cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Discriminative stimulus properties of methylxanthines and their metabolites in rats.

Abstract Rats were trained to discriminate methylxanthines from saline under a two-lever concurrent variable ratio schedule of reinforcement. One group was trained to discriminate between saline and 32 mg/kg caffeine. A second group was trained to discriminate between 56 mg/kg theophylline and saline. Rats reliably discriminated between saline and the training methylxanthine, displaying graded generalization curves across training-drug doses. Caffeine-trained rats demonstrated caffeine-appropriate responding when tested with theophylline, paraxanthine, and 3-methylxanthine. Theobromine failed to generalize to the caffeine cue at test doses up to 75 g/kg. In contrast to the caffeine group, rats trained to discriminate theophylline from saline were less sensitive (higher ED50) to the effects of caffeine and paraxanthine test doses. Only partial generalization to the theophylline cue occured at paraxanthine doses up to 100 mg/kg. Based upon these data, it is suggested that the underlying substrate(s) for the caffeine cue is in some respects different from the substrate(s) for the theophylline cue.
Fluorescence quantification of nanoparticle diffusion from smart brachytherapy spacers in vivo

New implantable smart nanoparticle (NP) coated brachytherapy spacers have recently been developed which allows controlled, long-term release of chemotherapeutic drugs into tumors. However, kinetics of NP (drug) diffusion over time is still poorly understood, and new methods for controlling and optimizing this release are needed. In this work, we developed and validated a novel broad-field transmission fluorescence imaging system to observe NP diffusion in bulk biological tissue. This allowed us to systematically quantify diffusion both in phantoms in vitro and in mice in vivo. We performed in vitro studies with free dye and NPs of different sizes (30 nm and 200 nm) in agar gel phantoms and analyzed the diffusion over time. It was found that the free dye diffusion coefficient was orders of magnitude larger than both NP types verifying that diffusion could be controlled based on particle size. We also performed preliminary studies in mice, where functionalized brachytherapy spacers were implanted into the hind flanks of nude mice. Continuous diffusion of free dye and NPs was observed, with maximal diffusion areas observed on day 4 and day 6 for 30 nm and 200 nm NPs, respectively. Our fluorescence imaging system was capable of robustly quantifying this size-dependent diffusion. In the future, we will use it to optimize and control drug delivery from smart nanoparticles over time.
How Can We Improve the Accuracy of Screening Instruments

Screening for early reading problems is a critical step in early intervention and prevention of later reading difficulties. Evaluative frameworks for determining the utility of a screening process are presented in the literature but have not been applied to many screening measures currently in use in numerous schools across the nation. In this study, the accuracy of several Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) subtests in predicting which students were at risk for reading failure in first grade was examined in a sample of 12,055 students in Florida. Findings indicate that the DIBELS Nonsense Word Fluency, Initial Sound Fluency, and Phoneme Segmentation Fluency measures show poor diagnostic utility in predicting end of Grade 1 reading performance. DIBELS Oral Reading Fluency in fall of Grade 1 had higher classification accuracy than other DIBELS measures, but when compared to the classification accuracy obtained by assuming that no student had a disability, suggests the need to reevaluate the use of classification accuracy as a way to evaluate screening measures without discussion of base rates. Additionally, when cut scores on the screening tools were set to capture 90 percent of all students at risk for reading problems, a high number of false positives were identified. Finally, different cut scores were needed for different subgroups, such as English Language Learners. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Structural Workshop Paper---Data Selection and Procurement

In this note I overview the data selection and procurement process in the context of structural models. Data selection for structural models presents unique challenges because data and structure often substitute and because it is imperative to consider what information identifies causal effects of interest. I further discuss three types of field data on which to build empirical models: (i) data that are proprietary to firms, (ii) data that can come from the public domain, or (iii) data that can be purchased from private research firms, and I discuss the benefits and limits of each. I then detail a process for obtaining proprietary data and the potential pitfalls inherent in the process.
Common fragile sites and cancer (Review)

Chromosomal fragile sites are specific loci which are especially susceptible to forming gaps, breaks and rearrangements in metaphase chromosomes when cells are cultured under conditions that inhibit DNA replication. Fragile sites are grouped into two classes the 'rare' and the 'common' fragile sites, based on their frequency of occurrence and means of induction. The common fragile sites are apparently present as a constant feature in all individuals and their clinical significance is that they might predispose chromosomes to breakage and rearrangement during cancer development. The most frequently observed common fragile sites occur, in decreasing order, at 3p14.2 (FRA3B), 16q23 (FRA16D), 6q26 (FRA6E), 7q32 (FRA7H), and Xp22 (FRAXB). FRA3B has been of particular interest since it is the most active common fragile site, and is located in a chromosomal band that is frequently deleted in several solid tumors suggesting that a putative tumor suppressor gene resides there. In this review we describe our work on the characterization of FRA3B and the analysis of deletions in the FRA3B region in several different tumor-derived cell lines. We also describe our efforts to identify other common fragile sites and to determine the role that these sites play in tumor development.
A note on simultaneous and interleaved masking.

