cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Making the Social Visible within Inclusive Classrooms.

Abstract There is an increasing need to address children's social development in the midst of academic initiatives for early childhood curricula. A study was conducted to make visible and support children's social interactions within inclusive preschool classrooms through documentation from the Reggio Emilia approach. Findings demonstrated that children's interactions occurred among different configurations within inclusive preschool classrooms, involving: 1) children who were typically developing, 2) children who had certified disabilities, and 3) children who were typically developing and those having certified disabilities. These social interactions occurred within three areas of the classroom context: transitions between routine activities, open-ended activities, and teachers' roles. Implications suggest that documentation techniques can serve as both a research and teaching tool for promoting social interactions among early childhood educators.
Associative function of the arcuate segment of the monkey's prefrontal cortex.

Abstract Monkeys were trained in a WGTA on two visual conditional position response (CPR) tasks. Bilateral ablations were made to the arcuate sulcus (ARC), principal sulcus (PRIN), or to cortex inferior to the principalis sulcus (IDL). The means of total errors for both tasks were ARC 161.33, PRIN 21.6 and IDL 45.25, with significantly greater ARC deficit. Findings support the view that the role of arcuate cortex is to mediate spatial-response contingencies, regardless of cue modality.
Kinetics of the tuberculocidal response by alkaline glutaraldehyde in solution and on an inert surface

Single cell suspensions of BCG and Mycobacterium tuberculosis were exposed to 2% alkaline glutaraldehyde solution (pH 8.0) and the rate of kill measured at intervals up to 30 min. Residual glutaraldehyde was neutralized with freshly prepared 1% sodium bisulphite. The rate of kill was directly proportional to the temperature and independent of the inoculum size whether the organism was tested in suspension or attached to an inert surface. Glutaraldehyde was slightly more bactericidal for the virulent M. tuberculosis than for the attenuated BCG. A substantial proportion of the mycobacterial population on an inert surface floated off during its exposure to the glutaraldehyde solution but the 'floaters' were killed at an equivalent rate to the attached bacilli. Complete sterility of a standardized suspension of M. tuberculosis could not be achieved within the 10 min period specified by the tuberculocidal assay, although it was usually attained within 20 min.
The effect of reduced dopamine D4 receptor expression in the 5-choice continuous performance task: Separating response inhibition from premature responding

Impairments in attention/vigilance and response disinhibition are commonly observed in several neuropsychiatric disorders. Validating animal models could help in developing therapeutics for cognitive deficits and improving functional outcomes in such disorders. The 5-choice continuous performance test (5C-CPT) in mice offers the opportunity to assess vigilance and two forms of impulsivity. Since reduced dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) function is implicated in several disorders, DRD4 is a potential therapeutic target for cognition enhancement. We trained wildtype (WT), heterozygous (HT), and knockout (KO) mice of the murine Drd4 to perform the 5C-CPT under baseline and variable stimulus duration conditions. To dissect motor impulsivity (premature responding) from behavioral disinhibition (false alarms), we administered the 5-HT2C antagonist SB242084 during an extended inter-trial-interval session. We also examined the preattentive and exploratory profile of these mice in prepulse inhibition (PPI) and the Behavioral Pattern Monitor (BPM). Reduced Drd4 expression in HT mice, as confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR, resulted in response disinhibition and impaired 5C-CPT performance, while premature responding was unaffected. Conversely, SB242084 increased premature responding without affecting response inhibition or attentional measures. No genotypic differences were observed in PPI or BPM behavior. Thus, reduced Drd4 expression impairs attentional performance, but not other behaviors associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. Moreover, the use of signal and non-signal stimuli in the 5C-CPT enabled the differentiation of response disinhibition from motor impulsivity in a vigilance task.
Modification of luciferase to be a substrate for plant aspartic proteinase

The possibility of using firefly luciferase as a substrate for an aspartic proteinase was explored. Several amino acid modifications to the C-terminus of the luciferase were created on the basis of the known substrate of the Arabidopsis thaliana aspartic proteinase, pro-(barley lectin). One luciferase with the sequence Arg-Asp-Gly-Val-Phe-Ala-Ala instead of the native Arg-Glu-Ile-Leu-Ile-Lys-Ala at position -15 to -9 relative to the C-terminus of native luciferase was found to possess 17% of the original luciferase activity. When this modified luciferase was incubated with the aspartic proteinase, a specific loss in activity occurred that was not observed with the original luciferase. However, both enzymes seemed very sensitive to the acidic conditions required for aspartic proteinase activity. The other versions of luciferase with different numbers of pro-(barley lectin) amino acids were not active luciferases. This provided information on the structural requirements of the C-terminal portion of the protein for luciferase activity. The luciferase proteins were also monitored during the digestion by using Western blots and some were shown to be substrates for the aspartic proteinase. Contrary to what had been expected, the modified luciferase that incorporated the pro-(barley lectin) sequences was not simply cleaved at the engineered site but at additional positions in the protein. The Arabidopsis aspartic proteinase cleaved two other standard protein substrates at many sites, suggesting that this proteinase could have a role in the degradation of proteins in addition to processing propeptides in plants.
PPARα ligand clofibrate ameliorates blood pressure and vascular reactivity in spontaneously hypertensive rats

