cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The role of sensory stimulation on motor learning via action observation: a mini review.

Action observation involves the observation of an action followed by an attempt to replicate it. Recent studies show that increased sensorimotor cortical connectivity improves motor performance via...
American Niceness: A Cultural History. By Carrie Tirado Bramen. (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2017. Pp. 384. $45.00.)

This book began when its author found herself befuddled by a persistent American question after 9–11: “Why do they hate us?”1 American Niceness seeks to trace the development of “niceness,” a chara...
THE FIRST WISCONSIN ACCOUNTANCY BILL: AN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

Wisconsin's first attempt to pass legislation certifying accountants occurred in 1901, the beginning of the La Follette era. Overwhelmed by the issues of the day, this first bill died and another was not introduced until the incorporation of the Wisconsin Association of Accountants in 1905. Subsequent legislation failed to pass each year until 1913 when a bill was finally signed by Governor Francis McGovern. The details of these efforts hint at political rivalries and professional dedication. This paper attempts to relate not only the documentary history of these bills, but also to convey a sense of the underlying debates.
Acoustofluidic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) platform enabled by coupled acoustic streaming.

Abstract Bead-based ELISA in microfluidics is a promising platform for reducing the reagent consumption and improving assay throughput due to its fast binding kinetics and low reagent consumption. Current microfluidic bead-based immunoassay mainly relies on magnetic and centrifugal forces to manipulate microparticles to complete an assay protocol. Here we report an acoustic streaming-based microfluidic method that can perform all the fluid and particle operations of bead-based ELISA. A series of sharp-edge structures are used to generate a long-range coupled acoustic streaming that enables simultaneous particle trapping and active molecular exchange in a dead-end microchannel. The device achieved >99% of molecular exchange in 4 min, while maintaining a particle trapping efficiency of 85%. This acoustofluidic-based method demonstrates all three key operations in a bead-based immunoassay: (1) Beads “immobilization”; (2) Active mixing of fluid for bead/target binding; (3) Active molecular exchange for reagent loading and washing. Finally, on-chip quantitative detection of biomarker IL-6 with a limit of detection ∼50 pg/mL is achieved using this platform including an enzymatic signal amplification step. The small footprint, simple setup, and continuous flow operation of the acoustic streaming-based method makes it an attractive platform for continuous flow bead-based immunoassay.
Limits on the Loop theorem: Stallings’s example

Here we give an example, due to Stallings [S], to show that if in Theorem 26.4 we omit the hypothesis that M 2 is two sided in Int M 3, the resulting proposition is false.
Dependent double-observer method reduces false-positive errors in auditory avian survey data

Bias introduced by detection errors is a well-documented issue for abundance and occupancy estimates of wildlife. Detection errors bias estimates of detection and abundance or occupancy in positive and negative directions, which can produce misleading results. There have been considerable design- and model-based methods to address false-negative errors, or missed detections. However, false-positive errors, or detections of individuals that are absent but counted as present because of misidentifications or double counts, are often assumed to not occur in ecological studies. The dependent double-observer survey method is a design-based approach speculated to reduce false positives because observations have the ability to be confirmed by two observers. However, whether this method reduces false positives compared to single-observer methods has not been empirically tested. We used prairie songbirds as a model system to test if a dependent double-observer method reduced false positives compared to a single-observer method. We used vocalizations of ten species to create auditory simulations and used naive and expert observers to survey these simulations using single-observer and dependent double-observer methods. False-positive rates were significantly lower using the dependent double-observer survey method in both observer groups. Expert observers reported a 3.2% false-positive rate in dependent double-observer surveys and a 9.5% false-positive rate in single-observer surveys, while naive observers reported a 39.1% false-positive rate in dependent double-observer surveys and a 49.1% false-positive rate in single-observer surveys. Misidentification errors arose in all survey scenarios and almost all species combinations. However, expert observers using the dependent double-observer method performed significantly better than other survey scenarios. Given the use of double-observer methods and the accumulating evidence that false positives occur in many survey methods across different taxa, this study is an important step forward in acknowledging and addressing false positives.
Surgery, stomas, and anxiety and depression in inflammatory bowel disease: a retrospective cohort analysis of privately insured patients.