Abstract Speech and noise were switched periodically from ear to ear at a rate high enough to create a binaurally fused image. Two masking conditions were investigated. In one the speech and noise were switched in unison from ear to ear such that both speech and noise were presented simultaneously to the same ear. In the other case, the speech and noise were interleaved such that there was no simultaneous overlap of the speech and noise at any one ear. The difference in masking levels between these two conditions was found to be on the order of 20 dB. The technique offers some interesting possibilities for investigating the relative effects of central and peripheral masking in both normal and hearing-impaired listeners.
Effects of arsenic on nutrient dynamics of grassland microcosms and field plots

Grassland field plots were compared to two sizes of excised microcosms (15 and 30 cm diameter) and 30-cm diameter homogenized microcosms to assess the effects of As on soil-plant nutrient dynamics. The goal of this experiment was to determine the feasibility of using microcosms for screening chemicals which are potentially toxic to terrestrial ecosystems. All experimental units were treated with As, at rates of 0, 0.5, and 5.0 mg cm−2, by superficial application of dissolved Na2AsO4. Calcium, PO4-P, NO3-N, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and NH4-N were determined in soil leachate and soil extracts. Greater loss of PO4-P, NO3-N, NH4-N, and DOC occurred via soil leachate from microcosms treated with the greatest level of As relative to untreated microcosms. Field plots were unaffected by As treatment. Excised microcosms were found to be more representative of field plots in reflecting microbial dynamics than were homogenized microcosms. Thus excised microcosms were recommended for testing potentially hazardous chemicals.
Transfer performance in children's oddity learning as a function of dimensional preference, shift paradigm and overtraining

Abstract Eighty kindergarten and second grade children were trained on an oddity problem with their preferred dimension either relevant or variable and irrelevant. After reaching criterion, half the Ss received 50 overtraining trials prior to the administration of transfer problems while the remaining Ss were transferred immediately to the new problems. Transfer conditions introduced all new stimuli and Ss were randomly assigned to either an intradimensional (ID) oddity shift or an extradimensional (ED) oddity shift. Dimensional preference had a significant effect on original learning, but no effects of this variable were revealed in the transfer data. The older Ss acquired the original problem in fewer trials. For both age groups, ID transfer shifts were learned significantly faster than ED shifts following a weak criterion measure. For the kindergarten Ss overtraining slightly but not significantly increased the difference between the shift conditions. However, both the ID and ED shift performance of the older Ss was facilitated by overtraining and near perfect transfer scores were recorded. An explanation was put forward in terms of chaining theories of learning which stress mediation through covert attentional responses.
Navigating disrupted transitions: Getting back on track after dropping out of high school

Using ecological-developmental and resilience perspectives, this study utilizes quantitative and qualitative methods to examine the role of family, community, and individual variables in reestablishing school and work pathways for a diverse sample of 182 Boston-area high school dropouts. Extra familial involvement and individual coping style prove the best predictors of on-track status.
Dual enigma of somatic hypermutation of immunoglobulin variable genes: targeting and mechanism

The immunoglobulin loci are uniquely unstable regions of the genome which undergo as much mutation and selection in a matter of days as a species can undergo in generations of evolution. We have studied the mutational pattern and targeting of this unusual hypermutation process over the past 16 years. The pattern of somatic mutations in rearranged variable (V) genes differs from the pattern of meiotic mutations, indicating that a different mechanism generates hypermutation than generates spontaneous mutation. Hypermutations begin on the 5' end of rearranged V genes downstream of the transcription initiation site and continue through the V exon and into the 3'-flanking region before tapering off. Mutations are located randomly throughout the DNA sequence and exhibit strand bias. The targeting of mutations to the region in and around the rearranged V gene appears to require interactions between the promoter and downstream intronic DNA sequences. The same mechanism that initiates hypermutation around V genes may also produce double-strand breaks that catalyze homologous recombination between rearranged V genes on two chromosomal alleles. With this data we have built a model of hypermutation which predicts that V-region DNA is destabilized at the nuclear matrix during transcription and undergoes strand breaks.
Self-generating Universe and many worlds

A novel, compact conceptual framework for the origin of the Universe is proposed, whereby the Universe is identified with a baby universe born ofitself. This picture indicates an intimate meshing of gravitation, space-time, and the quantum and offers a framework for the many-worlds interpretation of quantum theory.
The effects of shoe type on the stability and propulsive efforts of the lower limbs during ladder ascents

