cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Changes within neural population codes can be inferred from psychophysical threshold studies

The use of population encoding models has come to dominate the study of human visual neuroscience, serving as a primary tool for making inferences about neural code changes based on indirect measurements. A popular approach in computational neuroimaging is to use such models to obtain estimates of neural population responses via inverted encoding modeling. Recent research suggests that this approach may be prone to identifiability problems, with multiple mechanisms of encoding change producing similar changes in the estimated population responses. Psychophysical data might be able to provide additional constraints to infer the encoding change mechanism underlying some behavior of interest. However, computational work aimed at determining to what extent different mechanisms can be differentiated using psychophysics is lacking. Here, we used simulation to explore exactly which of a number of changes in neural population codes could be differentiated from observed changes in psychophysical thresholds. Eight mechanisms of encoding change were under study, chosen because they have been proposed in the previous literature as mechanisms for improved task performance (e.g., due to attention or learning): specific and nonspecific gain, specific and nonspecific tuning, specific suppression, specific suppression plus gain, and inward and outward tuning shifts. We simulated psychophysical thresholds as a function of both external noise (TvN curves) or stimulus value (TvS curves) for a number of variations of each one of the models. With the exception of specific gain and specific tuning, all studied mechanisms produced qualitatively different patterns of change in the TvN and TvS curves, suggesting that psychophysical studies can be used as a complement to inverted encoding modeling, and provide strong constraints on inferences based on the latter. We use our results to provide recommendations for interested researchers and to re-interpret previous psychophysical data in terms of mechanisms of encoding change.
Conversational Agency in Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Augmented communicators (ACs) use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) technologies to speak. Prior work in AAC research has looked to improve efficiency and expressivity of AAC via device improvements and user training. However, ACs also face constraints in communication beyond their device and individual abilities such as when they can speak, what they can say, and who they can address. In this work, we recast and broaden this prior work using conversational agency as a new frame to study AC communication. We investigate AC conversational agency with a study examining different conversational tasks between four triads of expert ACs, their close conversation partners (paid aide or parent), and a third party (experimenter). We define metrics to analyze AAC conversational agency quantitatively and qualitatively. We conclude with implications for future research to enable ACs to easily exercise conversational agency.
Identifying Hospital Reported Challenges in Sharing Data with Public Health Agencies

Improving the health information technology (HIT) infrastructure of the public health system is critical for public health activities and population health management. Evidence suggests that Meanin...
Study of lipoprotein(a) and its impact on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: Design and rationale of the Mass General Brigham Lp(a) Registry

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is independently associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and calcific aortic valve stenosis. Elevated Lp(a) affects approximately one in five individuals and meaningfully contributes to the residual cardiovascular risk in individuals with otherwise well-controlled risk factors. With targeted therapies in the therapeutic pipeline, there is a need to further characterize the clinical phenotypes and outcomes of individuals with elevated levels of this unique biomarker. The Mass General Brigham Lp(a) Registry will be built from the longitudinal electronic health record of two large academic medical centers in Boston, Massachusetts, to develop a detailed cohort of patients who have had their Lp(a) measured. In combination with structured data sources, clinical documentation will be analyzed using natural language processing techniques to accurately characterize baseline characteristics. Important outcome measures including all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and cardiovascular events will be available for analysis. Approximately 30 000 patients who have had their Lp(a) tested within the Mass General Brigham system from January 2000 to July 2019 will be included in the registry. This large Lp(a) cohort will provide meaningful observational data regarding the differential risk associated with Lp(a) values and cardiovascular disease. With a new frontier of targeted Lp(a) therapies on the horizon, the Mass General Brigham Lp(a) Registry will help provide a deeper understanding of Lp(a)'s role in long term cardiovascular outcomes.
The Effects of Robot Appearances, Voice Types, and Emotions on Emotion Perception Accuracy and Subjective Perception on Robots

In human-robot interaction, natural and intuitive communication between robot and human is one of the most important research topics. Emotion plays a crucial role to make natural and social interactions. Research has focused more on robots’ appearances and facial emotional expressions, but little research has investigated robots’ voices and their mixed effects with robot types and different emotions for users to perceive robots’ emotional states. In this study, anthropomorphic and zoomorphic robots, four different voice types, and seven different emotional voices were used as mixed factors to discuss how these influence users’ perception on robots’ emotional expression and other characteristics. Sixteen participants were asked to read fairy tales to robots and determine robots’ emotional states when the robots verbally responded. Overall, the anthropomorphic robot (Nao) was preferred over the zoomorphic robot (Pleo), but this appearance did not influence emotion recognition accuracy or other robot characteristics. Participants showed lower accuracy in recognizing negative emotions with high arousal: anger, fear, and disgust. TTS was rated lower than other human voices in all robot characteristics, such as warmth, honesty, trustworthiness, and naturalness. Implications and design directions are discussed with the results.
Persistent Tinnitus after Inhaled N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT)

