cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Structural Analysis of Attitudes toward Alcohol and Marijuana Use

Male and female undergraduates (N = 316) completed affective, cognitive, and global evaluations of alcohol and marijuana use. The discriminant validity of the attitude components was supported. As predicted, relationships between global attitude and the affective component varied across use experience groups; for both drugs, the affective component was more related to the global scale among the most experienced users. Attitude components predicted current marijuana use in a manner that was consistent with the analyses of attitude structure. However, the affective and cognitive attitude scales were relatively poor predictors of current alcohol use, suggesting that additional information may contribute to global attitude for alcohol use. Thus, similarities on attitude structure emerged across drugs, but the ability of the attitude components to predict use behavior differentiated the drug types.
Effect of ghrelin receptor antagonist on meal patterns in cholecystokinin type 1 receptor null mice.

Abstract Vagal afferent neurons (VAN) express the cholecystokinin (CCK) type 1 receptor (CCK 1 R) and, as predicted by the role of CCK in inducing satiation, CCK 1 R−/− mice ingest larger and longer meals. However, after a short fast, CCK 1 R−/− mice ingesting high fat (HF) diets initiate feeding earlier than wild-type mice. We hypothesized that the increased drive to eat in CCK 1 R−/− mice eating HF diet is mediated by ghrelin, a gut peptide that stimulates food intake. The decrease in time to first meal, and the increase in meal size and duration in CCK 1 R−/− compared to wild-type mice ingesting high fat (HF) diet were reversed by administration of GHSR1a antagonist D-(Lys3)-GHRP-6 (p 1 R−/− but not wild-type mice. Administration of the GHSR1a antagonist decreased neuronal activity measured by immunoreactivity for fos protein in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) and the arcuate nucleus of both HF-fed wild-type and CCK1R−/− mice. The data show that hyperphagia in CCK 1 R−/− mice ingesting HF diet is reversed by blockade of the ghrelin receptor, suggesting that in the absence of the CCK 1 R, there is an increased ghrelin-dependent drive to feed. The site of action of ghrelin receptors is unclear, but may involve an increase in expression of CART peptide in VAN in HF-fed CCK 1 R−/− mice.
Queue length distributions in a markov model of a multistage clocked queueing network

In [4], we treated the problem of passage through a discrete-time clock-regulated multistage queueing network by modeling the input time series {an} to each queue as a Markov chain. We showed how to transform probability transition information from the input of one queue to the input of the next in order to predict mean queue length at each stage. The Markov approximation is very good for p = E(an) ≦ ½, which is in fact the range of practical utility. Here we carry out a Markov time series input analysis to predict the stage to stage change in the probability distribution of queue length. The main reason for estimating the queue length distribution at each stage is to locate “hot spots”, loci where unrestricted queue length would exceed queue capacity, and a quite simple expression is obtained for this purpose.
A comparison of capital budgeting models: local versus global viewpoints

This research studies the financial aspects of capital budgeting models in both the local and global perspectives. Since the development of the simple payback method, capital budgeting models have been employed as relative local measures of project evaluation. Because these tools analyze at a static local level, they are limited. By adopting simulation, the effects of capital expenditures and crucial interaction of resources in a dynamic global environment can be studied. Simulation software has improved greatly over the past few years and is becoming more and more common in the manufacturing and consulting environments. Hardware and software technology can provide a real opportunity for those making decisions regarding capital expenditures and can provide opportunity in the decision‐making process of the “what‐if?” scenario. Even though the traditional local optimization measures of performance may show a major advantage in making a purchase, the results of the global measures of performance may show it ...
Computations underlying the execution of movement: a biological perspective

To execute voluntary movements, the central nervous system must transform the neural representation of the direction, amplitude, and velocity of the limb, represented by the activity of cortical and subcortical neurons, into signals that activate the muscles that move the limb. This task is equivalent to solving an "ill-posed" computational problem because the number of degrees of freedom of the musculoskeletal apparatus is much larger than that specified in the plan of action. Some of the mechanisms and circuitry underlying the transformation of motor plans into motor commands are described. A central feature of this transformation is a coarse map of limb postures in the premotor areas of the spinal cord. Vectorial combination of motor outputs among different areas of the spinal map may produce a large repertoire of motor behaviors.
The Role of Televideoconferences in Dairy Extension Education Programs

