cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alterations in glutamatergic and gabaergic ion channel activity in hippocampal neurons following exposure to the abused inhalant toluene

Abstract Toluene, a representative member of the large class of abused inhalants, decreases neuronal activity and depresses behavior in both animals and humans. The sites of action of toluene are not completely known but recent studies suggest that ion channels that regulate neuronal excitability may be particularly sensitive. Previous studies with recombinant receptors showed that toluene decreases currents carried by N-methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA)-glutamate receptors without affecting those gated by non-NMDA receptors. In addition, toluene increases currents generated by GABA and glycine receptors. In the present study, primary cultures of rat hippocampal neurons were used to investigate the effects of acute and chronic toluene exposure on native excitatory and inhibitory ligand-gated ion channels. Toluene dose-dependently inhibited NMDA-mediated currents (IC50 1.5 mM) but had no effect on responses evoked by the non-NMDA agonist kainic acid. Prolonged treatment of neurons with toluene (1 mM; 4 days) increased whole-cell responses to exogenously applied NMDA, reduced those evoked by GABA but did not alter responses generated by kainic acid. Immunoblot analysis revealed that prolonged toluene exposure increased levels of NR2A and NR2B NMDA receptor subunits with no change in NR1. Immunohistochemical analysis with confocal imaging showed that toluene-treated neurons had significant increases in the density of NR1 subunits as compared with control neurons. Toluene exposure increased the amplitude of synaptic NMDA currents and decreased those activated by GABA. The results from this study suggest that toluene induces compensatory responses in the functional expression of ion channels that regulate neuronal excitability.
Diffusion near absorbing fractals: Harmonic measure exponents for polymers

We study the depletion of a diffusing substance [described by a scalar Laplacian field u(r)] in the vicinity of an absorbing fractal, consisting of a Gaussian random walk (RW) or a self-avoiding walk (SAW) in d dimensions. The moments 〈[u(r${)]}^{n}$〉 of the field u(r) at a distance r from a point on an absorber of linear size R obey 〈[u(r${)]}^{n}$〉\ensuremath{\sim}(r/R${)}^{\ensuremath{\lambda}(n)}$, where the \ensuremath{\lambda}(n) are a set of independent exponents. The incident flux \ensuremath{\varphi} of the field u defines a fractal measure on the absorber. The scaling dimensions D(n) describing this measure obey (1-n)[D(n)-D]=n\ensuremath{\lambda}(1)-\ensuremath{\lambda}(n), with D the fractal dimension; moreover, \ensuremath{\lambda}(1)=D+2-d. These relations apply for any fractal absorber. For the RW and SAW, we observe that the exponents \ensuremath{\lambda}(n) are the same as those describing the statistics of linear chains and star polymers with selective excluded-volume interactions. This allows us to calculate \ensuremath{\lambda}(n) and D(n) explicitly to order ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}^{2}$, where \ensuremath{\epsilon}=4-d. We find D(n)=D-n${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}^{2}$/4 for the RW and D(n)=D-9n${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}^{2}$/64 for the SAW. We also study nonperturbatively the limit of high n. For n large, D(n)-D(\ensuremath{\infty})\ensuremath{\sim}${n}^{(3\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}d)/(d\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2)}$ for 3ldl4, whereas in d=3 dimensions, D(n)-D(\ensuremath{\infty})\ensuremath{\sim}[ln(n${)]}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$; here D(\ensuremath{\infty})=d-2. These high-n results apply to the RW and SAW alike. We construct for the absorbing RW part of the scaling function f(\ensuremath{\alpha}), defined by Halsey et al. [Phys. Rev. A 33, 1141 (1986)], and find a range of \ensuremath{\alpha} for which f(\ensuremath{\alpha}) is negative. Identifying f(\ensuremath{\alpha}) with the histogram of the measure expressed in logarithmic variables, we discuss the meaning of negative f(\ensuremath{\alpha}).
Murine sarcoma growth factors affect the growth and morphology of cultured mouse epithelial cells

A mouse embryo epithelial cell line, MMC-E, was used to study the effects of purified murine sarcoma growth factors (SGFs) on the growth of epithelial cells. Murine SGF was a partially purified preparation from the serum-free culture media of mouse fibroblasts transformed by Moloney murine sarcoma virus. SGFs stimulated DNA-synthesis in resting cells and induced them to grow to higher densities than control cells. With continued exposure to SGFs, MMC-E cells lost their postconfluency inhibition of division and formed small expanding foci. When the SGFs were removed and the cells were subcultured, they regained their normal phenotype, showing that the effects of SGFs are reversible on these epithelial cells. SGFs could also stimulate the MMC-E epithelial cells to grow in soft agar, like the syngeneic fibroblasts (MMC-F) from the same mouse embryo, but slower than the control fibroblastic clone. Microgram quantitites of SGFs were needed to stimulate soft ager growth of MMC-E cells. The results indicate that SGF can bring about a phenotypic change in the growth pattern of epithelial cells as well as fibroblastic cells.
Different forms of ghrelin exhibit distinct biological roles in tilapia.

