cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HIV-1 Tat and morphine decrease murine inter-male social interactions and associated oxytocin levels in the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus

Abstract Many persons infected with HIV-1 (PWH) and opioid-dependent individuals experience deficits in sociability that interfere with daily living. Sociability is regulated by the prefrontal cortico-hippocampal-amygdalar circuit. Within this circuit HIV-1 trans-activator of transcription (HIV-1 Tat) and opioids can increase dendritic pathology and alter neuronal firing. Changes in sociability are also associated with dysregulation of hypothalamic neuropeptides such as oxytocin or corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) in the prefrontal cortico-hippocampal-amygdalar circuit. Accordingly, we hypothesized that the interaction of HIV-1 Tat and morphine would impair inter-male social interactions and disrupt oxytocin and CRF within the PFC and associated circuitry. Male mice were exposed to HIV-1 Tat for 8 weeks and administered saline or escalating doses of morphine twice daily (s.c.) during the last 2 weeks of HIV-1 Tat exposure. Tat attenuated aggressive interactions with an unknown intruder, whereas morphine decreased both non-aggressive and aggressive social interactions in the resident-intruder test. However, there was no effect of Tat or morphine on non-reciprocal interactions in the social interaction and novelty tests. Tat, but not morphine, decreased oxytocin levels in the PFC and amygdala, whereas both Tat and morphine decreased the percentage of oxytocin-immunoreactive neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). In Tat(+) or morphine-exposed mice, regional levels of CRF and oxytocin correlated with alterations in behavior in the social interaction and novelty tests. Overall, decreased expression of oxytocin in the prefrontal cortico-hippocampal-amygdalar circuit is associated with morphine- and HIV-Tat-induced deficits in social behavior.
Cutaneous pain in disorders affecting peripheral nerves.

Abstract Our ability to quickly detect and respond to harmful environmental stimuli is vital for our safety and survival. This inherent acute pain detection is a “gift” because it both protects our body from harm and allows healing of damaged tissues [1]. Damage to tissues from trauma or disease can result in distorted or amplified nociceptor signaling and sensitization of the spinal cord and brain (Central Nervous System; CNS) pathways to normal input from light touch mechanoreceptors. Together, these processes can result in nagging to unbearable chronic pain and extreme sensitivity to light skin touch (allodynia). Unlike acute protective pain, chronic pain and allodynia serve no useful purpose and can severely reduce the quality of life of an affected person. Chronic pain can arise from impairment to peripheral neurons, a phenomenon called “peripheral neuropathic pain.” Peripheral neuropathic pain can be caused by many insults that directly affect peripheral sensory neurons, including mechanical trauma, metabolic imbalance (e.g., diabetes), autoimmune diseases, chemotherapeutic agents, viral infections (e.g., shingles). These insults cause “acquired” neuropathies such as small-fiber neuropathies, diabetic neuropathy, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, and post herpetic neuralgia. Peripheral neuropathic pain can also be caused by genetic factors and result in hereditary neuropathies that include Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, rare channelopathies and Fabry disease. Many acquired and hereditary neuropathies affect the skin, our largest organ and protector of nearly our entire body. Here we review how cutaneous nociception (pain perceived from the skin) is altered following diseases that affect peripheral nerves that innervate the skin. We provide an overview of how noxious stimuli are detected and encoded by molecular transducers on subtypes of cutaneous afferent endings and conveyed to the CNS. Next, we discuss several acquired and hereditary diseases and disorders that cause painful or insensate (lack of sensation) cutaneous peripheral neuropathies, the symptoms and percepts patients experience, and how cutaneous afferents and other peripheral cell types are altered in function in these disorders. We highlight exciting new research areas that implicate non-neuronal skin cells, particularly keratinocytes, in cutaneous nociception and peripheral neuropathies. Finally, we conclude with ideas for innovative new directions, areas of unmet need, and potential opportunities for novel cutaneous therapeutics that may avoid CNS side effects, as well as ideas for improved translation of mechanisms identified in preclinical models to patients.
Hot spots policing in Las Vegas: results from a blocked randomized controlled trial in chronic violent crime locations

This randomized experiment explored the impact of hot spots policing (HSP) strategies on criminal offenses and calls for service within chronic, persistent violent crime clusters in Las Vegas, NV. Forty-four street segments were randomized into treatment (N = 22) and control (N = 22) conditions across nine chronic, persistent violent crime areas. The conditions (foot patrols, stationary patrol vehicles, and business-as-usual) were active for 6 months. Over 90% of the hot spots experienced an average of 1.5 h or greater of patrol dosage per day. In terms of impact, the mixed effects negative binomial regression results showed that the addition of HSP had a marginally significant reduction on overall crime (− 21%), a statistically significant reduction on overall calls for service (− 25.7%), and a statistically significant reduction of 34% on violent calls for service. Reductions in crime and calls for service occurred in settings where enhanced patrol resources were already deployed. The findings did not demonstrate any evidence of a ceiling effect for HSP to impact crime and violence, even where additional patrol resources were already higher than normal.
An agent-based modeling framework for examining the dynamics of the hurricane-forecast-evacuation system