Abstract Fourteen male subjects each performed six climbing trials. Each trial corresponded to one of three footwear conditions, i.e., hightop work shoes, lowtop work shoes and barefoot. Kinematic and kinetic measures of each performance were recorded during a right foot contact phase. The results indicated: (1) that the movement patterns of the right lower limb were consistent with the kinetic link principle as it pertains to pushing activities, (2) that the instants of maximum dorsiflexion correspond to those times when the subjects were required to exert the greatest force on the ladder rungs, (3) that compared to the barefoot condition both of the shoes reduced dorsiflexion, and (4) reductions in the amount of dorsiflexion provided by the shoes did not affect the subject's ability to exert the required propulsive forces.
Profiling and targeting HER2-positive breast cancer using trastuzumab emtansine

Author(s): Sadeghi, Saeed; Olevsky, Olga; Hurvitz, Sara A | Abstract: PurposeThis article reviews the mechanism of action of trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1), existing clinical data relating to its use for human growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer, potential pathways of resistance, and ongoing studies evaluating this novel agent.BackgroundThe development of HER2-targeted therapies has dramatically improved clinical outcomes for patients with any stage of HER2-positive breast cancer. Although the positive effect of these treatments cannot be overstated, treatment resistance develops in the vast majority of those diagnosed with stage IV HER2-positive breast cancer. Moreover, HER2-directed therapies are most effective when combined with cytotoxic chemotherapy. The need for chemotherapy leads to significant adverse effects and a clear decrease in quality of life for those dealing with a chronic incurable disease. T-DM1 is a recently developed, novel antibody-drug conjugate in which highly potent maytanisinoid chemotherapy is stably linked to the HER2-targeted monoclonal antibody, trastuzumab.ResultsPreclinical and phase 1-3 clinical data support the significant antitumor activity of T-DM1. Importantly, several randomized studies also now demonstrate its clear superiority in terms of tolerability compared with standard chemotherapy-containing regimens. Its role in the treatment of trastuzumab-resistant metastatic breast cancer has now been established on the basis of the results of two phase 3 randomized studies, EMILIA (An Open-label Study of Trastuzumab Emtansine (T-DM1) vs Capecitabine + Lapatinib in Patients With HER2-positive Locally Advanced or Metastatic Breast Cancer) and TH3RESA (A Study of Trastuzumab Emtansine in Comparison With Treatment of Physician's Choice in Patients With HER2-positive Breast Cancer Who Have Received at Least Two Prior Regimens of HER2-directed Therapy). The most common toxicities seen with T-DM1 are thrombocytopenia and an elevation in liver transaminases. Significant cardiac toxicity has not been demonstrated. Both in vitro cell line-based studies as well as exploratory analyses of archived tumor samples from the clinical trials are seeking to understand potential mechanisms of resistance to T-DM1. Ongoing studies are also evaluating the use of T-DM1 in the first-line metastatic, neoadjuvant, and adjuvant settings, as well as in combination with other targeted therapies.ConclusionT-DM1 represents the first successfully developed antibody drug conjugate for the treatment of HER2-positive advanced breast cancer.
A proximity based general method for identification of ligand and receptor interactions in living cells.

Abstract Autocrine based selections from intracellular combinatorial antibody and peptide libraries have proven to be a powerful method for selection of agonists and identification of new therapeutic targets. However, success requires a case-by-case construction of a robust selection system which is a process that can be time consuming and expensive. Here we report a general system that takes advantage of the chemical rate acceleration caused by approximation of a membrane tethered ligand and its receptor. The system uses an artificial signal transduction and is, thus, agnostic to the endogenous signal transduction of the receptor–ligand system. This method allows analysis of receptor–ligand interactions and selection of molecules from large libraries that interact with receptors when they are in their natural milieu.
Permeability and Diffusion through Mechanically Deformed Random Polymer Networks

We develop a hybrid computational method to examine the permeation and hindered diffusion through mechanically loaded (anisotropic) polymer networks. We use the bond-bending lattice spring model to capture the micromechanics of random networks of interconnected filaments coupled with the dissipative particle dynamics to explicitly model the viscous fluid and diffusive objects. Our simulations reveal that the transport properties are independent of the network internal organization and are solely function of the network porosity and degree of anisotropy due to a mechanical deformation. Furthermore, our results indicate that the network permeability under load can be estimated based on the network alignment that is characterized by a second order orientation tensor. Our findings have implications for designing drug delivery agents, paper manufacturing, tissue engineering, and understanding the function of biological systems.
Crude Chronicles: Indigenous Politics, Multinational Oil, and Neoliberalism in Ecuador