Abstract Televideoconferences utilize satellite broadcast technology and telephone lines to present interactive educational programs. Washington State University, in cooperation with University of Idaho, Utah State University, and Oregon State University, has produced a series of televised interactive dairy programs since fall 1988. Advantages of satellite programs over traditional efforts include the ability to reach remote clientele and to present a single program to an audience dispersed over a broad geographical area. Telephones provide direct access to speakers, thereby exposing large audiences to expertise that may not usually be available. A valuable by-product is a videotape record of the program, which further increases availability of educational programs through secondary viewing. Finally, cost of producing the program is substantially reduced on a per registrant basis over a live conference. Disadvantages include diminished and limited audience-speaker interaction, limited availability of satellite transmission receiving facilities, increased planning and program preparation efforts compared with traditional programs by increased use of high level technology, and multiple locations of remote viewing audiences. Moreover, although cost per participant is reduced, costs are substantial, and funding is difficult to raise through user fees. Motivating individuals to view teleconference programs live is a major challenge. Based on registration numbers from 1988 to 1990 in Washington, viewership declines once the novelty wears off, Potential for this program presentation method is great, and further experience is necessary to refine productions to benefit clientele further and to make maximal use of the technology.
Functional and geriatric changes of the human pulp.

Abstract The significance of the findings of the present study is difficult to assess. If young pulp really contains a “solution” of collagen, what prevents it from precipitating? Would precipitating it with some therapeutic agent be beneficial, for example, in a pulpal exposure? The answer to these and many other questions in pulp biology must await the results of further research.
The development of state diagrams for cereal proteins

Abstract The glass transitions of zein, gliadin and glutenin have been studied as a function of moisture content using mechanical spectrometry and differential scanning calorimetry. All three cereal proteins are plasticizable by water, suggesting that their hydrophilic domains play an important role in determining their rheological properties at low water content. The plasticization effect can be predicted by the Gordon-Taylor equation. Temperature sweeps using small-amplitude oscillatory measurements suggest that all three proteins undergo crosslinking reactions in the temperature range 70–160°C; above 160°C, all proteins show characteristic softening. This information has been used to develop state diagrams for each protein, which can be used to predict behavior during processes such as baking and extrusion.
Photoionization with excitation and double photoionization of the Li + ground 1 1 S state and metastable 2 1,3 S states

Partial cross-sections for photoionization with excitation of Li{sup +} leaving the remaining bound electron in the 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, and 3d states and total cross-sections for double photoionization have been calculated employing the time-dependent close-coupling method. The calculations include both the ground state 1s{sup 2} {sup 1}S and the two lowest metastable excited states 1s2s {sup 1,3}S. Photon energies below and up to about 200 eV above the respective thresholds for double ionization are considered. Comparisons are drawn mainly with convergent close-coupling results [A. S. Kheifets and I. Bray, Phys. Rev. A 58, 4501 (1998)] and B-spline based R-matrix results [H. W. van der Hart and L. Feng, J. Phys. B 34, L601 (2001)].
Molecular characterization of a third malic enzyme-like AP65 adhesin gene of Trichomonas vaginalis.

Abstract Adherence to the vaginal epithelium by the sexually transmitted parasite Trichomonas vaginalis is mediated by four trichomonad surface proteins (AP65, AP51, AP33 and AP23). We recently showed that the 65-kDa adhesin is a member of a multigene family comprised of two similar but distinct proteins, AP65-1 and AP65-2, encoded by the genes ap65-1 and ap65-2 , respectively. An additional immuno-crossreactive clone, the 1.2 kb F11.1 cDNA, was isolated from a phagemid expression library and encoded a fusion protein of ≈ 46 000 daltons (46 kDa) that bound to HeLa cell surfaces. A significant portion of the 5′ end was missing which, using the 5′-RACE method, was obtained and combined with the F11.1 clone to give a full-length cDNA. The ap65-3 gene encoded for a protein of 567 amino acids with a molecular mass of 63.1 kDa. The gene showed 88% and 96% identity at the DNA level with ap65-1 and ap65-2 , respectively. Restriction mapping confirmed that the three AP65 genes are different. Southern analysis revealed that the ap65-3 gene is present in the T. vaginalis genome in multiple copies. Experiments with agar clones of trichomonads showed that each gene of the multigene family is present in all parasites, and Northern analysis showed that ap65-3 is expressed and transcriptionally regulated by iron. The ap65-3 gene had a leader sequence and, as with ap65-1 and ap65-2 , showed significant homology to malic enzyme. Finally, analysis of the 3′-untranslated regions revealed that the transcript of ap65-3 had a long poly (A) tail in comparison to ap65-1 and ap65-2 . Even more intriguing, sequences were found that may relate to differential degradation of select AP65 transcripts, such as the sequence motifs AUUUA for ap65-1 mRNA and UUAUUUAU for the ap65-2 mRNA, which were not found for ap65-3 .
Dissociative phenomena in congenital monocular elevation deficiency

