cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A preliminary examination of differential sexual attitudes among individuals involved in interracial relationships: testing “Jungle Fever”

“Jungle Fever” is a stereotype that individuals who enter interracial relationships out of a desire to experience sex with someone of a different race. This research is an initial attempt to gather empirical evidence that address this stereotype. Analysis of the sexual attitudes of never married/cohabited individuals in the 1992 National Health and Social Life Survey find little support for this stereotype. Because this finding only examines attitudes, and not motivations, this research is very preliminary. Future extensions to this work are discussed. © 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.
Growth inhibitory effects of dimethyl sulfoxide and dimethyl sulfone on vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells in vitro

The growth of bovine aortic smooth muscle and endothelial cells was studied after exposure to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or its major metabolite, dimethyl sulfone (DMSO2). Both compounds caused a dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth as determined by [3H]thymidine incorporation and by counting the number of cells with time of exposure in culture. The IC50 of DMSO (concentration which produces 50% inhibition of growth) was 1% for smooth muscle cells and 2.9% for endothelial cells. Similarly, the IC50 of DMSO2 was also 1% for smooth muscle cells, but was 1.8% for endothelial cells. After a 4-d exposure to either compound, the growth inhibition of smooth muscle cells was completely reversible at 1%, partially reversible at 2 to 3% and completely irreversible at 4%. By comparison, inhibition of endothelial cell growth was completely reversible up to 4% of either compound. It is concluded that the growth of smooth muscle cells was similarly inhibited by DMSO and DMSO2, but that smooth muscle cells were more susceptible than endothelial cells to the growth inhibitory effects of these compounds. In addition, DMSO2 was a more potent inhibitor of cell growth than DMSO and its growth inhibition was less reversible than that produced by DMSO.
Assistive Technology For Postsecondary Students With Learning Disabilities

An increasing number of students with learning disabilities are attending postsecondary institutions. To meet the educational demands of these students, support service providers will likely rely on assistive technology. This article lists types of assistive technology appropriate for use with persons with learning disabilities at the postsecondary level and discusses ways in which assistive technology enhances learning. Additionally, an overview of legislation that has had an impact on assistive technology at the postsecondary level is presented. Issues involving assistive technology programs at the postsecondary level are discussed. Postsecondary assistive technology program components, device selection, and training guidelines also are outlined.
Analysis of approximate message passing algorithm

Finding fast recovery algorithms is a problem of significant interest in compressed sensing. In many applications, extremely large problem sizes are envisioned, with at least tens of thousands of equations and hundreds of thousands of unknowns. The interior point methods for solving the best studied algorithm -l 1 minimization- are very slow and hence they are ineffective for such problem sizes. Faster methods such as LARS or homotopy [1] have been proposed for solving l 1 minimization but there is still a need for algorithms with less computational complexity. Therefore there is a fast growing literature on greedy methods and iterative thresholding for finding the sparsest solution. It was shown by [2] that most of these algorithms perform worse than `1 when it comes to the sparsity-measurement tradeoff [2]. In a recent paper the authors introduced a new algorithm called AMP which is as fast as iterative soft thresholding algorithms proposed before and performs exactly the same as l 1 minimization[3]. This algorithm is inspired from the message passing algorithms on bipartite graphs. The statistical properties of AMP let the authors propose a theoretical framework to analyze the asymptotic performance of the algorithm. This results in very sharp predictions of different observables in the algorithm. In this paper we address several questions regarding the thresholding policy. We consider a very general thresholding policy λ(σ) for the algorithm and will use the maxmin framework to tune it optimally. It is shown that when formulated in this general form, the maxmin thresholding policy is not unique and many different thresholding policies may lead to the same phase transition. We will then propose two very simple thresholding policies that can be implemented easily in practice and prove that they are both maxmin. This analysis will also shed some light on several other aspects of the algorithm, such as the least favorable distribution and similarity of all maxmin optimal thresholding policies. We will also show how one can derive the AMP algorithm from the full message passing algorithm.
Chromosomal abnormalities in F1-diploid hybrids between Clarkia lassenensis and C. Amoena ssp. Huntiana

