cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alterations in the spontaneous discharge patterns of single units in the Dorsal Cochlear Nucleus following Intense Sound Exposure

Electrophysiological recordings in the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) were conducted to determine the nature of changes in single unit activity following intense sound exposure and how they relate to changes in multiunit activity. Single and multiunit spontaneous discharge rates and auditory response properties were recorded from the left DCN of tone exposed and control hamsters. The exposure condition consisted of a 10 kHz tone presented in the free-field at a level of 115 dB for 4 hrs. Recordings conducted at 5–6 days postexposure revealed several important changes. Increases in multiunit spontaneous neural activity were observed at surface and subsurface levels of the DCN of exposed animals, reaching a peak at intermediate depths corresponding to the fusiform cell layer and upper level of the deep layer. Extracellular spikes from single units in the DCN of both control and exposed animals characteristically displayed either M- or W-shaped waveforms, although the proportion of units with M-shaped spikes was higher in exposed animals than in controls. W-shaped spikes showed significant increases in the duration of their major peaks after exposure, suggestive of changes in the intrinsic membrane properties of neurons. Spike amplitudes were not found to be significantly increased in exposed animals. Spontaneous discharge rates of single units increased significantly from 8.7 spikes/s in controls to 15.9 spikes/s after exposure. Units with the highest activity in exposed animals displayed type III electrophysiological responses patterns, properties usually attributed to fusiform cells. Increases in spontaneous discharge rate were significantly larger when the comparison was limited to a subset of units having type III frequency response patterns. There was an increase in the incidence of simple spiking activity as well as in the incidence of spontaneous bursting activity, although the incidence of spikes occurring in bursts was low in both animal groups (i.e., <30%). Despite this low incidence, approximately half of the increase in spontaneous activity in exposed animals was accounted for by an increase in bursting activity. Finally, we found no evidence of an increase in the mean number of spontaneously active units in electrode penetrations of exposed animals compared to those in controls. Overall our results indicate that the increase in multiunit activity observed at the DCN surface reflects primarily an increase in the spontaneous discharge rates of single units below the DCN surface, of which approximately half was contributed by spikes in bursts. The highest level of hyperactivity was observed among units having the response properties most commonly attributed to fusiform cells.
Effect of mode-locking on the multiple-photon reaction of SF6

Abstract The effect of mode locking on the CO2 laser-induced reaction of SF6 is reported. A mode-locked laser pulse enhances the SF6 reaction yield by a small (8%) but significant amount. The mode-locked pulse also decreases the isotopic selectivity of the reaction. This small effect is greater for enrichment of 33SF6 than for 34SF6. These results suggest that absorption mechanisms that have high power dependence play a minor role in the multiple-photon reaction.
Vaginocervical stimulation selectively increases metabolic activity in the rat brain

Vaginocervical stimulation affects progesterone secretion, sperm transport, sexual receptivity, locomotion, and perception of pain in female rats. In this experiment, vaginocervical stimulation produced statistically significant increases in the metabolic uptake of carbon-14-labeled 2-deoxy-D-glucose in the following brain areas (ordered by magnitude of uptake): medial preoptic, mesencephalic reticular formation, bed nucleus of stria terminalis, dorsal raphe, and globus pallidus. The results provide information about the concurrent processing of sensory stimulation by several neural areas and indicate that the medial preoptic area is a receiving area for copulatory stimulation.
Wheat germ tRNAs containing uridine in place of ribothymidine: a characterization of an unusual class of eukaryotic tRNAs

An unusual class of wheat germ tRNAs has been isolated which completely lacks ribothymidine (rT) and contains an unmodified uridine in its place. We discuss here the isolation, identification and properties of these tRNAs. The rT-lacking tRNAs of wheat germ are essentially limited to the glycine isoacceptors (a minimum of five identifiable species), three threonine and at least, one tyrosine tRNA. All tRNAs were obtained 70-100% pure by chromatographic methods, and were detected by their ability to be methylated by E. coli rT-forming uracil methyltransferase with methyl-labeled S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) as the methyl donor. In vitro methylation of each of the tRNAs resulted in the formation of 1 mole of rT per mole of tRNA. In the one case analyzed in detail (tRNA1Gly), all of the rT was found to be located at the 23rd position from the 3' end of the tRNA molecule. Following complete digestion of four highly purified glycine isoacceptors (tRNAGly1,4,5,6) to nucleosides and subsequent periodate oxidation and 3H potassium borohydride reduction, all were found to contain an unusually high level of 5-methylcytidine (m5C) (3-4 residues per molecule), and all contained no rT. The possible correlation between the presence of m5C and the absence of rT is discussed. All of the chromatographically purified glycine tRNAs function in a wheat germ cell-free protein synthesizing system and polymerize glycine in response to either poly G or poly (G, U).
Properties of a magnetorheological semi-active vibration absorber