Abstract Introduction: Monocular elevation deficiency is characterized by unilateral limitation of elevation in both adduction and abduction and is usually present at birth. Dissociative phenomena such as dissociated vertical deviation are well recognized in association with conditions such as congenital esotropia but much less so in association with conditions such as congenital monocular elevation deficiency. Methods: All 129 patients given the diagnosis of monocular elevation deficiency or double elevator palsy in the Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Clinic at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics between 1971 and 1995 were reviewed. After those with history of trauma, myasthenia gravis, thyroid eye disease, orbital lesions, Brown syndrome, or monocular elevation deficiency with acquired onset were excluded, 31 patients with congenital monocular elevation deficiency remained for retrospective study. Results: First diagnosed at median age 2.6 years (although all were noted by parents at less than 6 months of age) with mean follow-up of 5.0 years (up to 15.5 years), 9 of 31 (29%) developed dissociated vertical deviation in the eye with monocular elevation deficiency, all of whom had undergone strabismus surgery 0 to 9.7 years previously (mean 3.5 years). Those who developed dissociated vertical deviation were generally younger, were followed up longer, and had more accompanying horizontal strabismus than did those who did not develop dissociated vertical deviation. The results did not reach significance. Conclusion: The current study demonstrates that dissociated vertical deviation occurs in association with monocular elevation deficiency.
Sparse reconstruction of multi-window time-frequency representation based on Hermite functions

Multi-window spectrograms offer higher energy concentration in contrast to the traditional single-window spec- trograms. However, these quadratic time-frequency distributions were not introduced to deal with randomly undersampled signals. This paper applies sparse reconstruction techniques to provide time-frequency represen- tations of nonstationary signals using the Hermite functions as multiple windows, under randomly sampled or missing data. The multi-window sparse reconstruction approach improves energy concentration by utilizing the common local sparse frequency support property across the different employed windows.
Solvation Dynamics and Rotation of Coumarin 153 in Alkylphosphonium Ionic Liquids

Solvation and rotational dynamics of coumarin 153 (C153) were measured in a series of phosphonium ionic liquids consisting of the trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium cation and the anions Br-, Cl-, dicyanamide-, bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide-, and BF4-. None of these liquids display a prominent ultrafast solvation component comparable to the one observed in imidizalium ionic liquids. The solvation dynamics observed on the nanosecond time scale are also 5-fold slower than those in imidazolium liquids of comparable viscosities. Both rotation and solvation are highly nonexponential functions of time and can be represented by stretched-exponential decays with exponents near 0.5. Characteristic times of these processes track solvent viscosity. A number of similarities between the dynamics observed in these ionic liquids and supercooled glass-forming liquids are noted.
Diffraction by a convex polygon with side-wise constant impedance

The recently developed probabilistic approach to wave propagation and diffraction is applied to the two-dimensional problem of diffraction by an arbitrary convex polygon with side-wise constant impedance boundary conditions. Surprisingly, the new method provides a rigorous solution which is simple, transparent and complimentary to the ray approximation. It is easy to implement and it is compatible with intuitive ideas about diffraction. The numerical examples confirm the feasibility of the solution.
Strategic Partnerships: Collaborating with Academics to Implement an Assessment Management System

The role of assessment is core to the evolving higher education landscape. As a result, an institution's ability to identify areas for improvement and focus on its strengths is more important than ever. Institutions are increasingly turning to assessment management systems to support this work. IT leaders are now challenged with integrating these systems with existing IT infrastructure and navigating issues related to culture change. This paper discusses how two IT leaders met these challenges by collaborating across their campuses to successfully implement assessment management systems.
Ribonucleoprotein interaction with mammalian monosomes.

Abstract A subcellular fraction containing RNA and protein was prepared from rabbit reticulocytes. This fraction had a sedimentation behavior which was different from reticulocyte ribosomal subunits, and was capable of stimulating polypeptide synthesis in a mammalian cell-free system. This stimulatory ribonucleoprotein interacted with monosomes to form aggregates which had a sedimentation behavior similar to polyribosomes and were active polypeptide synthesis in vitro. The antibiotic chloramphenicol altered the formation of these aggregates and inhibited the synthesis of polypeptides, although it did not interfere with the binding of the stimulatory ribonucleoprotein by monosomes.
Image Fitting Using $\arctan$ for JPEG AC Coefficient Prediction

We explore predictive coding for the JPEG baseline sequential algorithm in this article. Our objective is to reduce inter-block redundancy of discrete cosine transform (DCT) blocks. We first present an implementation of image interpolation approach and develop a method for predicting AC coefficients of a block in terms of sum of pixels (or dc coefficients) of some surrounding patches. If we use 2-D quadratic polynomials for interpolation over 24 times 24 pixel area, our method derives the same equations, which JPEG developed for reducing blocking artifacts. Next, we show that nonpolynomial functions such as arctan perform better for AC prediction. We develop additional prediction equations considering different configurations of the interpolation area. Finally, we present performance results, which show that for images compressed at the default quality factor of 75, our equations reduce the AC energy of DCT blocks by about 22% and the final code bit size by about 5.5% over the JPEG sequential algorithm. At the quality factor of 90, the code size reduction is 10.8%. We also present an adaptive DC coding method by considering the prediction algorithm of JPEG-LS. It reduces the average JPEG DC residual by over 20% and the DC code bits by 7.75%.
Generalized Cauchy-Born rules for elastic deformation of sheets, plates, and rods: Derivation of continuum models from atomistic models