Ecuador is the third largest foreign supplier of crude oil to the western United States. As the source of this oil, the Ecuadorian Amazon has borne the far-reaching social and environmental consequences of a growing U.S. demand for petroleum and the dynamics of economic globalization it necessitates. Crude Chronicles traces the emergence during the 1990s of a highly organized indigenous movement and its struggles against a U.S. oil company and Ecuadorian neo-liberal policies. Against the backdrop of mounting government attempts to privatize and liberalize the national economy, Suzana Sawyer shows how neo-liberal reforms in Ecuador led to a crisis of governance, accountability, and representation that spurred one of twentieth-century Latin America's strongest indigenous movements. Through her rich ethnography of indigenous marches, demonstrations, occupations, and negotiations, Sawyer tracks the growing sophistication of indigenous politics as Indians subverted, re-deployed, and, at times, capitulated to the dictates and desires of a trans-national neo-liberal logic. At the same time, she follows the multiple maneouvres and discourses that the multinational corporation and the Ecuadorian state used to circumscribe and contain indigenous opposition. Ultimately, Sawyer reveals that indigenous struggles over land and oil operations in Ecuador were as much about reconfiguring national and transnational inequality--that is, rupturing the silence around racial injustice, exacting spaces of accountability, and re-writing narratives of national belonging--as they were about the material use and extraction of rain forest resources.
Soil Properties and Clover Establishment Six Years after Surface Application of Calcium-Rich By-Products

Calcium-rich soil amendments can improve plant growth by supplying Ca and reducing detrimental effects of soil acidity, but solubility and neutralizing capacity of Ca sources vary. Our objectives were to evaluate effects of calcitic dolomite and several coal combustion by-products on soil properties at various depths 6 yr after surface application and their influence on grass-clover herbage accumulation. Calcium and Mg soil amendments were surface-applied to an acidic grassland in 1993, and orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) and tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbyshire] were oversown in 1994. In 1998, amendment treatment plots were split to accommodate sod seeding with red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) or white clover (T. repens L.) as well as a nonseeded control. No N fertilizer was applied after sod seeding. Six years after amendment application, reductions in soil Al and Mn and increases in Ca and pH from 4654 kg ha -1 calcitic dolomite, 15 000 kg ha -1 fluidized bed combustion residue, or 526 kg ha -1 MgO amendment were greatest in the surface 2.5 cm while rates of gypsum as high as 32 000 kg ha -1 left little residual effect except for decreases in Mg. Percentage clover in the sward tripled as pH increased from 4.3 to 5.0 while herbage mass increased 75% as clover percentage increased. Herbage mass was generally more closely correlated with properties of soil samples collected from the surface 2.5 cm than from deeper samples.
Coherent Optics In Photogranmetry

Research on the application of coherent optical tech-niques to photogrammetric and mapping operations started during the early 60's. During the 60's most of these efforts were directed along two basic directions. On one hand various coherent optical processing techniques were being proposed and demonstrated to adlieve autocorrelation of the stereo-compilation procedure (Ref. 1) and on the other holography was being investigated for storing and displaying the information contained in the stereomodel (Refs. 2,3). In the recent past several investigations on the metric fidelity of the reconstructed holographic images have been made using conventional photogrammetric mensuratior techniques (Refs. 4, 5, 6). The potential application of holography for recording and reconstructing images for the purposes of mensuration in close range photogrammetry was the motivation behind these investigations. Results from these investigations clearly indicate that it is possible to retrieve reliable metric information about close range objects using holography. Also it has been shown that a photogrammetric quality stereomodel can be holographically stored and subsequency mapped using conventional photogram-metric mensuration techniques (Ref. 7). Holographic stereomodels of the focus image type permit reconstruction using extended white light sources. Advances made in optical memories, coherent optical pattern recognition techniques and optical detectors have all contributed to considerable progress in this area. Today applications of coherent optical techniques to mapping is an active area of research and multitude of research efforts are in progress around the country.© (1974) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Design modification of cyclically periodic structure using Gaussian process

Cyclically periodic structures, such as blade-disk assembly in turbo-machinery, are widely used in engineering practice. While these structures are generally designed to be periodic with identical substructures, it is well-known that small random uncertainties exist among substructures which in certain cases may cause drastic change in the dynamic responses, a phenomenon known as vibration localization. Previous studies have illustrated that the introduction of small design modifications, i.e., intentional mistuning, may alleviate such vibration localization. The design objective here thus is to identify proper deign modification that can reduce the response variation under uncertainties. In this research, we first develop a perturbation-based approach to efficiently quantify the variation of forced response of a periodic structure, without and with the design modification, under uncertainties. We then propose a Gaussian process emulation which enables us to evaluate the objective function over the design space by using only a small number of design candidates. The combination of these algorithms allows us to perform effective design modification to minimize the response variation in nearly periodic structures.
Intraventricular injection of venom.