No interspecific hybrids between C. amoena ssp. huntiana and C. lassenensis were found in a naturally occurring sympatric population. The few F1-diploid hybrids produced experimentally showed a wide range as well as a high degree of meiotic irregularities which are probably the main factors in determining hybrid sterility. In most meiocytes only univalents were present at M1. The majority of M1 associations encountered were non-homologous pseudo-associations, the rest were chiasmate-like and some of these could be homoeologous. Meiotic abnormalities resulted, in part, from such pseudo-associations together with precocious division of univalents and fragmentation prior to A1. Pollen tetrad analysis revealed higher numbers of microspores produced from a single hybrid PMC, apparently as a result of microsporocyte supernumerary divisions. These microspores varied in size and number of nuclei and were virtually all sterile. The magnitude of F1 cytological abnormalities and the extremely well developed reproductive isolation between these two otherwise relatively close species, indicate a karyotype diversity that could happen only if we assume extensive chromosomal rearrangements resulting in profound differences between their respective genomes.
Geometrical vector flux sinks and ideal flux concentrators

The description of ideal flux concentrators as shapes that do not disturb the geometrical vector flux field is extended to all the known types of ideal flux concentrators. This is accomplished, in part, by the introduction of vector flux sinks.
Fluorescence goggle for intraoperative breast cancer imaging

We have developed a fluorescence goggle device for intraoperative oncologic imaging. With our system design, the surgeon can directly visualize the fluorescence information from the eyepieces in real time without any additional monitor, which can improve one's coordination and surgical accuracy. In conjunction with targeting fluorescent dyes, the goggle device can successfully detect tumor margins and small nodules that are not obvious to naked eye. This can potentially decrease the incidence of incomplete resection.
The role of tumor expression of CD200 in tumor formation, metastasis and susceptibility to T lymphocyte adoptive transfer therapy

CD200 is a cell surface glycoprotein that has been implicated in a variety of human cancer cells and has been thought to play a pro-tumor role. However, in our recent study we have revealed that CD200 on cancer cells inhibits tumor formation and metastasis through inhibition of myeloid cells.
Theory of a grating coupler of finite thickness.

We derive and evaluate expressions for the evanescent infrared fields near a grating coupler of finite thickness. The calculations confirm over a range of small thicknesses the validity of models used earlier in which the grating coupler was viewed as an inhomogeneously conducting sheet of negligible thickness. For thicker gratings the deviations from the simpler theories are evident, and their influence on the coupling to a two-dimensional electron gas are illustrated. Special care is necessary to ensure the numerical stability of the results.
An international common project: implementation phase

To better prepare students to work in globally distributed organizations, to develop effective communication skills to deal with the communication barriers that are inherent in such settings and to provide students with the opportunity to be involved in a complete software development cycle of a "real-world" project, from design to integration and testing, we have developed a course based on an "International Common Project" (ICP) model [3] of the US-EC (European Community) Consortium "Towards a Common Computer Science Curriculum and Mutual Degree Recognition" [1]. The course is scheduled for the Spring Semester, 2001, and Towson University, Maryland, USA and Evry University, France, will participate in this project.
Scene Labeling Using Beam Search under Mutex Constraints

This paper addresses the problem of assigning object class labels to image pixels. Following recent holistic formulations, we cast scene labeling as inference of a conditional random field (CRF) grounded onto superpixels. The CRF inference is specified as quadratic program (QP) with mutual exclusion (mutex) constraints on class label assignments. The QP is solved using a beam search (BS), which is well-suited for scene labeling, because it explicitly accounts for spatial extents of objects, conforms to inconsistency constraints from domain knowledge, and has low computational costs. BS gradually builds a search tree whose nodes correspond to candidate scene labelings. Successor nodes are repeatedly generated from a select set of their parent nodes until convergence. We prove that our BS efficiently maximizes the QP objective of CRF inference. Effectiveness of our BS for scene labeling is evaluated on the benchmark MSRC, Stanford Backgroud, PASCAL VOC 2009 and 2010 datasets.
Differentiation of depression and PTSD symptoms in combat veterans