AIM Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are diagnosed with anxiety/depression at higher rates than the general population. We aimed to determine the frequency of anxiety/depression among IBD patients and the temporal association with abdominal surgery and stoma formation. METHOD We conducted a retrospective cohort study in adult patients with IBD using difference-in-difference methodology and a large commercial claims database (2003-2016). Outcomes were anxiety/depression diagnoses before and after major abdominal surgery or stoma formation. RESULTS We identified 10 481 IBD patients who underwent major abdominal surgery, 18.8% of whom underwent stoma formation, and 41 924 nonsurgical age- and sex-matched IBD controls who were assigned random index dates. Rates of anxiety and depression increased among all cohorts (P < 0.001). Surgical patients had higher odds of anxiety [one surgery, adjusted OR 6.90 (95% CI 6.11-7.79), P < 0.001; two or more surgeries, 7.53 (5.99-9.46), P < 0.001] and depression [one surgery, 6.15 (5.57-6.80), P < 0.001; two or more surgeries, 6.88 (5.66-8.36), P < 0.001] than nonsurgical controls. Undergoing multiple surgeries was associated with a significant increase in depression from 'pre' to 'post' time periods [1.43 (1.18-1.73), P < 0.001]. Amongst surgical patients, stoma formation was independently associated with anxiety [1.40 (1.17-1.68), P < 0.001] and depression [1.23 (1.05-1.45), P = 0.01]. New ostomates experienced a greater increase in postoperative anxiety [1.24 (1.05-1.47), P = 0.01] and depression [1.19 (1.03-1.45), P = 0.01] than other surgical patients. CONCLUSION IBD patients who undergo surgery have higher rates of anxiety and depression than nonsurgical patients. Rates of anxiety and depression increase following surgery. Stoma formation represents an additional risk factor. These findings suggest the need for perioperative psychosocial support services.
Eccrine Porocarcinoma: A Rare Tumor of the Eyelid With a Novel Histopathological Finding of Free Tumor Cells in the Tear Film

The authors present a case of an eyelid eccrine porocarcinoma, a very rare malignant sweat gland tumor characterized histopathologically by nests of atypical poromatous cells and the presence of duct-like lumina. Histopathologic analysis of this case also exhibited numerous loose tumor cells in the adjacent tear film, a finding that has not been previously described.
Magnetic properties, responsiveness, and stability of paramagnetic dumbbell and ellipsoid colloids

A layer-by-layer method is used to synthesize paramagnetic metal/polymer multi-layered colloidal particles. By taking advantage of recent advances in the synthesis of polymer colloids with various shapes and layer-by-layer assembly, superparamagnetic dumbbell colloids are fabricated with different aspect ratios and asymmetries between lobes. We characterize the surface coverage of magnetic nanoparticles on the anisotropic host particles and the magnetic response of the particles by magnetometry. The synthesized particles are colloidally stable, but in a magnetic field, form persistent microstructures through induced interactions. These column-like microstructures are reversible and readily disperse by Brownian motion. The magnetic nanoparticle concentration during synthesis provides a means to control the magnetic response of the composite nanoparticle. The method is extended to prolate ellipsoid nanoparticles with aspect ratios between 3.4 and 4.2.
Effect of GenX on P-Glycoprotein, Breast Cancer Resistance Protein, and Multidrug Resistance-Associated Protein 2 at the Blood-Brain Barrier.

Background: Ammonium 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-(heptafluoropropoxy)propanoic acid (GenX) is a replacement for perfluorooctanoic acid in the production of fluoropolymers used in a variety of consumer pr...
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Access to Emerging and Frontline Therapies in Common Dermatological Conditions: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract Objective This study investigates possible race- and ethnicity-related disparities in the treatment of acne, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis of newly approved treatments as well as existing therapies. Methods Aggregate level data was collected from patient medical records between 2013 and 2018. The odds ratio of patients who had been prescribed treatments for acne, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis per racial and ethnic group were calculated using a 95% confidence interval after applying Bonferroni correction to account for multiple comparisons. Results Black patients with acne had statistically significant (p Conclusions This study demonstrates a racial and ethnic disparity in accessing newly approved and standard of care medical therapies for acne, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis within the past three years.
The impact of paid family leave on household savings

Abstract Research on paid family leave (PFL) has largely focused on various child outcomes and the labor force outcomes of mothers. Absent from previous work is an analysis of how such a policy alters incentives to plan for expected income shocks, a central question in other social insurance contexts. A conceptual framework demonstrates the potential for PFL to increase or decrease household saving depending on labor supply flexibility assumptions. Using the Survey of Income and Program Participation, I present evidence that the introduction of PFL in California reduced the savings of expectant parents relative to different comparison groups. Imprecise heterogeneity analysis suggests the crowd out is concentrated in higher-income families.
Optimizing Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections: A Narrative Review

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an orthobiologic treatment that has gained popularity as a potential alternative treatment for various musculoskeletal conditions. The physiologic role of platelets in the healing cascade provides clarity regarding its potential as it releases various growth factors such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-I²1), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). However, there are various characteristics of PRP treatments including platelet count, presence or absence of leukocytes and red blood cells, as well as the use of an activating agent that introduces heterogeneity among preparations. This aim of this article is to provide clarity, where available, regarding the optimal characteristics for PRP treatments regarding tendon and ligament injuries as well as articular and muscular pathology.
Inventory Sourcing Rules After the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: Do the Changes Work?

