cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Weight change in Parkinson and Alzheimer patients taking atypical antipsychotic drugs

Atypical antipsychotics (AA) are generally associated with weight gain. We determined body mass index (BMI) change in Parkinson's disease (PD) before and after taking AA and compared against PD controls and Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients on AA. In 66 consecutive PD subjects started on AA who had accurate weights for more than 6 months before and after initiation of AA, we compared weight change before and after AA use, against a control group of sixty-one sex-matched PD subjects, and against twenty-eight AD subjects taking AA. A linear regression model was created to compare weight changes. Fifty-nine PD subjects had complete data, quetiapine (n=53) and clozapine (n=6). The mean BMI change in the period before starting AA was 0.00 kg/m(2)/month over 1.95+/-1.41 years. After starting AA, subjects lost 0.03 kg/m(2)/month (95% CI 0.62-1.21, P<0.0001), comparing PD before AA to the same PD patients after AA. In 61 PD controls, the mean BMI loss was 0.01 kg/m(2)/month (95% CI 0.15-0.94, P=0.007) comparing PD on AA vs. PD controls. The BMI for 28 AD subjects on AA increased 0.01 kg/m(2)/month (95% CI 0.26-0.83, P<0.0001), comparing PD on AA vs. AD on AA. The weight loss seen in the PD/AA group, compared to AD, suggest uniquely altered weight homeostasis in PD.
Catalyzed Cyclizations Leading to Enrichment of Functionality and Chirality. A General Approach to Dibenzocyclooctadiene Lignans from α,ω-Diynes

The [B−Sn]-mediated cyclization of α,ω-diynes results in not only an increase in the functionalizable groups (incorporated as highly versatile vinyl−B and vinyl−Sn groups) but also an increase in new serviceable stereochemical elements. The alkylidene functionalities at C7 and C8 offer unprecedented opportunities for the synthesis of highly functionalized dibenzocyclooctadienes. Examples of interiotherins and gomisins are provided.
Long-term Success in the Correction of Exposed Glaucoma Drainage Tubes With a Tube Extender

Purpose To report long-term success of surgical correction of exposed glaucoma drainage device (GDD) tubes with a commercially available tube extender. Design Observational case series. Methods Chart review of surgical correction for GDD tube exposure by rerouting the tube using the New World Medical Tube Extender (NWMTE; New World Medical, Rancho Cucamonga, California, USA). Results Surgical revision of GDD tube exposure with the NWMTE controlled intraocular pressure without repeat exposure up to three years after surgery. Conclusions A tube extender can provide long-term correction of an exposed GDD tube by bypassing weakened tissue, thus avoiding or delaying a second implant surgery.
Exposing the Moving Parts of Proteins with NMR Spectroscopy

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a powerful tool for investigating the dynamics of biomolecules because it provides a description of motion that is comprehensive, site-specific, and relatively noninvasive. In particular, the study of protein dynamics has benefited from sustained methodological advances in NMR that have expanded the scope and time scales of accessible motion. Yet, many of these advances may be unfamiliar to the more general physical chemistry community. Accordingly, this Perspective provides a glimpse of some of the more powerful methods in liquid-state NMR that are helping reshape our understanding of functional motions of proteins.
ACTIVATION OF A CATALASE PEROXIDATIVE PATHWAY FOR THE OXIDATION OF ALCOHOLS IN MAMMALIAN ERYTHROCYTES.

Abstract Alcohol oxidation has been induced in hemolyzed and intact mammalian erythrocytes by activating a catalase peroxidative pathway. Although erythrocytes contain high concentrations of catalase they ordinarily do not oxidize alcohols, presumably because of low hydrogen peroxide levels. Activation of the hexose monophosphate shunt with methylene blue and glucose induced the oxidation of methanol and ethanol in intact red cells. Inosine and hexoses which are readily converted to glucose-6-phosphate replaced glucose, but they were less effective. Galactose, a sugar poorly metabolized by erythrocytes, did not replace glucose. 2-Deoxyglucose competitively inhibited the effect of glucose but did not alter the response due to inosine. Furthermore, the optimal rate of alcohol oxidation achieved with glucose and methylene blue was augmented by the addition of inosine. Requirements for alcohol oxidation by hemolysates include methylene blue and NADPH. Inhibition of catalase activity by 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole or reduction of hydrogen peroxide levels with reduced glutathione inhibited alcohol oxidation.
Myeloid expression of angiotensin converting enzyme facilitates myeloid maturation and inhibits the development of myeloid-derived suppressor cells

