cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
OBJECT PROPERTIES MEDIATING VISUAL OBJECT DISCRIMINATION IN THE CAT.

Summary.-In two experiments 25 cats were trained to discriminate objects differing in several properties and then tested to determine which properties provided the basis for discrimination. In both experiments outline shape was a more effective property than texture or three-dimensional shape. In Exp. 1 texture and three-dimensional shape were more effective when the rough, angular (as opposed to the smooth, rounded) object was positive. In Exp. 2 texture was effective when the rough object was positive whether or not the visually "rough" object was also tactually rough. Evidence from both experiments indicates that Ss' reacrions were primarily determined by the properties of the posirive object, and without regard for the properties of the negative object. These experiments were designed to provide information about the properties of objects reacted to by the cat. The main question asked is: When a cat discriminates objects differing sirnultaneo~lsly in several properties, which properties are preferentially reacted to, and what conditions favor the reaction to one as opposed to another property? While cats have been snidied previously in object-discrimination simations, there has been little work concerning the object properties mediating discrimination. In chis connection Boyd and Warren (1957) provide evidence from which one might infer the dominant effectiveness of "volume," and Hara and Warren (1961) report that cats prefer to discriminate luminous patterns on the basis of brightness, rather than area or form. EXPERIMENT 1 In chis experiment three object-properties - surface texture (rough vs smooth), outline shape (square vs circular) and three-dimensional shape (pyramidal vs hemispherical) were studied. The primary question concerned the role of each property in maintaining a previously established discrimination in which all three properties were relevant cues. Consideration of previous studies as well as pilot data suggested that at least two conditions could influence the results: (1) which object is posicive (Maiet, 1939) and (2) whether the irrelevant properties present during test trials are those of the posicive or negative training object (Nissen & Jenkins, 1943). Consequently, the infl~~ence of these variables upon the experimentally determined effective object properties was studied. 'Exp. 1 is adapted from a doctoral dissertation completed at Duke University by the first aurhor. He is indebted to Professor Karl Zener, who directed the dissertation. Exp. 2 was conducted by both authors at Kansas State University, with the assistance of ~essrs. James Craig and Vernon MacArthur, who were National Science Foundation Undergraduate Research Participants at Kansas Stare in the summer of 1963, and Mr. Henry Masters.
Correlation of TSH with the risk of paediatric thyroid carcinoma.

SummaryObjective Risk factors for the rare and unique entity of paediatric thyroid cancer are becoming more clearly defined. This study investigated the association of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) with the diagnosis of differentiated thyroid carcinoma in the paediatric population. No previous studies have correlated the paediatric thyroid cancer risk with TSH levels. Design Retrospective case-controlled study. Patients A total of 116 paediatric patients with an indication for thyroidectomy referred to Seattle Children's Hospital, a major paediatric tertiary medical centre, between January 1997 and January 2011 were assessed. Excluding confounders that would directly affect TSH values, 78 patients (29 patients with and 49 patients without thyroid cancer) between the ages of 3 and 20 years were evaluated. Measurements Preoperative TSH values correlated with pathology review of en bloc resected thyroid tissue specimens. Results The diagnosis of paediatric thyroid carcinoma was significantly associated with elevated TSH levels. The average TSH level (2·32 ± 0·51 mIU/l) was significantly greater than the TSH level (1·08 ± 0·14 mIU/l) noted in patients without malignancy (P = 0·03). A rightward skew of TSH was associated with paediatric patients harbouring paediatric thyroid carcinoma, with a TSH level ≥2·50 mIU/l correlating with a significantly increased odds ratio of thyroid cancer (OR 8·05, 95% CI 1·41–81·39, P = 0·0073) relative to a normal TSH range of 0·40–2·49 mIU/l. Conclusions Paediatric thyroid carcinoma is associated with TSH level ≥ 2·50 mIU/l, which may be useful to identify a higher risk of malignancy in a paediatric patient with a thyroid nodule.
Structured adaptive mesh refinement using leapfrog time integration on a staggered grid for ocean models

Abstract A leapfrog time integration technique for adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) is presented and compared to single-step and multi-step two time-level integrators for a standard 2D advection test case with time-varying, but specified, refinement. Leapfrog gives error and run times comparable to those of the two time-level integrators. A second advection test case is performed to demonstrate how reflections at coarse/fine interfaces produced by leapfrog can be damped using edge smoothing. A strategy for staggered grid AMR is presented with velocities defined at cell vertices and tracer and pressure variables defined at cell centres (B-grid). A barotropic modon test case using numerics from a well-documented ocean model is used to demonstrate the ability of staggered grid AMR on a geophysical application. Again refinement regions are time-varying, but specified by the analytic solution.
Enabling technologies for Web-based ubiquitous supercomputing