PPARα ligand clofibrate ameliorates blood pressure and vascular reactivity in spontaneously hypertensive rats
Role of Surgery in Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes is one of the most common diseases in the United States, with 1.5 million new cases reported in 2005 and a projected 48.3 million diabetics in the year 2050. Despite the disease's remarkably high prevalence and the substantial efforts focused on pharmacological treatment of the disease, current dietary, behavioral, and medical therapies have achieved only limited success. For over 2 decades, bariatric surgeons have recognized that gastric bypass surgery causes a remarkable, durable improvement in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Remarkably, this normalization of glucose metabolism occurs within several weeks of surgery, long before substantial weight loss takes place. As early as in 1987, data have been available demonstrating that 83% of patients with diabetes and 99% of those with impaired glucose tolerance become euglycemic after gastric bypass surgery. Despite the availability of this effective treatment for diabetes, the primary therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus has remained medical. In this article, we review some of the hypotheses about how bariatric operations affect glucose metabolism and diabetes as well as the research that has been done to elucidate these mechanisms. Additionally, we discuss how surgery may one day represent an important management option for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Mt Sinai J Med 76:281–293, 2009. © 2009 Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Rational expectations, market shocks, and the exchange rate☆

Abstract The world economy has been subjected to numerous real shocks in recent years. In addition, purchasing-power parity seems to have collapsed. Critics of the monetary approach to the exchange rate have been quick to draw attention to these facts. This paper extends the basic framework of the monetary approach so that it provides a useful tool for explaining the impact of real shocks on the exchange rate and so that it is compatible with the existence of significant deviations from purchasing-power parity. The real shocks that are discussed include changes in commercial policy, the terms of trade, and productivity. It is demonstrated that real shocks influence the exchange rate through two distinct channels—a real-income channel and a deviations from purchasing-power-parity channel.
Multipole wave functions for photoelectrons in crystals. III. The role of singular points in the band structure and the tails of the Wannier functions

Properties of multipole wave functions and of Wannier functions are studied jointly, because both are generated by unitary transformations of Bloch waves and because their symmetry and localization depend on the analytic behavior and phase normalization of Bloch waves. Fourier theory relates the amplitude and convergence of the tails of Wannier functions to the singularities of Bloch waves in $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}$ space, specifically to the contribution of singularities to integrals over $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}$. These singularities may include branch cut surfaces bounded by curves of degeneracy. We discuss the convergence of the coefficients of a linear-combination-of-atomic-orbitals expansion in orbitals introduced recently by Kohn, which are Fourier coefficients of the eigenvectors ${\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{U}}}^{(\ensuremath{\mu})}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}})$ of the Hamiltonian in Kohn's basis. The phases of Bloch waves are fixed by a constraint on the Wannier functions. The symmetry of Bloch waves determines then both the species and the center of symmetry of the Wannier functions. An application to the conduction band of copper is presented. Contributions of neighborhoods of loci of degeneracy in the Brillouin zone to the multipole wave functions are singled out and the rate of convergence of their Wannier series is examined. The series converges faster than the corresponding Wannier series of Bloch waves.
Characterization of the human β-secretase 2 (BACE2) 5′-flanking region

The main characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is brain deposition of the β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide, generated endoproteolytically from Aβ precursor protein (APP) by β- and γ-secretases. A transmembrane aspartyl protease, β-APP-cleaving enzyme (BACE1), was identified as β-secretase. Although BACE1 cleaves APP at the β-secretase site, the role of its homolog, β-secretase 2 (BACE2) is poorly understood. We report them RNA expression profile, DNA sequence, and molecular characterization of the BACE2 gene, located on chromosome 21q22.3. The BACE2 gene expresses more strongly in peripheral tissues, although BACE2 mRNA is found in the majority of brain regions, including the postcentral gyrus and temporal lobe. Characterization of 2932 bp of the BACE2 5′-flanking region (GC content of 55%), reveals the absence of canonical CCAAT and TATA boxes within 1 kb of the transcription start site (TSS). The sequence lacks significant internal repeats and has a housekeeping gene structure. Two active regions of the BACE2 promoter determine its basal expression and cell-type specificity. The proximal region (−31/+238) likely determines general basal expression, and the distal region (−2618/−1513), cell-type specificity. Several putative transcription factor sites, particularly SP1, Oct-1, and HES-1, are predicted to be within 1 kb of the TSS. On either side of the proximal promoter region, two negative regulatory domains might reduce BACE2 expression under an induced condition. The BACE2 5′-flanking region is likely to be highly regulated and expressed in a tissue type-specific manner.
Inhibition of glycerol dehydrogenase from Aerobacter aerogenes by dihydroxyacetone, high ionic strength, and monovalent cations