tudies have consistently shown that combat veteransevaluated for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) ex-hibit a) extreme and diffuse levels of psychopathologyacross instruments (e.g., Mississippi Scale, Beck De-pression Inventory, Minnesota Multiphasic Personal-ity Inventory [MMPI]), measuring different domainsof mental illness, and b) extreme elevations on the va-lidity scales of the MMPI, which is suggestive of a ‘‘fakebad’’ response style [e.g., Fairbank et al., 1983; Hyer etal., 1986]. Thus, there is a well-documented over-reporting response style among veterans evaluated forPTSD, which hampers evaluation of individual veteransand colors our understanding of the disorder [see Fruehet al., in press, for a comprehensive review of the extantliterature related to this phenomenon].Our understanding of this over-reporting responsestyle among veterans remains undeveloped. For ex-ample, it is not clear to what extent veterans are ableto differentiate their reports of different symptoms(e.g., depression, anxiety) rather than responding witha single global distress factor (e.g., ‘‘negative affect’’).Although previous studies have examined the factorstructure of single PTSD measures [e.g., Engdahl etal., 1996; King and King, 1994; McFall et al., 1990],the distinctiveness of PTSD symptom reports fromother psychiatric symptom domains have not beenstudied in veteran populations.Examination of the psychometric distinctiveness ofdifferent constructs has been attempted with anxietyand depression in a variety of other clinical samples,with mixed results [e.g., Clark et al., 1994], although itappears that greater distinctiveness has been foundwhen homogenous clinical samples were used [e.g.,Cox et al., 1993; Morgan et al., 1998]. Because PTSDis classified as an anxiety disorder and is considered tohave high rates of comorbid depression [e.g., Keaneand Wolfe, 1990], comparison to the anxiety-depres-sion literature is pertinent.The present study was designed to evaluate the psy-chometric distinctiveness of symptom reports of de-pression and PTSD in combat veterans evaluated for
Recent Developments in the Epidemiology of Bipolar Disorder in Adults and Children: Magnitude, Correlates, and Future Directions

During the past decade, there has been increasing recognition of the dramatic personal and societal impact of bipolar disorder I and II (DSM–IV). The estimated disability-adjusted life years of bipolar disorder outrank all cancers and primary neurologic disorders, such as epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease, primarily because of its early onset and chronicity across the lifespan (World Health Report, 2002). The results of numerous international epidemiologic surveys using contemporary diagnostic criteria have strengthened the evidence base on the magnitude, correlates, and consequences of bipolar disorder in representative samples of the general population. Epidemiologic research has also demonstrated the differences between clinical and community samples in terms of demographic factors, comorbidity, patterns of onset, severity, treatment utilization, and response. The aims of this article are (a) to summarize the magnitude of the prevalence of bipolar disorder in adults and children through a comprehensive review of DSM–IV bipolar disorder in the general population; (b) to describe the risk factors and correlates of bipolar disorder in community surveys; and (c) to describe the future directions for the field of epidemiology of bipolar disorder.
Noise in carbon nanotube electronics (Invited Paper)

A variety of noise measurements have been accomplished on electronic devices incorporating individual single-walled carbon nanotubes. Noise with a 1/f frequency dependence and noise attributed to two-level fluctuators are independently measured, even when these two components occur simultaneously in the same device. We demonstrate the importance of isolating these two components before attempting quantitative analysis, and then proceed to characterize devices as a function of temperature and processing history. High temperature desorption, surface passivation with polymer, and encapsulation in SiO2 films followed by forming gas annealing are three different process pathways which failed to substantially decrease the noise in these devices. In all of the devices measured, the 1/f noise components are found to only weakly decrease with temperature and to be practically independent of processing history. The two-level fluctuators, on the other hand, appear to be thermally activated and their contribution to the total noise typically increases with different processing steps.
The growth of SmCo5 crystals by the bridgman technique

Abstract A method was developed for the growth of SmCo 5 crystals which consistently yields large crystals (up to about 100 g and up to 2 cm dimensions). Growth is by directional solidification of a samarium-rich melt by the Bridgman technique at a rate ≤1 mm/hr.
The Differential Predictability of the College Performance of Males and Females

Multiple regression analyses using college freshman grade point average as the dependent variable and six high school scores as predictor variables were performed separately in 10 undergraduate colleges of the City University of New York. The multiple correlation coefficients, derived on the cross-validation samples, substantially reinforced the previously reported finding that females are more predictable than males in academic settings.
Segregation at the Interface between a Homopolymer and a Binary Polymer Blend.