Abstract Patterns of reaction were studied in cats following the intraventricular (brain) injection of the venoms of Crotalus adamanteus, C. atrox, C. horridus, Agkistrodon piscivorous, A. contortrix, Centruroides sculpturatus, Vejovis spinigerus, Latrodectus mactans , and Urolophus halleri . While certain common signs were elicited, considerable variation in patterns was seen and was attributed to the direct action of the toxins on the central nervous system. Intraventricular injection of C. adamanteus venom failed to produce the typical cardiovascular responses observed following intravenous injection of Crotalus venom, indicating that the cerebrospinal fluid-blood-brain barrier relationship was not altered to any great extent by this venom. The Crotalus venoms produced changes in behavior, and motor and parasympathetic dysfunction; these were most marked following injection of C. adamanteus venom. A. piscivorus venom produced changes similar but less severe than those elicited by C. adamanteus venom. A. contortrix venom caused marked behavioral changes but relatively mild motor and parasympathetic dysfunction. The venoms of the scorpions produced severe motor, parasympathetic, behavioral, and respiratory changes. L. mactans venom stimulated parasympathetic function. U. halleri venom produced only minor and usually transient changes.
Mechanistic studies of initiator–initiator interaction and replication initiation

Unlike the chromosome of Escherichia coli that needs only one replication initiator protein (origin recognition protein) called DnaA, many plasmid replicons require dual initiators: host-encoded DnaA and a plasmid-encoded origin recognition protein, which is believed to be the major determinant of replication control. Hitherto, the relative mechanistic roles of dual initiators in DNA replication were unclear. Here, we present the first evidence that DnaA communicates with the plasmid-encoded pi initiator of R6K and contacts the latter at a specific N-terminal region. Without this specific contact, productive unwinding of plasmid ori gamma and replication is abrogated. The results also show that DnaA performs different roles in host and plasmid replication as revealed by the finding that the ATP-activated form of DnaA, while indispensable for oriC replication, was not required for R6K replication. We have analyzed the accessory role of the DNA bending protein, integration host factor (IHF), in promoting initiator-origin interaction and have found that IHF significantly enhances the binding of DnaA to its cognate site. Collectively, the results further advance our understanding of replication initiation.
Spider Mite Resistance to Dicofol in San Joaquin Valley Cotton: Inter- and Intraspecific Variability in Susceptibility of Three Species of Tetranychus (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Following the discovery of dicofol-resistant Tetranychus urticae Koch in San Joaquin Valley cotton fields, studies were initiated to determine the significance of dicofol resistance in two other major cotton spider mite species, T. pacificus McGregor and T. turkestani Ugarov and Nikolski, and to establish a discriminating concentration of dicofol for surveying for resistance. The responses of resistant and susceptible types of T. pacificus to residual and topical dicofol treatments were determined. As with T. urticae , resistance in T. pacificus was manifested as the ability to survive very high concentrations of dicofol residues despite relative susceptibility to topical treatments. No resistant types of T. turkestani were found during 1981–1983, and the susceptibility of this species, the most damaging species to cotton, was measured with residual and topical bioassays. Analysis of the inheritance of dicofol resistance in T. urticae showed it to be an incompletely recessive trait. The significance of inter- and intraspecific variability in spider mite response to dicofol is discussed with respect to integrated pest management of cotton. A residual bioassay discriminating concentration of 1,000 ppm dicofol is suggested for surveying the frequency of dicofol-resistant spider mites in cotton.
Liesegang rings in a submental mass : Fine-needle aspiration with histologic correlation

Liesegang rings are lamellated concretions commonly found in chronic cystic lesions that are inflamed, necrotic, fibrotic, or hemorrhagic. We report on an unusual case of a 14-yr-old girl with an acute, rapidly enlarging solid submental mass in which Liesegang rings were identified on aspirate smears.
Use of midazolam for percutaneous liver biopsy

The standard procedure for percutaneous liver biopsy (PLB) involves only the use of local anesthesia. However, at times, a PLB can be frightening and uncomfortable. Such experiences often limit the willingness of patients to undergo subsequent follow-up biopsies. To investigate the ability of midazolam, a new water-soluble benzodiazepine preparation, noted for its potency, rapid onset of action, and amnestic qualities, to enhance patient acceptability of a follow-up liver biopsy, a "sedative dose" of midazolam (2 mg) or saline was administered immediately prior to and following a percutaneous liver biopsy. The initial dose was used to sedate the subject while not impairing patient cooperation during the biopsy procedure; the second dose was used to induce amnesia for the biopsy procedure. The next morning patient recollection for the preceding biopsy procedure and their willingness to undergo a future PLB were assessed using a questionnaire. Forty-one patients (ages 18-78) were randomized to receive either midazolam (N = 21) or saline/placebo N = 20) treatment. All PLBs were obtained with a Trucut needle. All subjects were given 2-5 cc of 2% xylocaine local anesthetic at the biopsy site. The questionnaire utilized evaluated patient experience of the procedure with respect to their recall, level of anxiety during the procedure, and willingness to undergo a repeat procedure. The data obtained revealed that those receiving midazolam admitted to experiencing less discomfort during the biopsy procedure (P less than 0.04) and had less memory for the procedure (P less than 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Incorporating Professional Service as a Component of General Chemistry Laboratory by Demonstrating Chemistry to Elementary Students.

