cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Interventionist Approach to Mediation Analysis.

Judea Pearl's insight that, when errors are assumed independent, the Pure (aka Natural) Direct Effect (PDE) is non-parametrically identified via the Mediation Formula was `path-breaking' in more than one sense! In the same paper Pearl described a thought-experiment as a way to motivate the PDE. Analysis of this experiment led Robins \& Richardson to a novel way of conceptualizing direct effects in terms of interventions on an expanded graph in which treatment is decomposed into multiple separable components. We further develop this novel theory here, showing that it provides a self-contained framework for discussing mediation without reference to cross-world (nested) counterfactuals or interventions on the mediator. The theory preserves the dictum `no causation without manipulation' and makes questions of mediation empirically testable in future Randomized Controlled Trials. Even so, we prove the interventionist and nested counterfactual approaches remain tightly coupled under a Non-Parametric Structural Equation Model except in the presence of a `recanting witness.' In fact, our analysis also leads to a simple sound and complete algorithm for determining identification in the (non-interventionist) theory of path-specific counterfactuals.
Towards Dynamic Urban Bike Usage Prediction for Station Network Reconfiguration.

Bike sharing has become one of the major choices of transportation for residents in metropolitan cities worldwide. A station-based bike sharing system is usually operated in the way that a user picks up a bike from one station, and drops it off at another. Bike stations are, however, not static, as the bike stations are often reconfigured to accommodate changing demands or city urbanization over time. One of the key operations is to evaluate candidate locations and install new stations to expand the bike sharing station network. Conventional practices have been studied to predict existing station usage, while evaluating new stations is highly challenging due to the lack of the historical bike usage. To fill this gap, in this work we propose a novel and efficient bike station-level prediction algorithm called AtCoR, which can predict the bike usage at both existing and new stations (candidate locations during reconfiguration). In order to address the lack of historical data issues, virtual historical usage of new stations is generated according to their correlations with the surrounding existing stations, for AtCoR model initialization. We have designed novel station-centered heatmaps which characterize for each target station centered at the heatmap the trend that riders travel between it and the station's neighboring regions, enabling the model to capture the learnable features of the bike station network. The captured features are further applied to the prediction of bike usage for new stations. Our extensive experiment study on more than 23 million trips from three major bike sharing systems in US, including New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles, shows that AtCoR outperforms baselines and state-of-art models in prediction of both existing and future stations.
Loyalty or lethargy? Keeping sellers committed, not entrenched

Abstract While business sellers frequently enjoy long-term relationships with their buyers, not every extended association is based on a genuine sense of customer loyalty. Many organizations remain in relationships with providers for too long; while the seller has stopped providing value, the buyer sticks to the routine. Building from empirical research and theory on buyer-seller relationships, this research extends our understanding of customer complacency and seller entrenchment and introduces the concept of customer lethargy. Synthesizing theory from multiple domains with exploratory interviews conducted with business customers, this article offers insight into the functioning of organizational buying centers, the evolution of business exchanges over time, and how some exchanges can be undermined by various forms of relational dysfunction. I define customer lethargy, explore its root causes and offer business buyers a strategy which aims to help them self-audit their loyalty, avoid complacency and lethargy, and keep sellers committed, not entrenched.
Externalizing Behavior Problems and Low Academic Achievement: Does a Causal Relation Exist?

Children’s low academic skills are associated with a variety of behavior problems and maladaptive outcomes throughout childhood and adulthood. Given the prevalence of behavioral disorders is approximately 19% of all US children, understanding of the mechanisms through which academic achievement and externalizing behavior problems interact can inform effective intervention to prevent persistent academic failure, chronic behavioral difficulties, and related negative long-term outcomes. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to systematically review research on the association between low academic achievement and externalizing behavior problems, as well as evaluate the research indicating causal linkages, if any, between the two domains. Five databases were searched, including OVID Medline, PsycInfo, Academic Search Premier, ERIC, Education Resource, and PROQUEST. Search terms included statistical designs that could support a hypothetical causal association (e.g., structural equation modeling). We screened a total of 1990 studies, of which 26 met the final inclusion criteria. In total, ten studies reported significant negative effects between the two domains, of which only six reported effect sizes that could be considered meaningful. All but two reported these effects in the direction of early externalizing behavior problems to later academic achievement. Overall, there was inconclusive evidence for either causal or predictive relations. Implications for future research and educational practice are discussed.
The Rule of Technology – How Technology Is Used to Disturb Basic Labor Law Protections