Low-energy forward-recoil spectrometry studies show that the interface between polystyrene ({ital A}) and a miscible blend of two poly(styrene-{ital co}-4-bromostyrene)s ({ital B}:{ital C}) has an interfacial excess of {ital B}, {ital z}{sub {ital B}}{sup *}, where {ital B} is the component with the lower bromostyrene level. At 170 {degree}C, {ital z}{sub {ital B}}{sup *} increases with the bulk volume fraction of {ital B}, {phi}{sub {ital B}{infinity}}, has a maximum near 0.25, and then decreases. These results are in qualitative agreement with self-consistent field (SCF) calculations. SCF calculations of the interfacial tension and interfacial width predict that {ital B} has an optimum compatibilizing effect for {phi}{sub {ital B}{infinity}}{similar_to}0.25.
On the causal interpretation of race in regressions adjusting for confounding and mediating variables

We consider several possible interpretations of the "effect of race" when regressions are run with race as an exposure variable, controlling also for various confounding and mediating variables. When adjustment is made for socioeconomic status early in a person's life, we discuss under what contexts the regression coefficients for race can be interpreted as corresponding to the extent to which a racial inequality would remain if various socioeconomic distributions early in life across racial groups could be equalized. When adjustment is also made for adult socioeconomic status, we note how the overall racial inequality can be decomposed into the portion that would be eliminated by equalizing adult socioeconomic status across racial groups and the portion of the inequality that would remain even if adult socioeconomic status across racial groups were equalized. We also discuss a stronger interpretation of the effect of race (stronger in terms of assumptions) involving the joint effects of race-associated physical phenotype (eg, skin color), parental physical phenotype, genetic background, and cultural context when such variables are thought to be hypothetically manipulable and if adequate control for confounding were possible. We discuss some of the challenges with such an interpretation. Further discussion is given as to how the use of selected populations in examining racial disparities can additionally complicate the interpretation of the effects.
Chondrodysplasia Punctata and Maternal Warfarin Use During Pregnancy

The mother of an infant with nasal hypoplasia and stippled epiphyses had taken warfarin sodium (Coumadin) throughout the pregnancy. Use of the drug may have had a teratological effect on the child.
Peak contact pressure, cyclic stress amplitudes, contact semi-width and slip amplitude: relative effects on fretting fatigue life

Abstract Using Hertzian relationships and a finite element model of a cylinder-on-flat contact configuration, a set of critical fretting fatigue experiments have been conducted to determine the relative effects of six local mechanistic parameters on fretting fatigue life. The six parameters evaluated are: (i) the peak contact pressure, p0; (ii) the maximum local cyclic bulk stress range, ΔσL,max; (iii) the maximum, local cyclic shear stress, τL,max; (iv) the maximum, local cyclic shear stress range, ΔτL,max; (v) the maximum slip amplitude, δmax; and (vi) the contact semi-width, a. The findings are significant. Only the peak contact pressure and the local, maximum bulk stress range have direct effects on fretting fatigue life. The fretting fatigue life is found to have a previously unknown positive, exponential dependence on the peak contact pressure, which enables an elegant recovery of a standard (‘plain’) fatigue life equation. Additionally, interfacial shear tractions appear to have no effect on the life. Although some of the remaining four parameters can be correlated to fretting fatigue life, it is likely through their relationships to either the peak contact pressure or the local, maximum bulk stress range. These inter-relationships have been outlined for a cylinder-on-flat geometry and a general, physically based fretting fatigue life equation has been developed.
Nicotinamide in dermatology

