cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How to Justify Purchase of an iPad: Users of the Latest Launch

Contemporary technology innovation is increasingly based on convergence and the multiple uses of products. This change is detailed in the literature about new product development, as well as that on systems integration. This article focuses on the factors that determine the justification for using advanced technology products in which the perceived value of the product is not based on its functionality, as much as on its hedonistic or social value as an “all-in-one” product. In this study, consumer behaviors toward the Apple iPad are analyzed using netnographic evidence taken from internet postings by the consumers themselves. Since Apple initially marketed the iPad as a revolutionary product, with integrated services and features, our analysis concentrates on how consumers perceived these new, innovative features, in an effort to justify their purchase of the product. Our findings indicate that consumers’ justifications are based not only on the iPad’s functionality, but also its hedonic traits, and its similarity to the previously released innovative product, the iPhone.
Influence of mammary cell differentiation on the expression of proteins encoded by endogenous BALB/c mouse mammary tumor virus genes.

Abstract The interactions between differentiation-associated cellular events in the intact mammary gland or in cultured mammary cells and the post-transcriptional activity of the endogenous mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) loci were investigated. The transcriptional activities of the endogenous MMTV proviruses of the BALB/c mouse strain ( Mtv -6, Mtv -8 and Mtv -9) appear to be regulated differentially during pregnancy-induced mammary gland development (J.E. Knepper D. Medina and J.S. Butel J. Virol. 59, 518–521, 1986). Analysis of MMTV-specific proteins at various stages of mammary gland development (virgin, midpregnant, lactating, regressing) established the presence of steady-state levels of a 67,000- M r env precursor-type polypeptide at all physiological stages. However, processing to lower-molecular-weight env -specific proteins, including a predominant 50,000- M r species, was detected only with the transition to the functional mammary gland phenotype. The contributions of cell proliferation, cell-matrix interactions, and modulation of functional activity to the pattern of endogenous MMTV protein expression were investigated using a 3-dimensional collagen type I culture system. Growth and cell-matrix interactions (cell polarization, lumen formation) leading to formation of 3-dimensional duct-like structures were permissive for the synthesis and processing of MMTV-specific proteins; accumulation of high levels of the 50,000- M r env -specific polypeptide was associated with the onset of the fully functional mammary cell phenotype. Expression of MMTV-specific proteins was not due to amplification of a specific cell subpopulation. The potential of the full-length Mtv -8 and Mtv -9 proviruses to be transcribed, as indicated by their methylation status, was not dramatically different between differentiated and undifferentiated mammary cells in culture. This study indicates that MMTV transcriptional activity is reflected at the protein level in mammary tissue of BALB/c mice and that viral protein synthesis and processing may serve as important markers of different physiological stages of mammary epithelial cells. These observations also suggest a general approach to the examination of potential modulatory effects of cellular interactions (cell-cell, cell-matrix or both) known to be important in various differentiated epithelial cell systems for the expression of viral genes.
In vivo and in vitro adjuvant activities of the B subunit of Type IIb heat-labile enterotoxin (LT-IIb-B5) from Escherichia coli.

The pentameric B subunit of the Escherichia coli LT-IIb enterotoxin (LT-IIb-B5) activates TLR2 signaling in macrophages. Herein we demonstrate that LT-IIb-B5, in contrast to a TLR2-nonbinding point mutant, induces functional activation of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells and stimulates CD4+ T cell proliferation, activities which suggested that LT-IIb-B5 might function as an adjuvant in vivo. Indeed, in an intranasal mouse immunization model, LT-IIb-B5 augmented specific mucosal and serum antibody responses to a co-administered immunogen, at levels which were almost comparable to those induced by intact LT-IIb holotoxin, a potent but toxic adjuvant. Therefore, LT-IIb-B5 displays useful adjuvant properties which, combined with lack of enterotoxicity and relative stability against degradation, may find application in mucosal vaccines.
A case of contact dermatitis of the eczematous type resulting from sensitization to natural animal hair.

Abstract 1.1. A case is reported of a woman who developed an eczematous sensitization to the natural hair of several animals, namely, coati-mundi, raccoon, and skunk. 2.2. The eczematous allergen of the hair seems to be common to the members of the Procyonidae and possibly other families. 3.3. The eczematous allergen was found not to be acetone or ether soluble.
A transformation model of engineering education

A transformation model of engineering education at the undergraduate level is constructed to define the human and technical resources that contribute to the production of a university-trained engineer. The theory of technical systems is applied in the development of the model to transform a graduating pre-university pupil into a university-trained engineer. Two co-aligned themes are identified as the executive system and the execution system, which dictate who and what will do the work and how the work will be completed, respectively. The model is an extension of an existing model and further depicts the duality of the pre-university pupil as an operator and as the operand as related to engineering education. Consequently, the proposed model details the student perspective from the bottom-up in an implicit manner and the top-down perspective from administrators and professors in an explicit manner. The model's utility is in providing a means by which to coordinate efforts of pre-college and university-level educational sectors in the production of entry-level engineers.
In vivo MR spectroscopic imaging of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in healthy and cancerous breast tissues by selective multiple-quantum coherence transfer (Sel-MQC): a preliminary study.