A tuned vibration absorber (TVA) is a spring-damper-mass system used in many industries for the suppression of a specific vibration frequency. A state-switched absorber (SSA) is similar to a TVA, except that one or more components in the SSA is able to instantaneously and discretely change properties, thus increasing the effective bandwidth of vibration suppression. The components responsible for bandwidth increase are called switching elements. In order to design a replacement SSA for the classic TVA, the SSA must operate in the appropriate frequency range, be lightweight and compact. An optimal SSA will also have a maximal frequency range that it can switch between. This paper discusses the development of a magnetorheological (MR) silicone gel used as the SSA switching element, the SSA geometry selected to maintain a magnetic flux path, and the contribution of the magnet-mass to frequency shifting. The MR gel is iron-doped silicone, cured in the presence of a magnetic field. During operation, the applied magnetic flux is modified to change the natural frequency. Since a flux path through the switching element is required, a steel flux path was incorporated as part of the SSA design. The SSA is desgined to operate below 100 Hz. An MR elastometer with 35% iron by volume yielded the most tunable results, where the minimum natural frequency was found to be 45 Hz, and the natural frequency was tunable up to 183 Hz.
Physical Abuse, Smoking, and Substance Use During Pregnancy: Prevalence, Interrelationships, and Effects on Birth Weight

Objective To establish the singular and combined occurrence of physical abuse, smoking, and substance use (i.e., alcohol and illicit drugs) during pregnancy and its effect on birth weight. Design: Prospective cohort analysis. Setting: Urban public prenatal clinics. Participants: 414 African American, 412 Hispanic, and 377 white pregnant women. Main Outcome Measure(s): Occurrence of physical abuse was 16%; smoking, 29.5%; and alcohol/illicit drug use, 11.9%. Significant relationships existed between physical abuse and smoking for African American and white women. For African American women, 33 7% of women who were not abused smoked, versus 49.5% of women who were abused (x 2 = 8.21; df = 1; p 2 = 18.18; df = 1; p women , 46.6% of women who were not abused smoked, versus 59-6% of those who were abused (x 2 = 5.22; df = 1; p F [3, 1040] = 30.19, p > Conclusions Physical abuse during pregnancy is common, readily detected with a five-question screen, and associated with significantly higher use of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs. Clinical protocols that integrate assessment and intervention for physical abuse, smoking, and substance use are essential for preventing further abuse and improving smoking and substance cessation rates.
A Note on the Use of the Concave Grating in an Astigmatic Mounting

An arrangement is proposed whereby overlapping orders may be distingushed, using a simple quartz lense to project the image of the source on the slit of the spectrograph.
Importance of follow-up medical and surgical approaches to prevent reinfarction, reocclusion, and recurrent angina following intracoronary thrombolysis with streptokinase in acute myocardial infarction.

Abstract Thirty-four patients with acute myocardial infarction (mean age 55 years) who received intracoronary streptokinase for coronary thrombosis were followed for a mean of 9.4 months (longest 25 months) following the procedure of percutaneous transluminal coronary recanalization (PTCR). Twelve patients had undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), one had percutaneous transluminal coronary angloplasty (PTCA), and 21 recelved medical therapy. Among patients having CABG and PTCA, nearly 70% no longer had chest pain or reinfarction, and 62% were in New York functional class I status; there were no deaths, and there was only one reinfarction, in a patient who had graft closure. In contrast, 43% of medically treated patients had chest pain or reinfarction or had died on follow-up; only 32% of survivors were in class I functional status. Further, 71% of medically treated patients who were receiving warfarin had no chest pain and no reinfarction, whereas the majority (56%) of patients who did not receive either warfarin or antiplatelet agents either had chest pain or reinfarction or died. The importance of CABG PTCA and anticoagulant therapy is stressed to prevent recurrent ischemia, reinfarction, and reocclusion following successful reperfusion by means of PTCR in acute myocardial infarction.
On the Performance of Pyrgeometers with Silicon Domes

Abstract Net radiation and the individual components of incoming and outgoing solar and longwave radiation were measured over alfalfa (Medicago sativa. L.). Solar radiation was measured with precision spectral pyranometers and longwave radiation with pyrgeometers fitted with silicon rather than KRS-5 domes. Direct measurement of incoming longwave irradiance was compared with the value calculated as the residual of the terms comprising net radiation. Shading the pyrgeometer indicated heating of the dome and under calm, sunny conditions, errors as large as 98 W m−2 were observed. Visual inspection of the dome indicated no deterioration.
Protective athletic equipment and cervical spine imaging

Abstract [Waeckerle JF, Kleiner DM. Protective athletic equipment and cervical spine imaging. Ann Emerg Med. July 2001;38:65-67.]
Ecophysiology of 13C and 15N isotopic fractionation in forest fungi and the roots of the saprotrophic-mycorrhizal divide.