The author considers whether changes to the U.S. rules for sourcing income from inventory sales contained in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act operate as intended in light of existing provisions that take precedence over the revised section and given the rules regarding effectively connected income. She ultimately concludes that, at least until Congress amends the law, foreign persons selling foreign manufactured inventory into the United States should consider operating through a separate U.S. company rather than a U.S. sales branch.
Brain-gut psychotherapies: Promising tools to address gastrointestinal problems in patients with eating disorders

Gastrointestinal (GI) problems are common in individuals with eating disorders (EDs) and associated with distress, impairment, and increased healthcare utilization. GI symptoms may be exacerbated by meals and other interventions central to ED recovery thereby contributing to negative clinical outcomes. Informed by models emphasizing the role of the brain-gut axis in the expression of GI symptoms, this article describes a program of research to adapt "brain-gut psychotherapies" for EDs. First, the role of the brain-gut axis in GI symptoms is described, and evidence-based brain-gut psychotherapies are reviewed, with an emphasis on cognitive behavioral therapy for GI disorders and gut-directed hypnotherapy. Next, future directions for research in EDs to (a) understand the impact of GI symptoms on illness course and outcome; (b) clarify target engagement; (c) evaluate brain-gut psychotherapies; and (d) optimize intervention reach and delivery are described. We present a conceptual model that emphasizes GI-specific anxiety and altered gut physiology as targets of brain-gut psychotherapies in EDs, and discuss several issues that need to be addressed in designing clinical trials to test these interventions. We also describe how engagement with multidisciplinary stakeholders and use of digital tools could speed translation from the laboratory to clinical settings.
Catastrophic cerebral sinovenous thrombosis with haemorrhagic conversion in a new diagnosis of paediatric acute myelogenous leukaemia

A previously healthy 14-month-old boy with 5 days of cough, rhinorrhea, diarrhoea and fever to 38.9°C was admitted to an outside hospital with altered mental status, intermittent bradycardia and hypertension, but otherwise a normal physical examination. A complete blood count (CBC) revealed
The Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Job Satisfaction

Emotional Intelligence is an important factor for teacher’s success. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of Emotional Intelligence on Job Satisfaction among the academicians in Technical higher education institutions. In the past, when studying organizational behavior, emotions and EQ were not given serious attention, especially on their contribution towards creativity and productivity. In the same light, limited attempts were also made in investigating the effect of EQ on work attitude and behavior such as job satisfaction and job commitment. In aspects of gender and age females, by handling multiple responsibilities are comparatively more prone to high stress & an unbalanced lifestyle. The EQ level of females with special focus on age & marital status. In male are less stresses but unbalanced lifestyle. Findings suggest that Emotional Intelligence did not affect the level of Job Satisfaction. Gender did not have a significant effect on Emotional Intelligence or Job Satisfaction. Older employees had higher levels of Emotional Intelligence; however, age had no effect on reported Job Satisfaction. Gender did not have a moderating effect in Emotional Intelligence-Job Satisfaction relationship. Age had mixed findings. For the younger generation, the relationship was significantly positive. For the older generation, it was insignificant and negative. Results should be approached with caution. Limitations and future research directions are provided in the article. Data collection is done on the basis of convenience sampling technique. Researchers have acknowledged that job satisfaction is a phenomenon which can be explained as having both cognitive and affective character. The cognitive component is made up of judgments and beliefs about the job, while the affective component comprises of feelings and emotions associated with the job. Job satisfaction is defined as the attitude and feelings people have about their work: positive and favorable attitudes towards the job indicate job satisfaction while negative and unfavorable attitudes toward the job indicate job dissatisfaction. Researchers have acknowledged that job satisfaction is a phenomenon which can be explained as having both cognitive and affective character. The cognitive component is made up of judgments and beliefs about the job, while the affective component comprises of feelings and emotions associated with the job. Job satisfaction is defined as the attitude and feelings people have about their work: positive and favorable attitudes towards the job indicate job satisfaction while negative and unfavorable attitudes toward the job indicate job dissatisfaction.
DNA Aptamer-Cyanine Complexes as Generic Colorimetric Small-Molecule Sensors

Aptamers are promising biorecognition elements for sensors. However, aptamer-based assays often lack the requisite levels of sensitivity and/or selectivity because they typically employ structure-switching aptamers with attenuated affinity and/or utilize reporters that require aptamer labeling or which are susceptible to false positives. Dye-displacement assays offer a label-free, sensitive means for overcoming these issues, wherein target binding liberates a dye that is complexed with the aptamer, producing an optical readout. However, broad utilization of these assays has been limited. Here, we demonstrate a rational approach to develop colorimetric cyanine dye-displacement assays that can be broadly applied to DNA aptamers regardless of their structure, sequence, affinity, or the physicochemical properties of their targets. Our approach should accelerate the development of mix-and-measure assays that could be applied for diverse analytical applications.
Mathematical Models for Speech Technology