We use the term ubiquitous supercomputing to refer to systems that integrate low and mid range computing systems, advanced networks, and remote high end computers with the goal of enhancing the computational power accessible from local environments. Such systems promise to enable new applications in areas as diverse as smart instruments and collaborative environments. However, they also demand tools for transporting code between computers and for establishing flexible, dynamic communication structures. We propose that these requirements be satisfied by enhancing the Java programming language with global pointer and remote service request mechanisms from a communication library called Nexus. Java supports transportable code; Nexus provides communication support. We explain how this NexusJava library is implemented and illustrate its use with examples.
Whether EC and PC Differ in Interphasial Chemistry on Graphitic Anode and How

Efforts were made to answer a question that has been puzzling the electrochemical community since the birth of Li-ion battery chemistry: How do ethylene carbonate (EC) and propylene carbonate (PC), with such negligible structural differences, differ so much in surface behavior on graphitic anodes that one leads to reversible Li-ion intercalation chemistry, while the other only leads to graphene structure disintegration? Through the comparative characterization of reference semicarbonate compounds and interphasial species directly collected from cycled graphitic anodes, the origin of the above distinct interphasial stabilities was tentatively attributed to the bulk physicochemical properties of the single-electron reduction products of EC and PC, rather than from the difference in interphasial reduction pathways.
Site-directed mutagenesis of the conserved N-glycosylation site on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits

The role of the conserved N-glycosylation site on each subunit of the Torpedo acetylcholine receptor (AChR) in the biogenesis and function of the receptor was examined by expressing site-directed mutant subunits in Xenopus oocytes. Different mutant subunits caused different effects. The most striking effect was seen with the mutant gamma subunit which, when co-expressed with alpha, beta, and delta subunits, caused degradation of all the subunits. N-Glycosylation of the other subunits appears to contribute to stability of the subunits and/or efficient insertion of the receptor into the plasma membrane, but is not required for assembly. The AChRs containing the mutant alpha subunit formed functional ion channels in the plasma membrane and their activity could be blocked by alpha-bungarotoxin (alpha-BuTX). Thus, attachment of a carbohydrate moiety at the conserved N-glycosylation site is not an absolute requirement for the formation of ACh and alpha-BuTX binding sites.
Fabrication and characterization of polyimide–zeolite L mixed matrix membranes for gas separations

Mixed matrix membranes composed of zeolite L dispersed in a 6FDA-6FpDA-DABA polyimide matrix were fabricated and characterized for gas separation performance. The interfacial contact between the two phases relied on introducing amine functional groups on the zeolite surface and covalently linking them with carboxylic acid groups present along the polyimide backbone. While certain gas permeabilities in the membranes increased with the addition of zeolite L, overall these mixed matrix membranes did not offer substantial selectivity improvements. Separate gravimetric sorption measurements indicated that the sorption capacity of zeolites modified with silane coupling agents is substantially lower than the gas sorption in unmodified zeolites.
ASwatch: An AS Reputation System to Expose Bulletproof Hosting ASes

Presented on November 18, 2016 at 12:00 p.m. in the Klaus Advanced Computing Building, Room 1116W.
Lunar gravity - Preliminary estimates from lunar orbiter.

Tracking data fromt the lunar orbiters have been analyzed for information regarding Moon's gravity field. These preliminary results include values of a set of harmonic coefficients throlugh degree 4 in the tesserals and degree 8 in the zonals. Implications regarding Moon's mass distribution are discltssed: one implicationt is that Moon is nearly homogeneous.
Thermodynamic considerations on the generation of hydroxyl radicals from nitrous oxide--no laughing matter.

Abstract The one-electron reduction of nitrous oxide is a possible pathway to the hydroxyl radical. The one- and two-electron reduction potentials E0′ (N2O/OH, N2) and E0′ (N2O/H2O, N2) are calculated to be 0.32 V and 1.32 V at pH 7, respectively, for all species dissolved in water. Although nitrous oxide is thermodynamically capable of oxidising a variety of biomolecules, it is kinetically rather inert. The reason that nitrous oxide does not produce hydroxyl radicals readily might be that the one-electron reduction proceeds through the N2O− intermediate which is energetically very unfavourable: E0 (N2O/N2−) = −1.1 V.
m-Chlorophenylpiperazine as a probe of serotonin function

Abstract m-Chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP) is the most extensively used probe of serotonin function in psychiatry. The article reviews its in vitro and in vivo properties in animals, normal human subjects, and psychiatric patients. m CPP is a safe, reliable, direct 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) agonist, which may be used to evaluate 5HT receptor sensitivity. It causes a consistent, dose-dependent elevation of ACTH, cortisol, and prolactin levels in both animals and humans, as well as increased body temperature in man. It also causes a variety of behavioral effects, depending on the population studied. These effects are probably 5HT receptor-related, although specific 5HT receptor subtype mechanisms have not yet been established. m CPP may be considered an important addition to armamentarium of 5HT receptor probes, which is especially useful until more selective 5HT receptor agonists have been tested.
The logistics of worldwide, simultaneous availability of software documentation