Much has been written on technology and the law. Leading scholars are occupied with the power dynamics between capital, technology, and the law, along with their implications for society and human rights. Alongside that, various labor law scholars focus on the implications of smart technology on employees’ rights throughout the recruitment and employment periods and on workers’ status and rights in the growing phenomenon of platform-based work. This article aims to contribute to the current scholarship by zooming it out and observing from a bird’s-eye view how certain actors use technology to manipulate and challenge basic legal categories in labor today. This is done by referring to legal, sociological, and internet scholarship on the matter. The main argument elaborated throughout this article is that digital technology is used to blur and distort many of the basic labor law protections. Because of this, legal categories and rights in the labor field seem to be outdated and need to be adjusted to this new reality. By providing four detailed examples, the article unpacks how employers, giant high-tech companies, and society use various forms of technology to constantly disturb legal categories in the labor field regarding time, sphere, and relations. In this way, the article demonstrates how social media sites, information communication technologies, and artificial intelligence are used to blur the traditional concepts of privacy, working time and place, the employment contract, and community. This increased blurriness and fragility in labor have created many new difficulties that require new ways of thinking about regulation. Therefore, the article argues that both law and technology have to be modified to cope with the new challenges. Following this, the article proposes three possible ways in which to start considering the regulation of labor in the digital reality: (1) embrace flexibility as part of the legal order and use it as an interpretive tool and not just as an obstacle, (2) broaden the current legal protection and add a procedural layer to the legal rights at stake, and (3) use technology as part of the solution to the dilemmas that technology itself has emphasized. By doing so, this article seeks to enable more accurate thinking on law and regulation in the digital reality, particularly in the labor field, as well as in other fields and contexts.
Social Determinants of Health and Geographic Variation in Medicare per Beneficiary Spending.

Importance Despite substantial geographic variation in Medicare per beneficiary spending in the US, little is known about the extent to which social determinants of health (SDoH) are associated with this variation. Objective To determine the associations between SDoH and county-level price-adjusted Medicare per beneficiary spending. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study used county-level data on 2017 Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) spending, patient demographic characteristics (eg, age and gender) and clinical risk score, supply of health care resources (eg, number of hospital beds), and SDoH measures (eg, median income and unemployment rate) from multiple sources. Multivariable regressions were used to estimate the association of the variation in spending across quintiles with SDoH. Main Outcomes and Measures 2017 county-level price-adjusted Medicare Parts A and B spending per beneficiary. SDoH measures included socioeconomic position, race/ethnicity, social relationships, and residential and community context. Results Among 3038 counties with 33 495 776 Medicare FFS beneficiaries (18 352 336 [54.8%] women; mean [SD] age, 72 [1.5] years), mean Medicare price-adjusted per beneficiary spending for counties in the highest spending quintile was $3785 (95% CI, $3706-$3862) higher, or 49% higher, than spending for bottom-quintile counties (mean [SD] spending per beneficiary, $11 464 [735] vs $7679 [522]; P < .001). The total contribution (including through both direct and indirect pathways) of SDoH was 37.7% ($1428 of $3785) of this variation, compared with 59.8% ($2265 of $3785) by patient clinical risk, 14.5% ($549 of $3785) by supply of health care resources, and 19.8% ($751 of $3785) by patient demographic characteristics. When all factors were included within the same model, the direct contribution of SDoH was associated with 5.8% of the variation, compared with 4.6% by supply, 4.7% by patient demographic characteristics, and 62.0% by patient clinical risk. Conclusions and Relevance These findings suggest social determinants of health are associated with considerable proportions of geographic variation in Medicare spending. Policies addressing SDoH for disadvantaged patients in certain regions have the potential to contain health care spending and improve the value of health care; patient SDoH may need to be accounted for in publicly reported physician performance, and in value-based purchasing incentive programs for health care professionals.
Classical density functional analysis of the ionic size effects on the properties of charge regulating electric double layers

The focus of the present article is on the ionic size variation effects on the properties of charged interfaces involving electrolyte solution, commonly referred to as electric double layers. The p...
Fabrication and application of bicontinuous interfacially jammed emulsions gels

Bicontinuous interfacially jammed emulsion gels (bijels) comprise networks of interpenetrating domains of two immiscible liquids stabilized by nanoparticles jammed at the fluid–fluid interface. Bijels were first reported in simulation, which subsequently spurred experimentalists to develop fabrication approaches including thermal quenching, cosolvent removal, and direct mixing to explore bijels in applications that exploit their unique properties and morphology. Here, we comprehensively review recent developments in bijel fabrication and compare various bijel fabrication techniques. We also share our perspective on potential future directions and applications.
Review article: targeting the B cell activation system in autoimmune hepatitis.