Abstract Hurricane evacuations involve many interacting physical-social factors and uncertainties that evolve with time as the storm approaches and arrives. Because of these complex and uncertain dynamics, improving the hurricane-forecast-evacuation system remains a formidable challenge for researchers and practitioners alike. This article introduces a modeling framework built to holistically investigate the complex dynamics of the hurricane-forecast-evacuation system i.e., to determine which factors are most important and how they interact across a range of real or synthetic scenarios. The modeling framework, called FLEE, includes models of the natural hazard (hurricane), the human system (information flow, evacuation decisions), the built environment (road infrastructure), and connections between systems (forecasts and warning information, traffic). In this paper, we describe FLEE's conceptualization and implementation and present proof-of-concept experiments illustrating its behaviors when key parameters are modified. In doing so, we show how FLEE is capable of examining the dynamics of the hurricane-forecast-evacuation system from a new perspective that is informed-by and builds-upon empirical work. This information can support researchers and practitioners in hazard risk management, meteorology, and related disciplines, thereby offering the promise of direct applications to mitigate hurricane losses.
Meeting Population, Environment and Resource Challenges: The Costs of Inaction

The task of two panels of senior scientists at the 1995 Third Annual World Bank Conference on Effective Financing of Environmentally Sustainable Development was to set out their views on the major environmental, resource and population issues that constitute obstacles to environmentally sustainable development in the developing nations, to outline the costs of inaction on these pressing matters and to suggest paths for all nations that would blunt the risks we face. Some people believe, and recent media coverage suggests, that the world’s senior scientific community is sharply divided on these matters. Let me assure you otherwise, it is not.
The Center of the World

Absolutism and relativism, objectivism and subjectivism, are various in kind and degree. My subject bears upon what I take to be the most radical form of relativism — relativism with respect to truth. If P is true for me whereas — P is true for you, however, this can be only because of a contrariety in the reality to which they are true. If ‘true’ is elliptical for ‘true for’, then ‘real’ is elliptical for ‘real for’ — in this respect, anyway, epistemology and metaphysics are correlative. For reasons I need not go into, I am going to use the metaphysical vocabulary. I am not, however, going to speak of the relativity of reality. Reality might be relative in many different respects, whereas I mean to touch upon only two of these respects: spatio-temporal location, and personality. I am therefore going to speak not of reality’s being relative, but of its being centric or oriented, that is, of its being spatially, temporally, and personally ranged about a subject which is its center.
On finding small solutions of modular multivariate polynomial equations

Let P(x) ≡ 0(mod N) be a modular multivariate polynomial equation, in m variables, and total degree k with a small root x0. We show that there is an algorithm which determines c (≥ 1) integer polynomial equations (in m variables) of total degree polynomial in cmklog N, in time polynomial in cmklog N, such that each of the equations has x0 as a root. This algorithm is an extension of Coppersmith's algorithm [2], which guarantees only one polynomial equation. It remains an open problem to determine x0 from these linearly independent equations (which may not be algebraically independent) in polynomial time. The algorithm can be used to attack an RSA scheme with small exponent in which a message is padded with random bits in multiple locations. Given two encryptions of the same underlying message with multiple random paddings of total size about 1/9 of the length N (for exponent 3 RSA), the algorithm can be used to obtain the message.
Evidence for the Enzymatic Binding of Aminoacyl Transfer Ribonucleic Acid to Rat Liver Ribosomes

Abstract An assay system for the determination of aminoacyl transfer RNA binding to ribosomes has been developed which involves the isolation of ribosomes from incubation mixtures containing puromycin or puromycin-treated ribosomes, by means of discontinuous sucrose density gradient centrifugation or adsorption on Millipore membrane filters. One of the aminoacyl-transferring enzymes, transferase I, catalyzes the binding of aminoacyl-tRNA to ribosomes in the absence of peptide bond synthesis. The requirement for transferase I, in 6 mm magnesium ion-containing solutions, is absolute; the other aminoacyl-transferring enzyme, transferase II, is inactive. Ammonium and magnesium ions are necessary, and guanosine triphosphate stimulates the interaction. At higher (20 mm) magnesium ion concentrations, significant binding of aminoacyl-tRNA occurs in the absence of transferase I, and it is stimulated to some extent by the addition of the enzyme. In contrast to the transferase I-dependent (low Mg++) binding, which is prevented by the presence of 12C-aminoacyl-tRNA but not by stripped tRNA, the transferase I-independent (high Mg++) binding is equally inhibited by the presence of 12C-aminoacyl-tRNA and stripped tRNA. GTP appears to have multiple sites of action in the aminoacyl transfer reaction; the effect on the aminoacyl-tRNA-binding reaction described here represents an additional role of this nucleotide. These results, which are consistent with previous observations made in this laboratory, suggest that transferase I reacts with aminoacyl-tRNA and then, as the complex, with ribosomes. Thus, transferase I behaves as an aminoacyl-tRNA ribosome-binding enzyme, which catalyzes the first step in the series of reactions between free aminoacyl-tRNA and peptidyl tRNA.
Structure of US aquaculture: Developments in politics, organization and research

