even though u1 vanishes in regulation problems, intrinsic controllability of chained systems can be regained by judiciously designing the input u1 and by applying the state scaling transformations. (iii) A class of memory functions is introduced into the control design, the controller dependency on the system's initial conditions in our previous work is removed and the control is a pure feedback. Moreover, the design is shown to be inversely optimal. Simulations and comparisons are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Thermodynamically constrained averaging theory approach for modeling flow and transport phenomena in porous medium systems: 2. Foundation

This paper is the second in a series that details the thermodynamically constrained averaging theory (TCAT) approach for modeling flow and transport phenomena in porous medium systems. In this work, we provide the mathematical foundation upon which the theory is based. Elements of this foundation include definitions of mathematical properties of the systems of concern, previously available theorems needed to formulate models, and several theorems and corollaries, introduced and proven here. These tools are of use in producing complete, closed-form TCAT models for single- and multiple-fluid-phase porous medium systems. Future work in this series will rely and build upon the foundation laid in this work to detail the development of sets of closed models.
An efficient online path profiling framework for Java just-in-time compilers

Collecting hot paths is important for restructuring and optimizing the target program effectively. It is, however, challenging for Just-In-Time (JIT) compilers, which must collect path profiles on the fly at runtime. In this paper, we propose an efficient online path profiling technique, called structural path profiling (SPP), suitable for JIT compilers. The key idea is to partition the target method into a hierarchy of the nested graphs based on the loop structure, and then to profile each graph independently. With SPP, we can collect accurate path profiles efficiently with low overhead. The experimental results show that our technique can collect path profiles with an accuracy of around 90% compared to the offline complete path profiles, while it incurs only 2-3% overhead on average in the active profiling phase.
Classification of Arteriovenous Malformations

Cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are complex lesions with variable resectability. Multiple grading systems have been proposed that aim to predict the risk of surgical treatment in individual patients based on several radiographical and clinical characteristics of AVMs. A grading system is only useful if it can accurately predict the surgical risks prospectively. Furthermore, it must be simple enough to be applied reliably by general neurosurgeons with minimal interpretational error and without additional testing requirements. The application of a standardized grading scheme enables accurate comparisons between different treatment paradigms and assists in the process of choosing the appropriate management for individual cases. The grading system proposed by Spetzler and Martin divides cerebral AVMs into five clinical grades based on AVM size, proximity to eloquent tissue, and the presence or absence of deep venous drainage. This system has been applied retrospectively and prospectively and has been found to predict surgical morbidity accurately. This system also has the advantage of being simple and reliable, and it requires no additional testing other than a conventional angiogram. It compares favorably with other proposed grading systems in terms of simplicity, accuracy, and reliability.
Noradrenergic processes in the behavioral actions of psychomotor stimulants

Although psychomotor stimulants such as cocaine and amphetamine are known to release both norepinephrine and dopamine in brain, most evidence indicates that it is the release of central dopamine rather than that of norepinephrine that mediates the reinforcing, discriminative, and eliciting properties of psychomotor stimulants, i.e., that drug-induced dopamine release is a necessary and sufficient factor to account for these properties, while drug-induced norepinephrine release is neither necessary nor sufficient. However, this generally accepted conclusion may not be completely accurate. Evidence is available indicating that psychomotor-stimulant-induced increases in norepinephrine release, while possibly not necessary, are sufficient to account at least for the eliciting and discriminative-stimulus properties of amphetamine-like drugs. The data supporting this contention are reviewed.
'Nature's workshop' industry and urban expansion in Southern California, 1900-1950

Abstract Scholars and pundits have cast Los Angeles as a prototype for the twentieth century North American metropolis. Most accounts focus primarily, if not exclusively, on residential development and rely on stock suburban theses for their interpretation. Regional expansion has been presented as a new landscape order where precise location is a secondary concern, development proceeds without planning, and the result is a homogeneous sprawl. Studies of manufacturing and industrial location in southern California often share these conventions. An historical investigation reveals that industry and industrial location have been key determinants of urban form, and that industrial, commercial, and residential development have been co-ordinated, complementary, and highly planned. These coincident enterprises recast the region during the first half of the twentieth century. There were three interrelated but qualitatively distinct types of industrial zones in Los Angeles during this period: a mixed-use, home-market district adjacent to the central business district; an industry-only, mass-production, branch-plant zone in Vernon and the eastside; and a series of oil, film, and aircraft satellites on the urban periphery. This finding challenges the received wisdom regarding industrial geography, a progressive narrative of technological innovation and production regimes that chronicle ascension, transformation, and succession.
Three-dimensional optical diffusion imaging in a Bayesian framework