Ghrelin has been identified in all vertebrate classes, including sharks. Each species possesses multiple forms of ghrelin that vary in peptide length and acyl modifications (e.g. n-hexanoic, n- nonanoic, n-octanoic, and n-decanoic acids) including des-acyl ghrelin. Octanolyated ghrelin has been shown to be a potent GH secretagogue, orexigenic factor, and plays a role in overall metabolism in vertebrates. In the tilapia model, octanoylated ghrelin (ghrelin-C8) and decanoylated ghrelin (ghrelin-C10) exhibit different biological actions. This mini review highlights the current knowledge of the differential actions of ghrelin-C8 and ghrelin-C10 from studies in the tilapia model. These findings suggest that the multiple forms of ghrelin may exhibit distinct yet complimentary actions directed towards maintaining overall energy balance in other vertebrates.
On quasiregular colineation groups of projective planes

We investigate quasiregular collineation groups Γ of type (d) in the Dembowski-Piper classification. We prove that the Sylow 2-subgroup of Γ as well as the Sylow 2-subgroup of its multiplier group have to be cyclic. We use these results to obtain new necessary conditions on the existence of affine difference sets.
Temperature-aware computing

Abstract Temperature-aware techniques have established themselves as crucial steps during the design and operation of new complex ICs (e.g. dual-core microprocessors) in order to protect the ICs against high temperatures that may drastically reduce their lifetime or even render them inoperable. These techniques have been developed after it became clear that power-aware techniques and low-power design are insufficient since they still allowed hotspots to develop in the chip with temperatures considerably higher than the average temperature. The goal of this paper is to provide an overview of the state-of-the-art of temperature-aware computing. After a brief introduction, we present the current approaches to measuring the temperature of a circuit during its operation and to estimating, during the design phase, the maximum temperature that the circuit will experience. We then survey the known techniques for designing a chip with lower maximum temperature. This is followed by reviewing the currently employed run-time temperature management techniques. This paper presents a thorough review of the research done in the past decade or so in the field of thermal-aware computing and lists most of the relevant journal and conference papers on this topic.
Rapid production of continental crust 1.7 to 1.9 b.y. ago: Nd isotopic evidence from the basement of the North American mid-continent

Nd isotopic analyses of Precambrian granitic rocks from the central United States were made to determine crust-formation ages and thereby to investigate the structure and evolution of central North America. Samples of anorogenic granites that have 1.4-b.y. crystallization ages yield model TDM ages of 1.77 to 1.98 b.y. that indicate a previously undocumented 0.4- to 0.6-b.y.-old precrystallization crustal history. These and previously published data approximately define the boundaries of a large segment of continental crust that was formed from the mantle during a relatively short interval ∼1.9 b.y. ago. Both 1.4- and 1.8-b.y.-old samples from the Penokean terrene of central Wisconsin yield distinctly older TDM model ages of 2.1 to 2.3 b.y. Approximately 1.1-b.y.-old samples from the Llano uplift in Texas yield crust-formation ages of 1.3 to 1.4 b.y. The data appear to delineate provinces with well-defined, nonoverlapping crust-formation ages that young to the south, indicating episodic formation of the North American continental crust during Proterozoic time. The initial 143Nd/144Nd ratios of the 1.4-b.y.-old granites are varied ( ϵ Nd = +4.8 to −2.0). Most of the samples analyzed probably represent crustal melts, but the existence of some high initial ϵ Nd values indicates an admixture of mantle-derived material. The isotopic patterns suggest that the 1.4-b.y.-old “anorogenic” plutonism may be an inland manifestation of subduction activity related to formation of Llano crust. The data also indicate that the Penokean terrane is not entirely 1.8-b.y.-old, mantle-derived material, nor simply reworked Archean crust. It may represent a mixture of Archean and juvenile mantle material added during the 1.84 Ga Penokean orogeny. Patterns of continental growth deduced from this study emphasize the episodicity of crust formation. Construction of an apparent crustal growth curve for North America indicates that the average age of the continent is ∼2.2 b.y., which is significantly older than the average age of ∼ 1.5 b.y. derived from Rb-Sr studies.
The Evolution in the Management of Gastric Lymphoma

The management of gastric lymphoma is a rapidly changing field. The classification and staging of lymphomas have been revised in the past two decades, reflecting diagnostic advances that include the use of immunohistochemical stains and cell-surface markers. Furthermore, the use of CT scanning and endoscopic ultrasound has revolutionized the non-operative diagnostic modalities available. Despite these advances, the future of gastric lymphoma research lies in the development of therapeutic regimens.
Application of Procedural Justice to Electoral Systems

Considerable attention has been paid to the properties of electoral mechanisms used in Western democracies to determine who formally exercises political power. However, attempts to justify preferences among different electoral mechanisms are generally underdeveloped and piecemeal. What is needed is an explicit emphasis on procedural justice as a benchmark for determining the most appropriate means of electing democratic governments. In this paper, concepts of procedural justice are described and applied to electoral systems. It is argued that procedural justice demands recognition of the criteria of representativeness, proportionality, unbiasedness, correctability, and initiative. These criteria imply that constituencies for the election of legislators should be territorial, and that they should be drawn in accordance with communities of conflict, which afford candidates strong incentives to seek and articulate imaginative solutions to major conflicts. These properties of procedural justice are consistent with empirical evidence that citizens demand more decentralized and participation-oriented approaches to representative democracy.
Nucleus tractus solitarius efferent terminals synapse on neurons in the caudal ventrolateral medulla that project to the rostral ventrolateral medulla