Author's preface.1 Introduction2 Preliminaries2.1 The physics of speech production2.2 The source-filter model2.3 Information-bearing features of the speech signal2.4 Time-frequency representations2.5 Classifications of acoustic patterns in speech2.6 Temporal invariance and stationarity2.7 Taxonomy of linguistic structure3 Mathematical models of linguistic structure3.1 Probabilistic functions of a discrete Markov process3.2 Formal grammars and abstract automata4 Syntactic analysis4.1 Deterministic parsing algorithms4.2 Probabilistic parsing algorithms4.3 Parsing natural language5 Grammatical inference5.1 Exact inference and Gold's theorem5.2 Baum's algorithm for regular grammars5.3 Event counting in parse trees5.4 Baker's algorithm for context-free grammars6 Information-theoretic analysis of speech communication6.1 The Miller et al. experiments6.2 Entropy of an information source6.3 Recognition error rates and entropy7 Automatic speech recognition and constructive theories of language7.1 Integrated architectures7.2 Modular architectures7.3 Parameter estimation from fluent speech7.4 System performance7.5 Other speech technologies8 Automatic speech understanding and semantics8.1 Transcription and comprehension8.2 Limited domain semantics8.3 The semantics of natural language8.4 System architectures8.5 Human and machine performance9 Theories of mind and language9.1 The challenge of automatic natural language understanding9.2 Metaphors for mind9.3 The artificial intelligence program10 A speculation on the prospects for a science of the mind10.1 The parable of the thermos bottle: measurements and symbols10.2 The four questions of science10.3 A constructive theory of the mind10.4 The problem of consciousness10.5 The role of sensorimotor function, associative memory and reinforcement learning in automatic acquisition of spoken language by an autonomous robot10.6 Final thoughts: predicting the course of discovery
A Review of Acoustic Telemetry Technology and a Perspective on its Diversification Relative to Coastal Tracking Arrays

Automated telemetry systems for tracking ultrasonically tagged marine fauna have diversified in information coding, signal reception, data handling and storage, and deployment architecture in response to niche development among equipment manufacturers. Technologies divide especially along issues of habitat type, spatial scale, and cost. Highly capable designs appropriate to spatial scales from sub-meter resolution to coast-wide migration have emerged. Due to technical constraints (e.g. coding algorithms, frequency) and proprietary interests, tags of one code scheme cannot currently communicate with listening devices from others, sometimes even among devices within a manufacturer’s offering. Large-scale federally funded arrays are being designed as observatories to facilitate discovery and experiments and are committed to single-platform technology. Commitment to a single equipment design unifies such arrays but also contributes to inertia that hinders optimization or further development at the local level. Some solutions for cross-equipment communication exist at both the transmitter and receiver ends of the technology. Un-anticipated movement of tagged marine fauna through these arrays can yield important new insights but can also have negative effects on other users of the array. These possibilities should be considered and coordinated through collaborative administrations and as early as the proposal review process. This paper outlines the needs and constraints to engage scientists with each other and with manufacturers in dialog to mitigate negative effects of diversification without the loss of its benefits. An inability to unify disparate and independent hydrophone arrays risks tremendous lost opportunity to track fish in coastal marine and estuarine settings, as seen in case studies.
Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors

The decomposition of a matrix A into a product of two or three matrices can (depending on the characteristics of those matrices) be a very useful first step in computing such things as the rank, the determinant, or an (ordinary or generalized) inverse (of A) as well as a solution to a linear system having A as its coefficient matrix. In particular, decompositions like the QR, LDU, U′DU, and Cholesky decompositions—refer to Sections 6.4 and 14.5—in which the component matrices are diagonal or triangular, or have orthonormal rows or columns, can be very useful for computational purposes. Moreover, establishing that a matrix has a decomposition of a certain type can be instructive about the nature of the matrix. In particular, if it can be shown that a matrix A is expressible as A = RR′ for some matrix R, then it can be concluded—refer to Corollary 14.2.14—that A is nonnegative definite (and symmetric).
The Case for Reforming Presidential Elections by Subconstitutional Means: The Electoral College, the National Popular Vote Compact, and Congressional Power

This essay addresses and debunks various criticisms of the National Popular Vote Compact movement, including the suggestion that a move to a national popular presidential election would undermine federalism or regionalism values and the notion that a national popular vote would produce plurality winners and/or embolden third-party candidates. The essay then turns to the key question of whether a national popular vote with different voting rules in each state is workable, and in particular the sources of power Congress has to remedy any problems with the design of the current National Popular Vote Compact plan being adopted by many states. There are good arguments in favor of Congressional power to iron out difficulties, especially once a compact is up and running. For this reason, the idea floated by some that only a constitutional amendment can bring about a national popular vote is misguided.
Polyester Ionomers as Functional Compatibilizers for Blends with Condensation Polymers and Nanocomposites

The results obtained from this study yield the following conclusions: (i) compatibility of the AQ/PET blends may be attributed to transesterification between the polyesters which is apparently enhanced by the transition-metal form of the ionomer, and (ii) compatibility of the AQ/N66 blends may be due to the presence of specific interactions between the metal counterion of the ionomer and the amide groups. In addition, the ability of polyester ionomers, as a minor component additive, to compatibilize blends of immiscible polar polymers (e.g., PBT/N66) is demonstrated.
Opportunity Wages, Classroom Characteristics, and Teacher Mobility