Background The B cell activation system, consisting of B cell activating factor and a proliferation-inducing ligand, may have pathogenic effects in autoimmune hepatitis. Aims To describe the biological actions of the B cell activation system, indicate its possible role in autoimmune diseases, and evaluate its prospects as a therapeutic target in autoimmune hepatitis METHODS: English abstracts were identified in PubMed by multiple search terms. Full length articles were selected for review, and secondary and tertiary bibliographies were developed. Results The B cell activating factor is crucial for the maturation and survival of B cells, and it can co-stimulate T cell activation, proliferation, and survival. It can also modulate the immune response by inducing interleukin 10 production by regulatory B cells. A proliferation-inducing ligand modulates and diversifies the antibody response by inducing class-switch recombination in B cells. It can also increase the proliferation, survival, and antigen activation of T cells. These immune stimulatory actions can be modulated by inducing proliferation of regulatory T cells. The B cell activation system has been implicated in diverse autoimmune diseases, and therapeutic blockade is a management strategy now being evaluated in autoimmune hepatitis. Conclusions The B cell activation system has profound effects on B and T cell function in autoimmune diseases. Blockade therapy is being actively evaluated in autoimmune hepatitis. Clarification of the critical pathogenic components of the B cell activation system will improve the targeting, efficacy, and safety of blockade therapy in this disease.
Chapter 25 The Role of the Electrogenic Sodium Pump in Controlling Excitability in Nerve and Cardiac Fibers

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the events underlying excitability in certain tissues and the modifications of the excitability process by active ion transport. The active ion transport to be discussed is limited to the sodium-potassium pump, and particular emphasis is laid on pump activity in cardiac tissues. Evidence is also presented, which shows that the sodium pump controls excitability, in many instances because it is electrogenic. The chapter describes the role of the pump in excitability, which is enhanced by a burst of activity, and it is likely that the subsequent moderation of discharge in certain systems is part of an overall physiological regulation. In the heart, the pump has an inhibitory influence on the latent pacemaker automaticity, an inhibition that is automatically removed when latent pacemaker automaticity needs to be brought into play. In addition, as the function of the electrogenic pump is enhanced by a period of supernormal activity, a period of reduced activity favors a restoration of the ionic balance. The electrogenic sodium pump thus help repays the “sodium debt” contracted during the period of enhanced activity.
Short Memory/Thin Skin

The article examines the relationship between photography and memory and the idea that photography itself is an art of memory.
STUDY ON THE VOID FRACTION PROFILES IN BUBBLY FLOW PATTERN

ABSTRACT In air-water flow, some void fraction measurements at different water and air flow rates are presented. The radial equation of motion for the liquid phase is simplified to an integrable form. The numerical integration of this liquid phase equation is carried out, to find the radial dynamic pressure distribution, using the turbulent velocity fluctuations measured for single phase flow and the local void fraction measured by the resistivity probe. The contribution of the resulting pressure distribution to the bubble distribution is considered to be the first mechanism. The second mechanism is the so-called Magnus effect which is imposed by the surrounding liquid on the bubbles. It is speculated that the void distribution in a vertical tube with relatively small bubble sizes is mainly governed by the two previously indicated mechanisms. For larger bubbles, the apparent mass will be predominant, and it will hamper the effect of the other distribution mechanisms.
Reconciling the Post‐Perovskite Phase with Seismological Observations of Lowermost Mantle Structure

The discovery of post-perovskite (pPv), the high pressure polymorph of (Mg x ,Fe 1-x )SiO 3 perovskite (Pv), may have profound implications for the thermal, chemical and dynamical structure of the deep Earth, if it can be demonstrated that pPv currently exists in the lower mantle. The requisite basis for such a demonstration is seismological observation of elastic velocity and density structures diagnostic of or at least compatible with the expected properties of pPv occurrence in a realistic lower mantle chemical and thermal environment. A critical assessment of seismological observations versus predictions for a lower mantle model with pPv is undertaken, with the limitations and robust attributes of the seismological data being summarized. The existence of a seismic velocity discontinuity several hundred kilometers above the core-mantle boundary is a primary line of evidence for the presence of a Pv-pPv phase change. However, some attributes of the discontinuity, such as localized P wave reflections from a large P velocity increase and the sharpness of observed P and S velocity increases, reveal inconsistencies with expected properties of a Pv-pPv phase transition. Lateral variations in temperature can produce complex phase boundary structure that explains variable S wave observations, but such elastic heterogeneity intrinsically complicates testing the pPv hypothesis. The combination of rapidly expanding seismological data sets and new high resolution data analysis procedures reveal multiple seismic discontinuities near the base of the mantle; in some cases these may be consistent with forward and reverse Pv-pPv transformations, bounding a pPv layer or lens in D" above the CMB. Other phase changes or compositional contrasts could also be involved. At present, existence of pPv in the deep Earth is quite plausible, but not yet conclusively demonstrated. Future seismological and mineral physics research directions for further testing the hypothesis that pPv is present in the lower mantle are suggested.
Edge terminations for SiC high voltage Schottky rectifiers