Nicotinamide, also known as niacinamide or nicotinic acid amide, is the water-soluble, active form of vitamin B3. It has been increasingly studied for many different indications in the field of dermatology. Some studied attributes of niacinamide include the prevention of ultraviolet immunosuppression in both oral and topical formulations, anti-inflammatory properties, which may be used for bullous diseases, improvement of barrier function through decreasing transepidermal water loss and a number of cosmeceutical applications, such as improvement of dispigmentation and reduction in rhytids, as well as improvement in blotchiness and erythema. In this article, we review the literature on nicotinamide.
α,ω-glycols from isobutylene and some derived block copolymers

Butyl rubber containing 2 mole-% of isoprene was ozonized and reduced producing polyisobutylene glycol. Hydroxyl equivalent determinations on the glycol and elemental analyses of the chain extended polymers indicate the glycol to be difunctional. Possible structures of the glycol and extended polymer are suggested.
Enumeration of Kerdock codes of length 64

An algorithm for enumerating Kerdock codes is discussed and used to show that the Kerdock code of length 64 is unique up to equivalence.
Differential effects of adenosine preconditioning on the postischemic rat myocardium.

Abstract Ischemic preconditioning describes the phenomenon of endogenous myocardial protection against sustained ischemia-reperfusion injury (I/R). Although the complex stimulus of transient ischemia induces global myocardial protection against acidosis, infarction, and stunning, it is unknown whether select components of transient ischemia (e.g., adenosine) are responsible for different aspects of protection. To study this, isolated rat hearts were treated with adenosine (125 μ M coronary concentration) or vehicle 10 min prior (preconditioning) to global myocardial I/R (20 min/40 min; 37°C). To determine whether adenosine affects stunning, continuous functional data (rate pressure product and coronary flow) were obtained. To determine whether adenosine affects necrosis, creatine kinase (CK) loss into the coronary effluent was determined during postischemic reflow. To determine whether adenosine affects pH, continuous pH measurements were made using NMR. Results indicate that adenosine protects against stunning but provides only minimal protection against acidosis. Adenosine's protection of function occurs despite severe acidosis. Adenosine does not limit CK loss. We conclude that (1) adenosine preconditioning, a component of ischemic preconditioning, protects myocardial function following I/R, but does not provide global myocardial protection against I/R in the rat; (2) protection of function can occur despite severe ischemic acidosis; and (3) protection of function occurs despite equivalent postischemic CK loss. These results suggest that pharmacologic preconditioning may require multiple agents in order to provide global myocardial protection.
Telepsychiatry and School Mental Health

The crisis with regard to quality and access in children’s mental health services is no longer a question, but an alarming reality in the United States. In a report by the Institute of Medicine, 1 “Preventing Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Disorders Among Young People: Progress and Possibilities,” it is estimated that each year between 14% and 20% of children and adolescents experience a mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder. Despite this documented need for care, it is estimated that 70% of children with a diagnosable mental illness do not receive treatment. 2 Within the United States, there is a shortage of child and adolescent psychiatrists. The shortage is significant and can be considered a crisis in the field. The United State Bureau of Health Professions estimates that there will be about 8300 child psychiatrists in 2020, only two-thirds of the estimated 12,600 needed. In a study commissioned by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (2003), it was reported that there was, on average, only 1 child psychiatrist for every 15,000 children and adolescents under the age of 18—producing a virtually impossible to manage caseload of 750 “seriously disturbed” children per psychiatrist. 3
Stability of charged impurities in a coupled single electron transistor and antidot system

Abstract We have fabricated devices on GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructures, containing two-dimensional electron gases, that consist of three point contacts surrounding an etched antidot with an Al / AlO x / Al single electron transistor. The single electron transistor measurement shows rearrangement of neighboring charged impurities with a characteristic stability time scale of 20 s in one device and greater than 1 h in a second device. We also measured the resistance of the point contact–antidot constriction versus magnetic field. In a device with a 20 s stability time, we see a high noise level and poor reproducibility. In a device with a long stability time, much greater than 1 h, we are able to see reproducible features including Aharonov–Bohm oscillations.
Behavioral and Cognitive–Behavioral Approaches to Treating Patients with Chronic Pain: Thinking Outside the Pill Box