This article analyzes the impact of classroom characteristics and opportunity wages on four possible labor market choices of teachers in Florida: remaining at their present school, switching schools within a school district, changing school districts, and leaving teaching. Discrete-time multinomial-logit-hazard model estimates indicate that classroom characteristics play a larger role than school average student characteristics in determining teacher mobility. Opportunity wages based on past teacher movements to other competing districts and professions are found to pull teachers away from their initial placements. Once opportunity wages and working conditions are considered, teachers’ own salaries are found to exert little impact on teacher mobility within the profession; although, they reduce attrition out of the profession. Policy simulations indicate that targeted salary increases based on teacher-specific working conditions are important to retain teachers at a given school.
A GPS-Tracked Surf Zone Drifter*

A drifter designed to measure surf zone circulation has been developed and field tested. Drifter positions accurate to within a few meters are estimated in real time at 0.1 Hz using the global positioning system (GPS) and a shore-to-drifter radio link. More accurate positions are estimated at 1 Hz from postprocessed, internally logged data. Mean alongshore currents estimated from trajectories of the 0.5-m-draft drifters in 1‐2-m water depth agree well with measurements obtained with nearby, bottom-mounted, acoustic current meters. Drifters deployed near the base of a well-developed rip current often followed eddylike paths within the surf zone before being transported seaward.
Membrane association of the myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS) protein appears to involve myristate-dependent binding in the absence of a myristoyl protein receptor

The myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate, or MARCKS protein, has been implicated in several cellular processes, yet its physiological function remains unknown. We have studied the molecular basis of its membrane association in a cell-free system in order to help elucidate its regulation and function. First, we showed that the MARCKS protein incorporated [3H]myristate when its mRNA was translated in vitro in reticulocyte lysates. The myristoylated protein bound rapidly to freshly fractionated cell membranes, while a nonmyristoylated mutant associated to a much lesser extent (
The vascular and nerve supply to the temporomandibular joint of the rat.

Abstract 1. 1. Rats of varying ages were used in a study of the vascular and nervo supply to the intra-articular components of the temporomandibular articulation. The blood vessels were demonstrated by the saline-India ink-gelatin perfusion method, whereas the nerves were demonstrated by Pearson's silver gelatin method. 2. 2. A rich vascular plexus was seen forming circumferentially a “crown” around the central region of the disc. No blood vessels were found in the thin central portion of the dise. 3. 3. Capillary loops were found located most prominently in the articular surfaces of the disc, and their position may be important for the production of the synovial fluid. 4. 4. Nerves were traced into the articular dise, terminating as free nerve endings near the thin avascular central area. 5. 5. Specialized encapsulated and bulbs whose function probably is for proprioception were observed in the synovial villi projecting into the mandibular compartment.
Effect of Isogrid-Type Obstructions on Thermal Stratification in Upper-Stage Rocket Propellant Tanks

Analytical models for propellant thermal stratification are typically based on smooth wall flow correlations. However, many propellant tank walls have a mass-saving isogrid, which alters the boundary layer. This work investigates the boundary-layer behavior over walls with obstruction elements that are representative of isogrid or internal stiffener rings. The experimental studies reveal that the thickness of the velocity boundary layer over an isogrid wall is more than 200% thicker than a smooth wall at full-scale upper-stage tank Reynolds numbers. For buoyancy-induced free convection flows, the computational-fluid-dynamics models demonstrate that the velocity boundary layer over a wall lined with obstruction elements may be thicker or thinner than the equivalent boundary layer over a smooth wall, whereas the thermal boundary layer is always thicker for the rough wall. A Rayleigh number scaling analysis is presented for a range of fluids, tank and obstruction sizes, heat loads, and acceleration levels. W...
Note on Deming's bead experiment

Deming's bead experiment demonstrates many important principles of quality management to both management and teachers of quality principles. This note illustrates other interesting principles that the bead experiment demonstrate which are not available elsewhere.
The Relationship of Age, Gender, and IQ With the Brainstem and Thalamus in Healthy Children and Adolescents: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Volumetric Study

In healthy children, there is a paucity of information on the growth of the brainstem and thalamus measured anatomically magnetic resonance imaging. The relations of age, gender, and age by gender with brainstem and thalamus volumes were analyzed from magnetic resonance brain images of 122 healthy children and adolescents (62 males, 60 females; ages 4 to 17). Results showed that age is a significant predictor of brainstem and thalamus volumes. The volume of the brainstem increases with age, while thalamus volume declines with age. The volume of the right thalamus is significantly larger than that of the left in both genders, with greater rightward asymmetry and greater thalamus to grey matter ratio in females. Males have larger brainstems, but these differences are not significant when covarying for cerebral volume. Larger thalami were associated with higher Verbal IQ. These normative pediatric data are of value to researchers who study these regions in neurodevelopmental disorders.
An axiomatic foundation for continuum thermodynamics

Abstract : The report presents a complete set of axioms, based upon physically acceptable gross forms of the laws of thermodynamics, which yield appropriate forms of these laws for continuum physics; and find conditions under which these reduce to the classical forms.
Molecular surface electrostatic potentials and anesthetic activity.