The caudal ventrolateral medulla (CVL) contains neurons that are vasodepressor and are a critical component of the baroreceptor reflex pathway. While electrophysiological studies suggest that CVL neurons are intercalated in the baroreceptor pathway between the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) and the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVL), there is no direct evidence for this projection. Therefore, we identified CVL neurons that project to RVL by retrogradely labelling them with wheat germ agglutinin-apo-horseradish peroxidase conjugated to colloidal gold (WAHG) injected into the RVL. Retrogradely labelled neurons were seen in previously identified vasodepressor areas of the rostral CVL that are critical for the baroreceptor reflex. Double labelling for WAHG and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunocytochemistry indicated that CVL neurons that project to the RVL (CVL --> RVL neurons) are distinct from the noradrenergic neurons of the A1 cell group. To establish the presence of a direct projection from the NTS to CVL --> RVL neurons, the retrograde tracer WAHG was pressure injected into the RVL and the anterograde tracer biocytin was iontophoresed into the NTS of anesthetized rats. After 4-6 h, anesthetized rats were perfused transcardially with 3.75% acrolein in 2% paraformaldehyde and sections through the CVL were processed for both markers. By light microscopy, numerous biocytin-labelled varicose processes overlapped neurons containing WAHG in the CVL. By electron microscopy, biocytin was found in myelinated and unmyelinated axons and in axon terminals (0.9 + 0.02 microns) that contained primarily small clear vesicles. These terminals formed predominantly asymmetric synapses on large (1.5-6.0 microns in diameter) dendrites within the CVL. Some of the post-synaptic perikarya and large dendrites contained WAHG associated with lysosomes and multivesicular bodies, indicating that they belong to neurons which project to the RVL. We conclude that CVL --> RVL neurons are (a) distinct from A1 noradrenergic cells; (b) receive direct synaptic contacts from NTS efferent terminals; (c) are potently and monosynaptically excited (asymmetric synapses) by NTS efferent terminals. These data support the hypothesis that CVL neurons are intercalated between the NTS and the RVL in the baroreceptor reflex pathway.
Lipolytic Substances in Bovine Thyroid, Parotid and Pineal Glands

The in vitro lipolytic potency of 7 natural lipolytic agents (ACTH,βMSH, peptide 7D6, glucagon, secretin, lysine vasopressin and epinephrine) upon the adipose tissue of 7 species (rabbit, guinea pig, rat, hamster, chicken, opossum, cat) was measured. It was found that fasting the animal for 48 hr before excision of the adipose tissue increases the tissue's responsiveness to lipolytic agents, as evidenced by (a) reduction of the minimal effective dose, (b) increase in the maximal response, and in some instances (c) appearance of responsiveness to an agent which is inactive on the adipose tissue of the fed animal. With this assay method of increased sensitivity, acetone powders of 17 bovine tissues were tested for the presence of lipolytic substances: pituitary, hypothalamus, parotid, thyroid, pineal, lung, lymph glands, adrenal, liver, kidney, spleen, spinal cord, brain, ovary, heart, thymus and placenta. Lipolytic activity was found not only in the acetone powders of pituitary and hypothalamus (as expecte...
Burnt toast and manhood: Gendered imaginings of the nation in 1990s popular fiction

Abstract Works of fiction by black and white Zimbabwean authors have traditionally been regarded as belonging to entirely separate traditions. This essay seeks to question and modify such a view, by showing how two popular texts from 1995 are complexly interrelated in their representations of normative masculinities and the nation. In contrast to the currently official version of Zimbabwean nationalism, which insists on the fixity and continuity of historical claims and identities, the novels scrutinized here point at the shifts and ruptures in the post-independence gendered imaginings.
Are highly satisfied restaurant customers really different? A quality perception perspective

Purpose – This study aims to identify key quality attributes that significantly distinguish highly satisfied diners from non‐highly satisfied diners.Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from four mid‐to‐upper scale restaurants: two in a mid‐western city and two in an eastern city in the USA. Logistic regression was used to determine which quality attributes are critical in distinguishing highly satisfied diners from other diners.Findings – This study shows that appealing food presentation, tasty food, spatial seating arrangement, fascinating interior design, pleasing background music, reliable service, responsive service, and competent employees are important attributes in contributing to the high satisfaction of diners.Research limitations/implications – The focus of this research was mid‐to‐upper scale restaurants. The research may not be generalizable to other segments of the restaurant industry because of the small sample size and limited geographic area.Practical implications – The findi...
Oral Ulcers and Targetoid Lesions on the Palms