The spatial distribution of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in healthy and cancerous human breast tissues was measured in vivo with a selective multiple-quantum coherence transfer (Sel-MQC) technique. This method selectively detected the olefinic methylene protons (-CH = CH-) of PUFA at 5.3 ppm that were coupled with allylic methylene protons (-CH2-CH2-CH=) of unsaturated acyl chain at 2.8 ppm. Unwanted lipid coherences and tissue water signal were dephased in a single scan. Breast PUFA were mapped at 1 cm3 voxel resolution in sagittal slices of nine breasts in six healthy female volunteers that were compared to invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) in one breast cancer patient. The healthy breast tissue displayed continuous PUFA distribution. In some individuals, PUFA appeared throughout the breast tissue; in others they were only located in the central breast area. Decreased PUFA levels were detected in the IDC of the breast cancer patient. The magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) measurement was consistent with the histological findings, ultrasound, and mammography images. PUFA patterns are sensitive to abnormal breast tissue changes including malignant transformations, and thus may serve as a biomarker for early diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of breast disease. Magn Reson Med, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Espoused theories and theories-in-use of information literacy: A model for reflection and evaluation

What values and frameworks underpin professional practice in information literacy education? Is practice aligned with mission and goals? The poster documents the preliminary findings of a research study which investigates the relationships between espoused theories and theories-in-use of information literacy (IL). The study asks if and how, the foundational beliefs and values of information literacy as expressed in official policy documents including mission statements in academic libraries (espoused theories), guide and are realized in the practice of information literacy in these institutions (theories-in-use). The research is guided by the theoretical framework of Argyris and Schon (1974), theory of action, in which contrasting theories, namely espoused theories and theories-in-use are used to examine professional practice. The poster highlights the process and findings of the in-depth analysis of one library's policy statements and online tutorial, which employed a comparative questioning approach (Strauss and Corbin, 1998). The analysis uncovered statements and concepts relating to teaching and learning outcomes which were labeled, compared, and grouped into broad categories and emergent themes. The findings indicate varying patterns of congruence and incongruence between the library's espoused theories and theories-in-use of information literacy. The research is presented as a model for reflecting on and evaluating tools of practice in information literacy education.
Why do patients seek revisionary breast surgery

Background: Patient motivations for revisionary breast surgery following breast augmentation, mastopexy-augmentation, and breast reduction are often overlooked. Most patients presenting for a revision do so because they desire a subsequent improvement in their appearance or wish to correct a problem resulting from the primary operation. Objective: We present and analyze the clinical indications for revisionary breast surgery in a series of 134 consecutive cases. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 134 patients who underwent revisionary breast surgery in a single clinic from 1994 to 2009. Patients were grouped based on operative procedure: augmentation (n = 110), mastopexy-augmentation (n = 10), bilateral breast reduction (n = 15), breast malformation correction (n = 1). Three categories were also specified according to the cause for secondary surgery: (1) the surgeon's operative plan was flawed and/or involved a technical error, (2) an independent factor occurred such as ptosis or capsular contracture, or (3) there was a combination of both factors. Results: The most frequent reasons for revisionary surgery among aesthetic implant patients were the development of ptosis (42%), capsular contracture (29%), and lower-pole deformities (19%). Twenty-six percent of patients had a combination of problems. Revision among breast reduction patients was due to volume loss from overresection (40%), nipple-areola loss (27%), and breast asymmetry (27%). The average time between the first surgery and reoperation was 8.9 years for augmentation, 4.3 years for mastopexy-augmentation, and 2.9 years for reduction. In implant patients, the biggest problem leading to revisionary surgery was natural progression (66% augmentation, 90% mastopexy-augmentation). However, among breast reduction patients, 73% of revision requests were a result of problems with surgeon judgment or technique. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that although the rate of surgeon-specific problems was high in reduction patients, overall, independent factors were the primary reason patients sought revisionary breast surgery. This may be contrary to commonly held beliefs that attribute poor results and revision requests to incorrect surgical technique and erroneous surgical decision making. Level of Evidence: 4 ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Farmers' decision-making: Perceptions of the importance, uncertainty, and controllability of selected factors

A survey was used to gain a broader understanding of the decision-making environment in which farmers operate and the acceptability of information available for decision-making. Farmers rated a series of nine decision variables according to their importance, degree of uncertainty, and the manageability of their influence upon the farm business. While farmers tended to give higher ratings for importance and influence to those issues they are confronted with daily, several emerging issues important to agriculture, such as public attitudes and the environment, were of less importance to farmers and/or they felt little control over them.
Keeping jump instructions out of the pipeline of a RISC-like computer