Abstract 1. 1. The NAD + -linked glycerol dehydrogenase (glycerol:NAD + oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.6) from Aerobacter aerogenes was studied with respect to affinity for several substrates and inhibition by several mechanisms. 2. 2. The affinity of the enzyme was somewaht higher for 1,2-propanediol than for glycerol. At pH 9.5 the K m for 1,2-propanediol was 6.1 mM and for glycerol the K m was 13 mM. 3. 3. The reverse reaction: Dihydroxyacetone+NADH+H + →glycerol+NAD + showed substrate inhibition at dihydroxyacetone concentrations above 0.4 mM. The K m for dihydroxyacetone was 0.13 mM at pH 7.7 4. 4. The enzyme was strongly inhibited by Li + and to a lesser extent by Na + at higher concentrations. The K i for Li + was approximately 40 mM at pH 9.5. This inhibition seems to be of a coupling type and appears to be noncompetitive with K + , which has been shown to be an activator for the enzyme. 5. 5. The enzyme was inhibited by high ionic strength solutions.
Digital 60-Hz to 400-Hz synchro converter

The design of a solid-state digital synchro converter has been established. Its steady-state and transient performance characteristics surpass those of a mechanically coupled 60-Hz to 400-Hz system, in which position errors and time lags degrade the performance. The digital design acts as an interface between a 60-Hz synchro transmitter and a 400-Hz synchro receiver. The heart of the design is the combination of a solid-state digital phase control circuit and two frequency conversion flip-flops.
AC resistance formula for bubble memory drive coils

A formula for the ac resistance of tightly wound, uniform field, multilayer coils is deduced. This type of coil is used to provide the drive field for bubble memories. The loading effects of the orthogonal coil and the enhancing effect of the bias magnet homogenizer found in these devices are not considered here. The formula is developed by first deriving an expression for the ac resistance of coils wound with square wire and then empirically adapting it to round wire. Agreement between the formula and ac resistances measured on one, two, and three layer coils is generally better than 10 percent. The formula is also found to agree with published data on single layer solenoids.
Synthesis of enantiopure 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate and 2,4-cyclodiphosphate from D-arabitol.

Two key intermediates of the newly discovered mevalonate-independent pathway for isoprenoid biosynthesis were prepared. Optically pure 2-C-methyl-d-erythritol 4-phosphate and 2,4-cyclodiphosphate were chemically synthesized from d-arabitol using a convenient benzylidene and tert-butyldimethylsilyl protection of polyhydroxylated intermediates. The new scheme offers a straightforward route to analogues and labeled forms.
Quantitative justification of simplification in some heat conduction problems

Abstract In this paper, we give quantitative justification of some simplifications in steady-state linear heat conduction problems. A posteriori error estimates are provided for effects on the solutions for idealization of thermal conductivity and boundary conditions, linearization of nonlinear problems.
Pareto Optimal Multivariate Calibration for Spectroscopic Data

Multivariate calibration of spectral data is considered with an emphasis on prediction. An abundance of methods are available to develop such calibration models. Using a harmonious approach with target vector optimization, the best calibration models are identified relative to the criteria used. Criteria utilized to determine the adequacy of models are minimization of the root mean square error of calibration (RMSEC) and the norm of the regression vector. Because of the simplicity of the optimization response surfaces, the method of simplex was found to function much faster than generalized simulated annealing. Using a near infrared spectral example to demonstrate concepts, a family of models are established to be good, i.e., Pareto optimal models. For the data set investigated, it is found that the Pareto optimal models are essentially the same as models obtained by ridge regression and generalized ridge regression and are more harmonious than models obtained by principal component regression (PCR), partial least-squares (PLS), continuum regression, and cyclic subspace regression as the Pareto optimal models have smaller regression vector norms, RMSEC, and root mean square error of validation (RMSEV) values. The PLS models are found to be Pareto optimal relative to the PCR models. The paper presents an explanation of when the RR model will not be acceptable.
Effects of suprachiasmatic lesions on temperature regulation in the golden hamster

Abstract The body temperature of individually housed golden hamsters was studied by telemetry. Elimination of circadian rhythmicity by electrolytic lesions of the suprachiasmatic nuclei of the hypothalamus (SCN) did not affect the mean level of body temperature of animals maintained at 22, 12, or 6°C: The range of variation of body temperature around the mean level was also found not to differ from that of intact animals that had the circadian component filtered out by a subtractive moving-averages procedure. These results indicate that the SCN plays no role in the homeostatic control of body temperature. The role of the SCN seems to be limited to the generation of circadian rhythmicity that is superimposed on the homeostatic process of temperature regulation.
Comparative organization of active transcription units in Oncopeltus fasciatus.