Summary form only given. Spectroscopic specificity and low photon energy are particularly attractive features of optical tissue imaging. This potential has spurred interest in optical diffusion imaging, where the spatially-dependent scatter and absorption are to be reconstructed using measured data with a number of source and detector locations using a diffusion equation forward model. While robust and accurate inversions have been achieved for 2-D test problems, practical optical diffusion geometries require 3-D reconstructions. This need led to the development of efficient multigrid reconstruction algorithms. In this work we demonstrate accurate 3-D reconstruction using a Bayesian prior model with an iteratively estimated data term variance.
Pump–probe model for the Kramers–Kronig relations in a laser

In this paper, we study theoretically a pump–probe model for the Kramers–Kronig (KK) relations during laser operation. A solution of laser equations reveals that the dispersion profile of a saturated laser gain medium is non-analytical at the boundary between the lasing and the non-lasing spectral region. Such a non-analyticity cannot be explained in terms of the KK relations. In order to interpret this situation, it is important to consider carefully the physical basis of the KK relations. We conclude that the KK relation is expected to apply only to an independent probe applied to the medium, which is under excitation by the pump producing the gain as well as the lasing mode. The absorption/gain and dispersion profiles are then analytical, and satisfy the KK relations. Specifically, these are variants of the so-called Mollow–Ezekiel spectra of probe absorption/gain and dispersion in the presence of a pump, with the exception that in this case the medium is inverted.
Comparison of the Repeated Dose Toxicity of Isomers of Dinitrotoluene

Dinitrotoluene (DNT) is a nitroaromatic explosive used in propellant mixtures and in the production of plastics. Isomers of DNT were administered daily via oral gavage to male Sprague-Dawley rats for 14 days to determine the subacute toxicity of individual isomers of DNT. The 3,5-DNT isomer was the most toxic isomer, inducing weight loss and mortality within 3 days. Cyanosis and anemia were observed for all isomers. Exposure to 2,4-, 2,6-, and 3,5-DNT resulted in decreased testes mass and degenerative histopathological changes. Increased splenic mass was observed for 2,4-, 2,6-, and 2,5-DNT. Extramedullary hematopoiesis of the spleen was noted for all isomers, while lymphoid hyperplasia of the spleen was noted for all isomers except 2,5-DNT. Increased liver mass was observed for 2,3-DNT and 3,4-DNT. Hepatocellular lesions were observed for 2,6-DNT and 2,4-DNT. Neurotoxic effects were noted for 3,4-DNT, 2,4-DNT, and 3,5-DNT.
Effect of thermal cycling on performance of Poly(3-hexylthiophene) Transistors

We present the results of studies on the electrical and physical modifications to Poly(3-hexylthiophene), upon thermal annealing. Thermally-induced performance modifications and thermal stability of polythiophene thin film transistors are explored. We observe substantial mobility improvements in devices annealed at low temperatures (>80°C), as well as increases in on/off ratios by two orders of magnitude at moderate anneal temperatures (~120°C). We document changes in conductivity, mobility, on current, and on/off ratio with anneal temperature and total thermal budget. In conjunction with material analysis, we develop qualitative models for the mechanisms involved in the annealing/degradation processes. Hence, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of the effect of thermal cycling of polythiophene TFTs on various device performance metrics, and identifies the relevant thermal limits and failure mechanisms.
Toxicological evaluation of realistic emission source aerosols (TERESA): summary and conclusions