A study of floating metal field rings (FMRs) and resistive Schottky barrier field plate (RESP) edge terminations for high-voltage silicon carbide (SiC) Schottky barrier diodes (SBD) is reported. For a drift region doping of 2*10/sup 16/ cm/sup -3/, numerical simulations indicated a breakdown voltage for an unterminated diode of about 225 V as compared to approximately=1125 V for a parallel plane structure. For the FMR termination, simulations indicate a breakdown voltage of approximately=600 V for a three-ring termination with a ring spacing of 0.8 mu m. Experimentally determined breakdown voltages of SiC SBDs fabricated using FMR termination were >400 V as compared to approximately=220 V for unterminated diodes. For the RESP termination, an analytical model was developed to study the effect of various design parameters, such as RESP length and sheet-resistance, on the breakdown voltage. This model was used to optimize various design parameters for SBDs fabricated using RESP termination. >
Efficient Constrained Regret Minimization

Online learning constitutes a mathematical and compelling framework to analyze sequential decision making problems in adversarial environments. The learner repeatedly chooses an action, the environment responds with an outcome, and then the learner receives a reward for the played action. The goal of the learner is to maximize his total reward. However, there are situations in which, in addition to maximizing the cumulative reward, there are some additional constraints on the sequence of decisions that must be satisfied on average by the learner. In this paper we study an extension to the online learning where the learner aims to maximize the total reward given that some additional constraints need to be satisfied. By leveraging on the theory of Lagrangian method in constrained optimization, we propose Lagrangian exponentially weighted average (LEWA) algorithm, which is a primal-dual variant of the well known exponentially weighted average algorithm, to efficiently solve constrained online decision making problems. Using novel theoretical analysis, we establish the regret and the violation of the constraint bounds in full information and bandit feedback models.
Sign determination of the magnetic hyperfine field by the Mössbauer-Faraday effect

Abstract The nuclear Faraday effect can be used in a zero velocity Mossbauer apparatus to determine the sign of the magnetic hyperfine field.
Comparing Semi-Automated Clustering Methods for Persona Development

Current and future information systems require a better understanding of the interactions between users and systems in order to improve system use and, ultimately, success. The use of personas as design tools is becoming more widespread as researchers and practitioners discover its benefits. This paper presents an empirical study comparing the performance of existing qualitative and quantitative clustering techniques for the task of identifying personas and grouping system users into those personas. A method based on Factor (Principal Components) Analysis performs better than two other methods which use Latent Semantic Analysis and Cluster Analysis as measured by similarity to expert manually defined clusters.
Vibrational isotope shifts in hexafluoride molecules

Abstract Central-atom isotope frequency shifts for the v 3 stretching fundamentals of octahedral hexafluorides are reviewed. Accurate shifts have been measured for the hexafluorides of S, Se, Mo, Te, W and U, and can be calculated from force fields for those of Rh, Ir, Pt, Np and Pu. A theoretical treatment of the relation between the vibrational frequency v 3 and the central-atom mass m establishes the parametric dependence of the isotope shift Δ v 3 . This yields a semi-empirical formula Δ v 3 (cm −1 amu −1 ) = −4.20 v 3 m −1.75 , with v 3 in cm −1 and m in amu. Frequency shifts calculated from this formula agree with measured shifts generally to within 5%, and it promises to be useful in estimating such shifts for Jahn—Teller hexafluorides and for hexafluoride ions. The relative precision of isotope frequency shifts and Coriolis constants in constraining the general quadratic force fields of XF 6 molecules has also been considered. For a given precision in measuring frequency shifts, Δ v 3 is more effective than Δ v 4 , by the ratio v 3 / v 4 , for determining the off-diagonal symmetry force constant F 34 . F 34 is about equally well constrained by the Coriolis constants for all molecules, but the frequency shifts become much less effective for this purpose as the central-atom mass increases.
Self-consistent calculation of electron-phonon couplings.

An approach is described in which the electron-phonon coupling is evaluated by using the change in the self-consistent crystal potential caused by a ``frozen-phonon'' distortion of the lattice. Both the vibrational and electronic properties of the solid are computed directly and used for the electron-phonon coupling calculation. The method can be used to examine electron-phonon interactions without any empirical information about the electronic or vibrational states of the material. Recent applications of the method include the successful prediction of superconductivity in highly compressed silicon.
Evaluating prosodic features for automated scoring of non-native read speech

We evaluate two types of prosodic features utilizing automatically generated stress and tone labels for non-native read speech in terms of their applicability for automated speech scoring. oth types of features have not been used in the context of automated scoring of non-native read speech to date.
Roles and Influence in Marriages: Both Spouses' Perceptions Contribute to Marital Commitment

This study used responses from both spouses to examine the multiple ways in which perceptions of roles and influence were related to marital commitment. Using a dyadic approach, the authors investigated four types of associations—self, cross-spouse, gender, and additive—among perceptions of role and influence quality with reports of marital commitment. Data gathered from 107 married couples revealed that when spouses saw their roles and levels of influence in the relationship as equal, fair, and satisfying, they were more likely to experience positive levels of commitment. In addition, the findings indicated that people's perceptions of commitment were associated not only by their own perceptions of roles and influence but also with the perceptions of their partners. Findings are discussed in relation to the need to take account of both spouses' perceptions when examining marital commitment.
Myelofibrosis and Tuberculosis Caused by Atypical Mycobacteria