In very large computers, a separate unit is often provided for processing the instruction stream before it enters the pipeline. This unit performs functions such as prefetching both possible successor instructions to a branch instruction. Up to the present, RISC-type computers have not included features of this type in their design, but there seems to be no reason why they should not.
Angle-Tunable Enhanced Infrared Reflection Absorption Spectroscopy via Grating-Coupled Surface Plasmon Resonance

Surface enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA) spectroscopy is an attractive method for increasing the prominence of vibrational modes in infrared spectroscopy. To date, the majority of reports associated with SEIRA utilize localized surface plasmon resonance from metal nanoparticles to enhance electromagnetic fields in the region of analytes. Limited work has been performed using propagating surface plasmons as a method for SEIRA excitation. In this report, we demonstrate angle-tunable enhancement of vibrational stretching modes associated with a thin poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) film that is coupled to a silver-coated diffraction grating. Gratings are fabricated using laser interference lithography to achieve precise surface periodicities, which can be used to generate surface plasmons that overlap with specific vibrational modes in the polymer film. Infrared reflection absorption spectra are presented for both bare silver and PMMA-coated silver gratings at a range of angles and polarization states. I...
Time of appearance during development of differences in nigrostriatal tyrosine hydroxylase activity in two inbred mouse strains

Abstract The greater activity of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in substantia nigra and corpus striata of adult BALB/cJ than CBA/J mice, is attributable to differences in the number of dopamine neurons in the ventral midbrain tegmentum. To determine if strain differences in TH activity develop postnatally we have measured the development of TH in the midbrain (SN) and in the corpus striatum (CS). In the midbrain neonatal TH activity was 20% of adult levels. Thereafter, TH activity increased rapidly achieving adult levels by 11 days. A 25% ‘overshoot’ above adult values at 15 days was followed by a gradual decrease to adult activity at 4 weeks. In the CS neonatal activity was about 10% of adult levels and increased slowly to reach adult values at 4 weeks. Striatal choline acetyltransferase (CAT) activity in the neonate was only 3.7% of adult values and at 21 days had only reached 70% of adult activity. Neonatal glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) activity was relatively high in both brain regions and increased gradually to adult activity by 4 weeks. Strain differences in TH activity were not present at birth but first appeared at 9 days in SN and 11 days in CS. Once established, the differences were maintained. These results suggest that strain differences in TH are most probably a consequence of differences in postnatal neuron survival, although the possibility that some neurons lose their phenotypic expression of TH cannot be excluded.
Upper Echelons and Board Characteristics of Turnaround and Nonturnaround Declining Firms

Abstract Despite the publication of a number of studies examining the top management team (TMT) and board characteristics of failing firms, empirical studies of how turnaround firms differ from failing firms on such characteristics are scarce. To examine this understudied issue, we use a matched-pair sample to test whether turnaround and nonturnaround declining firms have significant differences in board composition, board size, CEO duality, TMT size, and TMT change. The results indicate that turnaround firms are more likely to have CEOs that are also board chairs, medium-sized boards, and greater outsider control of the board. Also, by the end of their recoveries, turnaround firms have TMTs employing a significantly smaller proportion of their pre-decline top managers as compared to nonturnaround firms. Overall, these findings imply that turnaround firms develop strategic decision-making structures that are fast yet influenced by outside perspectives.
Selectivity of notch filters using nonuniform RC lines

The notch selectivity of a notch filter is defined as the halfpower selectivity of a feedback amplifier with an open-loop gain of 40dB and the notch filter in its feedback circuit. Parameters of the exponential, the trigonometric, and the hyperbolic RC lines for different selectivities are given.
Impact of therapeutic regimen and clinical presentation on overall survival in CNS lymphoma

The authors present a retrospective analysis of 45 patients who underwent treatment of CNS lymphoma (both primary and secondary) at a single institution between 2005 and 2012. This study involves 21 female and 24 male patients with a mean age of 59.2 years. All medical records and pathology reports were reviewed for each patient. Univariate and multivariate analyses of overall survival were performed. Presentation with altered mental status was a significant risk factor for worse overall survival. An HIV infection, deep lesion location, and age over 60 did not impact survival. A survival benefit was demonstrated with the use of systemic therapy, specifically rituximab, and radiation. The CNS Lymphoma Score was derived from this cohort, which proved a powerful predictive tool for overall survival. The surgical complication rate in this series was 17.8 %. This study highlights the prognostic importance of presenting mental status on outcomes in CNS lymphoma and demonstrates a summative benefit of rituximab and whole brain radiation therapy. Considering these factors together provides an easily applicable and meaningful stratification for this patient population. The surgical complication rate in this patient population is not negligible. The high percentage of wound-related surgical complications suggests the need for a waiting period between surgery and initiation of chemotherapy to allow for wound healing.
Computational study of nose bluntness effects for spinning shells atsupersonic speeds