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous population of immature myeloid cells which accumulate in cancer, infection and chronic inflammation. These cells suppress T-cell function and the immune response. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is a peptidase that is now known to regulate aspects of myelopoiesis. Here, we show that ACE expression correlates with myeloid maturation in vitro. Forced ACE overexpression in monocytic cells reduces the generation of MDSCs. In vivo, mice with a genetic change resulting in myeloid cell ACE overexpression have reduced numbers of blood and splenic MDSCs in a tumor model and in a model of chronic inflammation induced by complete Freund's adjuvant. In contrast, ACE-null mice produce large numbers of MDSCs during chronic inflammation. Macrophages from mice with myeloid ACE overexpressing are more pro-inflammatory and have more tumor-killing activity than cells from wild-type mice. Thus, manipulating myeloid ACE activity can interfere with MDSC development and the maturation of myeloid cells.
Collective Sensemaking in Online Health Forums

Online health communities collect vast amounts of information and opinions in regards to health and wellness management. However, these opinions are usually stored within lengthy and loosely structured discussion threads; synthesizing information in these threads can be challenging. In this mixed-methods study, grounded in the theoretical perspective of collective sensemaking, we examined patterns of communication within an online diabetes community TuDiabetes. The results of the study suggest that members of TuDiabetes often construct shared meaning through deep discussions, back and forth negotiation of perspectives, and resolution of conflicts in opinions. However, unlike participants of other sensemaking communities, members of TuDiabetes often value multiplicity of opinions rather than consensus. We use study results to draw implications for the design of computing platforms for facilitating collective sensemaking that promote construction of shared knowledge yet embrace diversity of opinions.
Noninvasive assessment of pulmonary hypertension from right ventricular isovolumic contraction time

In order to assess a noninvasive method of predicting pulmonary arterial pressure in adults, right ventricular systolic time intervals were determined with echocardiography simultaneously with pulmonary arterial end-diastolic pressure measurements. Right ventricular isovolumic contraction time was measured from echographic recordings of the tricuspid and pulmonary valves. Although this interval was found to increase as pulmonary arterial pressure increased, the method cannot be used to predict quantitatively the level of pulmonary arterial pressure in adults. However, an echocardiographically determined right ventricular contraction time of less than 25 ms suggests a normal pulmonary arterial pressure. In patients with pulmonary parenchymal diseases, echograms of the tricuspid and pulmonary valves are only rarely of such quality as to permit accurate delineation of the valvular events required for these measurements.
Damage Detection in Beams Based on Redistribution of Dead Load

A method is presented for detecting damage in a clamped-clamped beam based on redistribution of dead load in the member. The approach is based on measuring static strains due to dead load only, at three locations on the beam. In the event of damage (modeled as a local reduction in flexural stiffness at a single location in the beam) the bending moment in the beam redistributes and is no longer symmetric. Using the measured strains, a genetic optimization algorithm is used to determine the location and severity of damage in the beam. Four different damage scenarios are tested, these include: no damage (to test for false positive results); varying levels of damage near mid-span; equal levels of damage near the support, quarter point and mid-span; and damage near the support with 'noisy' measurement data. The technique is found to work well under a broad range of circumstances: the accuracy and success of the method depends on the damage location and the level of measurement noise in the data. Damage near the support and center of the beam can be identified with good accuracy. As one might expect, damage at or near to the point of inflection in the beam is more difficult to identify because the dead load strain in this vicinity is small. The technique is found to work well even with measurement noise on the order of 3 to 5%.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
High-throughput screening of metal chelating compounds

An effective high throughput screening technique is described for the rapid analysis of solid-supported libraries to identify selective chelating agents for metals, focusing on those possibly present in radioactive dispersal devices. Micro X-ray Fluorescence (MXRF) is the method of choice. MXRF is a rapid and sensitive technique which allows the measurement of metal-chelator complexes without significant sample preparation. For this study we have employed commercial peptide libraries and have examined factors such as side-chain charge, oligopeptide length, hydrophobicity, and aromaticity in relation to metal binding. MXRF provides a rapid and quantitative means for screening chelator-ion binding. Initial experiments carried out successfully identified sequences that are selective for Co under certain binding conditions containing possible interferences (e.g. Ca, Fe, Al, Cs, Ir), which could be encountered in our application.
The Relative Predictive Validity of Subtle vs. Obvious Items on the MMPI Depression Scale.

To assess the relative predictive validity of subtle and obvious items on the MMPI Depression scale, obvious, neutral, and subtle subscales were formed and used to predict several criterion measures of depression; these included the Beck Depression Inventory, the Depression subscale of the Profile of Mood States, and the Pleasant Events Schedule (N = 209). In general, obvious items were good predictors of all criteria, neutral items overlapped considerably with obvious items, and subtle items generally did not contribute uniquely to the prediction of any of the concurrent measures of depression.
Movement sensitivity of retinal ganglion cells in monkey.