We present an elementary and systematic discussion on the derivation of continuum theories from atomistic models for studying the elastic deformation of plates, sheets, and rods. The derivation is based on various generalizations of the classical Cauchy-Born rule. In particular, we discuss a so-called local Cauchy-Born rule which is very general and particularly easy to use. As an application, we use the atomistically derived continuum models to study the elastic deformation of carbon nanotubes.
Fixed‐Target Hadroproduction of Beauty: In Fermilab Experiment E771 and at the SSC

Various experimental approaches to obtaining large samples of reconstructed B decays have been discussed in several places (see for example, ref. 1–6). One major segment of the community at present feels the optimum way to accomplish this objective of B physics is to develop very high luminosity (1034 cm2 sec−1) (symmetric or asymmetric) e+e− machines. Other groups feels that a hadron collider experiment, in spite of formidable experimental difficulties and the requirement of developing new technologies plus the expense and time required to construct the requisite 4° detector, offers the best opportunity for accumulating large statistics.
Did the Pentagon Get the Quadrennial Defense Review Right

The most recent review produced some welcome refinements in U.S. defense strategy but fell far short of its objectives, devolving into budget‐driven horse trading and raising questions about whether incumbent administrations should be required to conduct these exercises.
Summary of Experiments on a Transpiration-Cooled Electric-Arc Heat-Transfer System

An experimental study of a transpiration-cooled electric-arc heat- transfer device is summarized. The basic element of the apparatus is a porous graphite anode, fabricated from 48% porous graphite, with a mean pore diameter of 0.0013 in. The arc is struck between a tungsten rod-type cathode and the porous anode. Under operating conditions, a gas flows through the porous anode, thereby serving as an please delete the above abstract-----
A platform for implantable medical device validation: demo abstract

We present the design of an integrated modeling platform to investigate efficient methodologies for certifying medical device software. The outcome of this research has the potential to expedite medical device software certification for safer operation. Our specific focus in this study is on our ongoing research in artificial pacemaker software. Designing bug-free medical device software is difficult, especially in complex implantable devices that may be used in unanticipated contexts. In the 20-year period from 1985 to 2005, the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Maude database records almost 30,000 deaths and almost 600,000 injuries from device failures [1]. There is currently no formal methodology or open experimental platform to validate and verify the correct operation of medical device software. To this effect, a real-time Virtual Heart Model (VHM) has been developed to model the electrophysiological operation of the functioning (i.e. during normal sinus rhythm) and malfunctioning (i.e. during arrhythmia) heart. We present a methodology to extract timing properties of the heart to construct a timed-automata model. The platform exposes functional and formal interfaces for validation and verification of implantable cardiac devices. We demonstrate the VHM is capable of generating clinically-relevant response to intrinsic (i.e. premature stimuli) and external (i.e. artificial pacemaker) signals for a variety of common arrhythmias. By connecting the VHM with a pacemaker model, we are able to pace and synchronize the heart during the onset of irregular heart rhythms. The VHM has been implemented on a hardware platform for closed-loop experimentation with existing and virtual medical devices.
Effect of adding salt during the diafiltration step of milk protein concentrate powder manufacture on mineral and soluble protein composition

Milk protein concentrate (MPC) powders offer a great potential for use in an array of food applications because of their nutritional and functional values. However, MPC powders with protein content ≥80% (MPC80) exhibit poor solubility and hence restrict their potential use. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of adding salt during the diafiltration stage of MPC80 manufacture on solubility, turbidity, and to compare minerals and protein content of supernatants of ultracentrifuged samples with control sample. Three types of samples were produced: MPC80-C (control) with or without salt treatment, MPC80-Na (150 mM NaCl), and MPC80-K (150 mM KCl). Lower solubility was observed in MPC80-C (53%) as compared to MPC80-Na or MPC80-K (100%). Higher turbidity was observed in MPC80-C (530 NTU) and lower turbidity was observed in samples of MPC80-Na (128 NTU) and MPC80-K (131 NTU). Furthermore, lower protein and calcium contents were observed in supernatants of ultracentrifuged samples of MPC80-C (2.3%; 0.35 mg.mL−1) as compared to MPC80-Na (3.8%; 0.63mg.mL−1) and MPC80-K (3.7%; 0.67 mg.mL−1). The opposite trend was found in reconstituted samples (5% TS). Our results showed that the addition of salt impacted the distribution of minerals and proteins in colloidal and soluble phases of MPC80-Na and MPC80-K. The results from this work will contribute to our understanding of the role that mineral-induced changes (depletion or addition) play in the functionality of MPC80.
Divorce Injustices: Perceptions of Formerly Wealthy Women of The Stressors, Crises, and Traumas