Abstract We have analyzed electron micrographs of chromatin-associated fiber arrays from embryos of the milkweed bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus. The analysis has revealed that the arrays have highly ordered patterns of fiber spacings and lengths. These patterns support the interpretation that the fibers are nascent RNA with associated proteins (RNP fibers) which have resulted from transcription of the DNA in the underlying chromatin segment. In particular, the patterns indicate that the chromatin underlying each array is delimited by specific sites for initiation and termination of transcription. We apply the term transcription unti to a chromatin segment thus bounded. The analysis has further revealed that transcription units can be grouped into two principal classes—ribosomal and nonribosomal. Active transcription units of these two classes differ in DNA content, in their proximity to other active transcription units, and in their chromatin morphology. For certain developmental stages, fiber frequencies (that is, the numbers of fibers per μm of chromatin) are also useful in distinguishing ribosomal from nonribosomal arrays. The most definitive of the above classification criteria is chromatin morphology as observed under our preparative conditions. We propose the term rho chromatin for the unbeaded or smooth chromatin that underlies nascent ribosomal RNP fibers. DNA in rho chromatin has a calculated packing ratio of approximately 1.2 μm of B structure DNA per μm of chromatin. Nu chromatin is used to designate the beaded chromatin for which we calculate a DNA packing ratio of 1.6–2.3 in our preparations. This calculation for nu chromatin is based on the inference that the beads are nucleosomes (nu bodies, PS particles, unit particles). The beaded morphology is observed between fibers of nonribosomal transcription units as well as for most fiber-free chromatin. The detection of specific sites of transcriptional initiation and termination and the classification of transcription units can provide a basis for further analysis of transcriptional control.
nNOS mediated mitochondrial injury in LPS stimulated oligodendrocytes

Products of inflammation and the activation of nitric oxide synthase have been proposed as a mechanism of oligodendrocyte injury in CNS inflammation. There are currently three well described and known isoforms of NOS. Of these, neuronal NOS (nNOS) was initially discovered in neurons, endothelial NOS (eNOS) in vascular endothelium, while the inducible form of NOS (iNOS) is known to be activated in oligodendrocytes, astrocytes and microglia. We examined the activation of nNOS and the down stream effects of NO production in oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPC) and MO3.13 cell line following culture with LPS. Our studies show that both MO3.13 cells and OPC are susceptible to the cellular injury resulting from LPS mediated activation and NO production. Activation of the TLR4 receptor with LPS led to decrease in cell viability that was associated with loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and impaired enzymatic activity of complex I and complex IV protein of the respiratory chain. 7-NI, a known inhibitor of nNOS was able to rescue of cells from LPS mediated mitochondrial damage. Loss of mitochondrial function was associated with translocation of cytochrome C and apoptosis inducing factor to the cytosol, setting the stage for apoptosis. Phosphorylation of PI3K and Akt was required for optimal activation of NOS. These studies provide a biochemical basis for nNOS mediated oligodendrocyte injury and suggest similar mechanisms may play a role in diseases characterized by oligodendrocyte loss and demyelination.
A simple solution is "prime" for fetal cardiopulmonary bypass.

Worsening fetal gas exchange is the hallmark of frequently observed placental dysfunction after fetal bypass. Several factors influence this pathophysiology, but the optimal prime constituents for fetal bypass have yet to be defined. Calcium and sodium bicarbonate are frequently added to prime solutions for adjustments toward physiologic values. We examined whether similar manipulations are warranted with fetal bypass. Ovine fetuses (n 10) at 104 –110 days’ gestation were placed on bypass for 30 minutes. Calcium chloride and sodium bicarbonate were added to adjust prime ionized calcium and pH. Fetal hemodynamics and arterial blood gases were collected immediately before, and 15 and 30 minutes on bypass. Statistical significance was determined by Student’s t test and best fit correlations. Calcium addition negatively correlated with fetal pH (R 2 > 0.63) and pO2 (R 2 > 0.41), and displayed a robust positive correlation with pCO2 (R 2 0.88) during bypass. Similarly, bicarbonate addition revealed correlations for pCO2 (R 2 > 0.70) and pO2 (R 2 > 0.57), with a strong negative correlation to umbilical blood flow (R 2 > 0.75). Calcium addition to the prime adversely affects fetal gas exchange worsening acidosis during fetal bypass. Bicarbonate addition to the prime is also detrimental to the fetus resulting in greater CO2 production and impaired hemodynamics. ASAIO Journal 2007; 53:710 –715.
Regenerative, all-or-none electrographic seizures in the rat hippocampal slice in Mg-free and physiological medium.