Abstract The responses of on-center monkey retinal ganglion cells to small displacements of a spot light within the receptive field center were studied as a function of spot luminance. One group of cells reached peak rates of firing near 1000 spikes per sec with small displacements of spots with moderate and high contrast. These units had non-opponent color characteristics, relatively large receptive fields and phasic responses to a stationary flashing light. Easily distinguished from these cells were a group which had a maximum firing rate to displacement at moderate contrast. Above and below this optimum luminance, the firing rate decreased to zero. These cells had lower peak firing rates (100–200 spikes per sec), opponent color characteristics, tonic responses to stationary flashing light and relatively small receptive fields. All retinal ganglion cells isolated were potential candidates for detecting and transmitting movement information. For any individual units, histograms of responses to small displacements were very similar to histograms of responses to the stationary flashing spot. An ensemble code (cross-fiber analysis) is proposed to account for transmission of visual form and motion information to the central nervous system via tonic (x-type) and phasic (y-type) units.
We've come a long way: it's finally time to get started!

From its very beginning, pediatric surgery struggled with acceptance by the remainder of the medical community and with the definition of its own identity. At the time when many medical and surgical specialties had begun to form their own guilds, in the 1920s and 1930s, there were only a handful of individuals devoting their entire practice to the surgical treatment of children. The first two of these, Dr William Ladd, in Boston, and Dr Herbert Coe, in Seattle, became very important figures for our specialty as they lobbied for appropriate representation for pediatric surgery in the major national surgical and pediatric organizations. At that time, virtually all of the children’s surgery in the United States was performed by general surgeons and they could see no need for a separate specialty of pediatric surgery. Ladd and Coe were both visionaries who understood the benefit to children of the development of their specialty and understood the importance of special training to acquire the additional skills required to provide surgical care to children. Both were resolute in their efforts to establish appropriate training programs and to achieve appropriate
Deformation and failure caused by grain boundary sliding and brittle cracking

Abstract A failure mechanism which entails grain boundary sliding and brittle crack extension along grain boundaries is analyzed. It is demonstrated that the crack growth, which occurs above a threshold stress, is dictated by the grain boundary viscosity, fracture energy, the grain facet length, and the boundary orientations vis-a-vis the applied stress. The time taken to form a stable facet-sized crack is derived, and shown to be non-linear in the applied stress. The creep strains that result from this mode of cracking are generally small and non-linear.
Using Volume Morphing to Alter Panel Designs to Compensate Shape Distortion in Assembly

As automotive panels are assembled in a vehicle, they are subjected to shape distorting forces, e.g., the pressure of door seals. A standard technique for preventing shape distortions is to alter the panels’ computer aided design (CAD) in such a way that the panels assume the desired design shape under the action of the distorting forces. Volume morphing, a technique pioneered by Bezier (1978, “General Distortion of an Ensemble of Biparametric Patches,” Comput.-Aided Des., 10(2), pp. 116–120) and by Sederberg and Parry (1986, “Free-Form Deformation of Solid Geometric Models,” International Conference on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques, Proceedings of the 13th Annual Conference on Computer Graphics, pp. 151–160), has been extended and implemented in a computer software package called FESHAPE , created at the General Motors Research and Development Center. FESHAPE automatically modifies CAD models according to a finite set of displacement vectors obtained, e.g., from finite-element analysis or scanning tryout parts. This article discusses how FESHAPE has been successfully applied to compensate door panel distortion caused by door seals.
A Joint Positioning and Communication Paradigm Using Relay Nodes as Anchors

Dual-role nodes that can work both as relays and also as anchors for joint communication and source localization are proposed. Selection and power allocation of a few dual-role nodes in the presence of many nodes in the network are considered. A novel approach is proposed that relies on maximizing the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the destination node under a source localization constraint. Bounds on the number of nodes needed to achieve a certain localization performance, a concave bound on SNR at the destination node and a practical algorithm to select the dual-role nodes are presented. To estimate the source location using non- line-of-sight range measurements, a new algorithm using semi- definite programing with relaxation followed by majorization- minimization is presented. The results demonstrate excellent promise for obtaining joint improved bit error rate and mean- squared error localization performance by selecting nodes based on combined SNR and localization constraint.
Bolaamphiphiles promote phospholipid translocation across vesicle membranes.

A series of membrane-spanning bolaamphiphiles (molecules with two hydrophilic end groups connected by a hydrophobic linker) were prepared by a modular synthetic method and evaluated for their abilities to affect the dynamics of a surrounding bilayer membrane. The goal was to determine if the bolaamphiphiles promote the translocation of phospholipids across vesicle membranes. The bolaamphiphiles were incorporated at low levels (up to 5 mol %) in vesicles composed of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC). Inward translocation assays were performed using fluorescent, NBD-labeled phospholipid probes with phosphocholine (PC) or phosphoglycerol (PG) headgroups. The membrane-spanning bolaamphiphiles promote the translocation of both phospholipid probes in the order PG > PC, whereas shorter bolaamphiphiles (structures that must adopt a U-shape and keep both end groups in the same leaflet of the membrane), and regular amphiphiles with one hydrophilic end group, are inactive. These results are an ...
Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in mouse skin is associated with local accumulation of interleukin-6 mRNA and immunoreactive interleukin-6 protein