The current study was funded by the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, Project 53-054 Decision Making Integral to Relationship Transitions in Families. The perspectives presented in the paper do not represent views of the funding agency and errors remain the sole responsibility of the author. This article is a major revision of a presentation at the Paolucci Symposium (April, 2002), Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan. It has not been previously published. The author wishes to thank the participants of this study, Professors Pauline Boss and Paul Rosenblatt, and anonymous reviewers for comments on earlier drafts of the article. Personal interviews were conducted with ten women in their middle years that were formerly married to wealthy men. An analytic induction analysis method, using principles from social justice theories, crystallized the interpersonal injustices within marriage, as these women experienced them, the stressors of unfair divorce decision procedures, and the unjust r...
Analysis of the Nonlinear Dynamics of a Railway Vehicle Wheelset

The nonlinear equations of motion for a railway vehicle wheelset having curved wheel profiles and wheel-flange/rail contact are presented. The dependence of axle roll and vertical displacement on lateral displacement and yaw is formulated by two holonomic constraint equations. The method of Krylov-Bogoliubov is used to derive expressions for the amplitudes of stationary oscillations. A perturbation analysis is then used to derive conditions for the stability characteristics of the stationary oscillations. The expressions for the amplitude and the stability conditions are shown to have a simple geometrical interpretation which facilitates the evaluation of the effects of design parameters on the motion. It is shown that flange clearance and the nonlinear variation of axle roll with lateral displacement significantly influence the motion of the wheelset. Stationary oscillations may occur at forward speeds both below and above the critical speed at which a linear analysis predicts the onset of instability.
A model calculation for vibrational propagation in a chain of nonlinear oscillators II: Effects of optical dispersion and of initial conditions

We extend our previous analysis of vibrational propagation in a chain of nonlinear oscillators to obtain explicit expressions for oscillator displacements and mean-squaredisplacements of the vibrational excitation for optical dispersion and study the effects of the interplay of initial conditions with nonlinearity.
Multimodal Spectral Imaging of Cells Using a Transmission Diffraction Grating on a Light Microscope

A multimodal methodology for spectral imaging of cells is presented. The spectral imaging setup uses a transmission diffraction grating on a light microscope to concurrently record spectral images of cells and cellular organelles by fluorescence, darkfield, brightfield, and differential interference contrast (DIC) spectral microscopy. Initially, the setup was applied for fluorescence spectral imaging of yeast and mammalian cells labeled with multiple fluorophores. Fluorescence signals originating from fluorescently labeled biomolecules in cells were collected through triple or single filter cubes, separated by the grating, and imaged using a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera. Cellular components such as nuclei, cytoskeleton, and mitochondria were spatially separated by the fluorescence spectra of the fluorophores present in them, providing detailed multi-colored spectral images of cells. Additionally, the grating-based spectral microscope enabled measurement of scattering and absorption spectra of unlabeled cells and stained tissue sections using darkfield and brightfield or DIC spectral microscopy, respectively. The presented spectral imaging methodology provides a readily affordable approach for multimodal spectral characterization of biological cells and other specimens.
Distance determined by the angular declination below the horizon

A biological system is often more efficient when it takes advantage of the regularities in its environment1,2. Like other terrestrial creatures, our spatial sense relies on the regularities associated with the ground surface2,3,4,5,6. A simple, but important, ecological fact is that the field of view of the ground surface extends upwards from near (feet) to infinity (horizon)2. It forms the basis of a trigonometric relationship wherein the further an object on the ground is, the higher in the field of view it looks, with an object at infinity being seen at the horizon. Here, we provide support for the hypothesis that the visual system uses the angular declination below the horizon for distance judgement. Using a visually directed action task7,8,9,10, we found that when the angular declination was increased by binocularly viewing through base-up prisms, the observer underestimated distance. After adapting to the same prisms, however, the observer overestimated distance on prism removal. Most significantly, we show that the distance overestimation as an after-effect of prism adaptation was due to a lowered perceived eye level, which reduced the object's angular declination below the horizon.
Influence of Friction and Rake Angle on the Formation of Discontinuous Rock Fragments During Rock Cutting