Formalized participation in professional service is not often part of the college experience, especially for first-year students in chemistry courses. When service opportunities are offered, they are most often through elective credit, upper-level courses, extracurricular clubs, and the rare service-learning courses. We have successfully incorporated a large science service-learning opportunity into the general chemistry laboratory that provides multidisciplinary educational experiences for children and the community. The experience for the college students involves several weeks of preparation for a two-week laboratory module and participation in the public event on the university campus. College students involved in the second year of the event were surveyed to determine the impact of formalized participation in professional service on their attitude toward science and participation in future professional service events. Highly positive responses on the surveys and public interest in the event suggest c...
What is a hidden variable theory of quantum phenomena

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the relationship between existing so-called ‘hidden variable theories’ of quantum phenomena and some well-known proofs, such as those of von Neumann, Jauch and Piron, and Kochen and Specker, which purport to establish that no such theory is possible. The proof of Kochen and Specker, which is a stronger version of von Neumann's result, demonstrates the impossibility of embedding the algebraic structure of physical parameters of the quantum theory, represented by the self-adjoint Hubert space operators, into the commutative algebra of real-valued functions on a ‘phase space’ of hidden states. This is a necessary condition for a hidden variable extension of the quantum theory in the usual sense of a statistical mechanical derivation of the statistical theorems of the quantum theory in the classical manner. No existing so-called ‘hidden variable theory’ is a counter-example to von Neumann's proof. The early 1951 ‘hidden variable theory’ of Bohm and the recent theory of Bohm and Bub are not in fact hidden variable theories in the usual sense of the term. Since the term ‘hidden variable theory’ is justifiably used to denote the kind of theory rejected by von Neumann, Jauch and Piron, and Kochen and Specker, it is suggested that the term should not be used as a label for the theories considered by Bohm and other workers in this field. Such theories could be regarded as fundamentally compatible with the original Copenhagen interpretation of the quantum theory, as expressed by Bohr.
Robotic-assisted laparoscopic Ladd procedure for an adult with malrotation: case report and review

Intestinal malrotation is a well-known surgical disease in the pediatric population with 90 % of cases presenting by 1 year of age (Palmer et al. in Dig Dis Sci). Laparoscopic Ladd procedures have been described in the pediatric population with good outcomes, and there are limited data suggesting this as an acceptable approach in adults (Palmer et al. in Dig Dis Sci; Draus et al. in Am Surg 73:693–696, 2007; Bass et al. in J Pediatr Surg 33:279–281, 1998). To date, there have been no documented cases of robotic assistance for this procedure. In this case, we describe a 22-year-old female with intestinal malrotation who was treated successfully with the first described robotic-assisted laparoscopic Ladd procedure.
Signal functions in delayed reinforcement.

Abstract Three experiments were conducted with pigeons to examine the role of the signal in delay-of-reinforcement procedures. In the first, a blackout accompanying a period of nonreinforcement increased key-peck response rates maintained by immediate reinforcement. The effects of dissociating the blackout from the delay interval were examined in the second experiment. In three conditions, blackouts and unsignaled delays were negatively correlated or occurred randomly with respect to one another. A signaled delay and an unsignaled delay that omitted the blackouts were studied in two other conditions. All delay-of-reinforcement conditions generally produced response rates lower than those produced by immediate reinforcement. Signaled delays maintained higher response rates than did any of the various unsignaled-delay conditions, with or without dissociated blackouts. The effects of these latter conditions did not differ systematically from one another. The final experiment showed that response rates varied as a function of the frequency with which a blackout accompanied delay intervals. By eliminating a number of methodological difficulties present in previous delay-of-reinforcement experiments, these results suggest the importance of the signal in maintaining responding during delay-of-reinforcement procedures and, conversely, the importance of the delay interval in decreasing responding.
Analysis of heat-affected zone formation for laser cutting of stainless steel

Abstract A numerical study has been performed for the development of the heat-affected zone during the laser cutting of 304 stainless steel. This numerical study uses an analytical solution of the energy balance at the cutting front surface to determine the steady-state kerf shape. For a constant workpiece velocity, a transient numerical model can be made up for a two-dimensional plane normal to the workpiece velocity. From the time-temperature response of the workpiece material in this plane, the extent of the heat-affected zone (HAZ) can be determined. The results obtained through laser cutting experiments show good agreement with numerical estimates of the HAZ extent, as defined by grain refinement, impurities and possible carbide precipitation in stainless steel 304. This method also provide a computationally-efficient method compared with three-dimensional finite-element analysis.
Castilleja (Scrophulariaceae) of Costa Rica and Panama

The mountains of Costa Rica and western Panama constitute a natural floristic region that is inhabited by six species ofCastilleja.Castilleja talamancensis, C. lentii andC. tayloriorum are described as new. The remaining three areC. arvensis,C. irasuensis andC. quirosii. All butC. arvensis are endemic to the area. The six species are keyed, described, illustrated, mapped and documented with literature and specimen citations.
A robust preprocessor for speech-recognition systems

Signition is designing a preprocessor chip for speech-recognition systems operating in noisy environments. Current preprocessors, such as those based on moving Fourier transforms or linear predictive coding, are linear and not effective when speech is embedded in high levels of noise.
ABO phenotype and other risk factors associated with chorioamnionitis.