To quantify and characterize N and C isotopic fractionation effects due to fungal transformation of organic substrates in forest ecosystems, we performed a field study in California and a meta-analysis of three additional studies conducted by others across the Northern Hemisphere. Basidiomycete fungal biomass was consistently enriched for the heavier isotope for C relative to substrate and either enriched or depleted for N relative to atmospheric N. Extent and pattern of fractionation was very variable, but the distinction between ectomycorrhizal and saprotrophic basidiomycetes was strongly supported, particularly when dual isotope analyses were performed. This differentiation, which we call the "EM-SAP Divide" holds for studies within a restricted ecosystem, but becomes less distinct over larger geographical regions, removing the rationale for using direct isotopic values from single specimens as diagnostic of ecophysiological role. For C, the EM-SAP Divide seems to reflect substrate effects, potentially due to differential access to recently synthesized versus recycled organic compounds, rather than distinct physiological pathways. Once substrate and ecophysiological role effects are removed, our meta-analysis suggests the existence of more than one mechanism causing C fractionations in fungi which is found equally in ectomycorrhizal and saprotrophic fungi. Similarly, a multimodal distribution of δ15N values suggests that physiological effects may play a much stronger influence on N natural isotopic distributions in fungi. Our meta-analysis provides a firm statistical base to evaluate fungal ecological statements based on natural isotopic distributions of C and N. We call into question the current practice of using direct isotopic measurements to make statements about trophic relationships of fungi in the absence of other supporting evidence.
Abstract 4758: Self-assembled superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for targeted cancer therapy

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Surface engineered iron oxide nanoparticles offer greater potential for targeted gene therapy as compared to many of the current treatment modalities for cancer. The intrinsic superparamagnetism of iron oxide nanoparticles along with a bio-inspired coating to circumvent the physiological and cellular barriers suggests their usefulness as an efficient non-invasive therapeutic option to invoke the desired response at the tumor site. In the present study, a novel functionalized iron oxide nanoparticle based polyplex system that explores the greater potentials of self-assembly together with magnetic targeting is employed for “smart targeting” and to improve therapeutic index. Poly (L-glutamic acid) functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles (Feg) were synthesized and complexed with plasmid DNA containing the gene of interest in the presence of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS). The preliminary characterization of the nanoparticles was performed by X-ray diffraction and FT-IR analysis. The formation and the internalization of Feg-CMCS-DNA polyplex occurred irrespective of the type of DNA as illustrated by gel retardation assay and Prussian blue staining, respectively. The Feg-CMCS nanoparticles, when conjugated with secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC)-overexpressing plasmid, showed excellent cytocompatibility (evident from MTT assay, morphology and organization of cytoskeleton) with comparable in vitro biofunctionality (illustrated by western blot analysis) as that of a commonly used transfection agent. The supramolecular assembly of the (Feg-CMCS-SPARC) polyplex system was manifested by scanning and transmission electron micrographs. The mechanism of internalization of the polyplex system and the role of magnetic field in enhancing the internalization were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Further, Feg-CMCS-SPARC polyplex transfection resulted in significant inhibition of in vitro tumor angiogenesis. This study highlights the superior efficacy of Feg-CMCS-SPARC self-assembled polyplex system for use as a localized therapeutic drug in vivo at the tumor site. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4758. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4758
The ascending serotonergic system in the hamster: comparison with projections of the dorsal and median raphe nuclei.

Abstract The ascending serotonergic projections are derived largely from the midbrain median and dorsal raphe nuclei, and contribute to the regulation of many behavioral and physiological systems. Serotonergic innervation of the hamster circadian system has been shown to be substantially different from earlier results obtained with other methods and species. The present study was conducted to determine whether similar differences are observed in other brain regions. Ascending projections from the hamster dorsal or median raphe were identified using an anterograde tracer, Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin, injected by iontophoresis into each nucleus. Brains were processed for tracer immunoreactivity, and drawings were made of the median raphe and dorsal raphe efferent projection patterns. The efferents were also compared to the distribution of normal serotonergic innervation of the hamster midbrain and forebrain. The results show widespread, overlapping projection patterns from both the median and dorsal raphe, with innervation generally greater from the dorsal raphe. In several brain regions, including parts of the pretectum, lateral geniculate and basal forebrain, nuclei are innervated by the dorsal, but not the median, raphe. The hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus is the only site innervated exclusively by the median and not by the dorsal raphe. The pattern of normal serotonin fiber and terminal distribution is generally more robust than would be inferred from the anterograde tracer material. However, there is good qualitative similarity between the two sets of data. The oculomotor nucleus and the medial habenula are unusual to the extent that each has a moderately dense serotonin terminal plexus, although neither receives innervation from the median or dorsal raphe. In contrast, the centrolateral thalamic nucleus and lateral habenula have little serotonergic innervation, but receive substantial other neural input from the raphe nuclei. The normal serotonergic innervation of the hamster brain is similar to that in the rat, although there are exceptions. The anterograde tracing of ascending median or dorsal raphe projections reveals a high, but imperfect, degree of correspondence with the serotonin innervation data, and with data from rats derived from immunohistochemical and autoradiographic tract-tracing techniques.
Using virtual Lustre clients on the WAN for analysis of data from high energy physics experiments