Recent papers have reported the application of the thin-layer parabolized Navier-Stokes (PNS) computational technique to predict the Magnus effect for spinning, sharp-tipped shell at supersonic speeds. This paper reports the results of a computational study in which the time-marching, thin-layer Navier-Stokes computational technique is used to generate a starting solution for hemisphere and flattened blunt-nose configurations and the PNS code is used to compute the flow over the remainder of the shell. Results have been obtained for 1.5 <M<5 for sharp, hemisphere, and flattened nose configurations. The Magnus effect for the small nose bluntness typical of Army shell is found to be 15% greater for the hemisphere nose shell than for the sharp nose configuration at A/= 3.
Correlation between the Deformation of Nanostructured Materials and the Model of Dislocation Accommodated Boundary Sliding

Very recently, a new model for deformation in nanocrystalline (nc) materials has been formulated. The development of the model was based on the concept that plasticity in nc materials is the result of grain boundary sliding accommodated by the generation and motion of dislocations under local stresses. By analyzing experimental data on two nc-materials, Ni and Cu, it is demonstrated that this model can account for the deformation behavior of both metals over wide ranges of temperature, grain size, and strain rate.
Binding domain regulation of MHC class II molecule assembly, trafficking, fate, and function

Major histocompatibility complex class II molecules are heterodimeric type I integral membrane glycoproteins whose primary function is the capture of fragments of antigen in the endocytic pathway, and the presentation of these peptides to CD4+ alpha beta TCR-bearing T cells. The biochemical features of the class II peptide binding domain optimize it for this function by allowing interaction with denatured proteins prior to extensive degradation in endosomes and lysosomes. These same properties pose problems for alpha beta heterodimer assembly, avoidance of non-productive interactions with self-proteins, intracellular transport and dimer stability. This review discusses how coevolution of alpha and beta chain binding domain polymorphism and the extrinsic control of binding site function by invariant chain occupancy deal with these problems and permit the efficient functioning of the class II presentation system.
Acetylator Phenotype and Lupus Erythematosus

There are several known therapeutic implications of acetylator phenotype; among them, the association of a higher incidence of procainamide- and hydralazine-induced lupus in slow acetylators. Presumably, this is because acetylation of the aromatic amine or hydrazine functional group leads to a non-toxic product. Several other drugs which have been implicated in drug-induced lupus also contain an aromatic amine or hydrazine group. The clinical and laboratory characteristics of drug-induced and idiopathic lupus are similar but the degree to which the pathophysiological mechanisms are related, if at all, is unknown. There is also evidence reported for an association between the slow acetylator phenotype and idiopathic lupus. If true, this relationship should provoke some new experimental approaches to investigation into the mechanism of idiopathic lupus.
Price‐end biases in financial products

Purpose – The paper seeks to show that marketing and psychology literature can shed light on why investors exhibit preferences for certain price ends. The perspective adopted is that the stock market is a marketplace in which investors, as consumers, buy and sell (i.e. exchange) financial products such as stocks.Design/methodology/approach – The paper analyzes trading data from the stock exchanges to empirically test propositions about investor behavior vis‐a‐vis certain price ends of interest derived from the marketing and psychology literature.Findings – Investors, as consumers, favor price‐ends of 0 and 5 more than price‐ends of 9, in that they trade more frequently and more aggressively at these price ends. Further, even price ends of 0 are favored more than odd price ends of 5.Practical implications – The results of the study shed light on how the cognitive bias of the consumer thwarts the otherwise efficient functioning of the financial market.Originality/value – The paper uses market‐level data to ...
F MESON PRODUCTION IN e+e-ANNIHILATION

Abstract The F-meson production rate is calculated on the ψ(4414) resonance using non-relativistic multipole expansion techniques. The results are compared with the available data.
The Mother Teresa Effect: Counterproductive Effects of Touching an Altruist’s Possessions on Charitable Giving

Charities that recruit famous humanitarians, or obtain celebrity endorsements, may promote products associated with these altruistic superstars in an effort to increase donations. Previous research supports that “superstar” role models can promote desirable behavior. Charitable organizations may assume if people handle a product associated with a famous humanitarian, they will be inspired and more motivated to donate as a result. An opposite possibility is that physically handling reminders of an extreme altruist may result in contrast effects. Such positive exemplars may result in more negative perceptions of one’s own charitable behavior, and decrease the perceived efficacy of one’s own contributions. In two studies, participants did or did not touch items said to have belonged to a very altruistic person (Experiment 1) or to Mother Teresa (Experiment 2). Compared to participants in non-touch and other control conditions, those who physically touched items said to belong to an altruist subsequently donated fewer raffle tickets to charity. The results are related to theories of perceived efficacy, metacognitive processes, and the counterproductive influence of extremely positive role models.
Helical CT of the cervical spine injury: is there any role for plain films?