Abstract The author examines the politics of the changing legal and support system for US aquaculture, at federal and state levels. The history of the industry is discussed, and recent investments in research and farming are outlined. It is concluded that sociopolitical conflicts and legal uncertainties have created obstacles to the modernization of the industry.
Autoinducer-2–like Activity Associated with Foods and Its Interaction with Food Additives

The autoinducer-2 (AI-2) molecule produced by bacteria as part of quorum sensing is considered to be a universal inducer signal in bacteria because it reportedly influences gene expression in a variety of both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. The objective of this study was to determine whether selected fresh produce and processed foods have AI-2-like activity and whether specific food additives can act as AI-2 mimics and result in AI-2-like activity. The luminescence-based response of the reporter strain Vibrio harveyi BB170 was used as the basis for determining AI-2 activity in the selected foods and food ingredients. Maximum AI-2 activity was seen on the frozen fish sample (203-fold, compared with the negative control) followed by tomato, cantaloupe, carrots, tofu, and milk samples. Interestingly, some samples were capable of inhibiting AI-2 activity. Turkey patties showed the highest inhibition (99.8% compared with the positive control) followed by chicken breast (97.5%), homemade cheeses (93.7%), beef steak (90.6%), and beef patties (84.4%). AI-2 activity was almost totally inhibited by sodium propionate, whereas sodium benzoate caused 93.3% inhibition, compared with 75% inhibition by sodium acetate. Sodium nitrate did not have any appreciable effect, even at 200 ppm. Understanding the relationships that exist between AI-2 activity on foods and the ecology of pathogens and food spoilage bacteria on foods could yield clues about factors controlling food spoilage and pathogen virulence.
Intramolecular cycloaddition reactions of exocyclic nitrones: Application in the total synthesis of terpenes

Abstract Exocyclic nitrones smoothly participate in intramolecular cycloaddition reactions to provide bridged and fused polycarbocycles. The exploitation of this methodology in the total syntheses of the sesquiterpenes (±)-7,12-secoishwaran-12-ol (44), (±)-hirsutene (56), (±)-coriolin (68) is also presented.
Analysis of Community Retail Market Area Delineation Techniques: an Application of GIS Technologies

Community development practitioners are often called upon to assist local merchants and community leaders to better understand their local retail markets. One set of tools many practitioners use is a family of gravity potential models to gather a sense of the spatial size and shape of the community's retail market. The most popular of these models is Reilly's Law of Retail Gravitation. Over the years, the family of gravity potential models, of which Reilly's is the simplest, has developed to the point where very realistic spatial representations of a market can be developed. Due to the computational intensity of these more complete models, they tend not to be used by community development practitioners. However, with the advent of new computer technologies, specifically geographic information systems (GIS), these computational barriers have been removed. The analysis reported here uses GIS technologies to compare and contrast Reilly's Law with Huff's probabilistic analysis. By using GIS as a tool, develop...
Samantar, Official Immunity and Federal Common Law

This essay examines the theoretical underpinnings of the immunity of foreign government officials following the Supreme Court's recent decision in Samantar. Part of a forthcoming symposium with the Lewis and Clark Law Review, the paper tackles the federal common law in the Court's decision and, more broadly, international civil litigation. It criticizes the Court's unexamined assumption that its federal common law power extended to create an immunity that, at best, coexists only uncomfortably alongside the legislative framework of the FSIA. It explains the problematic implications of this assertion of federal common law, both for suits against foreign officials and for international civil litigation more generally. Drawing on a longstanding stream of statutory interpretation literature, the paper concludes that the Court should have declined to exercise its gap-filling authority in this context and, instead, employed an information-forcing default rule that would have induced congressional action in the field.
The dereplication of plant-derived natural products

Publisher Summary The dereplication of natural products is gaining greater importance in optimizing the process of natural product drug discovery as the pace of evaluating natural product extracts for their biological potential has increased. Over the years, as new technologies are introduced into analytical chemistry, they have been applied to detect known compounds before isolation and structure elucidation is initiated. Initially, chromogenic reagents were used to obtain information on the chemical classes of compounds found in natural product extracts. Though not very powerful in predictive nature as to the identity of compounds present, chemical class information was used in order to prioritize natural product extracts for subsequent isolation. The power of partially separating extracts with paper and thin-layer chromatographic techniques before subsequently spraying with chromogenic reagents, increased the ability of researchers to distinguish different classes of compounds from one another. TLC techniques were of major importance to many natural product drug discovery groups and are still widely used today. One of the most critical technologies to become available in the past decade and to advance the prioritization process is that of the computer. With the advent of small and powerful computers, information that is widely distributed and difficult to search, is now readily searchable by using any desired parameter such chemical, taxonomic, or pharmacological.
Comparative evaluation of a natural language dialog based system and a menu driven system for information access: a case study