We describe the work on creating system images of Lustre virtual clients in the ExTENCI project (Extending Science Through Enhanced National Cyberlnfrastructure), using several virtual technologies (Xen, VMware, VirtualBox, KVM). These virtual machines can be built at several levels, from a basic Linux installation (we use Scientific Linux 5 as an example), adding a Lustre client with Kerberos authentication, and up to complete clients including local or distributed (based on CernVM-FS) installations of the full CERN and project specific software stack for typical LHC experiments. The level, and size, of the images are determined by the users on demand. Various sites and individual users can just download and use them out of the box on Linux/UNIX, Windows and Mac OS X based hosts. We compare the performance of virtual clients with that of real physical systems for typical high energy physics applications like Monte Carlo simulations or analysis of data stored in ROOT trees.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF ASSOCIATION AND CLIMAX CONCEPTS: THEIR USE IN INTERPRETATION OF THE DECIDUOUS FOREST

ECOLOGY is defined as the study of life in relation to environment. It is concerned with what is, and why. The ecological study of a single organism frequently meets with almost insurmountable obstacles because environment, if broken down into its component parts, is no longer environment. The ecological study of a complex piece of vegetationa forest for example-presents innumerable problems, for the complexity of the environment-with its interacting factors-is multiplied by the complexity of the community; it does not yield to laboratory analysis. The methods of the physiologist "fail. Attempts at mathematical interpretation are for the most part static, and they often obscure rather than reveal the true picture of vegetation. Vegetation is dynamic-an ever-changing complex now appearing quiescent and in complete equilibrium -with the habitat, now displaying obvious evidence of change. I believe that failure to recognize the dynamic aspects of vegetation is a primary cause of differing concepts. A dynamic approach is es'sential to interpretation of our eastern forests. Observation of natural changes in vegetation long ago resulted in the concept of succession; recognition of quiescent phases led to the climax concept. The association concept arose from the need for designating so-called units of vegetation. Concepts have changed through the years; they should change. As Cooper stated (1926), "a periodic inspection of foundations is most desirable." Concepts are bound to change with progress from local or intensive study to broad and extensive study. This is the reason for change with each individual worker; it has in part been the reason for change in concepts through the past 50-60 years of study of vegetation. Geographic location of studies also is a factor in the development of concepts. Emphasis of the concepts of association, succession, and climax dates from the work of Henry C. Cowles around the beginning of the century (1899; 1901). Communities were recognized and at first called plant societies, later, plant associations. These were seen to be in equilibrium, more or less, with habitat; however, habitats change through the years, forcing change in vegetation. Changes were recognized as biotic, topographic, and climatic-the biotic due to reactions of the vegetation (and other accompanying life), the topographic to erosional and depositional forces, the
Using microcomputers to control student-designed research in a research methods course

Microcomputers may be used to simulate traditional equipment in the psychology laboratory, such as tachistoscopes, memory drums, and reaction timers. With the diminishing price of microcomputers, such simulation is especially attractive, since it is considerably less expensive than the original special-purpose equipment, and also allows greater versatility. The undergraduate laboratory described here requires only inexpensive microcomputers, simple experimental control programs, and little or no additional peripheral equipment.
Hailat Araka and the South Arabian Neolithic

A small Neolithic lithic scatter site was discovered in 1992 through survey in the southern region of Dhofar, Oman just south of the Rub al Khali. Four test units (1994, 2009) confirmed a 60–90 cm single period Neolithic stratification sequence of the mid-sixth millennium BC. Lithic debris contains all stages of knapping from prepared cores and is dominated by trihedral rod production. Based on comparable sites both to the west in Yemen and to the east in northern Oman/the UAE, it is suggested that still rare domesticated cattle and ovicaprids supplemented a basic forager lifestyle. Participation in long-range trade networks involved marine shells, exotic flint tools as well as obsidian, steatite and amazonite. Genetic testing suggests that the Neolithic populations may represent ancestral Modern South Arabic Language (MSAL) populations currently living in southern Arabia.
Trophoblast-specific expression and function of the integrin alpha 7 subunit in the peri-implantation mouse embryo.