This case report describes a 39-year-old male with remote history of polysubstance use disorder and depression who developed tinnitus after use of inhaled N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT). Although development of ear ringing was attributed to use on a single occasion, tinnitus occurred within the context of a larger self-experiment involving weekly microdoses of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Distress and anxiety over the ear ringing prompted evaluation by an audiologist, primary care physician, and consultant psychopharmacologist. Tinnitus persisted for several months, although intensity and ability to cope with symptoms improved over time. A microdose of psilocybin mushrooms exacerbated tinnitus on two separate occasions, after which psychedelics were discontinued. Psychedelics are associated with a range of acute sensory changes including auditory phenomenon, although have not previously been associated with tinnitus in medical literature. Here, we present a probable case of tinnitus associated with DMT use and review potential underlying mechanisms connecting psychedelics and tinnitus.
Espectros y conjuras. Asedios a la cuestión colonial: por Carlos A. Jáuregui, Madrid: Iberoamericana / Vervuert, 2020, 381 pp. (ISBN 9788491920519)

Espectros y conjuras ofrece una lectura a contrapelo de la escritura colonial en busqueda del retorno de la diferencia que la misma intenta, sin exito, controlar y enterrar. El analisis tiene una e...
Using Historical Data to Support Approval of Drug Products for Ophthalmia Neonatorum: Innovative Approach Toward Evidence-Based Medicine

Importance Off-label treatment was common for ophthalmia neonatorum because only erythromycin ointment had been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for this indication. Ophthalmia neonatorum was previously considered a different indication from bacterial conjunctivitis in older children and adults because of uncertain similarities in the cause of disease and the treatment course between the 2 populations. Prospective therapeutic clinical studies were required to demonstrate the effectiveness of treatment for ophthalmia neonatorum. Objective To review the therapeutic clinical trials for patients with bacterial conjunctivitis to evaluate the similarity in the cause of disease and the treatment response between neonates and older children and adults. Design, setting, and participants In this comparative effectiveness research review of pooled data from the most recent 30 bacterial conjunctivitis trials (N = 2018) submitted to the FDA to support the approval of topical ophthalmic solutions for older children and adults, 95% CIs were constructed from clinical cure rates. Cure rates in 3 neonatal randomized clinical trials (N = 392) of patients treated with ophthalmic anti-infective solutions of ciprofloxacin, gatifloxacin, and moxifloxacin were constructed and compared. The baseline ocular swab cultures were analyzed. Main outcomes and measures Cure rates of neonatal trials were compared with the 95% CIs among older children and adults. The bacterial organisms isolated from these 2 populations were compared. Results The 3 neonatal trials enrolled a total of 392 patients, and the 30 trials of older children and adults enrolled a total of 2018 patients. Neonatal clinical cure rates for moxifloxacin (day 4, 48%), ciprofloxacin (day 4, 49%; day 5, 61%), and gatifloxacin (day 7, 79%) were within the 95% CI for products approved to treat older children and adults with bacterial conjunctivitis. Bacterial organisms were consistent between these 2 populations. Conclusions and relevance Comparison of the pooled analysis of these historical trial data suggests similarity in the cause of disease and the treatment response between neonates and older children and adults with bacterial conjunctivitis. Therefore, it was appropriate to extrapolate the effectiveness from older children and adults to neonates to support the approval of therapies for ophthalmia neonatorum. Based on this analysis, ophthalmic solutions of ciprofloxacin, gatifloxacin, and moxifloxacin are now approved for all age groups. This analysis presents an approach of using pooled data from previously underpowered individual trials to establish the similarities in the cause of disease and in treatment response between children and adults, which are the fundamental elements used to evaluate whether extrapolation of effectiveness can be used to support drug approval.
Drug Overdose Death Rates and Criminal Sentencing of Federal Drug Offenders in the United States

Abstract The rate of drug overdose deaths has increased substantially in the United States in the past two decades. However, limited research has examined how the criminal justice system is responding to this growing epidemic. Using data on criminal sentences in federal district courts, the current study assesses the relationship between drug overdose death rates and criminal sentences in the United States. Results from multilevel regression models demonstrate that sentences for federal drug offenders were shorter in areas that experienced higher overdose rates and increased growth in overdose rates over time. Findings also demonstrated substantial heterogeneity by drug type, such that substances most closely associated with the overdose crisis (i.e., pharmaceutical opioids and methamphetamines) were sentenced less harshly in areas with higher drug overdose rates. Analyses assessing the change in overdose rates over time, demonstrated that several substances (crack-cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and methamphetamine) were sentenced more harshly in areas with greater growth in the overdose rate, whereas cocaine and pharmaceutical opioids were not impacted by changes in drug overdose rate. These findings are interpreted through the lens of theoretical perspectives and contemporary research pertaining to ways levels of crime and social problems influence punishment decisions.
Ion temperature measurements from tomographic reconstruction of Doppler spectra in the presence of multi-component flow in two dimensions.