A22-year-oldwomanpresentswithoralulcersanda rashonherpalms of 4 days’ duration. She does not take any prescribed or over-thecounter medications. Review of systems is noncontributory, and she denies fevers, chills, shortnessof breath, cough, andgenital lesions. Vital signs are normal, and physical examination reveals shallow erosions with hemorrhagic crusts on the lips and widespreadtargetoidmaculeswithduskycentersonthepalms(Figure).The remainder of the examination is unremarkable. Quiz at jama.com A B C
Interleukin 1 and rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract The erosive changes seen in the joint structures of the rheumatoid arthritic patient can be attributed to the consequences of the action of interleukin 1. Mononuclear leukocytes have been much studied as a source of the interleukin 1, while polyrnorphonuclear leukocytes have been largely ignored. The hypothesis promulgated here is that polymorphonuclear leukocytes are the source of the interleukin 1 in the joint space in amounts to be arthritogenic in the susceptible patient. It is proposed that the role of the mononuclear leukocytes, which are activated in the systemic circulation, is to induce infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes into the joint space.
Parameterizing sub-surface drainage with geology to improve modeling streamflow responses to climate in data limited environments

Abstract. Hydrologic models are one of the core tools used to project how water resources may change under a warming climate. These models are typically applied over a range of scales, from headwater streams to higher order rivers, and for a variety of purposes, such as evaluating changes to aquatic habitat or reservoir operation. Most hydrologic models require streamflow data to calibrate subsurface drainage parameters. In many cases, long-term gage records may not be available for calibration, particularly when assessments are focused on low-order stream reaches. Consequently, hydrologic modeling of climate change impacts is often performed in the absence of sufficient data to fully parameterize these hydrologic models. In this paper, we assess a geologic-based strategy for assigning drainage parameters. We examine the performance of this modeling strategy for the McKenzie River watershed in the US Oregon Cascades, a region where previous work has demonstrated sharp contrasts in hydrology based primarily on geological differences between the High and Western Cascades. Based on calibration and verification using existing streamflow data, we demonstrate that: (1) a set of streams ranging from 1st to 3rd order within the Western Cascade geologic region can share the same drainage parameter set, while (2) streams from the High Cascade geologic region require a different parameter set. Further, we show that a watershed comprised of a mixture of High and Western Cascade geologies can be modeled without additional calibration by transferring parameters from these distinctive High and Western Cascade end-member parameter sets. More generally, we show that by defining a set of end-member parameters that reflect different geologic classes, we can more efficiently apply a hydrologic model over a geologically complex landscape and resolve geo-climatic differences in how different watersheds are likely to respond to simple warming scenarios.
Exchange of Conjugal Power in the Control of Family Food Consumption

The objective of this investigation was to examine the process involved in decision making in regard to family food behavior. One hundred and sixteen young married couples were asked to respond to a questionnaire designed to elicit the different types of power used by husbands and wives with regard to family food preferences. The study centered around two dimensions: (1) the type of power used by husbands to control or influence food preferences and (2) the wives' counter to husbands' power usage. The results indicate that the majority of wives perceived they would comply with their husbands' desires regarding family meals. The husbands tended to gain compliance with their wishes through usage of a “referent” or personal power tactic. When wives countered their husbands' responses, the wives typically utilized “coercive” or “legitimate” power.
Design of Lead Screw Actuators for Wearable Robotic Applications

A wearable robot is a controlled and actuated device that is in direct contact with its user. As such, the implied requirements of this device are that it must be portable, lightweight and most importantly safe. To achieve these goals an actuator with a good ‘power to weight’ ratio, good mechanical efficiency, good ‘strength to weight’ ratio and that is safe is desired. The design of the standard lead screw does not normally perform well in any of these categories. The typical lead screw has low pitch angles and large radii, thereby yielding low mechanical efficiencies and high weight. However, using the design procedure outlined in this text both efficiency and weight are improved, thus yielding a lead screw system with performances that rival human muscle. The result of an example problem reveals a feasible lead screw design that has a ‘power to weight’ ratio of 277W/kg, approaching that of the DC motor driving it, at 312W/kg, as well as a mechanical efficiency of 0.74, and a maximum ‘strength to weight’ ratio of 11.3kN/kg(1154kgf/kg).Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase: an emerging therapeutic target.

Proteins modified post-translationally by geranylgeranylation have been implicated in numerous cellular processes related to human disease. In recent years, the study of protein geranylgeranylation has advanced tremendously in both cellular and animal models. The advances in our understanding of the biological roles of geranylgeranylated proteins have been paralleled by advances in the medicinal chemistry of geranylgeranylation inhibitors such as those that target geranylgeranyl transferases I and II and geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase (GGDPS). Although these findings provide the rationale for further development of geranylgeranylation as a therapeutic target, more advanced studies on the efficacy of this approach in various disease models will be required to support translation to clinical studies. This article attempts to describe the advances in (and the challenges of) validation of GGDPS as a novel therapeutic target and assesses the advantages of targeting GGDPS relative to other enzymes involved in geranylgeranylation. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2011); 90 6, 804–812. doi:10.1038/clpt.2011.215
Full-thickness human skin explants for testing the toxicity of topically applied chemicals.