For implantation and placentation to occur, mouse embryo trophoblast cells must penetrate the uterine stroma to make contact with maternal blood vessels. A major component of the uterine epithelial basement membrane and underlying stromal matrix with which they interact is the extracellular matrix protein laminin. We have identified integrin alpha 7 beta 1 as a major receptor for trophoblast-laminin interactions during implantation and yolk sac placenta formation. It is first expressed by trophectoderm cells of the late blastocyst and by all trophectoderm descendants in the early postimplantation embryo through E8.5, then disappears except in cells at the interface between the allantois and the ectoplacental plate. Integrin alpha 7 expression is a general characteristic of the early differentiation stages of rodent trophoblast, given that two different cultured trophoblast cell lines also express this integrin. Trophoblast cells interact with at least three different laminin isoforms (laminins 1, 2/4, and 10/11) in the blastocyst and in the uterus at the time of implantation. Outgrowth assays using function-blocking antibodies show that alpha 7 beta 1 is the major trophoblast receptor for laminin 1 and a functional receptor for laminins 2/4 and 10/11. When trophoblast cells are cultured on substrates of these three laminins, they attach and spread on all three, but show decreased proliferation on laminin 1. These results show that the alpha 7 beta 1 integrin is expressed by trophoblast cells and acts as receptor for several isoforms of laminin during implantation. These interactions are not only important for trophoblast adhesion and spreading but may also play a role in regulating trophectoderm proliferation and differentiation.
A simple position-sensitive parallel-plate avalanche detector with 2-dimensional readout☆

A new design for an x−y position-sensitive avalanche detector is presented. The design is based on charge-division readout of resistive sheet electrodes. The position resolution is < 1 mm. In our application, the position-sensitive detector is operated in the transmission mode with a solid-state E-detector behind it.
Formation of membranes by repeating units

Abstract Electron microscopic evidence is presented for membrane formation by the repeating units of (1) the individual complexes of the electron transfer chain; (2) the outer membrane of beef heart mitochondria; (3) the mitochondrial membranes of rat liver; (4) the chloroplast membrane of spinach; (5) the outer segments of bovine photoreceptors; (6) a bovine liver microsomal membrane; and (7) the plasma membrane of bovine erythrocytes. Several hitherto unexplained phenomena, such as the reconstitution of the electron transfer chain and the requirement of lipid for certain enzymic activities, are rationalized in terms of this capability of the repeating units to form membranes. On the basis of the properties of lipid-containing and lipiddepleted membranes, a theory of how membranes are formed has been developed. This theory depends primarily on the restrictions, imposed by phospholipids, on interactions between repeating units. Lipid-containing repeating units can associate into a continuum, one unit or macromolecule thick that can be identified with a membrane. By contrast, lipid-depleted repeating units tend to form a bulk phase, which can be identified with a random three-dimensional polymeric aggregate. Enzymic activities cannot be fully demonstrated when the repeating units exist in the state of a bulk phase.
Kleptomania: Clinical Characteristics and Relationship to Substance Use Disorders

Background: Although categorized as an impulse control disorder, kleptomania has many features in common with substance use disorders. Objectives: This paper sought to examine the mounting evidence supporting the phenomenological, clinical, epidemiological, and biological links between kleptomania and substance addictions. Methods: A review of the literature examining family history, genetics, comorbid psychiatric conditions, neuroimaging, and phenomenology was utilized to examine the relationship of kleptomania to substance addiction. Results: Kleptomania and substance addiction share common core qualities, including similar treatment successes, as well as etiologic and phenomenological similarities. Conclusions: Future research investigating the relationship between kleptomania and substance use disorders holds significant promise in advancing prevention and treatment strategies for addiction in general. Scientific Significance: Research investigating kleptomania (and other behavioral addictions) and it...
Polycystic ovary syndrome: a common endocrine disorder and risk factor for vascular disease.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy among women of reproductive age, impacting 5–10% of premenopausal American women. During the reproductive years, women with PCOS seek medical attention related to infertility, hirsutism, and acne. About 60% of women with PCOS are obese and insulin resistant. Up to 40% of women with PCOS will develop diabetes by the age of 50 and many are dyslipidemic. In addition to treating the cosmetic and fertility issues associated with PCOS, health care providers must educate patients regarding the long-term cardiovascular consequences associated the this disorder. At menopause, a woman with PCOS is likely to have had multiple cardiac risk factors for several decades. Postmenopausal women with a history of PCOS, especially those with established diabetes and/or dyslipidemia, should be considered at high risk for the development of clinical cardiac disease. Exercise and a prudent calorie-restricted diet aimed at weight loss must be stressed early. Pharmacologic therapy for diabetes and hyperlipidemia should be used when appropriate. Bariatric surgery, known to positively impact all the aforementioned cardiac risk factors, may also be of benefit.
Strong mobile device protection from loss and capture

Assistive environments employ multiple types of devices to monitor human actions and identify critical events for physical safety. Some of the devices must be wireless in order to be nonintrusive. This introduces the problem of authenticating these devices and building secure communication channels among them. The traditional way is to assign a private key to a device for digital identification. In this paper, we present an approach to protect the private key by introducing a third party and bilaterally and proactively generating a random number to refresh key shares based on Bellare and Miner's forward secure signature scheme. This improves the resilient mediated RSA solution because the entire private key is also updated periodically. In this way, if an attacker steals one key share, he only can use it for a limited period of time because it will be obsolete immediately after the next refresh operation. Even if he compromises both key shares simultaneously, the digital signatures generated by previous private keys are still secure. Our scheme is proven to be intrusion resilient based on the CDH assumption in the random oracle model. The construction is also quite efficient.
What Can Virtual Reality Teach Us About Prosocial Tendencies in Real and Virtual Environments