We used a BALB/c model of passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA), an IgE-mediated, mast cell-dependent reaction, to demonstrate the early production of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA and protein product. Northern blot analysis detects IL-6 mRNA 1, and 2 hours after antigen challenge (dinitrophenyl30-40 human serum albumin [DNP30-40-HSA]) and in situ hybridization reveals that it is primarily cells with round-to-oval nuclei within the dermis (1 to 3 per high-power field) expressing IL-6 mRNA. Immunohistochemistry revealed perinuclear and cytoplasmic staining for immunoreactive IL-6 in mononuclear dermal cells and also cells within the basal keratinocyte layer. Injection of recombinant murine IL-6 (rmIL-6) either systemically or locally during antidinitrophenyl IgE skin sensitization resulted in increased vasopermeability at the PCA site after DNP30-40-HSA. However, this increased permeability was not associated with a change in the character of the cellular infiltrate at the PCA site 8 hours later. Although the specific role of IL-6 in the generation of the allergic response remains unknown, its detection during PCA unequivocally demonstrates that IL-6 be considered one of the mediators identified in inflammation that follows allergic reactions.
Effects of chlorpromazine and atropine on acetaminophen absorption in rabbits

The effects of chlorpromazine and atropine on the gastrointestinal absorption of acetaminophen were investigated in rabbits. Two doses of chlorpromazine and atropine were injected intraperitoneally 30 min prior to the oral administration of acetaminophen. Blood samples were collected before and 0.25,0.5,0.75, 1.0,1.5,2,3,4,5 and 6 h after acetaminophen administration and were analyzed for acetaminophen contents using a HPLC method. Chlorpromazine at a 10 mg/kg dose significantly reduced the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of acetaminophen from 64.2 ± 2.8 to 40.0 ± 6.3 μgg/ml(P < 0.05). In addition, chlorpromazine at 5 and 10 mg/kg doses significantly increased the time taken to reach the maximum plasma concentration (Tmax) of acetaminophen from 0.29 ± 0.04 to 0.67 ± 0.15 and 0.96 ± 0.21h, respectively (P < 0.05). Atropine at 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg doses also significantly reduced the Cmax of acetaminophen from 69.6 ± 4.7 to 45.6 ± 3.7 and 45.9 ± 6.7 μg/ml, respectively (P < 0.05). However, atropine has little effect on Tmax of acetaminophen. Both chlorpromazine and atropine did not seem to affect the area under the plasma concentration-time curve and the elimination half-life of acetaminophen. It was concluded that chlorpromazine and atropine affect the rate but not the extent of acetaminophen absorption, by delaying the gastric emptying.
Gravitational instability theory of galaxy formation and clustering - Some recent developments

Some recent developments in the gravitational instability theory of galaxy formation and clustering are discussed including a comparison with observational data. On the theoretical side, N-body computer simulations have helped to sharpen the predictions of the theory and several new ideas have emerged on the roles of dissipation in protogalactic fragmentation and in galaxy collisions. On the observational side, the clustering properties of galaxies have been analyzed in new ways that demand a detailed comparison with theory. More and better measurements of the sizes, masses, and rotations of galaxies continue to accumulate.
Computation of critical depth in symmetrical compound channels

Critical flows may occur at more than one depth in channels having compound cross-sections (cross-sections with flood plains). The possibility of multiple critical depths affects the water-surface-profile calculations. Presently available algorithms determine only one of the critical depths which may lead to large errors. In this paper, computational procedures are presented for computing all the possible critical depths in general symmetrical, compound channels. They incorporate a general definition of Froude number based on the one-dimensional unsteady momentum and continuity equations. In these procedures, the total number of critical depths possible in a cross-section for a given discharge are first determined and then their values are computed one by one in an efficient manner. A procedure is presented to design a compound channel section so that there is only one critical depth, thereby reducing the range of flow depth over which flow may be highly unstable. Two typical examples are presented to ill...
Fewer pigmented locus coeruleus neurons in suicide victims: Preliminary results

Studies of the noradrenergic system in suicide victims have found evidence of alterations in cortical β - and α -adrenergic receptor binding. Since these receptor changes may be secondary to altered noradrenergic input, we sought to determine whether the pigmented neurons of the locus coeruleus (LC), which provide the noradrenergic innervation to the cerebral cortex, are altered in suicide victims. We studied 11 controls without known psychiatric or neurologic disorders and six suicide victims. LC neuron number, LC volume, and neuron density were determined by computer-assisted mapping. The suicide group had 23% fewer LC neurons and a 38% lower density of LC neurons than controls. The reduction in neuron number was localized to the rostral two thirds of the LC. Neither the LC length nor the LC volume in suicide victims differed from controls. Altered brain noradrenergic neurotransmission in suicide victims may be due to fewer noradrenergic neurons in the LC. Further studies are needed to determine whether this noradrenergic neuron loss is associated with an underlying major depression or specifically with suicidal behavior.
Detecting UXO: putting it all into perspective