Chronic pain is a prevalent and disabling problem. It is a complex, multifactorial disorder that requires a comprehensive biopsychosocial conceptualization. In this paper we provide an update on research implicating the importance of the behavioral and cognitive factors in chronic pain. In addition to the significant co-variations among self-reported symptoms, recent advancement in the imaging technology provides a better understanding of the neurophysiological basis of those psychosocial factors in chronic pain. Additionally, we discuss several variations of behavioral and cognitive–behavioral approaches to chronic pain, including operant–behavioral and cognitive–behavioral (including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, internet-adapted, exposure based on the Fear Avoidance model) and review the evidence for their efficacy. Overall, the psychologically oriented programs based upon the biopsychosocial concept of pain are efficacious in reducing pain, disability, and mood disturbance. The accumulated evidence supports our contention that the conventional unidimensional, sensory perspective of pain based upon the biomedical model is, although ubiquitous and persistent, incomplete and inadequate to understand and effectively treat people with chronic pain. We must go beyond the convention of that pain is solely a neurophysiological phenomenon and start thinking outside the pill box if we hope to provide more effective treatment for people experiencing chronic pain.
Role of oxyradicals in cold water immersion restraint-induced gastric mucosal injury in the rat

Cold water immersion restraint of the rat results in focal gastric mucosal erosions. The lesions are associated with powerful, prolonged-duration gastric contractions. Phasic gastric contractions may attenuate gastric mucosal blood flow, resulting in ischemia followed by reperfusion. Therefore, the conditions of cold-water-immersion restraint might lead to mucosal injury by an oxyradical-mediated mechanism. To test this hypothesis, we studied the effect of oxyradical inhibition on cold water immersion restraint-induced lesions. In separate groups of rats subjected to cold water immersion restraint (6–10 animals per group), oxyradical inhibition was achieved by chronic feeding of a sodium tungstate diet, oral administration of allopurinol, or intraperitoneal administration of dimethylsulfoxide. None of these regimens significantly attenuated the number of lesions per stomach, the total lesion area, or the percent of corpus mucosa containing lesions. We conclude that oxyradicals do not play a role in the pathogenesis of cold water immersion restraint-induced lesions.
Early chordate origins of the vertebrate second heart field

The vertebrate heart is formed from diverse embryonic territories, including the first and second heart fields. The second heart field (SHF) gives rise to the right ventricle and outflow tract, yet its evolutionary origins are unclear. We found that heart progenitor cells of the simple chordate Ciona intestinalis also generate precursors of the atrial siphon muscles (ASMs). These precursors express Islet and Tbx1/10, evocative of the splanchnic mesoderm that produces the lower jaw muscles and SHF of vertebrates. Evidence is presented that the transcription factor COE is a critical determinant of ASM fate. We propose that the last common ancestor of tunicates and vertebrates possessed multipotent cardiopharyngeal muscle precursors, and that their reallocation might have contributed to the emergence of the SHF.
Choline conjugates of auxins. I. Direct evidence for the hydrolysis of choline-auxin conjugates by pea cholinesterase

We synthesized the choline conjugates of three derivatives of phenylacetic acid, four derivatives of phenoxyacetic acid, and of naphthalene-1-acetic acid and measured the effects of these conjugates on pea (Pisum sativum L. cv. Alaska) stem segment elongation. We also synthesized the thioester analogs of six choline conjugates and measured their rates of hydrolysis by pea cholinesterase and their rates of spontaneous hydrolysis. With one exception, conjugates that stimulated growth were hydrolyzed at high rates by pea cholinesterase, while conjugates that were hydrolyzed at low rates by pea cholinesterase did not stimulate growth. The results are consistent with a model in which cholinesterase releases active auxins from these conjugates.
Graphitic Heat Shields for Solar Probe Missions