The authors examine the problems encountered by IBM's Vienna Software Development Laboratory in responding to the requirement that software products be simultaneously available in European and United States markets. They also discuss the logistic and economic factors that contribute to the problems and present strategies for addressing them. Attention is given to the dual-location and one-location solutions and to the search for a high-tech solution. >
Turkey's national security in the Middle East

The Middle East poses threats and opportunities for Turkey's national security. This article analyzes Turkey's national security considering five integrated variables: the regime's political legitimacy, the society's ethnic and religious tolerance, the availability of essential natural resources such as water, oil, and gas, the state's economic capabilities, and the state's military capabilities. The article examines the foreign policy directions and complex choices facing policymakers regarding Turkey's relations with Iraq, Iran, Syria, Israel, and the GCC states, in order to preserve Turkey's national security in the Middle East.
MTV to the Rescue: Changing Library Attitudes through Video

Freshmen from small environments often are intimidated by a large campus and a large library. Knowledge about and respect for libraries and confidence in librarians are considered essential to overcoming student reluctance to make effective use of either. Students at a large public university were surveyed about library use and attitudes; 78 percent of the respondents were freshmen. Of the 1,879 respondents, 61.8 percent watched an eight-minute video, which was found to influence positively their self-projected future use of libraries as well as their attitudes about libraries and librarians. Comparisons also were drawn to faculty attitudes on the same campus.
Citrovorum factor in leucemia: Two cases with autopsy findings

Summary 1. The clinical and autopsy findings are reported in two cases of leucemia, one acute lymphatic and the other acute myelogenous leucemia. 2. The toxic effects of aminopterin and amethopterin were temporarily suppressed by the use of citrovorum. 3. In Case 1, in which hemorrhagic lesions developed in chicken pox, the citrovorum did not prevent the return of the toxic manifestations of aminopterin. The dosage may have been too small. 4. It is felt that the effects of the citrovorum factor were due to a general inhibition of the antifolic acid compounds.
Activation of field desorption emitters

Abstract Successful field desorption mass spectrometry requires a reliable means for wire emitter activation, i.e. growing semi-conducting micro-needles on the emitter surface. We have had difficulty in initiating needle growth and have overcome this problem by developing a simple process for controlled preroughening provides a large number of nucleation sites which have sufficient field strength to initiate needle growth. In addition to this technique a few observations concerning the use and performance of the emitters are discussed.
Naloxone reduces fluid intake in rats with open gastric fistulas

Water-deprived rats, fixed with chronically indwelling gastric fistulas, drank with the fistulas open (sham drinking) for 20 min. The subjects were given three doses of naloxone (0.0, 1.0, and 10 mg/kg, SC) 15 min before the opportunity to sham drink. The mean water intakes on days of 0.0, 1.0 and 10 mg/kg of naloxone were 43.3, 36.3 and 23.1 g, respectively. Naloxone clearly reduced fluid intake in rats engaged in sham drinking. This finding, that naloxone reduces fluid intake when post-ingestional absorption is prevented, lends support to the idea that naloxone modified central neural regulatory processes. The results of these experiments do not support the hypothesis that the endorphins are involved exclusively with drive-reduction.
High Spatio-Temporal Resolution Digital Particle Image Velocimetry Near Compliant, Dynamically Moving Boundaries

Digital Particle Image Velocimetry (DPIV) currently represents the state of the art for non-invasive global flow velocity measurements. The instantaneous velocities are determined by cross-correlating patterns of particles between consecutive images, thus mapping in space and time the velocity distribution for thousands of points in the flow field simultaneously.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
The influence of public self‐consciousness and materialism on young consumers' compulsive buying

Purpose – This study aims to investigate young consumers' compulsive buying tendency from the perspective of psychological motivation. Specifically, this research aims to study the influence of public self‐consciousness and materialism on young consumers' compulsive buying.Design/methodology/approach – A self‐administered survey was distributed to a class at a Mid‐Western university. LISREL 8.7 was employed to assess the validity and reliability of the constructs by using confirmatory factor analyses and to test the hypotheses by using structural equation modeling.Findings – Materialism was found to have a strong, significant and direct influence on young consumers' compulsive buying tendency. Public self‐consciousness was strongly related to young consumers' compulsive buying tendency. However the influence of public self‐consciousness on compulsive buying tendency was mediated by materialism.Originality/value – This paper contributes to the literature on young consumers' compulsive buying. Not only is t...
Search for abnormal-nucleus production in heavy-ion collisions.