A new ion Doppler diagnostic has been constructed to measure ion temperature profiles in the presence of multi-component flow during magnetic reconnection experiments. The inversion technique and diagnostic setup are applicable to axisymmetric plasmas with two-component flow across the measurement cross section, which occurs during magnetic reconnection. The particular design discussed here is optimized for operation on the Magnetic Reconnection eXperiment (MRX) at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. To prove the viability of this diagnostic for MRX and the future Facility for Laboratory Reconnection Experiments, measurements have been taken and ion temperature and perpendicular flow profiles have been obtained. The radial velocity on MRX does not contribute to the Doppler shift of the measured spectra but does contribute to the broadening of the spectra, while toroidal flow contributes to both. It is shown that neglecting the radial velocity for vR = 20 km/s leads to an error in the ion temperature inversion of 20%. Results from MRX discharges are shown, and the impact of radial velocity on ion temperature inversions is discussed.
The ‘P’ is Not For Privacy: Preventing Private Enforcement of HIPAA

Can plaintiffs bring state law claims of negligence per se based only on alleged violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)? In this Contribution, Ryan Knox (’19) discusses the interaction of HIPAA with state negligence claims and the legal and policy reasons challenging these private claims. This Contribution ultimately argues that negligence per se claims under state law should not be permitted to be brought when based only on alleged HIPAA violations.
Progress in Through-Hardening Bearing Steels: User's Experience

This paper introduces a material technology relating to longer life bearings made of through-hardening steel. Efforts to improve steel cleanliness led to the development of a more reliable through-hardening steel (SAE 52100). The authors have succeeded in mass-producing extremely purified steel (EP steel) in collaboration with a steel maker. Among the rolling contact fatigue (RCF) life tests under clean lubrication conditions, only one bearing had accidentally failed substantially earlier than all the rest. This earlier failure was at about 1/20 of the L10 life, so that it introduced a large deviation into the Weibull distribution. It was not due to surface originated flaking from a small dent. This extremely earlier failure was believed to be subsurface originated flaking from a large non-metallic inclusion. Under clean lubrication conditions, the large non-metallic inclusions exert a more harmful impact on RCF life than small indentations. Therefore, original evaluation methods of non-metallic inclusions for practical bearing applications, especially from the view point of particle size distribution, have been developed. Since Japanese bearing manufacturers have moved forward with overseas local production due to the recent economic situation, it has been necessary to define the lower limits of permissible bearing steels. Therefore, the permissible limits aboutmore » cleanliness for bearing steels were studied. Consequently, successful local procurement of almost all bearing steels has been achieved. By changing the chemical composition of SAE 52100, a new low cost through-hardening steel was developed. This steel was a non-soaking steel which was produced by controlling the primary large carbides and the heat-treatment condition of spheroidized annealing. The performance of bearings made of this steel is equivalent to that of the conventional bearing steel.« less
Perception and the external world

In this paper, I argue that perception justifies belief about the external world in virtue of its phenomenal character together with its relations to the external world. But I argue that perceptual relations to the external world impact on the justifying role of perception only by virtue of their impact on its representational content. Epistemic level-bridging principles provide a principled rationale for avoiding more radically externalist theories of perceptual justification.
Links Between European Emissions Trading and CDM Credits for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects

This paper asks whether the European Union's (EU) Emissions Trading Scheme has encouraged investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in developing countries. So far, it has produced very little investment in either in spite of the EU's decision to allow credits for projects undertaken in developing countries through the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism. This may reflect the relatively high cost of renewable energy and the awkwardness of assessing the additionality of energy efficiency projects. While the literature generally associates emissions trading with innovation, emissions trading does not encourage innovation with high short term costs, even when such innovation has strong positive spillover effects.
Push-forward of degeneracy classes and ampleness

Let X be a projective variety and E, F vector bundles on X. Suppose g: X -Y is a surjective map onto another variety Y. Let A: E -s F be any vector bundle map and Xk (s) the k'th degeneracy locus of q. We show that the dimension of g(Xk(t)) is at least equal to min{dimY,dimX (rank E k)(rank F k)} under the hypothesis that E* 0 F is an ample vector bundle on X.
Order lead-time improvement following enterprise information technology implementation: an empirical study

This paper investigates the influence of enterprise systems implementation on operational performance. The work extends the literature on enterprise systems by focusing on changes in process dynamics as a source for ongoing firm-level performance improvement. A case discussion of Tristen Corporation, a firm that implemented ERP and subsequently experienced benefits through gains to its continuous improvement efforts, is examined in light of theorized impacts of such implementations on process dynamics. Analyses of longitudinal data suggest that performance along a key metric motivating the ERP initiative (i.e., order fulfillment lead-time) showed a significant improvement immediately after system deployment. The data further suggest that the system implementation gave rise to an ongoing trend of performance improvement, in contrast to a stable performance trend prior to go-live.
Geological consequences of dike intrusion at mid-ocean ridge spreading centers