A case of myelofibrosis associated with pulmonary tuberculosis, caused by atypical organisms, is reported. Both diseases were present at the time of discovery; there was no history of exposure to benzene or irradiation. Antimicrobial therapy had no effect on the myelofibrsis, and the mycobacterial disease process showed stability, with no evidence of involvement of the spleen or lymph glands, or terminal miliary spread. This case, to our knowledge, is the first one in which coexistence of myelofibrosis and mycobacteriosis caused by atypical (Group 1) organisms has been reported. Causal relationship between these two diseases could not be established in this patient.
Prostate derived Ets transcription factor (PDEF) is a potential prognostic marker in patients with prostate cancer

Background Reduced expression of prostate-derived Ets transcription factor (PDEF) leads to morphologic change as well as increased migration and invasiveness of prostate cancer cells. However, the clinical relevance of PDEF expression and its relationship to anti-apoptotic protein survivin is yet to be determined.
The Effects of Moisture on the Breakdown - Pulse - Noise of Mineral - Insulated Instrument Cable

Cable resistances (R) and breakdown-pulse-noise (BPN) were measured before, during, and after heating 60-cm portions of a 10-meter mineral-insulated coaxial cable to various temperatures (T), mostly 320°C. A severe BPN-condition and a very low R within about 60 cm of the high-T end of the cable was shown to be due to atmospheric moisture admitted through an end-seal leak inflicted by a previous test. A similar, but much less severe, BPN-condition 90 to 120 cm removed from either end was attributed to a small amount of moisture that had collected at these positions during the same previous test independent of the end-seal leak. These results suggest that the BPN problem might be eliminated by better hygroscopic measures in cable manufacture.
Versatility of Y-family Sulfolobus solfataricus DNA Polymerase Dpo4 in Translesion Synthesis Past Bulky N2-Alkylguanine Adducts

In contrast to replicative DNA polymerases, Sulfolobus solfataricus Dpo4 showed a limited decrease in catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) for insertion of dCTP opposite a series of N2-alkylguanine templates of increasing size from (methyl (Me) to (9-anthracenyl)-Me (Anth)). Fidelity was maintained with increasing size up to (2-naphthyl)-Me (Naph). The catalytic efficiency increased slightly going from the N2-NaphG to the N2-AnthG substrate, at the cost of fidelity. Pre-steady-state kinetic bursts were observed for dCTP incorporation throughout the series (N2-MeG to N2-AnthG), with a decrease in the burst amplitude and kpol, the rate of single-turnover incorporation. The pre-steady-state kinetic courses with G and all of the six N2-alkyl G adducts could be fit to a general DNA polymerase scheme to which was added an inactive complex in equilibrium with the active ternary Dpo4·DNA·dNTP complex, and only the rates of equilibrium with the inactive complex and phosphodiester bond formation were altered. Two crystal structures of Dpo4 with a template N2-NaphG (in a post-insertion register opposite a 3′-terminal C in the primer) were solved. One showed N2-NaphG in a syn conformation, with the naphthyl group located between the template and the Dpo4 “little finger” domain. The Hoogsteen face was within hydrogen bonding distance of the N4 atoms of the cytosine opposite N2-NaphG and the cytosine at the –2 position. The second structure showed N2-Naph G in an anti conformation with the primer terminus largely disordered. Collectively these results explain the versatility of Dpo4 in bypassing bulky G lesions.
A SEARCH FOR SINGLE ELECTRON PRODUCTION IN ELECTRON - POSITRON ANNIHILATION AT E = 29-GeV

This thesis presents experimental results from the ASP detector which took data on e{sup +}e{sup -} interactions in the PEP storage ring at SLAC. Its design was particularly suitable for searching for production of supersymmetric particles. The motivations for and phenomenology of Supersymmetry are discussed. In particular, the production of a single supersymmetric electron ( selectron'', {tilde e}) in combination with a supersymmetric photon ( photino'', {tilde {gamma}}) would result in events in which a single electron and no other particles are observed in the detector at an e{sup +}e{sup -} collider such as PEP, provided the masses of these particles are not too large. Such events would also result from the production of a single supersymmetric W-boson ( wino'', {tilde W}) in combination with a supersymmetric neutrino ( sneutrino'', {tilde {nu}}). These processes make it possible to search for electrons and winos with masses greater than the beam energy. Observation of these unusual events would distinctly indicate the production of new particles. The ASP detector was designed to be hermetic and to provide efficient event reconstruction for low multiplicity events. The detector is described and its performance is evaluated; it is found to be well-suited to this study. Themore » data sample collected with the detector was thoroughly analyzed for evidence of single-electron events. The various possible background processes are considered and Monte Carlo calculations of the distributions from single selectron and single wino production are presented. Using this information an efficient off-line event selection process was developed, and it is described in detail. 82 refs., 41 figs., 4 tabs.« less
Heavy tail influencers and stochastic bounded confidence stability