The feasibility of using a graphitic heat-shield system on a solar probe going to within 4 solar radii of the center of the sun is investigated. An analysis of graphite vaporization, with commonly used vaporization coefficients, indicates that the maximum mass-loss rate from a conical shield as large as 4 m in diameter can be kept low enough to avoid interference with measurements of the solar environment. In addition to the mass-loss problem, the problem of protecting the payload from the high-temperature (up to 2300 K) primary shield must be solved. An analysis of radiation exchange between concentric disks provides a technique for designing the intermediate shielding. The technique is applied to the design of a system for the Starprobe spacecraft, and it is found that a system with 10 shields and a payload surface temperature of 600 K will have a payload diameter of 2.45 m. Since this is 61% of the 4-m diameter of the primary shield, it is concluded that a graphitic heat-shield system is feasible for the Starprobe mission.
The self-propulsion of a deformable body in a perfect fluid

It is shown that a deformable body can move persistently from rest through a perfect fluid without having to produce vorticity in the fluid.
Representation of object continuity in the visual cortex

An amazing feature of our visual system is the ability to detect and track objects in the stream of continually changing retinal images. Theories have proposed that the system creates temporary internal representations that persist across changing images, providing continuity. However, how such representations are formed in the brain is not known. Here we examined the time course of the responses of border-ownership-selective neurons in the visual cortex to displays that portray object continuity. We found that the neurons signal border ownership immediately when new objects appear, but when a border that has been assigned to one object is reassigned to another object while the first remains in the display, the initial responses persist. The neurons continue to signal the initial assignment despite the presence of contradicting figure--ground cues. We propose that border ownership selectivity reflects mechanisms that create object continuity.
Flap Endonuclease 1: A Central Component of DNA Metabolism

▪ Abstract One strand of cellular DNA is generated as RNA-initiated discontinuous segments called Okazaki fragments that later are joined. The RNA terminated region is displaced into a 5′ single-stranded flap, which is removed by the structure-specific flap endonuclease 1 (FEN1), leaving a nick for ligation. Similarly, in long-patch base excision repair, a damaged nucleotide is displaced into a flap and removed by FEN1. FEN1 is a genome stabilization factor that prevents flaps from equilibrating into structures that lead to duplications and deletions. As an endonuclease, FEN1 enters the flap from the 5′ end and then tracks to cleave the flap base. Cleavage is oriented by the formation of a double flap. Analyses of FEN1 crystal structures suggest mechanisms for tracking and cleavage. Some flaps can form self-annealed and template bubble structures that interfere with FEN1. FEN1 interacts with other nucleases and helicases that allow it to act efficiently on structured flaps. Genetic and biochemical analyse...
HEFT: a hybrid system-level framework for enabling energy-efficient fault-tolerance in NoC based MPSoCs

In emerging CMOS process technologies, network-on-chip (NoC) fabrics are increasingly becoming susceptible to transient faults. Fault-tolerance mechanisms that are typically employed in NoCs usually entail significant energy overheads that are expected to become prohibitive as fault rates increase in future CMOS technologies. We propose a system-level framework called HEFT to trade-off energy consumption and fault-tolerance in the NoC fabric. Our hybrid framework tackles the challenge of enabling energy-efficient resilience in NoCs in two phases: at design time and at runtime. At design time, we implement an algorithm to guide the robust mapping of cores on to a die while satisfying application bandwidth and latency constraints. At runtime we devise a prediction algorithm to monitor and detect changes in fault susceptibility of NoC components, to intelligently balance energy consumption and reliability. Experimental results show that HEFT improves energy/reliability ratio of synthesized solutions by 8-20%, while meeting application performance goals, when compared to multiple prior works on reliable system-level NoC design.
Derivation of the geometrical berry phase

We have seen that the equivalence of state vectors which differ by a phase, along with the scalar product, define the geometry of Hilbert space (i.e. the fiber bundle and connection). The geometry is non-trivial. It induces a U(1) holonomy in a normalized state vector which undergoes cyclic evolution. This induced phase is called the geometric phase. It depends only on the path in the space of physical states, not on the Hamiltonian which generates this path.
Selection of Distributed Sensors for Multiple Time Series Prediction