Abstract This report describes a model organ-culture system for testing the toxicity of chemical substances that are topically applied to human skin. In this system, the viable keratinocytes in the full-thickness skin explants are protected by the same keratinized layer as skin remaining on the donor, and toxicity can be assessed microscopically and/or biochemically. The human skin specimens were discards from a variety of surgical procedures. They were cut into full-thickness 1.0-cm 2 explants, and briefly exposed to the military vesicant sulfur mustard (SM), which was used as a model toxicant. The explants were then organ cultured in small Petri dishes for 24 h at 36°C. In the 0.03–1.0% dosage range, a straightline dose-response relationship occurred between the concentration of SM applied and the number of paranuclear vacuoles seen histologically in the epidermis. Within the same SM dosage range, there was also a proportional decrease in 14 C-leucine incorporation by the explants. Thus, the number of paranuclear vacuoles reflected decreases in protein synthesis by the injured epidermal cells. The epidermis of full-thickness untreated (control) human skin explants usually remained viable for 7 d when stored at 4°C in culture medium. During storage, a relatively small number of paranuclear vacuoles developed within the epidermis, but the explants were still quite satisfactory for testing SM toxicity. Incubation (for 4 or 24 h at 36°C) of such control skin explants reduced (often by 50%) the small number of paranuclear vacuoles produced during 4 – 7 d of storage. This reduction was probably caused by autolysis of many of the vacuolated cells. Two types of paranuclear vacuoles could be identified by both light and electron microscopy: a storage type and a toxicant type. The storage type seemed to be caused by autolysis of cell components. The toxicant type seemed to be caused by an invagination of the plasma membrane. Only toxicant-type vacuoles increased appreciably in number when skin explants were exposed to mustard, and to other toxicants.
Prevalence of silent myocardial ischemia in persons with diabetes mellitus or impaired glucose tolerance and association of hemoglobin A1c with prevalence of silent myocardial ischemia.

Silent myocardial ischemia detected by exercise treadmill or pharmacologic sestamibi stress testing was present in 67 of 196 patients (34%) who had diabetes mellitus or impaired glucose tolerance and in 89 of 640 patients (14%) who had normal glucose tolerance (p 1c level ≥7.6% and in 39 of 137 patients (28%) with a hemoglobin A 1c level
Sequential bilateral cochlear implantation: speech perception and localization pre- and post-second cochlear implantation.

Purpose In this study, the authors sought to compare speech perception and localization in subjects who wear 1 cochlear implant (unilateral CI) or 1 cochlear implant and hearing aid (CI+HA) and the...
Investigation of Interfacial and Bulk Dissociation of HBr, HCl, and HNO3 Using Density Functional Theory-Based Molecular Dynamics Simulations

In this study, we calculate free-energy profiles for the dissociation of the strong acids XH (HBr, HCl, and HNO3), specifically, for the deprotonation and subsequent formation of ion pairs, X–···H3O+, in the vicinity of the air–water interface. We show that the free-energy profiles for the dissociation of HCl and HNO3 are significantly different at the air–water interface compared to in the bulk, and we predict that the undissociated, molecular form of these two acids is stable at the interface. For the strongest acid we consider, HBr the traditional picture of completely dissociated strong acids is preserved in the vicinity of the air–water interface. Our results have implications for our understanding of the interfacial chemistry of acids, as well as the effects of acids on the surface tensions of aqueous solutions.
Imaging of Pediatric Neck Masses

Palpable neck masses are a common indication for pediatric imaging. Such lesions may be caused by infectious, inflammatory, tumoral, traumatic, lymphovascular, immunologic, or congenital etiologies. Many are asymptomatic and noticed incidentally by patients or on physical examination, whereas others are brought to clinical attention because of the mass effect on, or compromise of, the aerodigestive tract; fever or symptoms related to acute infection; inflammatory disease; pain; or cosmetic deformity. As compared with adults, where contrastenhanced computed tomography (CT) is the mainstay of initial assessment for palpable or symptomatic lesions in the neck, radiological assessment of neck masses in young children should be tailored based on patient presentation and physical examination, as well as clinical suspicion. The goal of imaging should be to help arrive at a diagnosis or limited differential in an efficient manner while minimizing radiation exposure. Plain film radiography, particularly the lateral soft-tissue neck view, is the most appropriate initial assessment of the toxic-appearing child or the child with potential airway compromise. Although radiographs provide little direct information about the composition of a neck mass in many cases, the lateral neck radiograph allows quick and reliable information about the presence of a retropharyngeal mass or other causes of airway obstruction, and guides further imaging workup. Proper technique is crucial because poor inspiratory effort or lack of neck extension can produce buckling of the retropharyngeal soft tissues, which can mimic pathology.
Otis-Lennon Mental Ability Test, Stanford Achievement Test, and Three Demographic Variables as Predictors of Achievement in Grades 2 and 4