Dike intrusion is a fundamental process of crustal accretion at mid-ocean ridge spreading centers. Although many studies of ophiolites and spreading centers treat dikes as passive infillings of tensile fractures, observations and mechanical models from subaerial rift zones demonstrate that widespread, temporally and spatially complex mechanical effects accompany dike intrusion. These effects can potentially have a profound influence on the processes attending seafloor spreading. Specifically, dike intrusion should change the magnitude and orientation of the local stress field as a dike tip propagates along a spreading center. Consequently, dike emplacement could cause significant short-term (days to months), long-term (years to decades), and permanent changes in the structure of the axial crust. The mechanical effects of intrusion of even a single dike from a subaxial magma chamber should influence the entire narrow ( 10 km) median valley. At fast-spreading ridges the effects of intrusion are associated with recent microearthquake swarms, graben subsidence, fissures, eruptions, and hydrothermal megaplume events. In contrast, relatively infrequent dike intrusions with only local effects on ridge-axis morphology and geology may be reflected by scattered volcanic edifices and large-scale faulting at slow-spreading ridges. We suggest that repeated dike intrusion will create systematically contrasting crustal assemblages that should reflect the varying relationship between faulting and magmatism at different mid-ocean ridge spreading centers.
Folded potentials for the description of heavy ion elastic scattering and transfer reactions

We present a simple model for the heavy ion optical potential based on the convolution of target and projectile densities with a suitably chosen nucleon-nucleon effective interaction. This model is shown to be appropriate for a number of low energy peripheral processes, such as elastic scattering and one and two particle transfer reactions. Application of the method to cluster states in light nuclei and relativistic heavy ion interactions is also considered.
Activated charcoal: In vivo and in vitro studies of effect on gas formation

It has been reported that activated charcoal reduces intestinal gas production after ingestion of beans as evidenced by decreased breath hydrogen excretion and decreased passage of flatus. In the present study we assessed the ability of activated charcoal to reduce intestinal gas production by in vitro and in vivo methods. In vitro studies were performed using human fecal homogenates incubated with or without additional carbohydrate. In all studies hydrogen and carbon dioxide production and consumption occurred at similar rates in the charcoal-treated homogenate as compared with the untreated control. The influence of activated charcoal on gas production, in vivo, was studied by double-blind assessment of breath hydrogen excretion and flatus excretion after ingestion of a baked bean meal. No significant difference was observed in breath hydrogen concentration or number of passages of flatus in subjects who ingested 16 capsules of activated charcoal (4 g) as opposed to the placebo. We conclude that activated charcoal does not influence gas formation in vitro or in vivo.
Thermal heating in GaAs nanowire solar cells

We compare the temperature rise due to solar heating in GaAs nanowire solar cells to planar cells. We find that despite more highly concentrated light absorption and reduced thermal conductivity, the overall temperature rise in nanowire structures is lower than in planar structures. Moreover, coating the nanowires with a transparent conductive polymer with high absorption at thermal wavelengths can lower the operating temperature by nearly 10K for a heat input of 900 W/m2.
Crossing the scale from within-host infection dynamics to between-host transmission fitness: a discussion of current assumptions and knowledge

The progression of an infection within a host determines the ability of a pathogen to transmit to new hosts and to maintain itself in the population. While the general connection between the infection dynamics within a host and the population-level transmission dynamics of pathogens is widely acknowledged, a comprehensive and quantitative understanding that would allow full integration of the two scales is still lacking. Here, we provide a brief discussion of both models and data that have attempted to provide quantitative mappings from within-host infection dynamics to transmission fitness. We present a conceptual framework and provide examples of studies that have taken first steps towards development of a quantitative framework that scales from within-host infections to population-level fitness of different pathogens. We hope to illustrate some general themes, summarize some of the recent advances and—maybe most importantly—discuss gaps in our ability to bridge these scales, and to stimulate future research on this important topic.
Ultrasonic attenuation measurements on thallium-based high-temperature superconductors

Mesures d'attenuation d'ultrasons sur des supraconducteurs a haute temperature a base de Thallium ayant une temperature de transition voisine de 110 K. Mesures effectuees entre 300 K et la temperature de l'Azote liquide (77 K). Observation de plusieurs pics accompagnes d'un pic supplementaire au voisinage de Tc. A la temperature critique, aucune chute aigue n'est observee avec la resolution experimentale disponible. L'attenuation croit avec l'abaissement de la temperature en dessous de Tc. Observation d'un comportement d'attenuation similaire dans les complexes a base de Y
Renal carcinoma relapse presenting as a peripheral nerve sheath tumor: A case report and brief review of the literature

We report a rare case of renal carcinoma metastasis involving a lumbar nerve root. Metastases to nerve roots are rare occurrences, and to our knowledge, only six cases have been reported so far in the literature. The patient in this report presented with weakness in the right lower limb and intractable pain irradiating along the L5 dermatome. MRI findings revealed a right-sided L5 nerve root mass, suggestive of a schwannoma, involving the spinal ganglion and its extraforaminal region. Complete macroscopic resection of this mass was performed, and histopathologic analysis confirmed the lesion to be a metastasis of a renal clear cell carcinoma. Local radiotherapy was given and tyrosine kinase inhibitors administered. At 5 months, the patient was pain-free and his right limb weakness had completely resolved. A tumoral recurrence could be observed on the control MRI 5 months after surgery. This report presents the first case of a patient with a renal clear cell carcinoma metastasis to a L5 nerve root, as well as a brief review of previous cases of metastases to peripheral nerve roots.
PARTICIPATION OF SIGNALING PATHWAYS IN THE DEREPRESSION OF LUTEINIZING HORMONE RECEPTOR TRANSCRIPTION

The luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) transcription is subject to an epigenetic regulatory mode whereby the proximal Sp1 site acts as an anchor to recruit histone deacetylases (HDAC)1/2 and the Sin3A co-repressor complex. This results in promoter-localized histone hypo-acetylation that contributes to the silencing of LHR transcriptional expression. Chromatin changes resulting from site-specific acetylation and methylation of histones regulate LHR gene expression. The HDAC inhibitor TSA-induced cell-specific phosphatase release from the promoter, which serves as an 'on' mechanism for Sp1 phosphorylation by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase Czeta (PI3K/PKCzeta) at Ser641, leading to p107 repressor derecruitment and LHR transcriptional activation. The methylation status of the promoter provides another layer of modulation in a cell-specific manner. Maximal derepression of the LHR gene is dependent on complete DNA demethylation of the promoter in conjunction with histone hyperacetylation and release of repressors (p107 and HDAC/Sin3A). Independently, the PKC-alpha/Erk pathway, participates in LHR gene expression through induction of Sp1 phosphorylation at Ser site(s) other than Ser641. This causes dissociation of the HDAC1/mSin3A from the promoter, recruitment of TFIIB and Pol II, and transcriptional activation. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that LHR gene expression at the transcriptional level is regulated by complex and diverse networks, in which coordination and interactions between these regulatory effectors are crucial for silencing/activation of LHR expression.
The role of the alloy matrix in the creep behavior of particle-strengthened alloys

The strengthening microstructural features in heat-resistant super-alloys are oxide dispersoids and/or gamma-prime precipitates. The role of the strength of the alloy matrix in the creep resistance of these alloys is considered. An evaluation was made of experimental data on oxide-dispersion- and/or precipitation-strengthened nickel-based alloys with various levels of matrix solid solution strengthening; a generalized expression for creep rates which separates the matrix contributions from the particle contributions to the resisting stress and creep strength of these alloys was derived. It is concluded that the major role of the alloy matrix in the creep behavior of these alloys is in determining the apparent stress dependence of the creep rates.
REGULATION OF BRADYKININ-INDUCED INS(1,4,5)P3 FORMATION BY PROTEIN KINASE C IN HUMAN FIBROBLASTS

Abstract To better understand the molecular mechanisms that underlie the exaggerated bradykinin (BK)-stimulated release of Ins(1,4,5)P 3 in fibroblasts from Alzheimer patients, the role of G-proteins, protein kinase C (PKC) and cyclic AMP in BK-induced Ins(1,4,5)P 3 formation was determined. A role for G-proteins in the coupling of the BK receptor to intracellular signals was indicated by guanosine 5′-(3-O-thio)triphosphate (GTPγS)enhanced BK-stimulated Ins(1,4,5)P 3 release. The coupling of G-proteins to Ins(1,4,5)P 3 formation was sensitive to cholera toxin (CTX), but not pertussis toxin (PTX), and was not altered by PKC activation. The inhibition by CTX appeared to be secondary to its ability to increase cyclic AMP, because forskolin also inhibited the BK-mediated Ins(1,4,5)P 3 release. Activation of PKC with TPA diminished the number of BK receptors by 33% and proportionally decreased BK-mediated Ins(1,4,5)P 3 formation by 28%. The latter response was abolished by PKC inhibitors. Depletion of PKC by prolonged TPA treatment did not further alter the number of BK receptors but further decreased the Ins(1,4,5)P 3 response by 65%. Thus, changes in PKC probably do not underlie the enhanced BK-induced Ins(1,4,5)P 3 formation in AD fibroblasts, because both activation and depletion of the PKC diminished the Ins(1,4,5)P 3 response.
Heterogeneity of SH group in sarcoplasmic reticulum

Abstract The incorporation of [14C] N-ethylmaleimide reveals fast and slow-reacting sulfhydryl groups in sarcoplasmic reticulum. Two proteins react with the label: a fast-reacting glycoprotein recently isolated ( Ikemoto, Cucchiaro and Garcia (1976) J. Cell Biol. 70 , 290a), and the Ca2+-ATPase. Labeling sarcoplasmic reticulum with a maleimide spin label gives a similar pattern. The spectra of maleimide-spin-labeled sarcoplasmic reticulum have both ‘strongly’ and ‘weakly’ immobilized components. Maleimide-spin-labeled purified Ca2+-ATPase, or sarcoplasmic reticulum labeled first with N-ethylmaleimide, and then with maleimide spin label, show spectra devoid of the ‘weakly’ immobilized component; the latter is enhanced in partially purified glycoprotein obtained from spin-labeled sarcoplasmic reticulum. This indicates that spectra from maleimide-spin-labeled sarcoplasmic reticulum do not reflect exclusively the state of the Ca2+-ATPase enzyme.
Feasibility of Cooling and Trapping Metastable Alkaline-Earth Atoms