In 1.0[times]10[sup 9] collisions of 11.4[ital A] GeV [sup 197]Au on a 1.27-cm Pb target we found no nuclear products with charge [gt]84 emitted within an angle of 140 mrad to the beam direction, allowing us to set an upper limit of 20 nb on the production cross section at 90% confidence level for abnormal nuclei with lifetime [ge]10[sup [minus]9] s.
Therapist effects in the National Institute of Mental Health Treatment of Depression Collaborative Research Program and other psychotherapy studies

We appreciate this opportunity to react to the two studies in this issue of Psychotherapy Research (Elkin, Falconnier, Martinovich, & Mahoney; Wampold) that address therapist effects on outcome in ...
The Gauss–Bonnet formula on surfaces with densities

The celebrated Gauss–Bonnet formula has a nice generalization to surfaces with densities, in which both arclength and area are weighted by positive functions. Surfaces with densities, especially when arclength and area are weighted by the same factor, appear throughout mathematics, including probability theory and Perelman’s recent proof of the Poincare conjecture.
African American Women and Men at High and Low Risk for Hypertension: A Signal Detection Analysis of NHANES III, 1988–1994

Background. African Americans have some of the highest rates of hypertension in the world. This study identified subgroups of U.S. African American women and men with particularly high and low rates of hypertension. Methods. Data are presented for 1,911 Black women and 1,657 Black men, ages 25‐ 84 from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988 ‐1994. Signal detection methodology identified high and low risk subgroups; stratified analyses characterized the population of hypertensives. Results. We identified 12 distinct subgroups with highly variable rates of hypertension (11‐78%). The two groups with the highest rates of hypertension (>70% hypertensive) were more likely to be middle aged or older, less educated, overweight or obese (>80%), physically inactive (50%), and to have diabetes (28 and 100% diabetic). The two groups with the lowest hypertension rates ( 50%). Among hypertensives, those who were uncontrolled and not on antihypertensive medications were distinguished by their male gender, younger age, and infrequent contact with a physician. Conclusions. Hypertension rates vary substantially within African Americans, illustrating the need for effective weight management, diabetes control, and increased access to health care for those at highest risk. © 2002 American Health Foundation and Elsevier Science (USA)
Helical phasing between DNA bends and the determination of bend direction

The presence and location of bends in DNA can be inferred from the anomalous mobility of DNA fragments or protein-DNA complexes during electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels. Direction of bending is not so easily determined. We show here that a protein-induced bend, when linked to a protein-independent DNA bend by a segment of variable length, exhibits an electrophoretic mobility that varies in a sinusoidal manner with the length of the linker. Mobility minima occur once for each addition to the linker of one helical turn of DNA. Since minima should occur when two bends reinforce one another, the direction of one bend relative to the other can be determined from the distances between the two centers of bending at which minima occur. Our results strongly support the idea that the A5-6 tracts in kinetoplast DNA bend towards the minor groove while the bend at the recombination site of the gamma delta resolvase (binding site I of the gamma delta res site) bends towards the major groove.
Hepatitis C virus-mediated enhancement of microRNA miR-373 impairs the JAK/STAT signaling pathway.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a serious global health problem and establishes chronic infection in a significant number of infected humans worldwide. Interferon (IFN) and IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) are amplified during HCV infection but fail to eliminate virus from the liver in a large number of infected patients, and the mechanism is not fully understood. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated in the control of many biological processes, including IFN signaling. To gain more insights into the role of cellular miRNAs in possible countermeasures of HCV for suppression of the host antiviral response, a miRNA array was performed by using primary human hepatocytes infected with in vitro cell culture-grown HCV. A group of miRNAs were modulated in HCV-infected primary human hepatocytes. We focused on miR-373, as this miRNA was significantly upregulated in HCV-infected primary human hepatocytes. Here, we analyzed the function of miR-373 in the context of HCV infection. HCV infection upregulates miR-373 expression in hepatocytes and HCV-infected liver biopsy specimens. Furthermore, we discovered that miR-373 directly targets Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) and IFN-regulating factor 9 (IRF9), important factors in the IFN signaling pathway. The upregulation of miR-373 by HCV also inhibited STAT1 phosphorylation, which is involved in ISG factor 3 (ISGF3) complex formation and ISG expression. The knockdown of miR-373 in hepatocytes enhanced JAK1 and IRF9 expression and reduced HCV RNA replication. Taken together, our results demonstrated that miR-373 is upregulated during HCV infection and negatively regulated the type I IFN signaling pathway by suppressing JAK1 and IRF9. Our results offer a potential therapeutic approach for antiviral intervention. IMPORTANCE Chronic HCV infection is one of the major causes of end-stage liver disease worldwide. Although the recent introduction of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy is extremely encouraging, some infected individuals do not respond to this therapy. Furthermore, these drugs target HCV nonstructural proteins, and with selective pressure, the virus may develop a resistant strain. Therefore, understanding the impairment of IFN signals will help in designing additional therapeutic modalities. In this study, we provide evidence of HCV-mediated upregulation of miR-373 and show that miR-373 impairs IFN signaling by targeting JAK1/IRF9 molecules. The knockdown of miR-373 inhibited HCV replication by upregulating interferon-stimulating gene expression. Together, these results provided new mechanistic insights into the role of miR-373 in HCV infection and suggest a new potential target against HCV infection.
Inter-subject comparison of MRI knee cartilage thickness