This paper describes the evaluation of a natural language dialog based navigation system (HappyAssistant) that helps users access e-commerce sites to find relevant information about products and services. The prototype system leverages technologies in natural language processing and human computer interaction to create a faster and more intuitive way of interacting with websites, especially for the less experienced users. The result of a comparative study shows that users prefer the natural language enabled navigation two to one over the menu driven navigation. In addition, the study confirmed the efficiency of using natural language dialog in terms of the number of clicks and the amount of time required to obtain the relevant information. In the case study, comparing to the menu driven system, the average number of clicks used in the natural language system was reduced by 63.2% and the average time was reduced by 33.3%.
Phosphorylation of the desmoplakin COOH terminus negatively regulates its interaction with keratin intermediate filament networks.

Desmoplakins (DPs) are the most abundant proteins in the innermost portion of the desmosomal plaque and have been proposed to play a role in the attachment of intermediate filaments (IF) to cell-cell contact sites. Our previous results suggest that the globular end domains of DP perform dual functions: first, to target DP to the desmosome via the NH2 terminus and second, to attach IF to the desmosomal plaque via the COOH terminus. When ectopically expressed in most cultured cells, the COOH terminus plus the rod domain (DP. delta N.SerC23) exhibits striking coalignment with keratin IF networks. However, in certain cell types (e.g. PtK2) or in cells treated with forskolin to activate protein kinase A, DP. delta N.SerC23 exhibits a diffuse cytoplasmic distribution. A variant molecule (DP. delta N.GlyC23) in which a serine located 23 amino acids from the COOH terminus is altered to a glycine, thereby disrupting a protein kinase A consensus phosphorylation site, co-localizes with keratin IF networks regardless of cell type or forskolin treatment. Analysis of the phosphopeptide maps of these DP variants and endogenous DP is consistent with the phosphorylation of the serine 23 residues from the COOH terminus. These results suggest that phosphorylation of a specific residue in the DP COOH terminus may negatively regulate its interaction with keratin IF networks.
Impacts of cloud‐system resolving regional modeling on the simulation of monsoon depressions

[1] The impacts of high-resolution (<10 km) and cloud-system-resolving regional modeling (CSRM) on the simulation of an intense south Asian monsoon depression (MD) were examined using the WRF-ARW model. Spatial resolution in this range was necessary to realistically simulate the MD's propagation, intensity, and precipitation. Simulations were however highly sensitive to the moist convection and cloud microphysics. The best scenarios were created by the microphysics parameterization (MP) that generated the most robust post-landfall condensation associated with the MD, alone or in combination with the cumulus parameterization that triggered vigorous convection overland in the coarser setup. A sensitivity study of the MP schemes in CSRM suggested that more sophisticated mixed-phased schemes contributed to higher simulation fidelity. Insufficient condensation and weak convection overland might induce spurious low systems over the Bay of Bengal through low-level moisture advection, which further interfered with the MD and degraded several simulations.
Native America Collected: The Culture of an Art World

Native America Collected: The Culture of an Art World. Margaret Dubin. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 2001.
Modeling Sequential Searches with Ancillary Target Dependencies

We develop a mathematical modeling approach to evaluate the effectiveness of a Bayesian search for objects in cases where the target exhibits ancillary dependencies. These dependencies occur in situations where there are multiple search passes of the same region, and they represent a change in search probability from that predicted using an assumption of independent scans. This variation from independent scans is typically found in situations of advanced detection processing due to fusion and/or collaboration between searchers. The framework developed is based upon the evaluation of a recursion process over spatial search cells, and the dependencies appear as additive utility components within the recursion. We derive expressions for evaluating this utility and illustrate in detail some specific instantiations of the dependency. Computational examples are provided to demonstrate the capabilities of the method.
Plutonium hydrolysis and disproportionation reactions

A simplified method for representing the disproportionation reactions of plutonium is illustrated. It applies to any N within the range (3 < N < 6) and at any pH that does not introduce precipitation or polymer-forming reactions. Recalculation of recent estimates of the first hydrolysis constant of the tetravalent plutonium ion improves their precision.
Solderability testing of 95.5Sn-3.9Ag-0.6Cu solder on oxygen-free high-conductivity copper and Au-Ni-plated Kovar