In many social networks, whether two agents incorporate each other's opinion or not depends on the proximity of their opinions. The bounded confidence model of opinion dynamics captures this by introducing a parameter called the influence range and by stating than an agent incorporates the opinion of another agent if the distance between their opinions is less than the influence range. We generalize the bounded confidence opinion dynamics model by allowing a stochastic influence range that varies across time and agents, and by incorporating the effect an additive noise on the update rule. We establish the conditions under which this stochastic dynamics is stable in an appropriate sense. Our main observation is that the the presence of heavy tailed influence ranges is critical for stability.
Application of an operant generalization paradigm to characterize the perceptual quality of common taste compounds in a rat model.

To circumvent limitations associated with the conditioned taste aversion generalization paradigm, we previously developed an operant taste generalization procedure to make inferences on the taste quality of chemical compounds in rodent models. In this procedure, 4 groups (n=6) of water-restricted rats were trained in a two-response operant discrimination task to make one response after sampling an assigned standard taste compound (various concentrations of either NaCl, sucrose, quinine hydrochloride, or citric acid) or a different response if the taste compound was any of the remaining 3 comparison stimuli. Correct responses were reinforced with access to water and errors were punished with a time-out. Here, novel test compounds were presented to these trained animals without a programmed consequence and the degree of generalized responding to the standard versus comparison stimuli was quantified. Results indicated that concentrations of sodium gluconate (0.376 M and 0.668 M) were treated predominantly as NaCl-like; maltose (0.421 M) and fructose (0.421 M) were treated predominantly as sucrose-like; denatonium (0.131 and 0.360 mM) was treated predominantly as quinine-like; and tartaric acid (10.4 and 28.2 mM) was treated predominantly as citric acid-like. Monosodium glutamate produced a profile suggesting a sucrose-like and sodium-like quality, whereas KCl produced a complex profile that was predominantly represented by quinine-like, citric acid-like, and NaCl-like qualities. Water and lower concentrations of maltose and fructose had a significant quinine-like component suggesting the presence of a weak “bitter” taste. These findings demonstrate the utility of this procedure in assessing how rodents perceptually categorize taste compounds. Supported by NIH Grants F31-DC007301 [CLG] and R01-DC01628 [ACS].
Substitution of psychoactive drugs in pentobarbital-dependent rats.

Abstract The substitution of either bromazepam, diazepam, methaqualone, mazindol, nortriptyline or bupropion for pentobarbital, in dependent rats, was assessed using a continuous drug infusion method. Male, Sprague—Dawley rats were made dependent on pentobarbital during 12 days of continuous, intraperitoneal, pentobarbital infusion. On Day 13, pentobarbital was replaced with either saline, vehicle, or one of the drugs of interest and rats were infused for 24 h. On Day 14, all rats were infused, for 24 h, with saline. Changes in both body weight and behavioral indices of withdrawal were assessed during Day 13 and 14. It was observed that bromazepam and methaqualone substituted for pentobarbital in a dose-dependent fashion. Diazepam also substituted in pentobarbital dependent rats but, inexplicably, the low dose of diazepam provided better substitution than did the higher dose. On the other hand, neither mazindol or nortriptyline substituted for pentobarbital and there was a tendency for exacerbation of the withdrawal signs. Finally, it was noted that the low dose of bupropion appeared to decrease the severity of the withdrawal symptoms. The data supports the view that the substitution of compounds for pentobarbital, in dependent rats, is limited to those compounds which, presumably, possess similar mechanisms of action in the CNS.
Experimental arthritis induced by polysaccharide macromolecules

Several polysaccharide macromolecules are capable of inducing synovial inflammation. Characteristics of polysaccharides that have this capacity were studied in an in vivo rabbit model. The ability to induce synovial inflammation was positively correlated with the presence of sulfate and with high molecular weight. Understanding the characteristics of molecules that produce inflammation may help in the investigation to determine what mechanisms initiate the inflammatory response.
RGS2 and generalized anxiety disorder in an epidemiologic sample of hurricane-exposed adults

Background: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a common and sometimes disabling condition often associated with stressful life events that involve significant loss or danger. The disorder appears moderately heritable. Polymorphisms in the RGS2 (regulator of G-protein signaling 2) gene were recently associated with anxious behavior in mice and panic disorder and trait anxiety in humans. We examined whether rs4606, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the 3 0 UTR of RGS2, was associated with GAD in an epidemiologic sample of adults exposed to the 2004 Florida Hurricanes. Methods: The sample for the current study is 607 adults from the 2004 Florida Hurricane Study who returned buccal DNA samples via mail. Participants were selected via random digit dial procedures and interviewed via telephone about hurricane exposure, social support, and GAD symptoms. The outcome measure was DSM-IV diagnosis of GAD derived from structured interviews. Results: RGS2 SNP rs4606 was significantly associated with GAD in this sample. In logistic regression analyses, each C allele was associated with a 100% (P 5.026) increased risk of GAD after controlling for age, sex, ancestry, hurricane exposure, and social support. Conclusions: These findings are consistent with a previously published study showing a higher prevalence of the C allele among panic disorder patients than controls. This study points toward a relevant polymorphism for GAD at the 3 0 end of the RGS2 gene; and suggests that studying a recently disaster-exposed sample is both feasible and may
Bathyal Leptostraca From the Continental Slope of the Northeastern United States 1)