Abstract All-or-none electrographic seizures (EGSs) were studied in hippocampal slices from young (21- to 38-day-old) rats in medium containing low (0 mM) or physiological (0.9 mM) levels of magnesium, with and without the GABAB agonist baclofen. Extracellular recording and stimulation were performed in stratum pyramidale and stratum radiatum of CA3, respectively. EGS activity was induced by exposure to low-Mg medium or by delivering repetitive stimulus trains in physiological Mg medium. After EGS activity had stabilized, the EGSs were tested for all-or-none behavior by varying the number of pulses in a train. An EGS was considered all-or-none if subthreshold stimulation produced no afterdischarge bursts, and if the EGS duration was largely independent of the number of suprathreshold stimulus pulses. According to this measure, EGSs in Mg-free + baclofen medium were all-or-none. EGSs evoked in physiological Mg medium were also all-or-none, although the threshold was higher, and the EGS duration lower, than in Mg-free medium. This all-or-none characteristic was observed whether the EGSs were induced by prior exposure to Mg-free medium or by repetitive stimulation, and in the presence and absence of baclofen. The all-or-none characteristic suggests that while the triggering mechanism for EGSs is strongly dependent on stimulus intensity, regenerative mechanisms — independent of stimulus intensity — are responsible for the maintenance of EGSs. EGSs are also terminated by mechanisms not dependent on stimulus intensity.
Supersymmetry and the quantum mechanics of spin

Abstract Bohr-Sommerfeld quantization is exact for a spin in a magnetic field. This well-known result is connected with the existence of a hidden supersymmetry. I discuss the supersymmetry and, in a broader context, the semiclassical quantum-mechanical interpretation of the Weyl character formula for compact, semisimple Lie groups.
Surface potential measurement of aged Li-ion batteries using Kelvin probe microscopy

Abstract In lithium-ion batteries, several electrical and physical parameters are responsible for the degradation of the electrode materials. Here the application of Kelvin probe microscopy (KPM) is demonstrated to measure the charge sustaining capability of the LiFePO 4 cathode under aged and unaged conditions. The aged sample shows lower surface potential than the unaged sample, which can be attributed to changes in physical and chemical properties including particle size, phase of the surface layer and nanocrystalline deposits.
Transfiguration: a narrative analysis of male‐to‐female transsexual

In the West, ‘transsexual’ emerged as a narrative position (Prosser, 1998). In order to begin to understand the complex relations between the discursive formation and the dangerous lived experience of male‐to‐female transsexuals, in this narrative analysis, which is a part of a larger study, the author examines how male‐to‐female transsexual is re/produced in narrative. She found that this transsexual narrative was contained within the heteronormative through a heteronarrative structure (Roof, 1996). The possibility of a transsexual body and subject outside the heterosexual matrix was erased as the narrative continually concluded in the heterologic, the modern alignment of sex/gender/sexual orientation. Homology, the logic of the perverse and ambiguous, of the middle, was an illusion as each instance of ambiguity was quickly pulled back into the heteronormative. This article ends with a rhizonarrative, as one attempt to transfigure the heteronarrative structure of the transnarrative.
Homogeneous continua in 2-manifolds

Abstract In 1960 R.H. Bing [2] proved that every homogeneous plane continuum that contains an arc is a simple closed curve. At that time Bing [2, p. 228] asked if every 1-dimensional homogeneous continuum that contains an arc and lies on a 2-manifold is a simple closed curve. We prove that no 2-manifold contains uncountably many disjoint triods. We use this theorem and decomposition theorems of F.B. Jones [10] and H.C. Wiser [19] to answer Bing's question in the affirmative. We also prove that every homogeneous indecomposable continuum in a 2-manifold can be embedded in the plane. It follows from this result and another theorem of Wiser [20] that every homogeneous continuum that is properly contained in an orientable 2-manifold is planar.
Observations of separator reconnection to an emerging active region

Extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) observations of an emerging active region are used to study separator reconnection in the corona. We identify each EUV loop connecting the emerging polarity to a nearby existing active region over the 41 hr period beginning at emergence onset. Their geometrical resemblance to post-reconnection field lines from a magnetic model of the active region pair implicates separator reconnection in their production. While some reconnection is evident within 7 hr of emergence onset, the most intense period occurs after a 1 day delay. The sum of cross sections of all observed loops accounts for only one-fifth of the transferred magnetic flux predicted by the model. We suggest that the remaining loops remain at temperatures too high, or at densities too low, to be detected in our EUV data. The most intense reconnection requires as much as 109 V along the coronal separator; however, the observed loops suggests that the flux is transferred as discrete bundles of ~4 × 1018 Mx each. The reconnection appears to directly dissipate only a small fraction of the energy released, while the rest is dissipated within the post-reconnection flux over the ensuing 6 or more hours the loops remain visible. The net energy released, and ultimately dissipated, is consistent with the amount that could be stored magnetically during the 24 hr delay between emergence and reconnection.
The Temporal Placement of Interpolated Movements in Short-Term Motor Memory,

Directional response biasing as a function of the recency of an interpolated act was examined on a lever device in a within-S design. The temporal occurrence of an interpolated act was systematically varied (5, 30, or 55 sec. after the criterion act) for three retention intervals (15, 40, and 65 sec.), and the location of the interpolated movement was held constant ± 40 deg. from the criterion position. Analysis of constant errors showed significant positive directional biasing for interpolated acts greater than criterion positions. Further analyses at the 40-and 65-sec. retention intervals supported a recency interpretation. As the retention interval increased, the positive constant error was maintained for interpolated acts with the same post-biasing interval, whereas constant error became increasingly negative as the post-biasing interval increased. Examination of variable error revealed a slight increase over time and no significant differences between directional conditions. The recency findings were...
Contracts, Individual Revenue and Performance