In this paper, we present the development and application of current image processing techniques to perform MRI inter-subject comparison of knee cartilage thickness based on the registration of bone structures. Each point in the bone surface which is part of the bone–cartilage interface is assigned a cartilage thickness value. Cartilage and corresponding bone structures are segmented and their shapes interpolated to create isotropic voxels. Cartilage thicknesses are computed for each point in the bone–cartilage interfaces and transferred to the bone surfaces. Corresponding anatomic points are then computed for bone surfaces based on shape matching using 3D shape descriptors called shape contexts to register bones with affine and elastic transformations, and then perform a point to point comparison of cartilage thickness values. An alternative technique for cartilage shape interpolation using a morphing technique is also presented. The cartilage segmentation and morphing were validated visually, based on volumetric measurements of porcine knee images which cartilage volumes were measured using a water displacement method, and based on digital thickness values computed with an established technique. Shape matching using 3D shape contexts was validated visually and against manual shape matching performed by a radiologist. The reproducibility of intra- and inter-subject cartilage thickness comparisons was established, as well as the feasibility of using the proposed technique to build a mean femoral shape, cartilage thickness map, and cartilage coverage map. Results showed that the proposed technique is robust, accurate, and reproducible to perform point to point inter-subject comparison of knee cartilage thickness values.
A Comparison of Objective and Subjective Means of Weather Typing: An Example from West Texas

Abstract An objective weather typing scheme first proposed by Christensen and Bryson (1966) was applied to surface and upper air variables for the period April–September of 1973–76 at Midland, Texas. Principal components analysis showed that moisture and temperature, which were represented by the first and second components, respectively, are most important in distinguishing day-to-day weather, while synoptic variables such as wind and pressure are relatively unimportant. The days of the study period were then assigned to weather types after applying multiple regression analysis and an objective grouping method. The principal disadvantages of the latter procedure are the large number of untyped days and the relatively few days assigned to types after the second. Suggestions for improving this grouping method are offered. Surface and 500 mb charts for the same period were examined and each day was typed according to a method specifying surface and upper air synoptic features. The two methods were then comp...
Magnetically-Induced Solid-State Electrochemical Detection of DNA Hybridization

A magnetic triggering of a solid-state electrical transduction of DNA hybridization is described. Positioning of an external magnet below the thick-film electrode attracts the DNA/particle network and enables the solid-state electrochemical stripping detection of the silver tracer. TEM imaging indicates that the hybridization event results in a three-dimensional aggregate structure in which duplex segments link the metal nanoparticles and magnetic spheres, and that most of this assembly is covered with the silver precipitate. This leads to a direct contact of the metal tag with the surface (in connection to the magnetic collection) and enables the solid-state electrochemical transduction (without prior dissolution and subsequent electrodeposition of the metal), using oxidative dissolution of the silver tracer. No such aggregates (and hence magnetic “collection”) are observed in the presence of noncomplementary DNA, that is, without the linking hybrid. The new method couples high sensitivity of silver-ampl...
Human cryopreserved homografts: Electron microscopic analysis of cellular injury

Twenty-five human cryopreserved valves with harvest-related warm ischemic times (WITs) ranging from 0 to 20 hours were studied using transmission electron microscopy to characterize the effects of harvesting and preservation on leaflet matrix cells. The valves were divided into seven groups on the basis of WIT and processed using standard transmission electron microscopic methods. Each cell (528 micrographs) was graded for reversible and irreversible cellular injury and subjected to a Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel trend analysis. Our results demonstrated a progression in cellular injury with increasing WIT. During the first 12 hours of warm ischemia, reversible cellular injury predominated (0.0%, 30.0%, 51.2%, 31.3%, 35.1%, 45.1%, and 40.0% at WITs of 0, 1, 2, 8, 12, 16, and 20 hours, respectively). A positive correlation (p < 0.0001) between increasing WIT and reversible cellular injury through the first 12 hours was observed. Minimal morphologic evidence of irreversible injury was noted in valves harvested with less than 12 hours of warm ischemia; however, after 12 hours there was a marked increase (0.0%, 0.0%, 4.7%, 2.4%, 2.7%, 31.4%, and 40.0% at WITs of 0, 1, 2, 8, 12, 16, and 20 hours, respectively) in irreversible cellular injury (p < 0.001 between 12 and 20 hours WIT). These data demonstrate a progression in cellular injury with increasing WIT. There was virtually no morphologic injury in valves with harvest-related WITs less than 2 hours and minimal irreversible cellular injury observed in valves exposed to 12 hours or less of warm ischemia. If cellular viability is critical to homograft durability then harvest-related warm ischemia may need to be restricted to 12 hours.
Clinical and imaging features of testicular torsion: role of ultrasound.