As virtual environments (VEs) become increasingly central to people's lives (Terry, 2002), understanding reactions to VEs may be as important as understanding behavior in the real world (Yee, Bailenson, Urbanek, Chang, & Merget, 2007). Immersive Virtual Environment Technology (IVET), which is now being used in psychological research (Blascovich et al., 2002), can provide greater experimental control, more precise measurement, ease of replication across participants, and high ecological validity, making it attractive for researchers. It also can create links between researchers who study basic social psychological processes and those who study new media. In two studies we examined people's reactions as they navigated through a virtual world and interacted with virtual people, some of whom needed help. Participants' compassion and tendency to experience personal distress predicted emotional reactions (concern) and proxemic behavior (gaze orientation and degree of interpersonal distance) to a virtual person ...
Coming to Terms With the Genocidal 1990s Review Essay on the Evolving Laws and Institutions Regulating Armed Conflict

The books reviewed here provide a basis for evaluating international humanitarian law (IHL) and the related crimes of genocide and crimes against humanity prior to 9/11 and serve as a benchmark for assessing the value of international humanitarian law norms in an age when the Bush administration has rejected many of the most fundamental norms. However, the author argues that these works of analytic jurisprudence ought to take political factors into consideration in assessing why these norms are both under challenge and under possible revision. Furthermore, a methodology of political jurisprudence, represented by this review essay, suggests that the books’ presumption for prosecution IHL norms is impractical. Alternatives to prosecuting these norms, such as establishing truth commissions and using customary justice, are more likely to achieve some of the desired IHLgoals of ending impunity, adjusting historical memory, and providing a sense of justice to victims.
Mucociliary dysfunction in COPD: effect of current pharmacotherapeutic options.

Abstract Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. COPD comprises multiple components which, as well as a systemic component, include pulmonary inflammation, airway remodelling and mucociliary dysfunction. The latter features contribute to the development of chronic, progressive airflow limitation. The mucociliary dysfunction component of COPD is due to mucus hypersecretion coupled with a decrease in mucus transport, and represents an important pathophysiological feature requiring appropriate treatment. Current international guidelines do not recommend the use of mucolytics in the treatment of stable COPD. In contrast, bronchodilators are central to symptomatic management of COPD, and include β 2 -adrenoceptor agonists, anti-cholinergics and methylxanthines. Interestingly, long-acting β 2 -agonists (LABAs), rather than short-acting β 2 -agonists, have the potential to improve the mucociliary component of COPD, in addition to providing symptomatic treatment by their bronchodilator action. Combination therapy with a LABA and an inhaled corticosteroid has the potential to more fully address the multicomponent nature of COPD by providing important anti-inflammatory activity, which may indirectly further improve mucociliary clearance. Theoretically, anti-cholinergics are likely to have mixed effects on mucociliary function, but clinically these effects have been difficult to demonstrate. Finally, a number of novel targets for the treatment of airway mucociliary dysfunction have been identified, and targeting agents are currently in development.
Nonverbal Communication during Early Childhood.

important area of study for psychologists, educators, sociolinguists, psycholinguists and others interested in the acquisition and development of language in young children. Nonverbal communication plays a major role in the early socialization of young children in their cognitive growth. In addition, certain aspects of nonverbal communication ability constitute the basis for children's acquisition and development of verbal or linguistic behavior (ohnson & Myklebust, 1967; Bates, 1976; Moerk, 1977). By studying nonverbal communication, researchers, teachers and others interested in the development of language will gain a more thorough understanding of children's communicative development. Although there is widespread interest in young children's nonverbal communication, the field of study is in its infancy. Compared with the plethora of literature and research on adult nonverbal communi-
Chinese hamster ovary cells depend on exogenous lipids to survive phospholipase C treatment

Abstract Chinese hamster ovary cells were maintained in culture medium supplemented with delipidated serum to make them dependent on nonlipid components for lipid synthesis. Growth in lipid-free medium resulted in an increased flux through the CDP-choline pathway for phosphatidylcholine synthesis. The increased flux appeared to be mediated by the CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase because cellular phosphocholine levels decreased in cells grown in lipid-free medium, and both cell-free cytidylyltransferase activity and membrane-associated cytidylyltransferase activity increased in cells grown in lipid-free medium. Chinese hamster ovary cells maintained in culture medium supplemented with complete serum can grow at nearly normal rates in the presence of phospholipase C for many generations, even though the treatment enhances turnover of cellular phosphatidylcholine ( R. Sleight and C. Kent (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258 , 824–830). The phospholipase C treatment, however, was toxic to cells maintained in medium supplemented with delipidated serum. Lysophosphatidylcholine protected cells from phospholipase toxicity, but did not support growth. The rate of utilization of lysophosphatidylcholine for phosphatidylcholine synthesis was about 8% of the turnover rate for phosphatidylcholine, and was not increased by phospholipase C treatment. Reconstitution of the medium with fractionated serum lipids showed that the cells required specific neutral lipids, namely, fatty acids plus cholesterol, in order to grow in the presence of phospholipase C. Either oleate or cholesterol (up to 80 μ m ) alone did not allow growth in phospholipase C, but a combination of these two lipids supported growth effectively.
Enantioselective 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition of Nitrile Imines to α-Substituted and α,β-Disubstituted α,β-Unsaturated Carbonyl Substrates: A Method for Synthesizing Dihydropyrazoles Bearing a Chiral Quaternary Center