This paper details the background and status of the unexploded ordance (UXO) problem. Included are a brief history of the problem; a discussion of government initiatives; and a description of UXO detection technologies, their effectiveness, and potential future uses. This paper focuses on domestic UXO contamination primarily resulting from training and testing exercises; nevertheless, the discussion pertains to UXO contamination that has resulted from wartime activities throughout the world. Currently, there is no safe, technically feasible method to accurately detect, locate, and identify surface and subsurface UXO.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Symmetrical Structure of Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes (SMC) and MukB Proteins: Long, Antiparallel Coiled Coils, Folded at a Flexible Hinge

Structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) proteins function in chromosome condensation and several other aspects of DNA processing. They are large proteins characterized by an NH 2 -terminal nucleotide triphosphate (NTP)-binding domain, two long segments of coiled coil separated by a hinge, and a COOH-terminal domain. Here, we have visualized by EM the SMC protein from Bacillus subtilis (BsSMC) and MukB from Escherichia coli , which we argue is a divergent SMC protein. Both BsSMC and MukB show two thin rods with globular domains at the ends emerging from the hinge. The hinge appears to be quite flexible: the arms can open up to 180°, separating the terminal domains by 100 nm, or close to near 0°, bringing the terminal globular domains together. A surprising observation is that the ∼300–amino acid–long coiled coils are in an antiparallel arrangement. Known coiled coils are almost all parallel, and the longest antiparallel coiled coils known previously are 35–45 amino acids long. This antiparallel arrangement produces a symmetrical molecule with both an NH 2 - and a COOH-terminal domain at each end. The SMC molecule therefore has two complete and identical functional domains at the ends of the long arms. The bifunctional symmetry and a possible scissoring action at the hinge should provide unique biomechanical properties to the SMC proteins.
Resolvent operator approach to many‐body perturbation theory. III. Applications

The resolvent‐based closed‐ and open‐shell MBPT developed in the previous papers have been applied for the calculation of ionization potentials (I.P.), electron afinities (E.A.), excitation energies (E.E.), and correlation energies (C.E.) of several prototype atomic and molecular systems. The calculations for I.P., E.A., and C.E. have been performed though third order and the E.E.’s have been calculated through second order. The results presented here are intended to illustrate the utilization of our new MBPT technique and to permit us to compare and check our results with those of other workers who have calculated the above properties using different methods.
Inter-relation of electrostatic charging and pressure drops in pneumatic transport

Les resultats experimentaux obtenus avec du cuivre, du verre et du Plexiglas, montrent que la perte de charge due aux contributions electrostatiques sont fonction a la fois de la densite du nombre des particules et de la capacite de charge maximale des particules
UPIC : A framework for massively parallel particle-in-cell codes

The UCLA Parallel Particle-in-Cell (UPIC) Framework, is designed to provide trusted components for building a variety of parallel particle-in-cell (PIC) codes. It is based on the idea that most PIC codes share common algorithms, such as particle pushing and deposit subroutines, solvers for electromagnetic fields, as well as parallel data management, such as passing particles and fields between processors. The framework provides the optimized common algorithms, as well as various skeleton (template) main programs. The user provides specialized subroutines that are specific to his or her problem. It is based on Fortran95, but low level subroutines can easily be called from other languages. Codes based on the framework can run on as few as one processor to as many as 2000, and examples will be presented.
Effects of Mutual Excitations in the Fusion of Carbon Isotopes

Fusion data for ${}^{13}$C+${}^{13}$C, ${}^{12}$C+${}^{13}$C, and ${}^{12}$C+${}^{12}$C are analyzed by coupled-channels calculations that are based on the M3Y+repulsion, double-folding potential. The fusion is determined by ingoing-wave-boundary conditions (IWBC) that are imposed at the minimum of the pocket in the entrance channel potential. Quadrupole and octupole transitions to low-lying states in projectile and target are included in the calculations, as well as mutual excitations of these states. The effect of one-neutron transfer is also considered but the effect is small in the measured energy regime. It is shown that mutual excitations to high-lying states play a very important role in developing a comprehensive and consistent description of the measurements. Thus, the shapes of the calculated cross sections for ${}^{12}$C+${}^{13}$C and ${}^{13}$C+${}^{13}$C are in good agreement with the data. The fusion cross sections for ${}^{12}$C+${}^{12}$C determined by the IWBC are generally larger than the measured cross sections but they are consistent with the maxima of some of the observed peak cross sections. They are therefore expected to provide an upper limit for the extrapolation into the low-energy regime of interest to astrophysics.
Protein composition of cell and forespore membranes of Bacillus subtilis.