[Deux especes de Leptostraca ont ete recueillies au cours d'un programme de recoltes benthiques, sur une radiale entre Marthas Vineyard, Massachusetts, et les Bermudes, dans l'Atlantique Nord. Nebalia typhlops occidentalis n. subsp. a ete trouvee vers le haut du talus continental par 500 metres environ. Nebaliella caboti se trouvait a 2085 metres de profondeur pres de la base du talus., Deux especes de Leptostraca ont ete recueillies au cours d'un programme de recoltes benthiques, sur une radiale entre Marthas Vineyard, Massachusetts, et les Bermudes, dans l'Atlantique Nord. Nebalia typhlops occidentalis n. subsp. a ete trouvee vers le haut du talus continental par 500 metres environ. Nebaliella caboti se trouvait a 2085 metres de profondeur pres de la base du talus.]
Saturation Throughput Affected by The Ratio of Direct-to-Diffuse Signal Power in The Wireless LAN

This paper analyzes saturation throughput variation quantitatively over Rayleigh or Ricean fading channels under the CSMA/CA (carrier sense multiple access/collision avoidance)-based DCF (distributed coordination function) protocol at the MAC layer in the 802.11a wireless LAN. We find the fact that when the ratio of direct-to-diffuse signal power is increased, the saturation throughput is increased and saturated. By analyzing the DCF saturation throughput quantitatively about the mandatory data rate of 6 Mbps, 12 Mbps, 24 Mbps and the highest data rate of 54 Mbps, we also find the fact that saturation throughput is dependent on the packet transmission probability, the number of stations and the ratio of received average energy per bit-to-noise power spectral density.
Effects of local cell concentrations upon the growth of chick embryo cells in tissue culture.

Abstract 1. 1. It has previously been shown that the growth rate in fresh medium of secondary cultures of chick embryo fibroblasts is positively correlated with their cell concentration, over a wide range; and that sparse cultures grow much more rapidly in medium conditioned by incubation with concentrated cell cultures than in fresh medium. 2. 2. We now report that the growth of a small number of cells is greatly enhanced by plating the cells in a small area of the culture surface. Indeed, a relatively small number of cells in fresh medium will grow at their maximum rate if plated at a high enough concentration per unit area. Cultures made with equal concentrations of cells per unit area, but with 25-fold differences in total cell number, showed approximately the same relative increase in cell number in the first day after plating in fresh medium. Thus the growth of a culture in this period is determined largely, and possibly entirely, by its concentration of cells per unit area. 3. 3. When coverslips with sparse cultures of living cells are inverted and supported above moderately hevy feeder layers, it is found that the extent of growth enhancement transmitted from the feeder cells to the living cells decreases with increasing distance to the coverslip. 4. 4. It is suggested that this short-range growth enhancement occurs because the conditioning factor is at a significantly higher concentration in the medium near the cells than in the bulk of the medium, and that this concentration difference is a consequence of the low rate at which the conditioning factor diffuses away from the cells. 5. 5. Possible analogies between the short-range growth enhancement and other types of interaction between vertebrate cells are discussed.
CO2 degassing in the Oregon Cascades

The carbon isotope content of dissolved inorganic carbon was measured for large cold springs in the central Oregon Cascades. Low [sup 14]C activities in some of the springs are interpreted to result from the dissolution of diffuse emissions of magmatic CO[sub 2], even though volcanic activity has not occurred in this area for more than 1300 yr. On the basis of dissolved magmatic carbon concentrations in the springs, the authors infer a diffuse magmatic CO[sub 2] degassing rate of 3.4 [times] 10[sup 5] kg/yr per kilometer of arc for the central Oregon Cascades. The CO[sub 2] flux calculated from estimates of the mean magmatic intrusion rate and experimentally determined values of CO[sub 2] content in melts is consistent with that determined from their measurements of the dissolved CO[sub 2] flux at springs.
Mechanical properties of sputtered Cu/V and Al/Nb multilayer films