Abstract The early and accurate diagnosis of testicular torsion remains a clinical challenge. The implications of a missed diagnosis have emphasized the need for a non-invasive test for confirming testicular ischaemia; a problem highlighted by difficulties in establishing the diagnosis clinically. Understandably, the advent of colour Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) (and subsequently ‘power’ Doppler and microbubble ultrasound contrast), has been greeted with enthusiasm. However, as in other fields of medicine, a policy placing sole reliance on a single technique is likely to be flawed. This review will critically evaluate the role of CDUS and other imaging modalities in the diagnosis of testicular torsion.Sidhu, P. S. (1999) Clinical Radiology 54 , 343–352.
Gender Differences in Large-Scale Math Assessments: PISA Trend 2000 and 2003

Many efforts have been made to determine and explain differential gender performance on large-scale mathematics assessments. A well-agreed-on conclusion is that gender differences are contextualized and vary across math domains. This study investigated the pattern of gender differences by item domain (e.g., Space and Shape, Quantity) and item type (e.g., multiple-choice i items, open constructed-response items). The U.S. portion of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2000 and 2003 mathematics assessment was analyzed. A multidimensional Rasch model was used to provide student ability estimates for each comparison. Results revealed a slight but consistent male advantage. Students showed the largest gender difference (d = 0.19) in favor of males on complex multiple-choice items, an unconventional item type. Males and females also showed sizable differences on Space and Shape items, a domain well documented for showing robust male superiority. Contrary to many previous findings reporting...
Heat generation by superpulsed CO2 lasers on plasma-sprayed titanium implants: an in vitro study.

Objective. The purpose of this study was to record the generation of heat in selected titanium implants while exposing them to a superpulsed CO2 laser mode. These results can be compared with previous studies in which continuous and pulsed CO2 laser modes were used. Study Design. Titanium implants with cover screws were used in this study. The length of exposure time ranged from 2 to 15 seconds, and the wattage ranged from 3 to 15 W. A thermocoupler with a module recorder was used to record temperature changes at the implant-cover screw interface with the implant in a 37°C water bath. Temperature changes were documented during the exposure phase, as well as after termination of the exposure. Statistical analysis consisted of analysis of variance (P < .05) for statistically significant differences among the exposure time–wattage pairs. Results. Temperature increases were directly related to wattage and exposure time. All temperatures returned to baseline within 1 minute. Conclusion. Superpulsed CO2 lasers generate significantly less heat with the 15-second, 15-W trial as compared with continuous and pulsed laser modes. Peak temperature increases with similar exposure and wattage times are comparable to those of the pulsed-laser mode. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 1999;88:544-8)
Pion condensation in neutron matter: Effects of pion-nucleon scattering

Using the off-shell model for $\ensuremath{\pi}N$ scattering based upon current algebra and a dispersion-theoretical axial-vector nucleon amplitude dominated by the $\ensuremath{\Delta}(1230)$ isobar, we investigate the critical density for the onset of pion condensation in neutron matter. We find that condensation occurs at approximately nuclear-matter density assuming nucleon-nucleon correlations are neglected. The repulsive nature of the latter should presumably push up this critical density.
MEANCALC: A BASIC program to calculate means and standard errors for a wide variety of designs

Cet article presente et decrit un programme qui calcule les erreurs standards et moyennes d'une maniere rapide et facile pour une grande variete de conceptions experimentales
Social support and child protection: lessons learned and learning

Social support has been a topic of research for nearly 50 years, and its applications to prevention and intervention have grown significantly, including programs advancing child protection. This article summarizes the central conclusions of the 1994 review of research on social support and the prevention of child maltreatment prepared for the U.S. Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect, and surveys advances in the field since its publication. Among the lessons learned twenty years ago are (a) the diversity of the social support needs of at-risk families and their association with child endangerment, (b) the need to supplement the emotionally affirmative aspects of social support with efforts to socialize parenting practices and monitor child well-being, (c) the desirability of integrating formal and informal sources of social support for recipients, and (d) the importance of considering the complex recipient reactions to receiving support from others. The lessons we are now learning derive from research exploring the potential of online communication to enhance social support, the neurobiology of stress and its buffering through social support, and the lessons of evaluation research that are identifying the effective ingredients of social support interventions.
Genetics of aplasia cutis reveal novel regulators of skin morphogenesis.

The molecular mechanisms that control skin morphogenesis are complex and only incompletely understood. Aplasia cutis manifests with localized skin defects at birth and is a feature in various syndromes. Identifying the genes that cause these genetic skin conditions provides the opportunity to define novel regulators of skin morphogenesis. Recently, human genetic approaches have led to the identification of aplasia cutis–causing mutations in genes that have previously not been implicated to have an important role in skin biology. These findings reveal novel molecular mechanisms that are involved in skin formation during development.
Quasi-Biomimetic Ring Contraction Catalyzed by a Cysteine-Based Nucleophile: Total Synthesis of Sch-642305, Some Analogs and their Putative anti-HIV Activities.