Tribological properties during rock cutting under extremely high pressure and high temperature (HPHT) conditions are important in deep mining and drilling operations. In the present investigation, a rock fragmentation process is simulated during mechanical cutting of rock using an explicit finite element code, LS-DYNA. In the simulations, a rigid steel cutting tool of different rake angles was moved at different velocities against a stationary rock material. Rock material properties have been incorporated using an advanced damage constitute material model. In addition, the friction factors at the cutting tool–rock interface were varied in the contact model. The variation of cutting forces, stresses and rock fragment morphology have been investigated. Overall, the results indicate that the explicit finite element model is a powerful tool for simulating rock cutting and the fragmentation process. More specifically, the separation of rock fragments from the rock slab was accurately predicted using the numerical model. The rake angle was found to have significant influence on the fragment morphology during rock cutting. Moreover, the cutting forces and the discontinuous fragmentation process were strongly influenced by the friction and cutting velocity.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Sensitivity of alpha and beta oscillations to sensorimotor characteristics of action: an EEG study of action production and gesture observation.

The sensorimotor experiences we gain when performing an action have been found to influence how our own motor systems are activated when we observe others performing that same action. Here we asked whether this phenomenon applies to the observation of gesture. Would the sensorimotor experiences we gain when performing an action on an object influence activation in our own motor systems when we observe others performing a gesture for that object? Participants were given sensorimotor experience with objects that varied in weight, and then observed video clips of an actor producing gestures for those objects. Electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded while participants first observed either an iconic gesture (pantomiming lifting an object) or a deictic gesture (pointing to an object) for an object, and then grasped and lifted the object indicated by the gesture. We analyzed EEG during gesture observation to determine whether oscillatory activity was affected by the observer’s sensorimotor experiences with the object represented in the gesture. Seeing a gesture for an object previously experienced as light was associated with a suppression of power in alpha and beta frequency bands, particularly at posterior electrodes. A similar pattern was found when participants lifted the light object, but over more diffuse electrodes. Moreover, alpha and beta bands at right parieto-occipital electrodes were sensitive to the type of gesture observed (iconic vs. deictic). These results demonstrate that sensorimotor experience with an object affects how a gesture for that object is processed, as measured by the gesture-observer’s EEG, and suggest that different types of gestures recruit the observer’s own motor system in different ways.
Songs and emotions: are lyrics and melodies equal partners?

We explored the role of lyrics and melodies in conveying emotions in songs. Participants rated the intensity of four types of emotions in instrumental music or the same music paired with lyrics. Me...
Higher thyroid hormone receptor expression correlates with short larval periods in spadefoot toads and increases metamorphic rate

Spadefoot toad species display extreme variation in larval period duration, due in part to evolution of thyroid hormone (TH) physiology. Specifically, desert species with short larval periods have higher tail tissue content of TH and exhibit increased responsiveness to TH. To address the molecular basis of larval period differences, we examined TH receptor (TR) expression across species. Based on the dual function model for the role of TR in development, we hypothesized that desert spadefoot species with short larval periods would have (1) late onset of TR expression prior to the production of endogenous TH and (2) higher TR levels when endogenous TH becomes available. To test these hypotheses, we cloned fragments of TRα and TRβ genes from the desert spadefoot toads Scaphiopus couchii and Spea multiplicata and their non-desert relative Pelobates cultripes and measured their mRNA levels in tails using quantitative PCR in the absence (premetamorphosis) or presence (natural metamorphosis) of TH. All species express TRα and TRβ from the earliest stages measured (from just after hatching), but S. couchii, which has the shortest larval period, had more TRα throughout development compared to P. cultripes, which has the longest larval period. TRβ mRNA levels were similar across species. Exogenous T3 treatment induced faster TH-response gene expression kinetics in S. couchii compared to the other species, consistent with its higher TRα mRNA expression and indicative of a functional consequence of more TRα activity at the molecular level. To directly test whether higher TRα expression may contribute to shorter larval periods, we overexpressed TRα via plasmid injection into tail muscle cells of the model frog Xenopus laevis and found an increased rate of muscle cell death in response to TH. These results suggest that increased TRα expression evolved in S. couchii and contribute to its higher metamorphic rates.
On the discrete wavelet transform and shiftability

We analyze the relationship between the change that is observed in the wavelet coefficients when a signal is time shifted and the time and frequency distributions of the wavelet functions. We address the effects of shift variance and show how it can be useful. >
Access to care for adolescents seeking weight loss surgery.