AbstractA series of multivariate statistical analyses was used to determine what relationships exist among three demographic variables, the Otis-Lennon Mental Ability Test (OLMAT), and the Stanford Achievement Test (SA T) at Grades 2 and 4. Data were obtained from the second grade classes in 1977-78 (V = 91) and 1979-80 (V = 103), and from the 1979-80 fourth grade class (/V = 91) in a rural middle income school district in southeastern New Hampshire. The best predictor of achievement at either Grade 2 or Grade 4 was the IQ variable alone. The correlations among the SAT subtests led to questions concerning that test’s construct validity and its use for differential diagnosis of educational problems of children. Among the Grade 2 variables, the best predictor of achievement at Grade 4 was the SAT; IQ was a negligible factor. Detailed study of the correlations between the OLMAT and SAT did not support the continued use of the group IQ test as part of the district’s comprehensive testing program; the costs ex...
Symmetry as a basis for perceptual fusion

We propose that robot perception is enabled by means of a common sensorimotor semantics arising from a set of symmetry theories (expressed as symmetry detectors and parsers) embedded a priori in each robot. These theories inform the production of structural representations of sensorimotor processes, and these representations, in turn, permit perceptual fusion to broaden categories of activity. Although the specific knowledge required by a robot will depend on the particular application domain, there is a need for fundamental mechanisms which allow each individual robot to obtain the requisite knowledge. Current methods are too brittle and do not scale very well, and a new approach to perceptual knowledge representation is necessary. Our approach provides firm semantic grounding in the real world, provides for robust dynamic performance in real-time environments with a range of sensors and allows for communication of acquired knowledge in a broad community of other robots and agents, including humans. Our work focuses on symmetry based multisensor knowledge structuring in terms of: (1) symmetry detection in signals, and (2) symmetry parsing for knowledge structure, including structural bootstrapping and knowledge sharing. Operationally, the hypothesis is that group theoretic representations (G-Reps) inform cognitive activity. Our contributions here are to demonstrate symmetry detection and signal analysis and for 1D and 2D signals in a simple office environment; symmetry parsing based on these tokens is left for future work.
Hidden Sexism: Facial Prominence and Its Connections to Gender and Occupational Status in Popular Print Media

A total of 779 article-embedded photographs from six popular US magazines during 2004 (Newsweek, Time, Fortune, Money, People, and Sports Illustrated) were examined assessing the relationship between occupational status and gender and the depiction of men and women in print media. Results show individuals depicted in intellectually focused occupations had higher face-to-body ratios than individuals depicted in physically focused occupations. Gender differences in facial prominence did not reach significance. A gender by occupation interaction indicated men in intellectually focused occupations had higher face-to-body ratios than women in similar professions, whereas women in physical occupations had higher face-to-body ratios than men in similar occupations. This suggests a disparity in the media with regard to displaying men and women equally in similar occupational roles.
CO2 laser coating of nanodiamond on aluminum using an annular beam

Abstract Laser coating of nanodiamond (ND) on aluminum alloy A319 substrate was investigated using a diffraction-free ring beam. A 1000 W continuous wave CO 2 laser in the ring beam configuration heated the 25–35 μm thick electrostatically sprayed ND powder layers on aluminum surface, melted a very thin layer (10 μm) of aluminum in a controlled fashion and caused phase transition of ND to form 50–60 μm thick ND/diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating. Significant improvements in friction, wear resistance and surface finish were observed in the ring beam method over the traditional Gaussian beam method suggesting that these thick (50–60 μm) ND/DLC laser coatings can outperform the currently used thin (
Information access in the presence of OCR errors

Over the last 15 years, the Information Science Research Institute (ISRI) at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) has conducted information access research in the presence of OCR errors. Our research has focused on issues associated with the construction of large document databases. In this paper, we will highlight our findings and detail our current activities.
Screening of the Raman response in multiband superconductors -- application to iron-pnictides

We performed model calculations of Raman responses for multiband two-dimensional superconductors. The multiband effects of screening in the ${A}_{1g}$ symmetry channel were investigated analytically and numerically for a band-structure model mimicking angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy data on iron-pnictide materials. An acceptable agreement between our model calculations and recent experimental data is demonstrated by modification of the band-structure parameters.
SansEC sensing technology — A new tool for designing space systems and components

This paper presents concepts for using the NASA developed SansEC sensing technology for reconfiguring/modifying many space subsystems to add to their original function the ability to be sensors/sensor arrays without the addition of the electrical circuitry typically used for sensors. Each sensor is a self-resonating planar pattern of electrically conductive material that is an open-circuit single component without electrical connections. The sensors are wirelessly powered using external oscillating magnetic fields and when electrically excited respond with their own magnetic fields whose frequency, amplitude and bandwidth can be correlated with the magnitude of multiple unrelated physical quantities. These sensors have been demonstrated for numerous measurements required for spacecraft and inflatable/expandable structures. SansEC sensors are damage resilient and simple to fabricate. Thin films of conductive material can be used to create sensor arrays that function as sensing skins. Each sensor on the skin can be tailored for a science or engineering measurement. Additionally, each sensor has an inherent damage detection capability. These sensing skins can be used to redesign inflatable habitat multi-layer insulation to provide additional functions of environmental measurement and micrometeorite/orbital debris damage detections. The sensing skins can be deposited on planetary exploratory vehicles to increase the number of measurements with negligible weight increase.12
Change in Rotation Period of Jupiter's Decameter Radio Sources