Cysteine plays a number of important functional and structural roles in nature, often in the realm of catalysis. Herein, we present an example of a cysteine-promoted Rauhut-Currier reaction for a potentially biomimetic synthesis of Sch-642305 and related analogs. In this key step of the synthesis we discuss interesting new discoveries and the importance of substrate-catalyst recognition, as well as cysteine's structural features. Also, we investigate the activity of Sch-642305 and four analogs in HIV-infected T-cells.
Combining Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis Data with Experimentally Measured Data

This article offers an approach to reducing time and cost of experimentation in large wind tunnels by combining computer simulations of fluid dynamics test models with small sets of experimental data. To demonstrate the viability of this technique, the ..
Module Categories Over Representations of SL q (2) in the Non-Semisimple Case

We classify semisimple module categories over the tensor category of representations of quantum SL(2).
How Do Psychological Factors Influence Adolescent Smoking Progression? The Evidence for Indirect Effects Through Tobacco Advertising Receptivity

OBJECTIVES. To determine whether novelty seeking and depressive symptoms had mediated or indirect effects on adolescent smoking progression through tobacco advertising receptivity. METHODS. More than 1000 adolescents were monitored from 9th grade to 12th grade and completed annual surveys that measured demographic characteristics, smoking behavior, tobacco advertising receptivity, novelty-seeking personality, depressive symptoms, family and peer smoking, alcohol use, and marijuana use. RESULTS. Latent growth modeling indicated that novelty seeking had a significant indirect effect on smoking progression through baseline tobacco advertising receptivity. For each 1-SD increase in novelty seeking, the odds of being more receptive to tobacco advertising increased by 12% (ie, being in a specific category or higher), which in turn resulted in an 11% increase in the odds of smoking progression from 9th grade to 12th grade. The indirect effect from depressive symptoms to smoking progression did not reach significance. CONCLUSIONS. These findings may inform future research on other factors that influence tobacco advertising receptivity, as well as programs aimed at preventing adolescent smoking initiation and progression.
A nested case-control study of low birthweight among cosmetologists.

This study was designed to determine whether licensed female cosmetologists with a low birthweight child were more likely to perform specific occupational tasks during pregnancy than cosmetologists who had a normal weight child. We also investigated certain salon characteristics in relation to low birthweight status. This nested case–control study followed-up a positive association of low birthweight children among cosmetologists found in a retrospective cohort study previously reported. Cases were cosmetologists with children born between 1997 and 2003 weighing 2,500 grams at birth, frequency matched on year of birth of the child. A mailed questionnaire gathered information on potential confounders and detailed exposure information about work environment and occupational tasks of cosmetologists. Frequency of product use was dichotomized into daily/less than daily for each task. Number of hours worked per week was also considered. Birth certificate data were used for information on some potential confounders and birthweight. Using logistic regression, adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were obtained. A total of 125 (30%) cases and 158 (35%) controls agreed to participate. Responders and non-responders were similar on birthweight and most demographic characteristics. None of the specific cosmetology tasks studied were associated with low birthweight. Working in a salon located in a house/building with other businesses was associated with having a low birthweight child [OR = 2.20, 95% CI (1.21, 4.02)]. We did not find any associations between specific tasks of cosmetologists and low birthweight.
The interaction of divalent metal ions with tris buffer in dilute solution.

Abstract The interaction of 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol (tris) with eight divalent metal ions has been investigated under conditions commonly employed in biochemical studies. Formation constants have been calculated, where possible from pH titration data. Hg ++ and Cu ++ interact strongly with tris, and Co ++ , Zn ++ , Cd ++ much less so. The interaction of tris with Mg ++ and Mn ++ is too weak to be detected under the conditions used. Above pH 7.5 further reaction of the metal complexes with added hydroxyl ion complicates the calculation of formation constants for higher complexes of divalent metal ions and Tris.
Prevalence of elevated alanine transaminase activity in dogs treated with CCNU (Lomustine)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate prevalence of serum alanine transaminase (ALT) elevation in dogs receiving lomustine (CCNU) and to analyse the pattern of occurrence and potential risk factors. Serum ALT activity in 109 dogs during single-agent CCNU chemotherapy was retrospectively analysed. The median initial dose, dose-intensity and cumulative dose of CCNU were 64 mg m(-2), 21 mg m(-2) week(-1) and 171 mg m(-2), respectively. The overall prevalence of major ALT elevation [> 5-fold upper reference limit (URL)] was 29% (32/109) and developed most commonly after one to three doses of CCNU. These ALT elevations occurred without preceding mild ALT elevation in 53% (17/32) of the cases. Three dogs (2.8%) developed clinical hepatopathy. For severe ALT elevation (>10-fold URL), age < or =5-year-old was associated with higher risk. The findings of this study showed that elevation of ALT is common during CCNU chemotherapy in dogs and severe elevation can develop on a sudden onset.
Situational Coaching Styles: The Impact of Success and Athlete Maturity Level on Coaches’ Leadership Styles Over Time