Metastability and long-range interactions of Mg, Ca, and Sr in the lowest-energy metastable $^{3}P_{2}$ state are investigated. The calculated lifetimes are 38 min for ${\mathrm{Mg}}^{*}$, 118 min for ${\mathrm{Ca}}^{*}$, and 17 min for ${\mathrm{Sr}}^{*}$, supporting feasibility of cooling and trapping experiments. The quadrupole-quadrupole long-range interactions of two metastable atoms are evaluated for various molecular symmetries. Hund's case (c) ${4}_{g}$ potential possesses a large 100--1000 K potential barrier. Therefore magnetic trap losses can possibly be reduced using cold metastable atoms in a stretched $M\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}2$ state. Calculations were performed in the framework of ab initio relativistic configuration interaction method coupled with the random-phase approximation.
Action of the 5-HT2A Antagonist Amperozide on Alcohol-Induced Poikilothermia in Rats

Amperozide, a novel 5-HT2A receptor antagonist that releases dopamine from mesolimbic neurons suppresses alcohol drinking in rats. Because serotonergic neurons are implicated in both the central mechanisms underlying thermoregulation and the reinforcing effects of alcohol, this study was undertaken to determine whether the poikilothermic effects of alcohol on body temperature (Tb) would be altered by amperozide. In adult male Sprague-Dawley rats kept at an ambient temperature of 22 to 24 degrees C, a radio transmitter for continuous monitoring of Tb was first implanted intraperitoneally. Then, amperozide was given subcutaneously in a dose of 2.5, 5.0, or 10.0 mg/kg 30 min before an intragastric gavage of either 2.0 g/kg or 4.0 g/kg 20% ethyl alcohol (v/v). Amperozide blocked dose dependently the fall in Tb of the lower 2.0 g/kg dose of alcohol. However, only the higher 5.0 mg/kg and 10.0 mg/kg doses of amperozide prevented the initial thermolytic action of the higher 4.0 g/kg dose of alcohol. Further, the 10.0 mg/kg dose of amperozide given prior to the control saline gavage evoked a hyperthermic response in the rats that persisted for 5 h. These results suggest that the antagonism of 5-HT2A receptors on central serotonergic synapses involved in thermoregulation acts to counteract the potent thermolytic effects of alcohol at an ambient temperature that is below thermoneutrality.
Work and nonwork experiences of employees on fixed and rotating shifts: An empirical assessment☆

Abstract The present study investigated the relationship between shift time and use of leisure time, nonwork satisfaction, and mental and physical health among rank-and-file workers ( N = 383) in a manufacturing organization and between shift time and use of leisure time, mental and physical health, and three dimensions of work performance (job performance, job motivation, and patients' care) among nurses ( N = 440) in two hospitals. Results are generally supportive of the hypothesis that employees on fixed shift time (high routine oriented) are better off than employees on rotating shift time (low routine oriented) in terms of criterion variables of the present study. Six demographic and background variables—age, marital status, place of socialization (rural vs urban), seniority, cultural background (French vs English speaking), and respondent's sex—are measured and their association with the above relationships analyzed. Results are discussed in light of the previous empirical evidence on shift work.
Women and men politicians: are some of the best leaders dissatisfied?

Today’s political arena calls for strong leadership. As technology facilitates information sharing, constituents are becoming more vocal in governmental affairs. Legislators are now expected to be transformational leaders who envision the future needs of constituents and are capable of negotiating, mediating, and championing these causes in an effective and credible manner. Using transformational leadership theory, this article examines the perceived leadership styles among state‐level legislators in the United States as well as the relationship between leadership style and perceptions of extra effort, effectiveness, and satisfaction. Leaders in this study described their style as transformational and perceived high extra effort from their followers. Yet, compared to women, male politicians had more positive perceptions of effectiveness and satisfaction with their leadership style. This substantiates research that women in male‐dominated careers report less self‐confidence. Future research might verify th...
EFFECT OF RETINOIC ACID AND INTERFERON α-2a ON TRANSITIONAL CELL CARCINOMA OF BLADDER

ABSTRACTPurpose: Retinoids modulate the growth and differentiation of normal and malignant epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo. Retinoids and their analogues have been used in animal models and clinical trials of chemoprevention and superficial bladder cancer treatment. Interferons are cytokines that have antiviral, antiproliferative and immunomodulatory function. They are used in many clinical trials for the treatment of different cancers. To identify new effective agents and develop novel approaches for the chemoprevention and treatment of superficial bladder cancer we investigated the effects of a combination of retinoids and interferon α-2a (IFN) on growth and apoptosis in bladder cancer cell lines.Materials and Methods: The 4 bladder cancer cell lines UM-UC-6, UM-UC-9, UM-UC-10 and UM-UC-13 were treated with 2 retinoids, namely all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) and 9-cis retinoic acid (9cRA), as well as with IFN or with combinations of retinoids and IFN. The ability of these agents used alone and in c...
Phonological Constraints on the Sentence Productions of Language-Disordered Children