Abstract Purpose : To compare the diagnostic yield of conventional radiographs versus helical CT in screening acute trauma patients. Methods : We reviewed 604 trauma patients who presented to our Level I trauma Emergency Room and received both conventional radiographs and spiral CT scans of the cervical spine of. Results : Of the 604 patients, 30 (5.13%) had fractures seen on helical CT, of which only 10 were diagnosed on conventional radiography. Conclusion : Conventional radiography is less sensitive to detect fractures than helical CT in screening acute trauma patients. CT should therefore be considered as a standard modality choice for such cases.
Conformational energy of the (η5-cyclopentadienyl) iron(II) dicarbonyl group

The conformational energy of the (η5-cyclopentadienyl) iron(II) dicarbonyl group was determined by variable-temperature 1H NMR spectroscopic studies on cis-4-phenyl-1-(η5-cyclopentadienyl) iron(II)...
Holographic Coordinate Transformations And Optical Computing

The alignment problem among an object o (7), the OFT lens and a phase hologram exp(iφ(r)) is investigated for holographic coordinate transformations, both theoretically and numerically, using FFT replacing OFT for two interesting examples in human visual systems. The optimum alignment is found to be at a specific saddle point r = r0 of the phase hologram defined by Δφ(r0)= k = 0 and Δ2φ = 0 where the OFT lens axis k = 0 (D.C.) and the object origin r = 0 must be overlayed. The result of such a D.C.-saddle point alignment can be understood in terms of the minimization of high order (cubic and above) contributions of the Fourier phase integral from a general viewpoint of a stationary phase approximation.
The neuropolitical habitus of resonant receptive democracy

In this paper, I argue that the recent work on mirror neurons illuminates the character of our capacities for a politics of resonant receptivity in ways that both help us to comprehend the damages of our contemporary order and suggest indispensable alternative ethical-strategic registers and possible directions for organising a powerful movement towards radical democracy. In doing so, neuroscience simultaneously contributes to our understanding of the possibility and importance of a more durable (less fugitive) radically democratic habitus. While the trope, ‘radically democratic habitus’, may seem oxymoronic in light of Bourdieu’s extensive rendering of ‘habitus’, I suggest that research on mirror neurons discloses ways in which iterated practices and dispositional structures are crucial for democratic freedom. Keywords: radical democracy; mirror neurons; receptivity; political resonance; habitus; resonance machine; mimesis; affect (Published: 23 December 2011) Citation: Ethics & Global Politics, Vol. 4 , No. 4, 2011, pp. 273-293. DOI: 10.3402/egp.v4i4.14447
An Essential Switch in Subunit Composition of a Chromatin Remodeling Complex during Neural Development

Summary Mammalian neural stem cells (NSCs) have the capacity to both self-renew and to generate all the neuronal and glial cell-types of the adult nervous system. Global chromatin changes accompany the transition from proliferating NSCs to committed neuronal lineages, but the mechanisms involved have been unclear. Using a proteomics approach, we show that a switch in subunit composition of neural, ATP-dependent SWI/SNF-like chromatin remodeling complexes accompanies this developmental transition. Proliferating neural stem and progenitor cells express complexes in which BAF45a, a Kruppel/PHD domain protein and the actin-related protein BAF53a are quantitatively associated with the SWI2/SNF2-like ATPases, Brg and Brm. As neural progenitors exit the cell cycle, these subunits are replaced by the homologous BAF45b, BAF45c, and BAF53b. BAF45a/53a subunits are necessary and sufficient for neural progenitor proliferation. Preventing the subunit switch impairs neuronal differentiation, indicating that this molecular event is essential for the transition from neural stem/progenitors to postmitotic neurons. More broadly, these studies suggest that SWI/SNF-like complexes in vertebrates achieve biological specificity by combinatorial assembly of their subunits.
Low molecular weight iron from guinea pig reticulocytes isolated by Sephadex G‐25 chromatography

As part of a continuing study of the low MW iron pool, guinea pig reticulocytes were incubated with 59Fe-labeled transferrin, and the reticulocyte hemolysate was chromatographed on Sephadex G-25. 59Fe, in amounts corresponding to that which was in a low MW peak eluting from an Ultrogel column and to that not precipitated by ammonium sulfate, adsorbed to the Sephadex column. The adsorbing 59Fe, on elution from the Sephadex with dilute formic acid, coeluted with phosphate and pentose. When EDTA was added to disrupt the putative iron complex, neither iron nor P adsorbed to the column, supporting the argument that they exist as a compound in the cytosol and adsorb and elute together for that reason. These observations provide additional evidence that P-containing compounds, probably originating as nucleotides, are important components of the low MW iron pool of cells.
DIMENSIONS OF CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENTAL PRESS