Dihydropyrazoles bearing a chiral quaternary center at the 5-position have been prepared by enantioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of nitrile imines to α-substituted- and α,β-disubstituted-α,β-unsaturated carbonyl substrates. Use of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl substrates with a 1-benzyl-5,5-dimethylpyrazolidin-3-one auxiliary in conjunction with MgI 2 and a bisoxazoline ligand derived from (1R,2S)-(+)-cis-1-amino-2-indanol 6 proved optimal to obtain chiral dihydropyrazoles with high enantioselectivity (up to 99% ee).
Paraxial-misalignment insensitive external-cavity semiconductor-laser array emitting near-diffraction limited single-lobed beam

We present a novel easy-to-align external cavity configuration for efficiently obtaining a near-diffraction limited single-lobed beam from gain-guided laser diode arrays. The external cavity has an external mirror (EM) in the image plane of the array. Two bulk-optics experimental setups are evaluated and a compact GRIN lens design is discussed. There are several advantages for the present geometry, including orders of magnitude lower misalignment-sensitivity and superior mode discrimination. Both experimental setups deliver near-diffraction limited single-lobed beams (of width /spl sim/0.8/spl deg/ at the rated output power of 100 mW of the array) in the entire current range. The light-current (L-I) characteristic is linear and kink-free and one of the setups shows higher efficiency than the free-running array. The broad-area laser (BAL) mode theory is discussed, introducing radiation losses to the analysis. Several aspects of amplification in laser arrays are theoretically explained, such as why the optimum angle of the far-field lobe is always greater than the tenth mode angle (for a uniform 10-stripe array). It is shown that the gain of the amplifying medium broadens the far-field profile. The width of the far-field lobe increases with gain and decreases with the lobe angle. An analytical expression for the broadened far-field profile of BAL modes is presented. The theory compares very well with the experiments.
El contexto de la familia y el vecindario en la salud de los ancianos del estudio EPESE hispano

SUMMARY In this article, the roles of the family and the neighborhood on the health of Mexican American older people of the Hispanic EPESE (Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly) are discussed. The epidemiologic paradox consists on, in despite of socioeconomic disadvantage; Hispanic older people have a relatively low mortality than white older people. This is especially true when the older people live in neighborhoods with high percentages of Mexican Americans. The family has also an important role in these older people for decreasing the risk of institutionalization or morbidity. On the other hand, stress from economic problems or family dependency among older Mexican immigrants can overcome capacity for coping stress, this may affect the health of Mexican American older people.
An Event-Based Middleware for Agile Resource Management in Hemodialysis Center

The application of radio frequency identification (RFID) networks pervasively to the hospital environment has the potential to improve efficiencies in operations. Understanding and managing the captured fine grained real time data in the context of hospital settings pose challenges for the middleware which has to connect RFID networks with backend applications. This paper presents an event-based middleware paradigm to data management in RFID deployments. A prototyped system, eVent, is implemented to organize, manage, and disseminate distributed hospital RFID data in real-time. Key features of TenVe include the event extraction from RFID data stream, the meaningful event generation within the context of patient-related information contained in the backend applications, the dynamic event stream handling techniques such as query and visualization. The application of TenVe is illustrated in the context of an acute hemodialysis setting.
Minimal benefit of earlier-than-recommended repeat colonoscopy among US Medicare enrollees following a negative colonoscopy.

Summary Background A large proportion of US Medicare beneficiaries undergo earlier-than-recommended follow-up colonoscopies after negative screening colonoscopy. Such practice entails substantial cost and added risk. Aims To compare the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) associated with varying follow-up colonoscopy intervals following a negative colonoscopy, and to determine whether the potential benefit of a shorter colonoscopy follow-up interval would differ by gender. Methods We conducted a weighted cohort study using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results-Medicare linked database (1991–2006) among 932 370 Medicare enrollees who are representative of the entire US elderly population. We compared the cumulative incidence of CRC among patients who underwent follow-up colonoscopies at different intervals following a negative colonoscopy. The primary outcome was incident CRC. Results The eligible study cohort (n = 480 864) included 106 924 patients who underwent ≥1 colonoscopy. Men were more likely to require polypectomy during their initial colonoscopy than women. Compared to the recommended 9–10 year follow-up colonoscopy interval, an interval of 5–6 years was associated with the largest CRC cumulative risk reduction [i.e. 0.17% (95% CI: 0.009–0.32%)]. The magnitude of risk reduction associated with shorter colonoscopy follow-up intervals was not significantly different between men and women. Conclusions Among elderly individuals who undergo a negative colonoscopy, the magnitude of reduction in the cumulative CRC risk afforded by earlier-than-recommended follow-up colonoscopy is quite small, and probably cannot justify the risk and cost of increased colonoscopy frequency. In addition, there are insufficient differences between men and women to warrant gender-specific recommendations.
Nicotine as a signal for the presence or absence of sucrose reward: a Pavlovian drug appetitive conditioning preparation in rats.