The solderability of 95.5Sn-3.9Ag-0.6Cu solder on oxygen-free high-conductivity (OFHC) copper and Au-Ni-plated Kovar was examined as a function of flux and process temperature. The three solder fluxes included a rosin-based (R) material, a rosin mildly activated (RMA) flux, and a low-solids (LS) flux. The solderability metric was the contact angle, θC, measured by a meniscometer and wetting-balance techniques. The wetting rate and time to maximum force parameters were also documented. In most cases, the contact angles for the 95.5Sn-3.9Ag-0.6Cu solder alloy, regardless of the type of flux or temperature, were higher then those for the 63Sn-37Pb eutectic-solder alloy, indicating a less “solderable” surface.
Unfamiliar Stopover Sites and the Value of Social Information During Migration

The better informed an individual, the better able to meet the demands of a variable environment. When a migratory bird stops over during passage, it must adjust to unfamiliar surroundings, satisfy nutritional demands, compete with other migrants and resident birds for limited resources, avoid predation, balance conflicting demands between predator avoidance and food acquisition, and often cope with unfavorable weather. A successful migration depends on solving these and other problems, the solutions to which are measured in units of time and condition. Migrants that gather reliable information about unfamiliar habitats in a timely fashion increase the likelihood of a successful migration. For example, a migrant may estimate food availability or predator pressure faster and more accurately by combining personal information gathered while sampling with social information obtained while observing the behavior of other migrants. In this paper, we provide a brief review of information use in the context of migratory stopover, a subject that has received little attention, and present preliminary results of an ongoing field investigation of the use of social information by migrants. Focal sampling of free-ranging and radio-tagged Nearctic–Neotropical passerine migrants in coastal habitat following flight across the Gulf of Mexico suggests that migrants respond to a lack of information by foraging in temporary feeding assemblages. This preference for flock foraging declines over the course of the stopover period in insectivorous migrants but persists in omnivorous birds, which suggests that the value of social information depends, in part, on a migrant’s foraging ecology. We argue that social foraging enables migrants to assess more fully unfamiliar environments during stopover, thereby reducing risks associated with lack of information.
Sociology and Biosociology

L'A. porte son attention sur la sociobiologie. Il s'efforce de montrer que la theorie darwinienne peut jouer un role important dans l'evolution de la sociologie. Il souligne l'hostilite des sociologues a l'encontre du darwinisme. Il tente de montrer que la sociologie n'est pas, par essence, hostile a la reconnaissance d'une dimension biologique propre a la vie humaine. Il etudie la place de la notion de nature humaine dans le cadre de la sociologie. Il s'efforce de definir en quoi consiste le darwinisme social. Il examine ce qu'est la sociobiologie
Understanding Trust in IT Artifacts: An Evaluation of the impact of Trustworthiness and Trust on Satisfaction with Antiviral Software

This paper studies the role of trust and trustworthiness as it applies to inanimate software artifacts. Extrapolating from the meaning and theory of interpersonal trust and supporting theories, this study develops software artifact trustworthiness and trust scales for the context of antiviral software. The proposed constructs deal with trustworthiness beliefs in software predictability and performance, corresponding respectively to a partial conceptual overlap with the interpersonal trustworthiness beliefs of predictability and ability. Data collected from 232 users support the psychometric properties of the new scales and demonstrate their nomological validity. The analysis shows that in the case of this software artifact, trustworthiness but not trust, predicts user satisfaction. This is in apparent contrast to interpersonal trust in online contexts where trust and trustworthiness are mostly indistinguishable, and where in the few cases that trust was studied separately from trustworthiness, trust had always been a significant predictor. The importance of trustworthiness, but apparently not of trust, in a software artifact is discussed.
Studies of Group Agglutinogens of Staphylococcus aureus

THE serological differentiation of staphylococci has been the subject of many investigations since the preliminary work of Cowan1 which divided coagulase-positive staphylococci into three main groups according to slide agglutination reactions with adsorbed antisera. Most of the serological reagents appear to be active against various type-specific antigens, and strains are usually classified according to a pattern of reactions. Recently, Haukenes demonstrated that a number of antisera in Oeding's serological typing system2 were actually complexes of different antibodies3–6. Moreover, by small changes in the adsorption schemes, Haukenes has succeeded in preparing some 15 or 20 serological reagents, most of which are useful for typing staphylococci.
Solubilization as a method for studying self-association: Solubility of naphthalene in the bile salt sodium cholate and the complex pattern of its aggregation

Abstract Solubilization of uncharged, slightly soluble solutes is shown to be a useful approach for investigating patterns of self-association. The solubility of naphthalene in aqueous solutions of sodium cholate was determined over the concentration range of 0-0.20 mole/liter at 25°. Bile salts such as sodium cholate have many detergent-like properties and exhibit hydrophobic self-association in aqueous solutions. It has become customary to describe this aggregation using the model of micelle formation. The naphthalene solubility data show that the CMC for sodium cholate is not well defined. Comparison with solubilization in a typical micelle-forming system, sodium decanesulfonate, shows clearly that sodium cholate does not resemble a micelle-forming system. Further examination of the solubility data in terms of mutual association of naphthalene with aggregate species shows that the self-association of sodium cholate is not consistent with the formation of ( a ) only large micelles containing 10 or more monomers, ( b ) only dimers, ( c ) dimers and large micelles, and ( d ) any unique oligomer or multimer. A complex pattern of association, including the formation of dimers and one or more higher oligomers, is indicated.
Regularization approach to multisensor reconstruction