Objective Adolescents seeking weight loss surgery (WLS) frequently encounter obstacles obtaining treatment authorization from insurance carriers. This study identified factors influencing authorization for adolescents with clinical indications for WLS. Methods A retrospective review was conducted for adolescents with clinical indications for WLS at five adolescent centers. This cohort represented a consecutive series of adolescents with insurance benefits for WLS for whom insurance authorization was sought between 2009 and 2011. Outcomes included number and timing of insurance authorizations for surgery, denials, and appeals. Results Records from 57 adolescents (74% female; mean age 16 (range: 12-17) years; mean BMI 51.3 kg/m2) were reviewed. Of these, only 47% were approved with the original request. Eighty percent of those denied were approved on appeal, while 11% never obtained authorization for surgery. Age less than 18 years and proposed procedure were the most common reasons for denial. Conclusions Less than half of adolescents with clinical indications for surgery received approval for the procedure on the first request. The appeal process typically resulted in overturning of denials, so that surgical care could be delivered.
Trial functions in variational approximations to long-wavelength scattering

Scattering from a nearly transparent sphere is used to examine how the range of validity of the Levine–Schwinger variational technique depends on the choice of trial function and, in particular, on the physics embodied in the trial function. It is found that incorporating refractive effects into the trial function permits the extension of long-wavelength approximations into shorter-wavelength regimes. This finding will be important for the successful application of recently developed variational principles for stochastic systems, particularly stochastic systems that contain a broad distribution of particle sizes.
Eigenfunction expansions for some nonselfadjoint operators and the transport equation

Abstract An eigenfunction expansion theorem is proved under certain assumptions about a nonselfadjoint operator A + V, where A is selfadjoint, not necessarily bounded below, and the eigenfunction expansion theorem for A is known.
Estimating and Visualizing Nonlinear Relations among Latent Variables: A Semiparametric Approach.

The graphical presentation of any scientific finding enhances its description, interpretation, and evaluation. Research involving latent variables is no exception, especially when potential nonlinear effects are suspect. This article has multiple aims. First, it provides a nontechnical overview of a semiparametric approach to modeling nonlinear relationships among latent variables using mixtures of linear structural equations. Second, it provides several examples showing how the method works and how it is implemented and interpreted in practical applications. In particular, this article examines the potentially nonlinear relationships between positive and negative affect and cognitive processing. Third, a recommended display format for illustrating latent bivariate relationships is demonstrated. Finally, the article describes an R package and an online utility that generate these displays automatically.
Thrombolysis : the need for a critical review

Abstract The (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction) TIMI-I trial led to the hypothesis that the greater reperfusion rate seen with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) versus streptokinase would result in greater reductions in infarct size and mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Despite extensive investigation, no trial comparing rt-PA with streptokinase (European Cooperative Study Group, Plasminogen Activator Italian Multicenter Study [PAIMS], Gruppo Italiano per lo Studio della Sopravvivenze nell'Infarto Miocardico [GISSI-2]. International Study on Infarct Survival [ISIS-3], even TIMI-I itself) nor rt-PA and anisoylated plasminogen-streptokinase activator complex (APSAC or anistreplase) (Bassand, TEAM-3, ISIS-3), have confirmed this hypothesis. In a reversal of traditional scientific method, the studies, rather than the unconfirmed hypothesis, have been rejected. A lack of independent review of this subject may have contributed to this outcome. It is proposed that standards of review and editorial comment mandating true critical distance and independence be followed, permitting greater independence of scientific inquiry, review and debate.
Chromatographic analysis of carbamazepine binding to human serum albumin II. Comparison of the Schiff base and N-hydroxysuccinimide immobilization methods

Recent studies with carbamazepine on human serum albumin (HSA) columns have noted an appreciable degree of non-specifi c binding on supports prepared by the Schiff base immobilization method. This work examines an alternative immobilization method for HSA based on N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS)-activated silica. This support was prepared by re- acting HPLC-grade silica directly with disuccinimidyl carbonate. The resulting material was compared to an HSA support prepared by the Schiff base method in terms of its activity for carbamazepine and non-specifi c interactions with this drug. When examined by frontal analysis, both supports gave comparable association equilibrium constants for carbamazepine interactions with HSA ((0.53-0.55) × 10 4 M −1 at 37 °C). However, columns prepared by the Schiff base method gave great- er non-specifi c binding. These columns, as well as control columns prepared using the carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) immobi- lization method, were also evaluated for their non-specifi c binding to a variety of other solutes known to interact with HSA. From these results it was concluded that the NHS method was an attractive alternative to the Schiff base technique in the preparation of immobilized HSA for HPLC-based binding studies for carbamazepine. However, it was also noted that non- specifi c binding varies from one drug to the next in these immobilization methods, indicating that such properties should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in the use and development of HSA columns for binding studies.
Desensitization of Soluble Guanylate Cyclase in Renal Cortex during Endotoxemia in Mice