In Pavlovian conditioning research, nicotine is typically conceptualized as the unconditioned stimulus (US) that becomes associated with an exteroceptive conditioned stimulus (CS). This research has not explored the possibility that nicotine can also function as a CS. The present research examined whether nicotine served as a CS for the presence (CS+) or absence (CS−) of sucrose and started defining its specificity. Rats trained in the CS+ condition had nicotine (0.4 mg/kg, base) paired intermittently with brief access to sucrose. Intermixed were saline sessions without sucrose. Nicotine acquired the ability to evoke goal tracking. This conditioned response (CR) decreased across extinction sessions. The CR was sensitive to nicotine dose (ED50=0.113 mg/kg) and administration to testing interval; 0-min and 100-min delays produced no CR. The CS properties were specific to nicotine in that amphetamine and bupropion substitution was incomplete. Rats in the CS− condition received similar discrimination training except that sucrose was paired with saline. Nicotine also served as a CS−; the saline state CS+ acquired control of goal tracking. Mecamylamine, but not hexamethonium, blocked nicotine’s ability to serve as a CS+ and CS−, indicating a role for central nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Nicotine served as a signal for the presence or absence of sucrose. The extinction, CS−, and substitution results eliminated a psychomotor stimulant account. The conceptualization of nicotine as a CS suggests novel empirical research in which a drug acquires additional inhibitory and/or excitatory value based on other outcomes present during its effects.
Surface-Printing of Grasshopper Eggs for Identification

At present, grasshopper egg identification is rather complicated. A major complication is the technique of sectioning, clearing, and embedding eggs on microscope slides for identification. Tuck and Smith (1940) published a manual on the identification of the eggs of midwestern grasshoppers using this technique. Onsager and Mulkern (1963) published a very detailed bulletin on identification of eggs and egg-pods of North Dakota grasshoppers, also using sectioning as well as egg-pod structure. In 1964, while doing some taxonomic work with grasshopper eggs, a publication by Sinclair and Dunn (1961) of their findings on the use of Archer's (1950) liquid herbarium plastic for surface-printing of plant leaves was brought to our attention. This gave rise to the idea that this material might be useful also for grasshopper eggs. Later, after this imprinting technique had been independently developed, it was discovered that a similar technique had previously been developed for mosquito eggs using the SUMP method as described in Bullock's (1960) publication. The present study was designed primarily to test Archer's plastic for use in making surface prints of grasshopper eggs.
Molecular weight and humification index as predictors of adsorption for plant- and manure-derived dissolved organic matter to goethite

Summary Sorptive retention of organic matter is important in maintaining the fertility and quality of soils in agricultural ecosystems. However, few sorption studies have been conducted that use dissolved organic matter (DOM) characteristic of agricultural amendments. We investigated the sorption to goethite (a-FeOOH) of DOM extracted from: (i) above-ground biomass of wheat straw (Triticum aestivum L.), maize residue (Zea mays L.), soybean residue (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), and hairy vetch residue (Vivia billosa L.); (ii) below-ground biomass from maize, soybean, canola (Brassica napus L.), and green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.); and (iii) beef, dairy, poultry, and pig animal manures. The apparent molecular weight (MWAP) of the DOM was measured by high performance-size exclusion chromatography and ranged from 312 to 1074 g mol –1 . The carboxyl-group content of the DOM measured by potentiometric titration ranged from 4.84 to 21.38 mmol(–) g –1 carbon. The humification index (HIX) determined by fluorescence spectrometry varied from 1.15 to 4.33. Sorption was directly related to both MWAP and HIX values of the DOM. Molecular weight analysis of the solution prior to and after sorption indicated that the DOM molecules > 1800 g mol –1 were preferentially sorbed, resulting in fractionation of the DOM upon reaction with goethite. The multiple regression equation, based only on MWAP and HIX parameters, explained 76% of the variance in amount of DOM sorbed. The results indicate that MWAP and HIX are important factors in controlling the sorption of DOM to mineral surfaces. Amendment with materials that release DOM of higher molecular weight and greater humification will result in enhanced initial sorption of DOM to soil solids, thereby contributing to accumulation of a larger soil organic C pool.