Objective To examine risk factors associated with chorioamnionitis. Study design We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data on women who delivered prematurely ( Results The study included 2879 subjects, 96 of whom (3.3%) were diagnosed with chorioamnionitis. Chorioamnionitis increased significantly with alcohol use (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 4.7), prolonged rupture of membranes (ROM) (AOR = 4.16), anemia (AOR = 2.17), and group 1 status (AOR = 1.88). Advanced maternal age was protective of chorioamnionitis (AOR = 0.96). Conclusion Alcohol consumption during pregnancy, prolonged ROM, anemia, and blood types A and O are associated with increased risk for chorioamnionitis; advanced maternal age, with decreased risk. Further studies are needed to determine the efficacy of early prenatal care in the control of anemia and to examine its affect on the incidence of chorioamnionitis.
Boosting Unsupervised Additive Clustering Using Cluster-Wise Optimization and Multi-label Learning

Additive or overlapping clustering is a technique that is used to analyze overlapping cluster structure in data. In this paper, we motivate the overlapping clustering problem using an example of categorizing movies. We describe the ADCLUS and INDCLUS overlapping clustering models as discrete versions of the CANDECOMP/PARAFAC models. We describe the scalability problems inherent in current overlapping clustering approaches. We give a framework and algorithm for scaling up unsupervised overlapping clustering using a combination of a cluster-wise optimization technique and techniques from multi-label learning. Our framework uses a subset of data to find a training solution and then uses multi-label techniques to find labels for the remaining data.
A surprisal analysis of the surface catalyzed reaction of atomic oxygen with CO adsorbed on Pt

Abstract The vibrational energy distribution of excited CO 2 produced in the exoergic reaction of gas-phase O atoms with CO adsorbed on Pt is analyzed according to surprisal theory. The result indicates that very few surface atoms participate in reaction energy disposal.
Influence of ground cover and herbicide treatments on Tetranychus urticae populations in peach orchards

Two-spotted spider mites,Tetranychus urticae Koch, were sampled in peach orchards to quantify abundance in trees over different types of ground cover to document the dispersal of mites from orchard-floor plants to trees. Mite populations developed more quickly and with higher densities in trees over ground cover compared to bare ground, and specifically over covers of predominantly narrowleaf vetch,Vicia angustifolia Reichard. Orchard floor plants such asVicia, Geranium, Lamium, andLepidium contained relatively high densities of mites during early spring, and may have formed the source for later peach-tree infestation.
Perceived justice in service recovery and behavioral intentions: the role of relationship quality.

Abstract This study examined restaurant customers’ perceptions of justice according to service recovery effort levels and whether perceived justice influences customers’ future behavioral intentions. This study also investigated whether the effects of perceived justice on future behavioral intentions vary across customers’ relationship quality levels. The results showed that high recovery efforts were consistently evaluated highly in terms of perceived justice when compared to low recovery efforts, regardless of the level of relationship quality. Additionally, perceived justice brought about by service recovery efforts has a positive effect on customers’ future behavioral intentions. Hierarchical regression analyses suggested that relationship quality plays a moderating role between perceived justice and behavioral intentions in the distributive and procedural justice dimensions. Implications for the restaurant industry are also discussed.
Comment on "Estimation of Flutter Boundary from Random Responses Due to Turbulence at Subcritical Speeds"

T are two comments which need to be made with regard to a statement made by Drs. Matsuzaki and Ando. They stated that, "It is evident that this estimation technique of the flutter boundary is quite effective even for the signals which contain more than two degrees of freedom, as is seen [in their plot of stability parameter, frequency, and coefficients vs dynamic pressure for the three mode analysis ] where the data at the lowest third and fourth pressure should be neglected." It is only evident when all of the data have been collected and the critical speed is known before the analysis is done. For the three-mode case presented, the first three points indicated flutter would occur just above 0.6 kg/cm. If the first three points were the only information that the engineer had, and this would be a normal sequence of events, then the test would have to be halted. What is not indicated in the paper is a procedure for determining when data can safely be omitted when all the data has not been obtained. Second, subcritical analysis of flight test data is not only carried out to allow for extrapolation of test data to determine the critical speed, but also to allow for analytical/experimental data comparison throughout the flight envelope instead of just at the critical speed. It would have been of interest to see a comparison of the method applied to a numerical model of wind tunnel model/test and the experimental model/test data for both the twoand three-mode cases. Because there are differences between the results obtained for the two-mode analysis and the three-mode analysis of the same experimental data, a numerical example of a three-mode case would seem to be in order.
Finite state methods for compression and manipulation of images