Effects of phonologica] and syntactic structure on the sentence productions of language-disordered school children (mean age = 6:2 years) were investigated. The syllabic complexity of target senten...
Aberrant, canavanyl protein formation and the ability to tolerate or utilize L-canavanine

L-Canavanine, 2-amino-4-(guanidinooxy)butyric acid, and L-arginine incorporation into de novo synthesized proteins was compared in six organisms. Utilizing L-[guanidinooxy14C]canavanine and L-[guanidino14C]arginine at substrate saturation, the canavanine to arginine incorporation ratio was determined in de, novo synthesized proteins.Caryedes brasiliensis andSternechus tuberculatus, canavanine utilizing insects;Canavalia ensiformis, a canavanine storing plant; and to a lesser extentHeliothis virescens, a canavanine resistant insect, failed to accumulate significant canavanyl proteins. By contrast,Manduca sexta, a canavanine-sensitive insect, andGlycine max, a canavanine free plant, readily incorporated canavanine into newly synthesized proteins. This study supports the contention that the incorporation of canavanine into proteins in place of arginine contributes significantly to canavanine's antimetabolic properties.
DNA microarray analysis of strains lacking BTN1 , the yeast ortholog of the human Batten disease gene

DNA microarray analysis of strains lacking BTN1 , the yeast ortholog of the human Batten disease gene
Selective Full Dopamine D1-Like (SKF-82958) and D2-Like (N-0923) Agonist Combination in the MPTP Monkey Model of Hemiparkinsonism

Abstract Both SKF-82958 and N-0923, selective full D 1 -like and D 2 -like agonists, respectively, given IM produced contraversive circling and reduced neurologic deficits in six MPTP-induced hemiparkinsonian monkeys. A small fixed dose of N-0923 (10 μ g/kg) and increasing doses of SKF-82958 (23.4-234 μ g/kg) in combination were synergistic or antagonistic in this animal model. A small dose (23.4 μ g/kg) of SKF-82958, in combination with N-0923, caused potentiation, an intermediate dose (74.8 μ g/kg) in combination produced additive effects, while a very large dose (234 μ g/kg) in combination produced antagonism. All three doses of SKF-82958 prolonged the duration of action of a small dose (10 ng/kg) of N-0923. Selective D 1 -like and D 2 -like agonists should be studied as potential therapeutic agents alone and in combination in human idiopathic parkinsonism, especially using low and intermediate doses.
Long-term Follow-up of Partial Atrioventricular Septal Defect Repair in Adults

Patients presenting with partial atrioventricular septal (PAVC) defects in adulthood are rare. Eight adult patients with this congenital heart defect who had surgical repair are described, along with their long-term postoperative follow-up data. Average age at operation was 48 years, and average follow-up was 13.4 years. There was no operative mortality. All but one patient were in NYHA functional class 1 or 2 postoperatively. Three patients had suffered late onset of progressive mitral regurgitation leading to severe congestive heart failure 15 to 25 years postoperatively. The number of adult patients with repaired PAVC defects who have eventual mitral valve deterioration may be higher than estimated in the current literature. Because of the unpredictability of mitral valve function, lifelong follow-up should be stressed in these patients.
Identification and Evaluation of Local Item Dependencies in the Medical College Admissions Test

Measurement specialists routinely assume examinee responses to test items are independent of one another. However, previous research has shown that many contemporary tests contain item dependencies and not accounting for these dependencies leads to misleading estimates of item, test, and ability parameters. The goals of the study were (a) to review methods for detecting local item dependence (LID), (b) to discuss the use of testlets to account for LID in context-dependent item sets, (c) to apply LID detection methods and testlet-based item calibrations to data from a large-scale, high-stakes admissions test, and (d) to evaluate the results with respect to test score reliability and examinee proficiency estimation. Item dependencies were found in the test and these were due to test speededness or context dependence (related to passage structure). Also, the results highlight that steps taken to correct for the presence of LID and obtain less biased reliability estimates may impact on the estimation of examinee proficiency. The practical effects of the presence of LID on passage-based tests are discussed, as are issues regarding how to calibrate context-dependent item sets using item response theory. The most basic unit of a test is the test item. Test development organizations spend more time and money developing and selecting items for inclusion on a test than any other aspect of the test construction process. Numerous test items are needed to (a) adequately span the content or construct domain tested, and (b) provide reliable estimates of examinee proficiencies. It has long been known that one way to increase test score reliability is to increase the number of items on a test. However, merely duplicating the same items will not accomplish the goal of reliable and valid measurement. Thus, test developers strive to develop items that provide unique information regarding examinee knowledge, skills, and abilities. Redundancy among items is not desirable. Items that do not make a unique contribution to an assessment do not increase construct representation and exacerbate any construct-irrelevant factors that may be associated with an item, such as prior familiarity with the item context. For this reason, what is now known as local item dependence (LID) must be considered in the development and scoring of achievement and aptitude tests. The concept of LID is best understood within the framework of item response theory (IRT). The most popular IRT models specify a single ability to account for all statistical relationships among test items as well as all differences among examinees. It is this underlying ability, typically denoted theta (0), that distinguishes items with respect to difficulty and distinguishes examinees with respect to
The natural history of the anterior cruciate ligament autograft of patellar tendon origin