The toxicological evaluation of realistic emissions of source aerosols (TERESA) study seeks to delineate health effects of aerosols formed from emissions of particulate matter sources. This series of papers reports the findings of experiments using coal-fired power plants as the source of emissions and this paper summarizes the findings and knowledge acquired from these studies. Emissions were drawn directly from the stacks of three coal-fired power plants in the US, and photochemically aged in a mobile laboratory to simulate downwind power plant plume processing. The power plants used different sources of coal and had different emission controls. Exposure scenarios included primary particles, secondary particles and mixtures of these with common atmospheric constituents (α-pinene and ammonia). Extensive exposure characterization was carried out, and toxicological outcomes were evaluated in Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to different emission scenarios. Breathing pattern, pulmonary inflammatory responses, in vivo pulmonary and cardiac chemiluminescence and cardiac response in a model of acute myocardial infarction were assessed. The results showed no response or relatively mild responses to the inhaled aerosols studied; complex scenarios which included oxidized emissions and α-pinene to simulate biogenic secondary organic aerosol tended to induce more statistically significant responses than scenarios of oxidized and non-oxidized emissions alone. Relating adverse effects to specific components did not consistently identify a toxic constituent. These findings are consistent with most of the previously published studies using pure compounds to model secondary power plant emissions, but importantly add substantial complexity and thus have considerable merit in defining toxicological responses.
A knowledge-based approach to adversarial decision making: Research Articles

Our focus here is to provide a methodology that can be used by a participant in an adversarial decision-making environment to help choose their action. Central to our approach is the use of knowledge and perceptions about one's adversary to obtain an uncertainty profile indicating which action the adversary will take. Once having this uncertainty profile, the problem of deciding which action to take becomes a problem of decision making under uncertainty. Here, we make considerable use of the Dempster--Shafer belief structure as a way of formalizing the uncertainties. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
'Special,' Vestigial, or Visionary? What Bank Regulation Tells Us about the Corporation - and Vice Versa

A remarkable yet seldom noted set of parallels exists between modern U.S. bank regulation, on the one hand, and what used to be garden-variety American corporate law, on the other hand. For example, just as bank charters are matters not of right but of conditional privilege even today, so were all corporate charters not long ago. Just as chartered banks are authorized to engage only in limited, enumerated activities even to- day, so were all corporations restricted not long ago. And just as banks are subject to strict capital regulation even today, so were all corporations not long ago.In this Symposium Article, we argue that these parallels are not merely curious accidents but a reflection of certain foundational dynamics embedded in, and constitutive of, the corporate form itself. Tracing the history of the incorporated American firm, we argue that the corporation is an inherently hybrid public–private entity — an institutionalized and conditional outsourcing to private parties of certain essentially public powers and functions. In effect, it is a form of public–private “franchise” arrangement in which the public is the franchisor and private parties collectively serve as the franchisees.We examine the reasons both for the gradual weakening of this original franchise arrangement as a matter of American corporate law and policy, and for its continuing presence as a matter of bank regulation. We suggest that the “special” salience of banks’ role as public franchisees helps to account for the resilience of the original corporate settlement in U.S. bank regulation. Finally, we consider the normative and practical implications of reviving the “forgotten” franchise view of the corporation more generally and, in the spirit of intellectual experiment, tentatively outline some possibilities for reintroducing public interest- driven conditions in state grants of corporate privilege.
Echoic-Visual Cross-Modal Recognition by a Dolphin

Cross-modal matching is a procedure which has been used with humans and non-human primates to study the relationship between their haptic (active touch) and visual senses (see reviews in Jones, 1981; Savage-Rumbaugh et al., 1988). In this procedure, a subject first examines an object using either the haptic or the visual sense exclusively, and then must select that same object using the alternate sense. Humans (Rose et al., 1982; Bushneil and Weinberger, 1987) and non-human primates (Davenport and Rogers, 1970) both perform accurately in this task, and are able to match novel objects or familiar ones, although the latter are somewhat easier. These results give support to theories of “sensory unity” (Marks, 1978) — the central integration, rather than independence, of the haptic and visual systems.
Synthesis, characterization and DNA binding activity of PtCl2[DMSO][N4[N-3(4-pyridylmethyl)thymidine]]

Abstract A platinum(II)-DMSO complex has been incorporated into a thymidine based nucleoside through an N-3 pendant pyridyl nitrogen. Electrospray TOF-MS, 1H, 13C and 195Pt NMR methodologies all confirm the new structure. The complex exhibits differential stability in various media with DMSO solutions particularly unstable. Incubation of the complex with pUC18 circular plasmid DNA, followed by gel electrophoresis shows the formation of linearized forms of DNA at 5:1 DNA base pair to complex ratio.
Using the computer to teach and learn social policy: a report from the classroom and the field