Due to the presence of noise and uncertainty, a single set of visual data is not always sufficient to successfully perform the intended vision task. In this paper, we consider the visual reconstruction problem with multi-sensor data and propose a computational method for fusion of sensor information. Correlation among different sensor information appears in some hidden representation of data. In our representation of visual data, the fusion of information occurs at the places where visual discontinuities appear. The appearance of discontinuities in one set of data is constrained by the discontinuity contours in other sets of data. This is achieved by introducing energies of external discontinuity cliques of multiple sensor data to the minimizing energy functional. The fusion improves the reconstruction error in individual sensors, and the detection of discontinuities, and reduces the false detection of discontinuities. The computational method presented in this paper can deal with fusion of surfaces with higher order discontinuities and with data sets belonging to different visual cues. Previously proposed Markov Random Field (MRF) techniques can deal with surfaces having only first order discontinuities. An implementation of the proposed fusion method on simulated images, and a comparison of the results with the other methods are presented.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Influence of epoch time selection on the results of superposed epoch analysis using ACE and MPA data

[1] The influence of the reference time selection when conducting a superposed epoch analysis is examined for intense geomagnetic storms at solar maximum. The events were selected according to the minimum pressure-corrected Dst, Dst*, being less than � 100 nT. Solar wind data from ACE are used, along with near-Earth data from the magnetospheric plasma analyzer (MPA) instruments on the Los Alamos National Laboratory–operated geosynchronous spacecraft. Numerous choices for the zero epoch time are used, ranging from the storm sudden commencement (SSC), the peak of the ring current enhancement (minimum Dst* slope), to the time of the storm peak (minimum Dst* value). When doing superposed epoch analysis (SEA), the choice of the time stamp can be very important; for different choices, different storm characteristics are evident in the averaged data. In the superposed ACE data we find that when using the SSC as a time reference, the SSC-related jump in solar wind parameters is very well defined, but near the storm peak, Bz does not apparently follow the well-known criteria for intense storms (Bz � � 10 nT for more than 3 h), even though this criterion is met by most of the individual storms selected for this study. When the zero epoch time is chosen near the storm peak, the jump in solar wind parameters is less distinct (and eventually lost), but the criterion for Bz is met. Regarding the MPA data, there are certain parameters that require the choice of a specific epoch time in order to produce a systematic behavior in the SEA analysis and others that are less sensitive to this choice of epoch time, since they appear to be less distinct in their temporal and spatial location. For instance, the nightside and morningside hot-ion density and temperature are main phase traits, and a zero epoch time near the peak of the ring current enhancement is required to make these features distinct.
Predictive algorithms for neuromuscular control of human locomotion.

Abstract The problem of quantifying muscular activity of the human body can be formulated as an optimal control problem. The current methods used with large-scale biomechanical systems are non-derivative techniques. These methods are costly, as they require numerous integrations of the equations of motion. Additionally, the convergence is slow, making them impractical for use with large systems. We apply an efficient numerical algorithm to the biomechanical optimal control problem. Using direct collocation with a trapezoidal discretization, the equations of motion are converted into a set of algebraic constraint equations. An augmented Lagrangian formulation is used for the optimization problem to handle both equality and inequality constraints. The resulting min–max problem is solved with a generalized Newton method. In contrast to the prevalent optimal control implementations, we calculate analytical first- and second-derivative information and obtain local quadratic convergence. To demonstrate the efficacy of the method, we solve a steady-state pedaling problem with 7 segments and 18 independent muscle groups. The computed muscle activations compare well with experimental EMG data. The computational effort is significantly reduced and solution times are a fraction of those of the non-derivative techniques.
Full‐waveform inversion of plane‐wave seismograms in stratified acoustic media: Theory and feasibility

We have implemented an inversion procedure for obtaining velocity and density profiles from multioffset data in a layered acoustic medium. Using an iterative modeling technique and the p-tau representation, the procedure is derived from the nonlinear least-squares formalism of Tarantola and Valette. The feasibility of this method depends upon obtaining Frechet derivatives during the modeling process and on vectorizing the Thompson-Haskell reflectivity algorithm. Test data sets for this study are gathers of two to four plane-wave synthetic seismograms which may contain both precritical and postcritical arrivals generated by a seismic wavelet. These examples demonstrate convergence to the correct velocity and density profiles with reasonable accuracy.
The Kinetics and Mechanism of the Chlorine Dioxide−Iodide Ion Reaction