Murray's needs-press model provided the theoretical basis for the development of the Classroom Environment Index, a measure of the psychological environment or press of the classroom. The structure was essentially the same as other Syracuse indexes, i.e., 30 scales of 10 items each. Administered to samples of students from Grade 5 through graduate school, the instrument evolved through four successive revisions. The final form exhibited adequate reliability and homogeneity and differentiated between classrooms, subjects, grades, and educational levels. Six first-order and two second-order factors emerged. A comparison with other measures of environment illustrated the unique features of this index.
Conformational analysis by energy embedding

The distance geometry approach to conformational calculation has been shown to be very effective at producing large molecular structures satisfying many given, long-range constraints on the interatomic distances. I now present a significant extension of the method that handles strictly geometric constraints as well as before while also locating conformers of very low energy. The main feature of the algorithm is a projection of the molecule from a low energy conformation in a high dimensional space to three dimensions in such a way as to perturb the energy as little as possible. Tests of the method on very small systems with simple energy functions completely explored by independent means show that the global minimum of energy is sometimes attained. In every case the final energy is very low, and geometric constraints are completely satisfied.
Jones matrix analysis for a polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography system using fiber-optic components

We present an analysis for polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography that facilitates the unrestricted use of fiber and fiber-optic components throughout an interferometer and yields sample birefringence, diattenuation, and relative optic axis orientation. We use a novel Jones matrix approach that compares the polarization states of light reflected from the sample surface with those reflected from within a biological sample for pairs of depth scans. The incident polarization alternated between two states that are perpendicular in a Poincare sphere representation to ensure proper detection of tissue birefringence regardless of optical fiber contributions. The method was validated by comparing the calculated diattenuation of a polarizing sheet, chicken tendon, and muscle with that obtained by independent measurement. The relative importance of diattenuation versus birefringence to angular displacement of Stokes vectors on a Poincare sphere was quantified.
Methamphetamine-induced alterations in dopamine transporter function

Repeated methamphetamine (METH) administration has been shown to produce differing neurochemical as well as behavioral effects in rats. This study was designed to examine the effects of acute and chronic METH exposure on uptake and release of [3H]dopamine (DA) in cultured midbrain dopamine neurons to determine if persistent neuronal adaptations ensue. In addition, we have assessed DA D2 receptor function to determine if chronic METH alters this receptor. Fetal midbrain cultures were exposed to METH (1, 10 microM) for 5 days and dopaminergic function examined 1 or 7 days after drug removal. The ability of METH to release [3H]DA was compared to other releasing agents as well as several potent uptake inhibitors. Chronic exposure to a release-promoting concentration of METH resulted in either no change or a reduction in [3H]DA release upon subsequent METH challenge. Pretreatment with METH was also found to cause a decrease in the Bmax for [3H]raclopride binding, suggesting that persistently elevated DA levels cause a downregulation of DA D2 receptors. Examination of transporter kinetics utilizing initial velocity of uptake revealed that METH treatment caused a significant decrease in affinity (K(m)) for the substrate (DA), while not altering the maximal velocity of uptake (Vmax). Binding studies with [125I]RTI-55 revealed that there was no alteration in either the Bmax or Kd for this ligand, suggesting that the changes induced by METH treatment are due to alterations in K(m) and not in the number of DA transport sites. The results from these studies indicate that METH treatment produces a modification in transporter function which may be associated with both the altered uptake and release of [3H]DA. These changes have broad implications for the regulation of transporter activity not only because of the relevance to pre-synaptic mechanisms controlling neurotransmission, but also to the importance of the neuronal adaptation that occurs in response to chronic METH exposure.
Covariance estimation for classifying high dimensional data

When classifying data with the Gaussian maximum likelihood classifier, the mean vector and covariance matrix of each class usually are not known and must be estimated from training samples. For p-dimensional data, the sample covariance estimate is singular, and therefore unusable, if fewer than p+1 training samples from each class are available, and it is a poor estimate of the true covariance unless many more than p+1 samples are available. Since inaccurate estimates of the covariance matrix lead to lowered classification accuracy and labeling training samples can be difficult and expensive in remote sensing applications, having too few training samples is a major impediment in using the Gaussian maximum likelihood classifier with high dimensional remote sensing data. In the paper, a new covariance estimator is presented that selects an appropriate mixture of the sample covariance and the common covariance estimates. The mixture deemed appropriate is the one that provides the best fit to the training samples in the sense that it maximizes the average likelihood of training samples not used in the estimates. When the number of training samples is limited or when the covariance matrices of the classes are similar, this estimator tends to select an estimate close to the common covariance, otherwise it favors the sample covariance estimate. Since it is non-singular whenever the common covariance estimate is non-singular, the new estimator can be used even when some of the sample covariance matrices are singular.
Aspects of the “User Friendliness” of Statistical Software: A Pleading for Software Adaptability