THE hypothesis that Jupiter's decameter radio sources may have a constant period has been widely accepted since its initial independent suggestion by Gallet1 and by Burke2. Estimates of this period have been made by many observers1–8, and no significant departures from the adopted mean period (System III (1957.0)—9h 55m 29.37s) have been established. Upper limits of ± 2s to yearly fluctuations and of ± 1s to slow secular changes over an eleven-year period, 1950–61, were set by Douglas7,8 and Douglas and Smith9. The apparent constancy of the rotation period, together with a constant difference in longitude between the three apparent activity regions, has supported the hypothesis that the radio sources are related to the non-gaseous body of the planet, perhaps through Jupiter's magnetic field.
Exploiting the nature of numbers an arithmetic-analytical approach to solutions of problems in basic and applied sciences

Abstract Recognising the nature of numbers, as expounded in the now lost arithmetic techniques practised by Indian mathematicians during the period 8–12 AD, an arithmetic- analytical approach to solution of mathematical equations of various types is proposed and briefly illustrated. The approach is simple and elegant and can provide solutions in just a few steps. Several other advantages of using this methodology exist and some of them are illustrated in the examples. This approach can open up new vistas in methods for analysis and has wide scope for application in basic and applied sciences.
Prolonged gestation in the rat and its usefulness in experimental teratology.

After ascertaining that intrauterine growth and maturation continue when pregnancy is prolonged with progesterone in Sprague-Dawley rats this technique was combined with the teratogens chlorcyclizine, vitamin A, and β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN), to study the effects of 2 to 3 extra days of intrauterine growth on various abnormalities. Females were killed on day 21 or, if treated with progesterone, on day 24 of gestation. Untreated animals served as controls. In the day-24 chlorcyclizine group, edema and hydronephrosis were either as severe as or more marked than in the day-21 group and the testes remained near the kidneys rather than descending deep into the pelvis. Vertebral calcification, usually not present on day 21, had occurred by day 24. These findings suggest that edema, hydronephrosis, and undescended testes were probably permanent defects, whereas lack of calcification was due to delay in occurrence. The smaller dose of vitamin A produced facial abnormalities ranging from marked underdevelopment of the mandible to relative prognathism in day-21 fetuses but mostly prognathism in day-24 fetuses; whereas the higher dose produced severe underdevelopment of the jaws and decrease of skeletal calcification in young of both age groups. Severe limb malformations, noted in day-21 fetuses after high doses of vitamin A, were not grossly altered by prolonging pregnancy. BAPN-induced limb malformations and gibbus deformities noted on day 21 were still present on day 24.
The Mediated Congress Coverage of Capitol Hill in the New York Times and the Washington Post

Content analysis of 6,480 front page stories in the New York Times and the Washington Post that deal with the federal government in 1981, 1993, and 2001 reveals a clear focus on the executive branch at the expense of the legislative branch. Capitol Hill is treated more negatively than the White House during these three years. The content analysis also reveals some evidence of partisan disparities in congressional coverage, particularly for the New York Times.
A prompt-free strategy to teach pictorial communication system use

A case study describing a prompt-free strategy used to teach a young child with moderate/severe retardation to use pictorial communication spontaneously is presented. The study consisted of four intervention phases: (a) shaping the basic communication response, (b) teaching search and locate skills, (c) increasing the number of pictures used, and (d) generalization. Data for all four phases are provided as well as a discussion of the implications of the strategy for application and future research.
Effects of dose and sex on the pharmacokinetics of piroxicam in the rat

The effects of dose and sex on the pharmacokinetics of piroxicam were studied in the rat. Piroxicam was administered intravenously at doses of 0.50 and 5.0 mg kg-1 to male and female rats. Plasma drug concentrations were determined by a highly sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic technique. Non-compartmental pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by area/moment analysis. A prolonged terminal half-life averaging 13.3 h in male rats and 40.8 h in female rats was observed. Dose had no effect on the disposition of piroxicam. The sex of the rat, however, had a marked effect on piroxicam pharmacokinetics, with mean total clearance differing three-fold from 0.0184 l h-1 kg-1 in male rats to 0.00622 l h-1 kg-1 in female rats. The free fraction of piroxicam in serum was greater in male rats than in female rats owing to a higher association constant for piroxicam binding to female rat serum proteins. Free piroxicam clearance differed approximately two-fold with mean values of 0.764 l h-1 kg-1 and 0.418 l h-1 kg-1 in male and female rats, respectively. Thus, protein binding partially explained the sex-dependent disposition of piroxicam. However, sex-dependent metabolism of the drug also appears to be a major determinant of sex-related differences in piroxicam pharmacokinetics. Steady-state volume of distribution was unaffected by sex. Half-life and mean residence time were three-fold greater in female rats owing to the three-fold lower clearance value compared to male rats.
Development and Analysis of AN Adaptive Transport Scheme