The oxidation of iodide ion by chlorine dioxide has been studied by stopped-flow techniques at I = 1.0 M (NaClO4). The following two-term rate law was confirmed for the reaction: −d[ClO2]/dt = kI[ClO2][I-] + kII[ClO2][I-]2. The rate constants at 298 K and the activation parameters are kI = (1.87 ± 0.02) × 103 M-1 s-1, ΔHI⧧ = 35.4 ± 0.7 kJ/mol, ΔSI⧧ = −63.5 ± 2.3 J/(mol K), kII = (1.25 ± 0.04) × 104 M-2 s-1, ΔHII⧧ = 36.7 ± 1.3 kJ/mol, ΔSII⧧ = −43.2 ± 4.6 J/(mol K). Both the second- and third-order paths are interpreted in terms of an outer-sphere electron-transfer mechanism. The calculations based on the Marcus theory yield kI = 1358 M-1 s-1 for the second-order path.
Unionization and absenteeism

Until recently any labour economist doing empirical work on unionization was concerned almost exclusively with the effect of unionization on wages. But beginning with Freeman's 1976 analysis of the rich institutional structure of unions, economists have been considering the role of unions in, for example, increasing productivity, lowering quit rates, enhancing fringe benefits, reducing income inequality, improving working conditions, and affecting a variety of other attributes at the workplace. 1 To date, however, no study has directly addressed a question that appears ripe for empirical analysis: Does unionization affect absenteeism? This paper presents results from a study designed to answer that question. The first section presents a simple model of absenteeism. The second section discusses the five mechanisms through which unionization influences absenteeism. The third section describes the data and variable selection. Results from logit regressions are presented in the fourth section and the paper cl...
Asymptotic representations for qualites of pooled samples

Abstract In this article the structure and the relationship of two individidual sample quantiles and their pooled sample quantile are discussed. An asymptotic normality result concerning the three related quantiles is established. It is shown that the pooled sample quantile can be asymptotically represented as linear combination of the two individual sample quantiles with a remainder of order O p (n − 3 4 ) .
Physicochemical characterization of a synthetic lipid emulsion for hepatocyte‐selective delivery of lipophilic compounds: Application to polyiodinated triglycerides as contrast agents for computed tomography

A synthetic lipid emulsion (LE) has been developed with physicochemical properties that closely resemble those of a specific class of naturally-occurring lipoproteins known as chylomicron remnants. The formulation has the potential to serve as a hepatocyte-selective delivery system for any lipophilic or amphipathic compounds that can be associated with the internal lipid phase of the emulsion. In the present studies, a lipophilic polyiodinated triglyceride (ITG) was successfully incorporated into the delivery vehicle to form a stable chylomicron-remnant-like emulsion capable of localizing material to the liver following intravenous injection. The preferred ITG-LE formulation was shown to have a mean particle diameter of less than 200 nm and a particle size stability profile in excess of 12 months. The viscosity, pH, and osmolality of the formulation also appeared favorable for safe and convenient intravenous injection. The particle size profile, chemical properties, and high degree of incorporation of ITG into the emulsion suggest that the ITG-LE formulation holds substantial promise as a hepatocyte-selective imaging agent for computed tomography of the liver. Biodistribution, elimination, and computed tomography (CT) imaging results in animals corroborated the hepatocyte-selective nature of the ITG-LE formulation.
Variability of treatment performance in constructed wetlands

Eight constructed wetland ponds treating pulp mill effluent were monitored for removal of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and total suspended solids (TSS). Matched pairs of ponds differed by retention times and vegetation types. Analysis showed that variations over time between pairs of similar ponds were small. Performance of similarly designed constructed wetlands should be similar. TSS effluent concentrations varied by vegetation type, while BOD effluent concentrations varied with season.
Pharmacology of intravenous local anesthetics.

SUMMARY The systemic effects of local anesthetics should be regarded as with other drugs. The central nervous system can be stimulated or depressed. The depressant action may be useful or dangerous depending on the severity of the situation. The cardiovascular effects are depressant in nature and are useful in antiarrhythmic therapy. In the average patient severe cardiovascular depression requires higher dosage than that which produces central nervous system effect.
Antifouling Glycocalyx-Mimetic Peptoids

The glycocalyx of the cell is composed of highly hydrated saccharidic groups conjugated to protein and lipid cores. Although components of the glycocalyx are important in cell-cell interactions and other specific biological recognition events, a fundamental role of the glycocalyx is the inhibition of nonspecific interactions at the cell surface. Inspired by glycoproteins present in the glycocalyx, we describe a new class of synthetic antifouling polymer composed of saccharide containing N-substituted polypeptide (glycopeptoid). Grafting of glycopeptoids to a solid surface resulted in a biomimetic shielding layer that dramatically reduced nonspecific protein, fibroblast, and bacterial cell attachment. All-atom molecular dynamics simulation of grafted glycopeptoids revealed an aqueous interface enriched in highly hydrated saccharide residues. In comparison to saccharide-free peptoids, the interfacial saccharide residues of glycopeptoids formed a higher number of hydrogen bonds with water molecules. Moreover, these hydrogen bonds displayed a longer persistence time, which we believe contributed to fouling resistance by impeding interactions with biomolecules. Our findings suggest that the fouling resistance of glycopeptoids can be explained by the presence of both a 'water barrier' effect associated with the hydrated saccharide residues as well as steric hindrance from the polymer backbone.
Hydrothermal Mineralization Within Balcones and Luling Fault Zones of Texas: ABSTRACT