General anesthetics apparently act through weak, noncovalent and reversible interactions with certain sites in appropriate brain proteins. As a means of gaining insight into the factors underlying anesthetic potency, we have analyzed the computed electrostatic potentials V S(r) on the surfaces of 20 molecules with activities that vary between zero and high. Our results are fully consistent with, and help to interpret, what has been observed experimentally. We find that an intermediate level of internal charge separation is required; this is measured by Π, the average absolute deviation of V S(r), and the approximate window is 7 < Π < 13 kcal mol−1. This fits in well with the fact that anesthetics need to be lipid soluble, but also to have some degree of hydrophilicity. We further show that polyhalogenated alkanes and ethers, which include the most powerful known anesthetics, have strong positive potentials, V S,max, associated with their hydrogens, chlorines and bromines (but not fluorines). These positive sites may impede the functioning of key brain proteins, for example by disrupting their normal hydrogen-bond patterns. It has indeed been recognized for some time that the most active polyhalogenated alkanes and ethers contain hydrogens usually in combination with chlorines and/or bromines.
Cortical efferents lacking mutant huntingtin improve striatal neuronal activity and behavior in a conditional mouse model of Huntington's disease.

Abnormal electrophysiological activity in the striatum, which receives dense innervation from the cerebral cortex, is believed to set the stage for the behavioral phenotype observed in Huntington's disease (HD), a neurodegenerative condition caused by mutation of the huntingtin (mhtt) protein. However, cortical involvement is far from clear. To determine whether abnormal striatal processing can be explained by mhtt alone (cell-autonomous model) or by mhtt in the corticostriatal projection cell–cell interaction model, we used BACHD/Emx1–Cre (BE) mice, a conditional HD model in which full-length mhtt is genetically reduced in cortical output neurons, including those that project to the striatum. Animals were assessed beginning at 20 weeks of age for at least the next 40 weeks, a range over which presymptomatic BACHD mice become symptomatic. Both open-field and nest-building behavior deteriorated progressively in BACHD mice relative to both BE and wild-type (WT) mice. Neuronal activity patterns in the dorsal striatum, which receives input from the primary motor cortex (M1), followed a similar age progression because BACHD activity changed more rapidly than either BE or WT mice. However, in the M1, BE neuronal activity differed significantly from both WT and BACHD. Although abnormal cortical activity in BE mice likely reflects input from mhtt-expressing afferents, including cortical interneurons, improvements in BE striatal activity and behavior suggest a critical role for mhtt in cortical output neurons in shaping the onset and progression of striatal dysfunction.
Induction of cytotoxicity in resting human T lymphocytes bound to tumor cells by antibody heteroconjugates

Abstract An in vitro model for peripheral human T-cell activation and resultant tumor cell killing is described. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes may be generated from resting lymphocytes by incubation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells for 3 days with the anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody OKT3. Cytotoxicity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells can also be induced by adding an anti-target-OKT3 antibody conjugate and 10% (vol/vol) fetal calf serum to the culture medium. Conjugate activation of T cells was almost completely blocked, however, when 20% (vol/vol) human serum was added to the medium. Conjugate-mediated peripheral blood mononuclear cells activation was restored to some extent by the addition of melanoma target cells to the culture and was markedly enhanced by a second conjugate containing anti-target cell and anti-CD28 antibody. Monoclonal antibody 9.3 (anti-CD28) provides a progression signal in T-lymphocyte activation when used in combination with anti-CD3. Thus, presentation by the tumor target cells of anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 to resting human lymphocytes causes T-cell activation, which is independent of monocytes, proceeds in the presence of human serum, and results in tumor cell killing.
everyday understandings of the law in working‐class America

An ethnographic examination of the way working-class Americans who use courts to manage their family and neighborhood disputes think about and use the law suggests that they share beliefs in legal rights and the legal ordering of society characteristic of American society in general. However, when they encounter the courts they develop a more complex understanding that incorporates the plural legal ideologies found within the courthouse. The process of constructing local as well as dominant ideologies has implications for understanding the role of ideology in the maintenance of social order and for analyzing the hegemonic function of law. [legal anthropology, ideology, dispute processing, social control, theory of the state]
Derepression of mitochondria in yeast spheroplasts

Spheroplasts of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) which had been grown in 10% wv glucose showed respiratory derepression when placed in a non-fermenting medium. The derepressing spheroplasts were analyzed by electron microscopy and mitochondria obtained from the spheroplasts by gentle lysis were analyzed by rate-zonal and isopycnic centrifugation. As the respiratory rate of the spheroplasts increased, a new population of mitochondria appeared with the ultrastructure and sedimentation behavior characteristic of derepressed yeast. These smaller, less dense mitochondria appeared to replace the large, dense mitochondria characteristic of repressed yeast.
A bad rap: Rap1 signaling and oncogenesis