Abstract An approach to solving the advection dominated atmospheric mass transport problem which adaptively constructs and updates the computational mesh is implemented and analyzed. The formulation of the mesh adaptation algorithm allows for information from other model processes as well as transport to influence mesh refinement. Comparisons to other methods are limited to a pure advection test problem. The scheme is based on a Petrov–Galerkin finite element method using quadratic interpolating polynomials over triangular elements. The temporal component of the transport equation is discretized using the Crank–Nicolson method. A single time step is applied to the entire domain regardless of mesh refinement levels. Two means of upwind biasing the solution via modification of the finite element weighting functions are investigated. Criteria for refining and unrefining the mesh based on advective flux and an estimate of the error are proposed and compared. The effects of varying the number of time steps taken between mesh refinements are analyzed. Results for adapted mesh solutions of a test problem are shown to be superior to corresponding uniform mesh finite element solutions. Comparisons to several other popular uniform mesh advection schemes indicate either equal or improved accuracy for the adapted mesh solutions.
Acquiring musculoskeletal information in active environments, using a wearable system

Poor body form and incorrect muscle usage are a leading cause of injuries in active sports and exercise. For this reason, monitoring of human muscle activity and skeletal motion i.e., musculoskeletal sensing, is important for alleviating injury. Many current monitoring systems are not conducive for this because they are either too invasive, or unable to mitigate the noise induced in the sensed signal by body motion. Our work focuses on creating a framework for acquiring musculoskeletal information in active environments, using a conducive wearable monitoring system. Upon completion, our work will provide an understanding of how to acquire musculoskeletal information, and propose a hardware implementation as well as body motion noise mitigation techniques.
Reutilization of thymidine and iododeoxyuridine by mouse mammary carcinoma strain mtg-b.

SummaryThe incorporation of 3H-TdR and 125I-UdR into MTG-B tumor tissue and DNA, and the persistence of radioactivity from these precursors in the small intestine, were studied in mice treated with these drugs before tumor grafting. The results confirm the results of others that DNA synthesizing cells can reutilize precursors released by dying cells, and that TdR is more readily reutilized than IUdR. Neither the administration of drinking water containing 2.5 mg unlabeled TdR/ml, nor the inclusion of lethally irradiated cells in the tumor inocula, significantly affected reutilization of either precursor. When the drugs were injected into the intestinal lumen rather than the peritoneal cavity of tumor-bearing animals, the incorporation of 3H-TdR was reduced to 50%, and of 125I-UdR, to 14-20%, in both small intestinal and tumor DNA. These findings suggest that labeled precursors from sluffing intestinal epithelium entered the general circulation before reutilization by either intestinal or tumor cells. In a...
Mechanical behavior of unstable emulsions

Results of experimental studies of the rheologic properties of unstable macroemulsions of the water-oil type are presented. A region of non-Newtonian behavior of the test emulsions is identified.
High rates of neurological improvement following severe traumatic pediatric spinal cord injury.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective single-center study OBJECTIVES: To determine the long-term outcome of pediatric spinal cord injuries SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Spinal cord injuries are uncommon events in the pediatric population. In the few large series reported in the literature, recovery of neurologic function was demonstrated after mild injuries but was rare after severe injuries. METHODS: A total of 4,876 cases of pediatric trauma treated at the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles over a 9-year period (1993-2001) were reviewed. During the study period, 91 cases of spinal cord or spinal column injury were identified, and 30 cases involving a spinal cord injury were identified. Cauda equina injuries were excluded. Seven craniocervical, 12 cervical, 5 thoracic, and 6 thoracolumbar cases were identified. There were 6 cases of spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality. Eight of the 30 patients received methylprednisolone at the time of admission. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 54 (mean = 19) months. RESULTS: Twenty patients presented with complete injuries (ASIA grade A). Of these, 7 died, 7 had no neurologic recovery, and 6 experienced neurologic improvement. Five of these six eventually became ambulatory with functional gains occurring over a 4- to 50-week period. None of these 5 patients was found to have spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality. Of the remaining 10 patients (grades B-D), 8 experienced improvements in neurologic function. Cervical dislocation injuries were associated with a low likelihood of neurologic improvement and atlanto-occipital injuries were associated with early death. CONCLUSIONS: Recovery of neurologic function following severe traumatic spinal cord injury occurs with a significantly greater incidence in children than adults, and these improvements can occur over a prolonged postinjury period. Language: en
Polls and Elections: Editorial Cartoons 2.0: The Effects of Digital Political Satire on Presidential Candidate Evaluations

While the number of full-time editorial cartoonists has declined in the past few decades, several have taken their craft online in the form of animated Flash cartoons. In this article I test the effects of one of the more popular animated editorial cartoons on presidential candidate evaluations of 18- to 24-year-olds. A posttest-only experimental design was used to survey students from several universities in six states. The results from this online experiment suggest that these editorial cartoons have a negative effect on candidate evaluations. However, viewing the clip did not change candidate preferences and an analysis of the control group suggests that viewership of online humor may have a positive effect on political participation.