Abstract We have investigated the microstructure and mechanical properties of sputter-deposited Cu/V and Al/Nb metallic multilayer systems in this study and compared their mechanical properties to Cu/Cr and Cu/Nb reported earlier. These multilayer films are all of fcc/bcc type, with Kurdjumov–Sachs orientation relationship: {1 1 1}fcc//{1 1 0}bcc; 〈1 1 0〉fcc//〈1 1 1〉bcc. In all cases, hardnesses of multilayers increase with decreasing layer thickness, and reach maxima at approximately 2–5 nm layer thickness. The differences in their mechanical properties (the Hall–Petch slope and peak hardness) are interpreted in terms of their differences in shear moduli, heat of mixing, and characteristics of interfaces.
CIRCULAR STATES OF ATOMIC HYDROGEN

We describe the creation of circular states of hydrogen by adiabatic transfer of a Rydberg state in crossed electric and magnetic fields, and also by adiabatic passage in a rotating microwave field. The latter method permits rapid switching between the two circular states of a given n manifold. The two methods are demonstrated experimentally, and results are presented of an analysis of the field ionization properties of the circular states. An application for the circular states is illustrated by millimeter-wave resonance in hydrogen of the n=29{r_arrow}n=30 transition. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Impact of optical devices on reading rates and expectations for visual functioning of school-age children and youth with low vision

Optical devices were prescribed and training provided for children with low vision in the state of Tennessee. Reading rates and comprehension rates were taken before introduction of the optical devices and after approximately six months of using the aids. Scores were also recorded of student, teacher, and parent expectations of the students’ visual functioning. Data show that students did not make significant changes in their silent or oral reading rates. However, it is important to note that they did make significant gains in comparison to the reading norms of their sighted peers. Data also show that expectation of students’ visual functioning increased in both students and their teachers. In contrast, parents’ expectations of students’ visual functioning decreased.
Age and capacity devaluation: A replication

Abstract This study replicates and extends an earlier study of disabled men based on 1996 national survey data which supported the hypothesis of capacity devaluation among older persons who considered themselves disabled, by finding that age was related to self-reported severity of work disability independent of several measures of functional capacity loss and prior job requirements. We analyzed data from a 1972 national survey of disabled persons in the U.S. aged 20–64 for women as well as men, utilizing more comprehensive and direct measures of capacity loss and prior work situation. Cross-tabular and logit analyses largely confirm the finding in the earlier study and extend them to disabled women: age independently affected self-perceived severity of work disability. Capacity devaluation among the near-aged occurred particularly among less incapacitated blue-collar men but its occurrence was not greater among those with more specific exertional requirements in the prior job. The results generally support the conclusion that older persons with work limitations devalue their residual capacities for work. Older persons' evaluations of their work abilities appear to be influenced by social expectations of declining capacities with age and by social sanctions permitting premature withdrawal from work for reasons of health.
Na Primeira Margem do Rio: Território e Ecologia do Povo Xavante de Wedezé

Review of Na Primeira Margem do Rio: Territorio e Ecologia do Povo Xavante de Wedeze . James R Welch, Ricardo Ventura Santos, Nancy M. Flowers, and Carlos E. A. Coimbra Jr. 2012. Museu do Indio/FUNAI, Rio de Janeiro. Pp. 244. ISBN 978-85-85986-46-9.
Application to Coronary Arteries of the Basic Principles Governing the Development of Collateral Arterial Channels

The experiments performed on 350 dogs showed that when certain technical points were observed, a pedicle containing the mammary artery, mammary vein, and surrounding soft tissue consistently contributed large collateral channels which were capable of carrying the entire arterial blood supply to a large portion of the left ventricle of the heart of a dog with experimental chronic coronary arterial hypotension. Original plastic devices were used to produce controlled, gradual, coronary constrictions and occlusions. Direction and velocity of movement and size of the donor arteries, the collateral channels, and the recipient coronary arteries were determined from frame-by-frame analysis of cinearteriograms.
An Evolving Residential Landscape in Post-Katrina New Orleans: Racial Segregation Among Racial and Ethnic Groups, 2000-2010

Residential landscapes across the United States have been significantly altered in recent years by the increased racial and ethnic diversity evident within urban areas. In New Orleans, Louisiana, residential landscapes were particularly impacted by the disruptive influences associated with Hurricane Katrina, a storm that ultimately transformed the demographic make-up of this urban area. This research investigates the impacts that increased diversity has had on the levels of residential segregation among racial and/or ethnic groups in New Orleans from 2000 to 2010. Empirical analysis entailed the measurement of two dimensions of segregation evident among Non-Hispanic whites, African-Americans, Hispanics and Asians. Measures of residential exposure were decomposed in order to investigate the relative impacts of metropolitan-wide compositional change and intra-urban redistributive change on segregation among the four groups. During the 2000s, New Orleans exhibited very modest forms of residential integration. Results suggest that Non-Hispanic whites, Asians, and Hispanics exhibited some degree of "ethnic or racial self-selectivity" that functioned to concentrate these groups residentially, although these forces were partially overwhelmed by other forces operating at both the neighborhood and metropolitan scales. The evidence further suggests that the residential experiences among minorities were strongly impacted by the redistributive behavior of whites.