This investigation examines athletes’ preferences and perceptions and coaches’ perceptions of leadership styles used throughout an athletic season. The review of literature identified an existing limitation to current examinations of coaching styles. Past researchers failed to include time as a potential variable affecting athletes’ preferences and perceptions of their coaches’ use of five leadership styles: autocratic, democratic, social support, positive feedback, and training and instruction. The participants for this study included 155 varsity wrestlers and 17 coaches. Athletes and coaches completed instruments three times during the season, and repeated measures procedures computed for the two primary research questions indicated significant differences for each. When examining the impact of athlete experience level, results indicated only athletes’ perceptions of their coaches’ social support styles are affected by the athletes’ experience level across time. Also, athletes’ perceptions of their coac...
Nonconjugate Bayesian Analysis of Variance Component Models

We consider the usual normal linear mixed model for variance components from a Bayesian viewpoint. With conjugate priors and balanced data, Gibbs sampling is easy to implement; however, simulating from full conditionals can become difficult for the analysis of unbalanced data with possibly nonconjugate priors, thus leading one to consider alternative Markov chain Monte Carlo schemes. We propose and investigate a method for posterior simulation based on an independence chain. The method is customized to exploit the structure of the variance component model, and it works with arbitrary prior distributions. As a default reference prior, we use a version of Jeffreys' prior based on the integrated (restricted) likelihood. We demonstrate the ease of application and flexibility of this approach in familiar settings involving both balanced and unbalanced data.
Coastal initiative of the Global Terrestrial Observing System

The three global observing systems (the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS); the Global Oceanographic Observing System (GOOS); and the Global Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS)) are designed to detect and assess global change. A land-based coastal observing system initiative under GTOS is at the beginnings and will lead toward the integration of terrestrial and freshwater observations with marine observations under the auspices of coastal GOOS. The GTOS infrastructure already builds on national, regional and global programs for terrestrial observations, but more emphasis is needed on the unique circumstances of coastal ecosystems. Coastal GTOS will use the observing system philosophy and infrastructure to identify and improve access to data and information about coastal change; assist users to make that access systematically; ensure that appropriate measures are being or can be made; and integrate terrestrial observations with marine observations. Key variables have been defined for GTOS. But major challenges include evaluating these and others for coastal ecosystems and identifying the indicators of coastal condition that operate at appropriate scales.
Role of the commensal microbiota in normal and pathogenic host immune responses

The commensal microbiota that inhabit different parts of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract have been shaped by coevolution with the host species. The symbiotic relationship of the hundreds of microbial species with the host requires a tuned response that prevents host damage, e.g., inflammation, while tolerating the presence of the potentially beneficial microbes. Recent studies have begun to shed light on immunological processes that participate in maintenance of homeostasis with the microbiota and on how disturbance of host immunity or the microbial ecosystem can result in disease-provoking dysbiosis. Our growing appreciation of this delicate host-microbe relationship promises to influence our understanding of inflammatory diseases and infection by microbial pathogens and to provide new therapeutic opportunities.
Phase response curves of subthalamic neurons measured with synaptic input and current injection.

Infinitesimal phase response curves (iPRCs) provide a simple description of the response of repetitively firing neurons and may be used to predict responses to any pattern of synaptic input. Their ...
Subcutaneous Infusion and Capillary “Finger Stick” Sampling of Stable Isotope Tracer in Metabolic Studies

Metabolic studies utilizing stable isotope tracer in humans have typically used intravenous tracer infusions and venous blood sampling. These studies explore subcutaneous infusion of isotope and “finger stick” capillary blood sampling to measure glucose turnover. Five subjects received simultaneous 8-h infusions of glucose labeled with isotope: [1-13C]glucose subcutaneously and [6,6-2H2]glucose intravenously. At regular intervals, venous and finger stick blood specimens were obtained. Finger stick blood was applied to filter paper. Substrate and isotopic steady state was reached after 7.0 h with both routes of infusion. The isotopic enrichments of finger stick and venous specimens did not differ significantly for the subcutaneously infused [1-13C]glucose (p = 0.33 and p = 0.23, respectively) but the finger stick [6,6-2H2]glucose enrichment was slightly higher (p < 0.03) than that of the venous sample. Using [6,6-2H2]glucose infusion and venous plasma sampling as the reference method, the [1-13C]glucose gave estimates of glucose Ra that were 13% (plasma) and 17% (finger stick) lower (p < 0.001 and p < 0.02, respectively). This difference could be attributed to recycling of 13C label. In conclusion, subcutaneous infusion and finger stick specimen collection onto filter paper represent a potential method of conducting in vivo studies of substrate metabolism outside of a hospital-based research unit.
Theoretical Analysis of Piston Ring Frictional Loss in an Innovative Rotating Liner Internal Combustion Engine

This paper presents a new lubrication model to predict piston ring friction. The average Reynolds equation is adopted to obtain the hydrodynamic component of restoring force against the cylinder liner surface. The dry or boundary lubricated component is derived from Greenwood-Tripp model. The influence of surface irregularities or roughness on the lubricant flow will be described by statistical parameters. Unlike classical piston ring mixed lubrication models, a sideslip rolling friction model is incorporated with contact simulation. Numerical results show that piston ring friction is reduced dramatically by the liner rotation.Copyright © 2005 by ASME