In some jobs individual workers have control over revenue, effort and productivity. These jobs include professional firms for law, medicine and consulting. They include personal services in areas from hair styling to taxi driving. The firm offers contracts that allow for a sharing of risks and rewards. These incentives include a split of output between the firm and worker and employee ownership. For U.S. real estate agents, a choice is available between splitting revenue with the firm or retaining 100 % above a fixed prepaid minimum. These are equity and sequential debt contracts. Under the sequential debt contract, effort increases but output per hour declines. Separately, agents increase effort and productivity if offered ownership in the firm, effectively a claim on others’ performance.
The Caenorhabditis elegans spe-38 gene encodes a novel four-pass integral membrane protein required for sperm function at fertilization

A mutation in the Caenorhabditis elegans spe-38 gene results in a sperm-specific fertility defect. spe-38 sperm are indistinguishable from wild-type sperm with regards to their morphology, motility and migratory behavior. spe-38 sperm make close contact with oocytes but fail to fertilize them. spe-38 sperm can also stimulate ovulation and engage in sperm competition. The spe-38 gene is predicted to encode a novel four-pass (tetraspan) integral membrane protein. Structurally similar tetraspan molecules have been implicated in processes such as gamete adhesion/fusion in mammals, membrane adhesion/fusion during yeast mating, and the formation/function of tight-junctions in metazoa. In antibody localization experiments, SPE-38 was found to concentrate on the pseudopod of mature sperm, consistent with it playing a direct role in gamete interactions.
Time-frequency signature reconstruction from random observations using multiple measurement vectors

A new approach for sparse nonstationary signal reconstruction based on multiple windows is introduced. Signals which are localizable in the time-frequency (TF) domain give rise to sparsity in the same domain. When combined, sparse reconstructions, applied to randomly sampled data and corresponding to different selected windows, provide enhanced TF signature estimation. Among possible orthogonal windows, we consider those which characterize the eigen-decomposition of reduced-interference quadratic time-frequency distribution kernels. The highly overlapping TF support of the windows' full-data spectrograms inspires the use of the multiple measurement vectors, in lieu of individual windowed signal recovery. It is shown that the proposed approach outperforms other reconstruction methods when only a single window is applied and is superior to reduced interference time-frequency distributions of random observations.
An improvement in the theory of regular solutions.

Abstract In constructing the theory of regular, nonpolar, binary solutions, the partial molal energy of mixing has been expressed by the square of difference between “solubility parameters,” usually evaluated by the molal energy of vaporization per cubic centimeter, (ΔEv/V)1/2 = δ, at approximately 25°C. We have found, however, that liquids whose molecules contain methyl groups do not conform to these parameters; to account for their solvent power for iodine requires parameters increased in proportion to the number of methyl groups per molecule. The anomaly may be attributed to the absence of outer nonbonded electrons able to exert London attractive force between neighboring molecules. Parameters derived from solubility for iodine in both methyl-containing liquids and fluorochemicals greatly improve the predictive power of the theory of regular solutions.
Another look at age trends in the Poggendorff illusion: Real or illusory?

Girgus and Coren (1987) recently reported different age trends for the Poggendorff illusion as a function of parametric manipulations of the figure. In brief, they found that figural variations that produce the largest Poggendorff illusion decrease in magnitude with age. We comment on and augment their developmental findings with two experiments and report on select amputations of the Poggendorff figure and an alternative measure of the Poggendorff illusion.
Toward the efficient use of multiple explicitly managed memory subsystems

The increasing number of memory technologies offering different features such as optimized access patterns or capacity/speed ratios lead us to advocate for future HPC compute nodes equipped with heterogeneous memory subsystems. The aim is to alleviate further the ever-increasing gap between computation and memory access speeds, by taking advantage of the benefits these memory technologies provide. Compute nodes equipped with memory technologies such as scratchpad memory, on-chip 3D-stacked memory, or NVRAM-based memory are already a reality. Careful use of the different memory subsystems is mandatory in order to exploit the potential of such super-computers. While most multiple-memory models concentrate on extending the depth of the memory hierarchy by incorporating more levels of hardware-managed memories, we advocate for compute nodes equipped with heterogeneous software-managed memory subsystems. Although the exact approach to efficiently exploit them is still uncertain, a software ecosystem clearly is required in order to assist in an efficient data distribution. We address this problem at the memory object granularity. In this paper we use an object-differentiated profiling tool we have developed on top of the Valgrind instrumentation framework, in order to assess the most suitable memory subsystem for the different memory objects of two miniapplications from the Mantevo codesign project. Our results considering two different memory configurations as use cases reveal the potential benefits of carefully placing the different memory objects of an application among the different memory subsystems.
Metabolic and experiential factors in the behavioral response to repeated amphetamine