Summary This is a report of applications of computer-assisted instruction of social welfare policy content and computer simulations of social welfare policy processes. The applications were carried out in a university setting with graduate social work students and in the field with licensing workers in child welfare. These experiences, including their advantages and disadvantages, are described and evaluated and the implications of their use is discussed.
WALL SHEAR STRESS CALCULATED BY COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS FROM CORONARY CT ANGIOGRAPHY IMAGES FOR IDENTIFICATION AND EXCLUSION OF LESION-SPECIFIC ISCHEMIA

The use of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) enables non-invasive identification and exclusion of coronary artery stenosis, but does not determine whether a stenosis causes ischemia. Wall shear stress (WSS) is a measure of the tangential force to the coronary vessel wall that is proportional both to
Effect of Liver Poisoning on the Action of Parathyroid Extract

The mechanism by which parathyroid extracts increase the level of the blood calcium is almost completely unknown. Sendroy and Hastings1 have shown that in vitro such extracts have no effect on the solubility of slightly soluble calcium salts. Similarly, we found that parathyroid extract did not increase the calcium content of serum incubated with fresh bone preparations. Bodansky, Blair and Jaffe2 have shown that in the living animal the increase of the blood calcium on prolonged treatment is brought about by dissolution of the bone salts.Since the effect of the extracts does not seem to be on the bone directly, the idea suggests itself that some other organ or tissue may be also involved in the action of the parathyroid hormone. Because the liver carries on so many of the chemical functions of the body, it was decided to first make some attempts to test whether the liver might be involved in the action of parathyroid extracts. The choice of the liver was made more attractive by the findings of Minot and ...
Molecular Mechanism of Polarization and Piezoelectric Effect in Super-Twisted Collagen

It has been known for decades that bone exhibits piezoelectric behavior. In recent years, it was directly proved that this effect stems from a polymeric matrix in bone, i.e., collagen fibrils. This effect in collagen is distinctly different from organic piezoelectric crystals, given the semicrystalline molecular structure of the collagen biopolymer. As such, the molecular mechanism of this electromechanical coupling effect in a realistic “super-twisted” model of collagen has been elusive. Herein, we present an investigation on the molecular mechanism of piezoelectric effect in collagen using full atomistic simulation based on the experimentally verified “super-twisted” microstructure of collagen. Our results reveal that collagen exhibits a uniaxial polarization along the long axis of the collagen fibril. In addition, the piezoelectric effect in collagen originates at the collagen molecule level and is due to the mechanical stress-induced reorientation and magnitude change of the permanent dipoles of indiv...
A Psychometric Comparison of the Clinical Assessment Interview for Negative Symptoms and the Brief Negative Symptom Scale

In 2005, the National Institute of Mental Health held a consensus development conference on negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Among the important conclusions of this meeting were that there are at least 5 commonly accepted domains of negative symptoms (blunted affect, alogia, avolition, anhedonia, asociality) and that new rating scales were needed to adequately assess these constructs. Two next-generation negative symptom scales resulted from this meeting: the Brief Negative Symptom Scale (BNSS) and Clinical Assessment Interview for Negative Symptoms (CAINS). Both measures are becoming widely used and studies have demonstrated good psychometric properties for each scale. The current study provides the first direct psychometric comparison of these scales. Participants included 65 outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who completed clinical interviews, questionnaires, and neuropsychological testing. Separate raters completed the BNSS and CAINS within the same week. Results indicated that both measures had good internal consistency, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. High correspondence was observed between CAINS and BNSS blunted affect and alogia items. Moderate convergence occurred for avolition and asociality items, and low convergence was seen among anhedonia items. Findings suggest that both scales have good psychometric properties, but that there are important distinctions among the items related to motivation and pleasure.
A Statistical Analysis of Papers and Citations in the Journal of Library in 2007

Statistical analysis of various data in Library and In Information Service 2007 was made by literature bibliometrics,the issues examined include numbers of published papers and citations,suggestions are made for further improving the quality of the journal and similar journals.