A sporulation mutant of Bacillus subtilis 168 was isolated and characterized. The mutant, designated SB-23, releases viable forespores at the end of the developmental period. Forespores were isolated on linear Renografin gradients and used as a source of forespore membranes. The protein composition of forespore membranes was found to differ from the protein composition of vegetative cell membranes by discgel electrophoresis. The results are discussed in relationship to morphological and physiological differentiation during bacterial sporulation.
Special Section: Religion as a Large-Scale Justification System: Does the Justification Hypothesis Explain Animistic Attribution?

One important goal in Henriques' (2003) Tree of Knowledge (ToK) System is to develop a theory of the emergence of culture. The Justification Hypothesis (JH), which is offered as the missing joint point connecting the cultural sciences to the other sciences, is hoped to be the key to understanding how the evolution of the human mind led to the emergence of cultures conceived as large-scale justification systems. This essay suggests that the origins of religion are connected to human evolution through the development of a Theory of Mind (ToM) and the looking-glass self (Shaffer, 2005). Since ToM is dependent upon the ability to perceive the intentions behind the actions of others, a capacity known as `mind-reading' (Bering, 2002), the JH suggests that religion will emerge as humans turn their mind-reading capacities toward naturally occurring events and engage in animistic attribution (Shaffer, 1984). Religion produces moral codes to help individuals justify themselves, but also produces theodicies which se...
Using eastern gamagrass to construct diets that limit intake and caloric density for dairy replacement heifers

Previous research has shown that eastern gamagrass (EGG; Tripsacum dactyloides L.) will survive winter climatic conditions common throughout central Wisconsin, and will produce yields of dry matter (DM) ranging approximately from 7,000 to 10,000 kg/ha annually when managed with a 1-cut harvest system. The objective of this research was to determine whether the fibrous nature of this perennial warm-season grass could be effective in reducing the caloric density and DMI of corn silage/alfalfa haylage diets for replacement dairy heifers. A total of 120 Holstein dairy heifers were blocked by body weight (heavy, 424 ± 15.9 kg; medium, 369 ± 11.8 kg; light, 324 ± 22.4 kg), and then assigned to 15 individual pens containing 8 heifers each. Eastern gamagrass forage was harvested, ensiled, and subsequently incorporated into blended corn silage/ alfalfa haylage diets at rates of 0, 9.1, 18.3, or 27.4% of the total dietary DM (EGG0, EGG9, EGG18, and EGG27, respectively). These diets were offered during a 105-d evaluation period for ad libitum intake; however, the EGG0 diet also was offered on a limit-fed basis (LF), which was set at 85% of the voluntary intake of EGG0. Serial additions of EGG increased concentrations of neutral detergent fiber in blended diets from 39.6 (EGG0) to 48.7% (EGG27), and simultaneously reduced corresponding estimates of total digestible nutrients (TDN) from 68.2 to 61.3%, and net energy for gain from 1.07 to 0.83 Mcal/kg. Dry matter intakes for all diets offered ad libitum were greater than observed for LF (9.06 vs. 8.07 kg/d); however, DM intakes for diets containing EGG were reduced relative to EGG0 (9.40 vs. 8.94 kg/d). Similarly, intakes of TDN were greater for diets offered for ad libitum intake than for
Computation of pressure components due to Class II force fields

It has been shown that purely angle dependent terms in a force field do not contribute to the total pressure in a molecular simulation. However, this is not the case for the individual components of the pressure tensor, and is also untrue for crossterms in the force field including bond stretch. In this article, we show that virial contributions to the pressure tensor are easily computed in terms of bond distance vectors and atom forces for the bond topologies present in a Class II force field. Results from a simulation of a phospholipid biomembrane using the cff97 force field show that angle and torsional crossterms make a significant contribution to the pressure tensor.
Hydrodesulfurization catalysis over ternary molybdenum chalcogenides

Abstract Ternary Mo chalcogenides with Chevrel phase compound structure (CPC) were synthesized by fusion reaction, characterized by powder X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence, and tested as catalysts for the hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of thiophene. The activity and selectivity of the CPC of Cu, Pb and In were studied as a function of valence electron concentration (VEC) per Mo atom, type of chalcogen (S, Se, Te), and Mo cluster size. The VEC per Mo atom correlated directly with HDS activity. As regards the chalcogen effect, the sulfide showed the highest HDS rate, followed by the selenide, then the telluride. The effect of Mo cluster size in selenides was overshadowed by the effect of Mo/Se ratio. An increasing Mo/Se ratio produced an increase in activity.
Start-up Flow in the Entrance Region of a Circular Tube