Weighted finite automata (WFA) is a tool for specifying real functions and in particular grayscale images. The image compression software based on this algorithm is competitive with other methods in compression of typical grayscale images. It performs particularly well for high compression rates, for color images, and compared to other methods it has several additional advantages. This paper mainly deals with image manipulation. Weighted finite transducers (WFT) can be used to specify the widest variety of image transformations (linear operators on grayness functions). The authors briefly introduce WFA and WFT and give some examples of image transformations specified by WFT.
Erasure insertion for coded MIMO slow frequency-hopping systems in presence of PBI

We investigate two erasure insertion schemes for a coded slow frequency-hopping system with multiple antennas at both the transmitter and the receiver. The demodulated symbols may become unreliable due to fading, thermal noise, and partial band interference (PBI). Since error correcting codes can correct more erasures than errors, it is often beneficial to erase these unreliable symbols rather than feeding them to the decoder. In this paper, we first extend the Bayesian erasure insertion, originally proposed in C.W. Baum and M.B. Pursley (1992) for FSK modulation, to the case when differential space-time modulation is used. We then propose a simple, suboptimal erasure insertion scheme based on a likelihood ratio threshold test (LRTT). Simulation results show that substantial improvements in decoding error probability can be achieved by the proposed schemes over the non-erasure-insertion scheme, especially when the partial-band interference becomes severe
The Truth-Conditional Relevance of De Re Modes of Presentation: A Reply to Grimberg

: Grimberg identifies four arguments which she alleges are used in my paper‘Pragmatics and Singular Reference’(Bezuidenhout, 1996a) in order to establish the truth-conditional relevance of de re modes of presentation. In fact, only one of these, properly understood, is an argument which I would endorse. However, I do plead guilty to having used examples with features which misleadingly suggest that I endorse these various arguments. It is an easy matter to construct examples free from these defects, which is what I attempt to do.
Targeted Disruption of the Scavenger Receptor and Chemokine CXCL16 Accelerates Atherosclerosis

Background— The uptake of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL) by macrophage scavenger receptors is thought to be a key process in the formation of foam cells, the hallmark of early atherosclerotic lesions. CXCL16/scavenger receptor for phosphatidylserine and OxLDL is a multifunctional chemokine that exhibits scavenger receptor activity toward oxidized lipids in a membrane-bound configuration and may be shed to serve as a chemoattractant for T helper 1–polarized T lymphocytes. These properties, as well as the expression of CXCL16 in human and mouse atheroma, suggest that CXCL16 plays a role in atherosclerosis. Methods and Results— To examine the role of CXCL16 in plaque formation, we created CXCL16-deficient mice (CXCL16−/−) and bred them with mice deficient in the LDL receptor (LDLR−/−). In vitro, macrophages from CXCL16−/− mice have a significant reduction in the capacity to bind and internalize OxLDL. We found that CXCL16−/−/LDLR−/− mice have accelerated atherosclerosis, enhanced macrophage recruit...
Dietary protein intake is associated with lean mass change in older, community-dwelling adults: the Health, Aging, and Body Composition (Health ABC) Study.

Background Dietary surveys suggest that many older, community-dwelling adults consume insufficient dietary protein, which may contribute to the age-related loss of lean mass (LM). Objective The objective of the study was to determine the association between dietary protein and changes in total LM and nonbone appendicular LM (aLM) in older, community-dwelling men and women. Design Dietary protein intake was assessed by using an interviewer-administered 108-item food-frequency questionnaire in men and women aged 70-79 y who were participating in the Health, Aging, and Body Composition study (n=2066). Changes in LM and aLM over 3 y were measured by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The association between protein intake and 3-y changes in LM and aLM was examined by using multiple linear regression analysis adjusted for potential confounders. Results After adjustment for potential confounders, energy-adjusted protein intake was associated with 3-y changes in LM [beta (SE): 8.76 (3.00), P=0.004] and aLM [beta (SE): 5.31 (1.64), P=0.001]. Participants in the highest quintile of protein intake lost approximately 40% less LM and aLM than did those in the lowest quintile of protein intake (x+/-SE: -0.501+/-0.106 kg compared with -0.883+/-0.104 kg for LM; -0.400+/-0.058 kg compared with -0.661+/-0.057 kg for aLM; P for trend Conclusion Dietary protein may be a modifiable risk factor for sarcopenia in older adults and should be studied further to determine its effects on preserving LM in this population.