Acute endotoxemic renal failure involves renal vasoconstriction, which presumably occurs despite increased nitric oxide (NO) generation by inducible NO synthase in the kidney. The present study examined the hypothesis that the renal vasoconstriction during endotoxemia occurs in part because of desensitization of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC). Endotoxic shock was induced in male B6/129F2/J mice by an intraperitoneal injection of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide. The endotoxemia resulted in shock and renal failure as evidenced by a decrease in mean arterial pressure and an increase in serum creatinine and urea nitrogen. Serum NO increased in a time-dependent manner, reaching the highest levels at 24 h, in parallel with induction of inducible NO synthase protein in the renal cortex. In renal cortical slices obtained from endotoxemic mice, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) increased significantly at 6 h and 15 h as compared with control but normalized at 24 h after injection of lipopolysaccharide. Incubation of renal cortical slices in the presence of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor isobutylmethylxantine did not alter the pattern of changes in cGMP. Incubation of renal cortical slices with 2 mM sodium nitroprusside resulted in a similar accumulation of cGMP in slices taken from control and endotoxemic mice at 6 h and 15 h. However, in slices from 24-h endotoxemic mice, accumulation of cGMP in response to sodium nitroprusside was significantly lower. This lower stimulability of sGC was not paralleled by a decrease in its abundance in renal cortex on immunoblot. Taken together, these results demonstrate a desensitization of sGC in renal cortex during endotoxemia, which may contribute to the associated renal vasoconstriction.
Intensification and Stimulation Therapy for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Reservoirs in Infected Persons Receiving Virally Suppressive Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has led to significant changes in mortality and morbidity in the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) epidemic. Nevertheless, because of molecular mechanisms of viral persistence, HAART does not eradicate HIV-1. Didanosine and hydroxyurea were added to the antiretroviral regimens of 3 HIV-1-infected men who were receiving stable HAART and who had HIV-1 RNA levels <50 copies/mL at the initiation of the study protocol, as a novel intensification to attack cryptic viral replication; low-dose OKT3 was then administered, followed by a course of interleukin-2, to stimulate latent provirus. Replication-competent virus was undetectable after treatment, and plasma viral RNA was either undetectable or <5 copies/mL. In trial periods during which no antiretroviral therapy was administered, the patients developed plasma viral rebound. This translational approach combines novel intensification and stimulation therapy to deplete residual HIV-1 reservoirs. Additional experimental approaches must be developed if HIV-1 eradication is to become possible in patients receiving virally suppressive HAART.
ACTIVITY, CALORIE INTAKE, FAT STORAGE, AND THE ENERGY BALANCE OF INFANTS

Activity has long been known to be a major factor in the energy balance of moving organisms. Recently, the relative inactivity of obese individuals and the hyperactivityof thin individ- uals have received much attention. A study of the relationships of activity, growth, fat storage, and calorie intake of 31 infants living under normal home environmental conditions suggests that the unusually' fat and the unusually thin infant may have, respectively, a smaller and larger number of active cells and, therefore, lower and higher BMR's per unit of body mass than the average individual. This would seem to confirmthe theory that BMR is a function of inherent mitochondrial activity rather than of body size or shape. Pediatrics, 41: 18, 1968, EXERCISE, INFANT NUTRITION, OBESITY.
Large-scale privacy protection in Google Street View

The last two years have witnessed the introduction and rapid expansion of products based upon large, systematically-gathered, street-level image collections, such as Google Street View, EveryScape, and Mapjack. In the process of gathering images of public spaces, these projects also capture license plates, faces, and other information considered sensitive from a privacy standpoint. In this work, we present a system that addresses the challenge of automatically detecting and blurring faces and license plates for the purpose of privacy protection in Google Street View. Though some in the field would claim face detection is “solved”, we show that state-of-the-art face detectors alone are not sufficient to achieve the recall desired for large-scale privacy protection. In this paper we present a system that combines a standard sliding-window detector tuned for a high recall, low-precision operating point with a fast post-processing stage that is able to remove additional false positives by incorporating domain-specific information not available to the sliding-window detector. Using a completely automatic system, we are able to sufficiently blur more than 89% of faces and 94 – 96% of license plates in evaluation sets sampled from Google Street View imagery.
PINDAR'S CHARIOTEER IN PLATO'S PHAEDRUS (227B9–10)

In his second question of the Phaedrus, Socrates asks Phaedrus how he spent (διατριβή) his morning with Lysias. Phaedrus answers: ‘You'll learn, should you have the leisure (σχολή) to walk and listen.’ Socrates responds: What? Don't you think I would judge it, as Pindar puts it, a thing ‘surpassing even lack of leisure’ (καὶ ἀσχολίας ὑπέρτeρον), to hear how you and Lysias spent your time? (227b6–10) Socrates quotes from First Isthmian 2. In this victory ode, Pindar celebrates, uniquely in his extant oeuvre, a charioteer winner who has driven his own team. The epinician poem and the dialogue, especially the myth in Socrates’ second speech, have remarkable systematic parallels. This suggests that Pindar's victor serves as model for the palinode's philosophical lover, and Pindar's song for Socrates’ conversation.