Occurrences of precious and base metals, in anomalous concentrations, have been reported for more than 100 years from sites within the Balcones and Luling fault zones. Recent field investigations supported by geochemical studies have corroborated some of these reports while casting others in doubt. Whole-rock and groundwater analyses confirm claims of cobalt, zinc, and lead mineralization, but reputed gold, silver, and mercury concentrations have not been substantiated. Although some metals are present at high levels in selected samples, the mineralized fraction of the host rock is minute, and there is no evidence to encourage hopes for a viable resource. The source of these metals is problematic. Throughout the region, Lower Cretaceous limestones serve as the hosts and mineralization is clearly secondary. Late Cretaceous igneous activity was extensive in this area, including the vicinity of most sites of mineralization. However, none of the sites are directly associated with volcanic or intrusive bodies, and the bulk composition of these igneous rocks suggests that they would have been unsuitable as a source for these metals. Current evidence favors mineralization from hydrothermal fluids expelled, by compaction, from sedimentary basins nearby. Metallogenesis has occurred along faults and joints which may have served as conduits for the mineralizing fluids. In addition, formation waters are actively mineralizing porous Cretaceous lime tones at depth in major fault zones of south Texas; these limestones contain traces of secondary galena, sphalerite, fluorite, and strontianite, and the waters are high in the corresponding solutes. This modern analog is the most suitable model for the known occurrences of mineralization. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1426------------
Evidence for the immediate use of verb control information in sentence processing

Abstract When a verb is followed by an infinitival complement, the particular verb determines whether its subject or object is the understood subject of the infinitive. Thus, the verb “controls” the interpretation of the infinitive (e.g., John promised/persuaded Mary to wash ). Frazier and colleagues have argued that verb control information is not immediately accessed and used in sentence processing based on whole-sentence comprehension times. The studies reported here examined the use of verb control using an on-line plausibility monitoring task. Subjects immediately detected incongruities that depended upon their having correctly used control information, indicating that verb control information is rapidly accessed and used. It is argued that the results support an approach to language comprehension that emphasizes the importance of lexical representations in rapidly integrating many of the different sources of linguistic and nonlinguistic knowledge that need to be coordinated during language comprehension.
PATTERNS AND DETERMINANTS OF PRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY IN STATE MANUFACTURING

This paper uses a stochastic frontier production-function model to measure and compare productivity efficiency in the manufacturing sector of states in the United States over the period 1959–1972. Based on this model we find considerable variations in productive efficiency across states. A large portion of the variation is found to be related to regional differences in labor-force characteristics, levels of urbanization and industrial structure. We also examine the relationship between productive efficiency and the subsequent growth of manufacturing and find some evidence of a weak relationship between efficiency and the growth of employment.
Exercise ameliorates high fat diet induced cardiac dysfunction by increasing interleukin 10

Increasing evidence suggests that a sedentary lifestyle and a high fat diet (HFD) leads to cardiomyopathy. Moderate exercise ameliorates cardiac dysfunction, however underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Increased inflammation due to induction of pro-inflammatory cytokine such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and attenuation of anti-inflammatory cytokine such as interleukin 10 (IL-10) contributes to cardiac dysfunction in obese and diabetics. We hypothesized that exercise training ameliorates HFD- induced cardiac dysfunction by mitigating obesity and inflammation through upregulation of IL-10 and downregulation of TNF-α. To test this hypothesis, 8 week old, female C57BL/6J mice were fed with HFD and exercised (swimming 1 h/day for 5 days/week for 8 weeks). The four treatment groups: normal diet (ND), HFD, HFD + exercise (HFD + Ex) and ND + Ex were analyzed for mean body weight, blood glucose level, TNF-α, IL-10, cardiac fibrosis by Masson Trichrome, and cardiac dysfunction by echocardiography. Mean body weights were increased in HFD but comparatively less in HFD + Ex. The level of TNF-α was elevated and IL-10 was downregulated in HFD but ameliorated in HFD + Ex. Cardiac fibrosis increased in HFD and was attenuated by exercise in the HFD + Ex group. The percentage ejection fraction and fractional shortening were decreased in HFD but comparatively increased in HFD + Ex. There was no difference between ND and ND + Ex for the above parameters except an increase in IL-10 level following exercise. Based on these results, we conclude that exercise mitigates HFD- induced cardiomyopathy by decreasing obesity, inducing IL-10, and reducing TNF-α in mice.