In the paper by Ishida et al. in this issue of Cancer Cell, the authors report the results of targeted inactivation of a Rap1-specific GTPase-activating protein (GAP) gene, called SPA-1, in mice. Rap1 hyperactivation was observed in hematopoietic cells, which led over time to features associated with symptoms typical of human myeloid dyslastic and myeloid proliferative diseases. The authors present additional data showing that the level of Rap1 activation is important for regulating myelopoiesis and that, in the right context, can deliver an oncogenic signal.
Controlling the Helicity of 2,2‘-Bipyridyl Ruthenium(II) and Zinc(II) Hemicage Complexes

Two enantiomers of a new 4,5-pineno-2,2‘-bipyridine ligand were synthesized and subsequently incorporated into hemicage ligands through a phenyl linker to yield ligands (+)-L1 and (−)-L1 or through a mesityl linker to yield ligands (+)-L2 and (−)-L2. Complexation of these ligands to Ru(II) afforded diastereomerically pure Δ and Λ isomers, as verified through circular dichroism and circularly polarized luminescence spectroscopy. Ligands (+)-L2 and (−)-L2 were further coordinated to Zn(II) to form a complex with intriguing photophysical properties. Whereas Zn(bpy)32+ was shown to be a fluorescent emitter outside the visible spectrum, the caging process provided an unprecedented enhancement of intersystem crossing and subsequent switching to the phosphorescent emission of blue light. Additionally, the chiroptical properties of the Zn(II) complexes were also studied.
Enhancer function and novel DNA binding protein activity in the near upstream βAPP gene promoter

Abstract The role of βAPP gene transcription and promoter regulation in modifying amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) levels is not well understood. Increased production of Aβ or changes in Aβ 42 /Aβ 40 ratio by fibroblasts occurs in the presence of mutant presenilin or βAPP alleles in familial Alzheimer's disease subjects. Both βAPP mRNA and Aβ levels are increased in trisomy 21. The APP gene promoter is in a class of housekeeping genes and contains two putative consensus sites for the binding of transcription factor AP1. Electrophoretic mobility shift (EMSA) and DNase protection assays using human fibroblast and HeLa nuclear extract identified specific protein binding with novel Sp1-like properties to both a near-upstream and a downstream domain of the βAPP promoter. The upstream binding activity was localized to a putative AP1 consensus site and its immediate 5′-adjacent GC-rich element. However, c-Jun antibody and competition experiments had no effect on binding to this domain. A series of 5′-deleted βAPP promoter–reporter gene transfections in HeLa and fibroblast cells showed that the domain-containing region, n.t. −383 to −348, exerts a 2.9-fold activating influence on basal pβAPP-reporter transcription. When subcloned to test enhancer function, the 5′-GC element/‘AP1 site’ tandem construct conferred four-fold greater activity than either element alone and two-fold greater than the more 3′-situated HSE consensus sequence. Phorbol ester treatment had no effect in these reporter assays. This element shares homology and binding properties with a domain immediately 5′ to the downstream E-box/USF element. An interaction model involving both domains and looping of interjacent DNA is proposed. We conclude that this newly described binding protein–enhancer complex is required for full βAPP promoter activation.
Sturm–Liouville problems with indefinite weights and Everitt's inequality

It is shown that spectral properties of Sturm–Liouville eigenvalue problems with indefinite weights are related to integral inequalities studied by Everitt. A result of Beals on indefinite problems leads to a sufficient condition for the validity of such an inequality. A Baire category argument is used to show that, in general, the inequality under consideration does not hold.
Rapidly enhancing hepatic hemangiomas at MRI: Distinction from malignancies with T2-weighted images

The purpose of this study is to describe a subset of atypical hepatic hemangiomas that enhance rapidly and diffusely and to determine whether heavily T2-weighted images could distinguish between atypically enhancing liver hemangiomas and hypervascular malignancies. A retrospective search of MR records identified seven patients with liver hemangiomas that demonstrated diffuse early enhancement and 23 patients with biopsy-proven malignant liver lesions that were hypervascular on dynamic gadolinium-enhanced MR images. Quantitative analysis of signal intensity measurements was performed on the T2-weighted images, heavily T2-weighted (TE > 140), and dynamic gadolinium-enhanced images. Blinded reader comparison of the T2-weighted images and gadolinium-enhanced images was performed. Hypervascular hemangiomas enhanced to a greater degree than hypervascular malignant liver lesions on the early phase gadolinium-enhanced images. Perilesional parenchymal enhancement was demonstrated in five cases of rapidly enhancing hemangiomas. Signal intensity and contrast-to-noise ratios on the heavily T2-weighted images of the hemangiomas were significantly greater than that of the hypervascular malignant lesions (P < .05). Hemangiomas were differentiated from the hypervascular malignant liver lesions with high accuracy (97-100%) by three blinded readers based on the T2-weighted images. A subset of hemangiomas have atypical rapid diffuse enhancement on dynamic gadolinium-enhanced images. These atypical hemangiomas can be distinguished from hypervascular malignant liver lesions on T2-weighted MR images.
The Feminist Sophistic Enterprise: From Euripides to the Vietnam War.