A rabbit model for ACL reconstruction using autogenous patellar tendon (PT) was used to study graft viability, its response to new physical forces, and the intrasynovial milieu. The autograft was assessed grossly, histologically, and biochemically with respect to time. Histologic observations demonstrated that autografts were centrally acellular with a peripheral rim of cells at 2 weeks, and had a central focal proliferation of cells at 3 weeks and cellular homogeneity by 4 weeks postoperation. Necrosis followed by cellular proliferation suggested that a population of cells other than the native PT fibroblasts may be inhabiting the graft. Graft sequestration experiments demonstrated that autografts are repopulated by cells of extrinsic origin after transplantation. Autografts showed a gradual assumption of the microscopic properties of normal ACL; by 30 weeks posttransplant the tissue characteristics were ligamentous in appearance. Histologic changes paralleled the biochemical metamorphosis: Type III collagen was not observed in PT; however, a gradual increase in its concentration was seen in the grafts; by 30 weeks its concentration (10%) was the same as in normal ACL. Similarly, glycosaminoglycan content increased from its normally low level in PT to that found in native ACL. Collagen-reducible cross-link analysis revealed that grafted tissue changed from the normal PT pattern of low dihydroxylysinonorleucine and high histidinohydroxymerodesmosine to the opposite pattern seen in normal ACL by 30 weeks. These data suggest that PT autografts undergo a process of "ligamentization" when placed in the ACL environment, and that cells responsible for this metamorphosis are of extragraft origin.
Molecular dynamics simulations of boron diffusion in SiGe

Transient enhanced diffusion (TED) of boron poses a limit to the formation of ultrashallow junctions. To suppress TED of boron, other species (e.g., Ge) can be introduced into the Si substrate. Experiments have shown that boron diffusivity decreased rapidly as Ge concentration increased to 40% Ge. There is no consensus on the cause for this decrease in diffusivity. Here, an ab initio derived energy database was used to fit classical potential models in order to simulate boron diffusion in SiGe on larger length and time-frames than are possible using ab initio models. In this paper, a set of Stillinger-Weber potential parameters for Ge-B and Si-Ge-B has been constructed, allowing a molecular dynamics study of boron diffusion in SiGe alloys to be carried out. Molecular dynamics simulations of boron B diffusion in Si compared to that in SiGe alloys suggest that different trapping mechanisms dominate: B in Si is trapped in substitutional positions, whereas B in SiGe alloys is trapped in interstitial positions...
Transfinite recursive progressions of axiomatic theories

The theories considered here are based on the classical functional calculus (possibly of higher order) together with a set A of non-logical axioms; they are also assumed to contain classical first-order number theory. In foundational investigations it is customary to further restrict attention to the case that A is recursive, or at least recursively enumerable (an equivalent restriction, by [1]). For such axiomatic theories we have the well-known incompleteness phenomena discovered by Godei [6]. Quite far removed from such theories are those based on non-constructive sets of axioms, for example the set of all true sentences of first-order number theory. According to Tarski's theorem, there is not even an arithmetically definable set of axioms A which will give the same result (cf. [18] for exposition).
Health implications of natural fibrous zeolites for the intermountain west

INTRODUCTION Fibrous zeolites have recently been implicated in an endemic outbreak of malignant pleural mesothelioma in several villages in Cappadocia in central Tur- key (Baris et al., 1979; Lilis, 1981). The possible association between fibrous zeolites and mesothelioma and the potential biological activity of fibrous erionite from the United States are under active investigation. The zeolite minerals com- prise a group of over forty hydrated aluminum silicates. More than 300 probable deposits of the various natural zeolites are located in 25 states in the United States. Reserves of perhaps 10 trillion tons are present in the western United States; about 120 million tons are deposited near the surface (Sheppard, 1975). Several zeolites, including erionite and mordenite, may occur with a fibrous habit. Fibrous erionite is found in several well-defined deposits in Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah, where it occurs as thin, pure beds within sedimentary tuff sequences, or as outcrops in desert valleys of the Intermountain region. MINERALOGY Zeolites were first recognized as a new group of minerals by Baron Cronstedt with the discovery of stilbite in 1756 (Papke, 1972). Because of the unique quality of intumescence, zeolites were aptly named from the Greek zein and lithos mean- ing “boiling stones.” Zeolites are a group of crystalline sedimentary minerals’ that contain alkali or alkaline-earth elements in a hydrated aluminum silicate structure. They have an open, three-dimensional framework composed of silicon and aluminum tetrahedra (Flanigan, 1959). The central silicon or aluminum in each tetrahedron is sur- rounded by four oxygen atoms each of which is shared by two tetrahedra in a honeycombed, crystalline lattice with cavities and apertures characteristic of each