Statistical Software has proven to be an indispensable tool for statistical analysis. Increasingly the user interface of statistical software is a question of concern. The request for ‘user friendliness’ of statistical software is often discussed without reference to the type of user in mind. This paper addresses the current needs of statistical software users, and discusses to what extent those needs are met today. It will become apparent that these needs vary considerably according to the statistical, programming, or subject knowledge background of the potential user.
Specialty Group Differences Over Tonsillectomy: Pediatricians versus Otolaryngologists

How physicians in different specialties explain their positions on tonsillectomy is explored using data based on in-depth interviews with 53 physicians. Justifications for and against particular indications, assessments of efficacy, and explanations of tonsillar function and pathology are presented. Clear specialty-specific differences exist, especially between pediatricians and otolaryngologists. Opposing specialty views rest upon radically different versions of cost/benefit assessment, whereas evaluations of efficacy are based primarily on conceptual reasoning and anecdotal accounts. Physicians' opinion of clinical trial results are specialty-dependent and are used to sustain specialty viewpoints. The implications of such specialty group differences for public policy are discussed.
Induction of Lipid and Oleosin Biosynthesis by (+)-Abscisic Acid and Its Metabolites in Microspore-Derived Embryos of Brassica napus L.cv Reston (Biological Responses in the Presence of 8[prime]-Hydroxyabscisic Acid).

Microspore-derived (MD) embryos of Brassica napus L. cv Reston were used to test the effects of (+)-abscisic acid ([(+)-ABA]) and its metabolites, 8[prime]-hydroxyabscisic acid (8[prime]-OH ABA) and (-)-phaseic acid (PA), on the accumulation of very long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids (VLCMFAs) and induction of genes encoding a 19-kD oleosin protein and a [delta]15 desaturase during embryogenesis. Developing early to mid-cotyledonary MD embryos at 16 to 19 d in culture were treated with 10 [mu]M hormone/metabolite for 4 d. At various times during incubation, embryos and medium were analyzed to determine levels of hormone/metabolite, VLCMFAs, and oleosin or [delta]15 desaturase transcripts. The VLCMFAs, 20:1 and 22:1, primarily in triacylglycerols, increased by 200% after 72 h in the presence of (+)-ABA and 8[prime]-OH ABA relative to the control. In contrast, treatment with PA for 72 h had little effect (20% increase) on the level of VLCMFAs. The first 24 to 72 h of (+)-ABA treatment were critical in the induction of VLCMFA biosynthesis, with 8[prime]-OH ABA lagging slightly behind (+)-ABA in promoting this response. The accumulation of VLCMFAs was positively correlated with an increase in elongase activity. (+)-ABA and its 8[prime]-OH ABA metabolite induced the accumulation of a 19-kD oleosin transcript within 2 to 4 h in culture. In addition, both (+)-ABA and 8[prime]-OH ABA induced the same level of [delta]15 desaturase transcript by 8 h. PA had no effect on the induction of either oleosin or [delta]15 desaturase transcripts. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the biological activity of 8[prime]-OH ABA and of stimulatory effects of (+)-ABA and 8[prime]-OH ABA on lipid and oleosin biosynthesis.
An Examination of the Geography of Population Composition and Change in the United States, 2000-2010: Insights from Geographical Indices and a Shift-Share Analysis.

Between 2000 and 2010, almost all states in the United States experienced population growth. However, as contributions to this growth made by racial/ethnic groups and age cohorts varied from place to place, any discussion of population ‘change’ necessarily refers not only to numerical but also compositional change. This paper presents an analysis of the sources of US population change in the first decade of the new millennium, with an emphasis on changing patterns in population composition in terms of both age and race/ethnicity. Using age and race/ethnicity - specific data from the 2000 and 2010 US decennial censuses - the analysis applies traditional regional analysis tools to identify areas of low or high racial and ethnic concentration and diversity and areas of the country that exemplify ‘typical’ American population composition. In addition, the paper uses shift-share analysis, a descriptive technique most often used to assess employment change across a set of economic sectors, to evaluate state-level population change between 2000 and 2010. The following questions, among others, are answered: Have some states experienced population growth over the past 10 years mainly because the country as a whole has been growing? Or is it more the case that these places had a ‘demographic advantage’ because much of their population is in age cohorts or race/ethnic groups that are growing the fastest? Finally, where does growth appear to be due to region-specific factors? Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Role of Protistan Microzooplankton in the Upper San Francisco Estuary Planktonic Food Web: Source or Sink?