Es wird die im Einlaufbereich eines kreisformigen Rohres unter konstanter Druckhohe plotzlich angefachte Bewegung einer ursprunglich ruhenden zahen, inkompressiblen Flussigkeit untersucht. Dabei wird ein auf der numerischen Losung der Impuls-Integralgleichung beruhendes Verfahren benutzt. Die fur die Untersuchung benotigte Zeitabhangigkeit der Einlaufgeschwindigkeit wird aus der Losung des dynamischen Gesamtproblems gewonnen, indem man den beim Ingangsetzen der Stromung auftretenden Anstieg des Axialdruckes experimentell bestimmt. Es werden die Zeitabhangigkeit der Grenzschichtdicke und des Geschwindigkeitsprofils fur verschiedene Stellen der Rohrachse und die momentanen Einlaufstrecken berechnet. An analytical study of the motion of a viscous, incompressible fluid, initially at rest and rapidly set in motion under a constant head, in the entrance region of a circular tube is described. A procedure based on the numerical solution of the momentum-integral equation is used in this study. The time-dependent entrance flow rate which must be prescribed in the analysis is obtained from the solution of the over-all dynamic problem considering the instantaneous axial pressure gradient experimentally determined in a physically realizable start-up flow process. The time-variation in the boundary layer thickness and velocity profile at various axial locations along the tube and instantaneous entrance lengths are calculated.
Comparative performance of grid integrated solar photovoltaic systems under the tropical environment

As the output from the solar PV systems varies significantly with technologies, designs and prevailing weather parameters, their evaluation under actual field conditions is important in identifying their real performance characteristics. In this paper, comparative performances of six different PV systems connected to a 1.2 MWp grid integrated solar farm are presented. The solar technologies considered are the single crystalline (sc-Si), poly crystalline (mc-Si), micro crystalline (nc-Si/a-Si), amorphous silicon (a-Si), Copper Indium Selenium (CIS) and Heterojunction with Intrinsic Thin Layer (HIT). Following the IEA guidelines, the array yield, capture losses, array efficiency ratio, and performance ratio were taken as the criteria for the performance comparison. Among the six different module types, the systems based on amorphous silicon and HIT offer the best performance under the tropical environment considered.
A new set of polynomials, related to the Bernoulli numbers, which display a finite Stokes phenomenon

A new set of polynomials is introduced. These polynomials arise from the Faulhaber–Jacobi formula for the sum of powers of integers, and are related to the Bernoulli numbers. Their asymptotic behaviour exhibits a discrete analogue of the Stokes phenomenon known from the asymptotics of differential equations. In this case, the usual exponential growth is replaced by algebraic growth and the Stokes lines are replaced by ‘Stokes points’. Error estimates are provided and the expansions are shown to be asymptotic.
The Greater Yellowstone Social System

Abstract: The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is a biological concept that designates an identifiable area in and around Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Social systems have a close, profound relationship with the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Local towns and counties in the area are economically dependent on its resources; state and federal organizations legislate its fate. Local residents are simultaneously part of the ecosystem and yet distinct from it, a paradox with diverse implications. The human population in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem has been attracted to the area by beliefs and activities that distinguish them from residents elsewhere. Five zones, concentrically surrounding Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, distinguish differences among populations. Residents of these zones vary in their attitudes and behaviors with regard to exploiting natural resources through their respective technologies and social organization. They also vary in how they use the area and are economically and politically linked to it The vulnerability of the natural system to demands of these competing populations is described.
An MMPI comparison of U.S.A.F. groups identified as drug users.

The United States Air Force Special Treatment Center was established by Presidential order in 1971 to evaluate and treat personnel identified as drug users. The patient population was unique in that subjects were from world-wide assignments and had varied histories of drug-use. Subjects were male enlisted drug abusers rather than addicts. A stratified random-selection procedure balanced two comparison groups as to racial composition. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) was used to compare a group of 85 subjects with disciplinary problems returned to the evaluation unit from the treatment unit, with a group of 85 who had no disciplinary problems and who finished the treatment program without problems. A significant difference (t test) on the F, Hs, and Pd scales of the MMPI was found, the problem subjects scoring high. Persons on these scales would be less likely to profit from treatment. The findings of the present study indicate very similar personality organizations for both samples.
On the overestimation of the flow turbulence due to fringe distortion in LDA measurement volumes

Fringe distortion with linear longitudinal variation in fringe spacing over the length of LDA measurement volume has been considered to influence the accuracy of flow measurement. The overestimation of the mean velocity and especially of the flow turbulence due to fringe distortion has been derived to be a function both of the fringe distortion number (which is a purely geometrical parameter of the measurement volume) and the flow turbulence to be measured. Against the usual expectation, it has been shown that the overestimation of the flow turbulence due to fringe distortion in the measurement volume could be neglected. Only for very low turbulence intensity dose the error become significant. As a reference this result could be used to estimate measurement errors which occur in the presence of other types of fringe distortion.
HIV Sequence Variation Associated With env Antisense Adoptive T-cell Therapy in the hNSG Mouse Model