Abstract Previous studies have shown that repeated administration of d-amphetamine results in a progressive augmentation of locomotor activity and stereotypy. The present studies demonstrate that rats also exhibit an enhanced behavioral response following multiple daily injections of l-amphetamine and methylphenidate. Furthermore, behavioral augmentation is shown to persist for at least six days after a single injection of d-amphetamine. These results demonstrate the generality of the reverse tolerance phenomenon and indicate that metabolic factors, such as the formation of false neurotransmitters, do not account for the enhanced behavioral responsiveness observed with multiple injections of these drugs. The role of experiential factors in the behavioral augmentation was studied by (1) varying the amount of continuous exposure to the experimental environment prior to d-amphetamine administration, and (2) examining the effects of repeated injections of saline or d-amphetamine in different environments prior to testing in the experimental chambers. The results, which revealed a behavioral augmentation independent of pretreatment condition, indicate that neither acclimation to the test chamber nor state-dependent conditioning to external stimuli account for the enhanced locomotor activity and stereotypy observed repeated administration of psychomotor stimulants.
Verification vision systems

Verification means different modules to different people. To Roberts' initial attempt, the vision problem as a whole was a simple direct flow-chart. The verification step was the answer to the question, 'Within the vision system's capabilities, can this grouping of matches be identified (recognized) as this particular model?' There was no information feedback from this step to the other parts of the vision system, in either the case that a model was found or a hypothesis was wrongly generated. Indeed, much information can be derived at the verification stage. When we have gained sufficient confidence in a hypothesis describing image primitives (accept), then pose parameter refinement will point to additional model features in the image, which will be corroborated and later removed from the data so that other models in the image can be correctly recognized. (This includes other instances of the same model. Since we shall view all parameters in a similar manner, the instantiation of the model and camera viewpoint parameters defines the model; hence, each instantiation really does represent a different model.) If we reject individual matches then decisions must be made based on probabilistic error analysis. This will decide which part of the data was wrongly interpreted and which matches are generally inconsistent with the rest of the hypothesis generated. This paper presents current trends in verification vision systems and suggest an approach that considers all model parameters equally, easily extendable to generally curved models, and the incorporation of world knowledge.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Effects of Stimulant Medication on Free Recall of Story Events among Children with ADHD

This study investigated group differences in the recalls of stories by children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and comparison peers, and whether stimulant medication improved the story recall of those children with ADHD relative to a placebo condition. Children (N = 42) were asked to recall both televised and audio taped stories. Children’s free recall scripts were assessed whether information recalled was coherent, part of the causal chain, and important to the story. Relative to comparison peers, children with ADHD showed less sensitivity to events central to the stories and causal chain status of story events in recall, and produced less coherent recall of the audio taped stories. Upon establishing group differences in performance, additional analyses were performed for children with ADHD. Among those children with ADHD, stimulant medication had only limited beneficial effects on the story recall. Although stimulant medication was associated with increases in the percent of events recalled, it did not increase these children’s recall of events central to the stories, and had no effect on the coherence of recalls. Implications of these results for guiding future academic interventions are discussed.
The high Weissenberg number limit of the UCM model and the Euler equations

Abstract It is shown that, formally, the equations governing the flow of an upper convected Maxwell fluid can be reduced to the (compressible) Euler equation in the high Weissenberg number limit. A difference arises, however, in the ‘equation of state’: instead of a relation between pressure and density, we obtain a relation between the ‘density’ and the divergence of the ‘velocity field’.
Kindergarten Predictors of Second Versus Eighth Grade Reading Comprehension Impairments

Multiple studies have shown that kindergarten measures of phonological awareness and alphabet knowledge are good predictors of reading achievement in the primary grades. However, less attention has been given to the early predictors of later reading achievement. This study used a modified best-subsets variable-selection technique to examine kindergarten predictors of early versus later reading comprehension impairments. Participants included 433 children involved in a longitudinal study of language and reading development. The kindergarten test battery assessed various language skills in addition to phonological awareness, alphabet knowledge, naming speed, and nonverbal cognitive ability. Reading comprehension was assessed in second and eighth grades. Results indicated that different combinations of variables were required to optimally predict second versus eighth grade reading impairments. Although some variables effectively predicted reading impairments in both grades, their relative contributions shifted over time. These results are discussed in light of the changing nature of reading comprehension over time. Further research will help to improve the early identification of later reading disabilities.
Nutrition, Pregnancy, and Transplantation:

One benefit of transplantation, along with the restoration of health, is the opportunity for successful pregnancies. A growing number of pregnancies have been reported among all types of solid-organ recipients. There is an increasing need for practice guidelines that include nutrition information in order to assist practitioners caring for and counseling these high-risk patients. In the transplant community, guidelines for managing pregnancies in transplant recipients have been evolving but lack specific nutrition recommendations. As for all pregnancies, there is a need to optimize nutrition for the mother and her infant, with additional consideration given to the transplant recipient's graft. This article reviews outcomes of posttransplant pregnancies and management guidelines, with special emphasis on nutrition in this unique population.
α-Adrenergic modification of the Ca2+ transient and contraction in single rat cardiomyocytes