Decline of native pelagic species in estuarine systems is an increasing problem, especially for native fishes in the San Francisco Estuary and Delta (SFE-D). Addressing these losses depends on understanding trophodynamics in the food web that supports threatened species. We quantified the role of microzooplankton (heterotrophic-mixotrophic protists <200 μm) in the food web of the upper SFE-D. We sampled protist plankton abundance and composition at two sites (Suisun Bay and Grizzly Bay) approximately monthly from February 2004 to August 2005 and conducted dilution experiments during spring and summer of both years in Suisun Bay. Heterotrophs dominated the protist community in Suisun Bay and Grizzly Bay, particularly in the <20 μ ms ize range, and peaks in protistan microzooplankton biomass were associated with high phytoplankton biomass. In both years, microzooplankton grazing rates were high (0.5-0.7 day �1 ) during the spring and lower (~0.2 day �1 )d uring summer. Phytoplankton growth rates peaked in April 2004 (~0.7 day �1 ) but were much lower (<0.1 day �1 )i n spring 2005, despite relatively high abundance. Thus, micro- zooplankton grazing consumed as much as 73% of phytoplankton standing stock during spring and ~15% of standing stock during summer of both years. Combined with earlier results, we conclude that microzooplankton can be important mediators of carbon and energy flow in the upper SFE-D and may be a "source" to the metazoan food web.
Recovered alcoholics and career development: Implications for human resource development

This article presents three issues regarding alcoholism, recovery, and career development. First, alcoholism is a disease that creates health and wellness problems for those it afflicts. It also impacts individual and workplace productivity. Second, alcoholism has a persistent stigmatization. As a result, those alcoholics who are in recovery face challenging choices around self-disclosure. Disclosure of one's identity as a recovering alcoholic could be perceived as risky, since it could be seen as a negative. Third, because of such risk, and because of the paucity of research within the field of human resource development around alcoholism and recovery, there is a gap in the literature regarding these issues.
Understanding the Funding Cost Differences between Global Systemically Important Banks (G-SIBs) and Non-G-SIBs in the United States

We seek to determine the sources and the extent of funding cost differences between Global Systemically Important Banks (G-SIBs) and non-G-SIBs in the U.S. We build on earlier studies that have asserted that G-SIBs have had lower funding costs, and have attributed this to an assumed too-big-to-fail status. Most of the previous studies, however, failed to control for macro economic factors and firm-specific credit risk and ignored funding costs at the bank holding company level. We contribute to the literature by examining the various sources of funding for a variety of U.S. bank holding companies through the recent full credit cycle, 2002-2011, controlling for firm-specific credit and macro-economic factors. We also introduce an analysis of systemic risk and determine the extent to which it might mask the funding costs benefits. We also evaluate the impact on funding costs of explicit support built into some issuers’ credit ratings.We find that there are moderate cost advantages associated with G-SIB status with regard to domestic deposits and smaller cost advantages with respect to credit spreads on senior, unsecured debt. Overall, the impact on funding costs taking into account all funding sources over the full credit cycle is a reduction of 9 bps. Considering just the interest-bearing funding sources to which one might attribute government support, the weighted average cost of funds associated with G-SIB status is about 18 bps lower than for non-G-SIBs. When we evaluate the impact of firm size on CDS spreads in other industries, we find that there are significant spread advantages for larger firms in most industries.
An Enhancer Trap Line Associated with a D-Class Cyclin Gene in Arabidopsis

In yeast and animals, cyclins have been demonstrated to be important regulators of cell cycle progression. In recent years, a large number of A-, B-, and D-class cyclins have been isolated from a variety of plant species. One class of cyclins, the D-class cyclins, is important for progression through G1 phase of the cell cycle. In Arabidopsis, four D-class cyclins have been isolated and characterized (CYCLIN-D1;1, CYCLIN-D2;1, CYCLIN-D3;1, and CYCLIN-D4;1). In this report we describe the characterization of a fifth D-class cyclin gene, CYCLIN-D3;2 (CYCD3;2), from Arabidopsis. An enhancer trap line, line 5580, contains a T-DNA insertion in CYCD3;2. Enhancer trap line 5580 exhibits expression in young vegetative and floral primordia. In line 5580, T-DNA is inserted in the first exon of the CYCD3;2 gene; in homozygous 5580 plants CYCD3;2 RNA is not detectable. Even though CYCD3;2 gene function is eliminated, homozygous 5580 plants do not exhibit an obvious growth or developmental phenotype. Via in situ hybridization we demonstrate that CYCD3;2 RNA is expressed in developing vegetative and floral primordia. In addition, CYCD3;2 is also capable of rescuing a yeast strain that is deficient in G1 cyclin activity.
SeeSaw: I See You Saw My Video Message

We developed a prototype called SeeSaw that explored using reaction video and auto reply to create an engaging video messaging experience. When viewing a video message, reaction video captures a video of the viewer's reaction to share back with the message sender. After finishing viewing the video message, auto reply immediately begins recording the viewer's response. A pilot study found that SeeSaw evoked conversational and authentic interactions, even though the messages were captured remotely and asynchronously. A follow-up comparative lab study found that reaction video encouraged a more conversational exchange, while both features together enhanced the authenticity of the experience. Although participants preferred the reaction video only condition, they perceived that the reaction video plus auto reply condition combined the conversationality of a video call with the flexibility of asynchronous messaging.