The first use of lentiviral vectors in humans involved transduction of mature T-cells with an human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–derived env antisense (envAS) vector to protect cells from HIV infection. In that study, only a minority of the patient T-cell population could be gene-modified, raising the question of whether the altered cells could affect replicating HIV populations. We investigated this using humanized NOD/SCID IL-2Rγnull (hNSG) mice reconstituted with ~4–11% envAS-modified human T-cells. Mice were challenged with HIV-1NL4-3, which has an env perfectly complementary to envAS, or with HIV-1BaL, which has a divergent env. No differences were seen in viral titer between mice that received envAS-modified cells and control mice that did not. Using 454/Roche pyrosequencing, we analyzed the mutational spectrum in HIV populations in serum—from 33 mice we recovered 84,074 total reads comprising 31,290 unique sequence variants. We found enrichment of A-to-G transitions and deletions in envAS-treated mice, paralleling a previous tissue culture study where most target cells contained envAS, even though minority of cells were envAS-modified here. Unexpectedly, this enrichment was only detected after the challenge with HIV-1BaL, where the viral genome would form an imperfect duplex with envAS, and not HIV-1NL4-3, where a perfectly matched duplex would form.
Solving the problem of time in mini-superspace: Measurement of Dirac observables

One solution to the so-called problem of time is to construct certain Dirac observables, sometimes called evolving constants of motion. There has been some discussion in the literature about the interpretation of such observables, and, in particular, whether single Dirac observables can be measured. Here we clarify the situation by describing a class of interactions that can be said to implement measurements of such observables. Along the way, we describe a useful notion of perturbation theory for the rigging map $\ensuremath{\eta}$ of group averaging (sometimes loosely called the physical state ``projector''), which maps states from the auxiliary Hilbert space to the physical Hilbert space.
An evaluation of two approaches for teaching phonemic awareness to children in head start

Abstract Several research studies linking early phonemic awareness to the prevention of later reading difficulties strongly suggest that phoneme segmentation and blending, rather than rhyming and alliteration abilities, are the key aspects of phonemic awareness that are related to the prevention of difficulties. Yet there is a persistent belief among many educators that instruction in rhyming and alliteration are adequate to develop phonemic awareness and developmentally more appropriate than segmentation and blending activities. Using quasi-experimental methods, I evaluated two approaches for teaching phonemic awareness to 4- and 5-year-old children in four Head Start classrooms. The first approach focused on rhymes, alliteration, and story activities. The second approach focused on phoneme segmentation and blending in the context of sounding out actual words. Results showed that children taught using the second approach produced significantly greater gains in phonemic awareness and letter–sound knowledge, compared to children using the first approach. Both approaches were more effective when teachers had previously taught attention skills to their children.
Why Tuscany is the new Provence: Rituals of sacred self-transformation through food tourism, imagined traditions, and performance of class identity

Within the last few years the number of books, articles, movies, and cooking schools focused on the northern Italian regions of Tuscany and Umbria has increased dramatically, superceding the intense interest in all things Provencal so prevalent in the 1980s and 1990s. I use Graburn's theory of sacred touristic self-transformation to argue that this shift represents a change in perception of what it means to perform a professional, upper-middle-class dietary and health identity. In particular, the ‘Tuscan Experience’ represents new concepts of the idealized-self created through dietary renewal, lifestyle management, and rituals of imagined tradition and community. The notion of Tuscany as a prime location for self-transformation is not new, but the underlying belief systems about what ‘Tuscany’ means to travelers and lifestyle-seekers have altered as the increased popularity of the ‘villa rental’ vacation experience and second-home culture favor a situated class space that requires and creates particular forms of cultural capital. The avenues for personal and social transformation represented by the ‘Tuscan Experience’ are mediated through ideals about landscapes of food and community situated in discourses of appropriate health and nutrition behavior. These class-specific knowledges reify the goodness of the ‘Tuscan Experience’ and the perceived nutritional superiority of the Italian-Mediterranean diet as a means to meet health, social, and emotional needs not thought to be fulfilled by a professional Western lifestyle. In this process, these culturally- determined belief systems further cement a faith in the goodness of the Mediterranean Diet in the minds of Western elites.
The changing classification of myelodysplastic syndromes: what’s in a name?

What is the most sensible way of organizing the disorderly spectrum of acquired marrow failure states collectively known as the myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)? While the 2008 version of the World Health Organization classification is the current standard, the recent proliferation of MDS prognostic tools illustrates the usefulness of supplemental information for clinical purposes. Many cases of acquired bone marrow failure do not fit cleanly into established MDS categories, yet an alternative diagnosis is not apparent. The term "idiopathic cytopenias of undetermined significance" (ICUS) has been proposed to describe these cases, but there is a paucity of information about the natural history of ICUS. New data on the natural history of MDS associated with a broad range of cytogenetic abnormalities that were not included in the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS), as well as the emerging picture of karyotypically occult DNA changes, promise to inform future classifications.