The ancient sophists' investigation of physis and nomos, which took place against the backdrop of the unpopular and unsettling Peloponnesian War, challenged the foundations of Greek society. Although the essentially patriarchal nature of Greek society precludes assuming any "feminist" concern for the status of women, in many fundamental ways the sophists' project was not unlike that of modern feminists who also question dominant definitions and categories of gendered subjectivity (Jarratt "Feminism"). In the United States, a great deal of current feminist theory also emerged in the wake of the unpopular Vietnam War. War promotes and depends upon cultural bonding and social solidarity to produce patriotic fervor and unquestioning allegiance to the state. In these two eras, the eventual unpopularity of the war-which irritated and was irritated by the renegotiation of class and economic boundariesopened questions about the status of citizenship, economic privilege, family life and, of course, gender roles. In both eras these changes were endorsed by many who had heretofore been excluded from many of the benefits of the patriarchy, but they were resisted by others who feared losing or sharing privilege. Although popular mythology insists upon the illusion of progressive enlightenment, there is ample evidence to support the argument that periods of progressive change have often been followed by periods of repression and even regression (Kelly). The sophists' project came to an abrupt end when their pluralistic argument and pragmatic adaptations were replaced by the monolithic patriarchal certainty of Plato and Aristotle-a certainty which in various guises still operates on modern society. In Page duBois's words, Plato, in the fourth century, "appropriated feminine and particularly reproductive metaphors in order to reaffirm old patterns of dominance and to establish through new rationalization certain objects of knowledge, certain forms of power" (2). Currently, we are experiencing a similar conservative backlasheconomic, racist, and sexist-which, as Susan Jeffords's work on the Vietnam War shows, enacts "the large-scale renegotiation and regeneration of the interests, values, and projects of patriarchy now taking place in U.S. social relations" (xi). The sophistic era was marked by intellectual excitement, but the sophists' explorations were not universally acclaimed nor were they even in agreement with each other. Some of their ideas threatened members of the aristocracy who were eager to undo democratic reforms, while other ideas, for example the famous dictum that "justice is the interest of the stronger," threatened democratic principles. The basis of sophistic practice and teaching was the discovery and exposition of opposing and contradictory arguments-dissoi logoi-in order to provide their students with the training in moral reasoning and discursive ability which would allow them to assume civic responsibility
Diffusion Cloud-Chamber Study of Very Slow Mesons. II. Beta Decay of the Muon

The spectrum of electrons arising from the decay of the negative mu meson has been determined. The muons are arrested in the gas of a high pressure hydrogen filled diffusion cloud chamber. The momenta of the decay electrons are determined from their curvature in a magnetic field of 7750 gauss. The spectrum of 415 electrons has been analyzed according to the theory of Michel. The shape parameter, {rho}, is found to be 0.64 {plus_minus} .10. The significance of this result in terms of the beta interaction is discussed.
Models of attention in computing and communication: from principles to applications

Creating computing and communication systems that sense and reason about human attention by fusing together information from multiple streams.
Caenorhabditis elegans reproductive aging: Regulation and underlying mechanisms

Female reproductive decline is one of the first aging phenotypes in humans, manifested in increasing rates of infertility, miscarriage, and birth defects in children of mothers over 35. Recently, Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) has been developed as a model to study reproductive aging, and several studies have advanced our knowledge of reproductive aging regulation in this organism. In this review, we describe our current understanding of reproductive cessation in C. elegans, including the relationship between oocyte quality, ovulation rate, progeny number, and reproductive span. We then discuss possible mechanisms of oocyte quality control, and provide an overview of the signaling pathways currently identified to be involved in reproductive span regulation in C. elegans. Finally, we extend the relevance of C. elegans reproductive aging studies to the issue of human female reproductive decline, and we discuss ideas concerning the relationship between reproductive aging and somatic longevity.
Predictors of Perceived Sleep Quality Among Men and Women With Insomnia

The present study determined which self-reported sleep variables and daytime impairment measures are most closely associated with sleep quality ratings (SQR) in men and women with insomnia. The participants were 137 people with insomnia, 56 men and 81 women. Multiple regression found that for men, sleep efficiency best predicted SQR, explaining 26.9% of variance. A similar analysis was conducted for women. After race was entered as a covariate, number of awakenings and total sleep time were significant predictors of SQR. Collectively, race, number of awakenings, and total sleep time explained 35.7% of variance. This suggests that the middle-of-the-night experience predicts sleep quality rating in women with insomnia, whereas the full night experience predicts sleep quality ratings in men with insomnia.