Abstract Intracellular Ca2+ transients and contraction were measured simultaneously in single rat cardiomyocytes loaded with the flurorescent Ca2+ indicator fura-2, using a recently described high-speed digital imaging method (O'Rourke et al., 1990, Am J Physiol 259: H230–H242). In cardiomyocytes electrically-stimulated at Hertz, α-adrenoceptor activation in the presence of β-adrenoceptor blockade resulted in enhanced cell shortening associated with an increase in the amplitude of the cytosolic Ca2+ transient. Both effects developed in parallel over a 10-min time period and occurred without a change in the half-times for decay of Ca2+ or relaxation of the cell. To determine if the increase in contactility was proportional to the increase in peak cytosolic Ca2+, the effect of raising extracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]0) from 0.5 to 3 m m was examined in the absence and presence of α-adrenoceptor activation. At [Ca2+]0 concentrations up to 1 m m , α-adrenoceptor-mediated effects on contraction were directly correlated with changes in peak cytosolic Ca2+ and resembled the effect of raising [Ca2+]0 alone. In 2 and 3 m m [Ca2+]0, peak cytosolic Ca2+ approached a maximal level and α-adrenoceptor activation induced a slight enhancement in the extent of shortening in the absence of a detectable alteration of the Ca2+ transient. In contrast, under similar conditions, β-adrenergic effects on shortening never exceeded those of α-adrenoceptor activation, although much higher peak cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations were achieved at high [Ca2+]0. The results suggest that the mechanism underlying the positive inotropic effect of α-adrenergic stimulation in rat ventricular cells is primarily dependent on an enhancement of the cytosolic Ca2+ transient, although there is also an increase in the myofibrillar response to intracellular Ca2+ under the condition of high extracellular Ca2+.
Delayed grafting of BDNF and NT-3 producing fibroblasts into the injured spinal cord stimulates sprouting, partially rescues axotomized red nucleus neurons from loss and atrophy, and provides limited regeneration

Ex vivo gene therapy, utilizing modified fibroblasts that deliver BDNF or NT-3 to the acutely injured spinal cord, has been shown to elicit regeneration and recovery of function in the adult rat. Delayed grafting into the injured spinal cord is of great clinical interest as a model for treatment of chronic injury but may pose additional obstacles that are not present after acute injury, such as the need to remove an established scar, increased retrograde cell loss and/or atrophy, and diminished capacity for regeneration by neurons which may be doubly injured. The purpose of the present study was to determine if delayed grafting of neurotrophin secreting fibroblasts would have anatomical effects similar to those seen in acute grafting models. We grafted a mixture of BDNF and NT-3 producing fibroblasts or control fibroblasts into a complete unilateral cervical hemisection after a 6-week delay. Fourteen weeks after delayed grafting we found that both the neurotrophin secreting fibroblasts and control fibroblasts survived, but that only the neurotrophin secreting grafts provided a permissive environment for host axon growth, as indicated by immunostaining for RT-97, a marker for axonal neurofilaments, GAP-43, a marker for elongating axons, CGRP, a marker for dorsal root axons, and 5-HT, a marker for raphe spinal axons, within the graft. Anterograde tracing of the uninjured vestibulospinal tract showed growth into neurotrophin producing transplants but not into control grafts, while anterograde tracing of the axotomized rubrospinal tract showed a small number of regenerating axons within the genetically modified grafts, but none in control grafts. The neurotrophin expressing grafts, but not the control grafts, significantly reduced retrograde degeneration and atrophy in the injured red nucleus. Grafts of BDNF + NT-3 expressing fibroblasts delayed 6 weeks after injury therefore elicit growth from intact segmental and descending spinal tracts, stimulate modest regenerative growth by rubrospinal axons, and partially rescue axotomized supraspinal neurons and protect them from atrophy. The regeneration of rubrospinal axons into delayed transplants was much less than has been observed when similar transplants were placed acutely into a lateral funiculus or, after a 4-week delay, into a hemisection lesion. This suggests that the regenerative capacity of chronically injured red nucleus neurons was markedly diminished. The increased GAP43 reactivity in the corticospinal tracts ipsilaterally and contralaterally to the combination grafts suggests that these axons remain responsive to the neurotrophins, that the neurotrophins may stimulate both regenerative and sprouting responses, and that the grafted cells continue to secrete the neurotrophins.
Mathematical Programming Techniques for Sensor Networks

This paper presents a survey describing recent developments in the area of mathematical programming techniques for various types of sensor network applications. We discuss mathematical programming formulations associated with these applications, as well as methods for solving the corresponding problems. We also address some of the challenges arising in this area, including both conceptual and computational aspects.