In this paper we are proposing a methodology for the selection of a subset of sensors for a prediction system of a total energy production in a region. The network of wireless sensors is distributed close to power plants and generates multiple time series data representing energy production of each plant. Our study shows that we can estimate the total energy using significantly reduced number of sensors. To build the prediction model we have used three common forecasting techniques, support vector machines (SVMs), Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), and Multiple Regression (MR). For training and testing of the models we have used the data from year 2002 to 2004. Our data set consists of 201 attributes. First 200 represents the data from sensor stations and the additional variable is the total energy production. Based on our results MR technique gives the best model for the prediction and it outperforms the MLP and SVM. We analyzed the quality of prediction with different subsets of sensors. Based on this study we have estimated the minimum number of sensors required for the prediction model. We also estimated the optimum number of sensors that will balance the expenses of the system with the accuracy. Proposed model and performed analysis may embody crucial information for producers and consumers when planning bidding strategies in energy trading in order to maximize their benefits and utilities.
Minimum-resistance shapes in linear continuum mechanics

A necessary optimality condition for the problem of the minimum-resistance shape for a rigid three-dimensional inclusion displaced in an unbounded isotropic elastic medium subject to a constraint o...
Dissecting the Circuitry of Protein Kinase A and cAMP Signaling in Cancer Genesis

Expression of the RI alpha subunit of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase type I (PKA-I) is enhanced in human cancer cell lines, in primary tumors, in transformed cells, and in cells upon stimulation of growth. Signaling via the cAMP pathway may be complex, and the biological effects of the pathway in normal cells may depend upon the physiological state of the cells. However, results of different experimental approaches such as antisense exposure, 8-Cl-cAMP treatment, and gene overexpression have shown that the inhibition of RI alpha/PKA-I exerts antitumor activity in a wide variety of tumor-derived cell lines examined in vitro and in vivo. cDNA microarrays have further shown that in a sequence-specific manner, RI alpha antisense induces alterations in the gene expression profile of cancer cells and tumors. The cluster of genes that define the "proliferation-transformation" signature are down-regulated, and those that define the "differentiation-reverse transformation" signature are up-regulated in antisense-treated cancer cells and tumors, but not in host livers, exhibiting the molecular portrait of the reverted (flat) phenotype of tumor cells. These results reveal a remarkable cellular regulation, elicited by the antisense RI alpha, superimposed on the regulation arising from the Watson-Crick base-pairing mechanism of action. Importantly, the blockade of both the PKA and PKC signaling pathways achieved with the CRE-transcription factor decoy inhibits tumor cell growth without harming normal cell growth. Thus, a complex circuitry of cAMP signaling comprises cAMP growth regulatory function, and deregulation of the effector molecule by this circuitry may underlie cancer genesis and tumor progression.
Viral gene expression during acute simian varicella virus infection

Simian varicella virus (SVV) causes a natural varicella-like disease in nonhuman primates. Outbreaks of simian varicella occur sporadically in primate facilities. Simian varicella is used as a model for investigation of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) pathogenesis and latency. In this study, SVV gene expression and histopathology were analysed in tissues of acutely infected vervet monkeys. RT–PCR analysis demonstrated expression of specific SVV immediate early, early and late genes in the skin, lung, liver and ganglia tissues of acutely infected monkeys. Viral antigen expression and histopathology, including necrosis and inflammation, were detected in the skin, lungs, liver and spleen of infected monkeys by immunohistochemical analysis. Viral antigen expression, but little or no histopathology, was evident in the neural ganglia, the eventual site of viral latency. The study provides a foundation for further investigation on the role of viral genes in varicella pathogenesis and latency.
Learning control knowledge through cases in schedule optimization problems

We have developed an integrated framework of iterative revision and knowledge acquisition for schedule optimization, and implemented it in the CABINS system. The ill-structuredness of both the solution space and the desired objectives make scheduling problems difficult to formalize and costly to solve. In CABINS, situation-dependent user's preferences that guide schedule revision are captured in cases together with contextual information. During iterative repair, cases are exploited for multiple purposes, such as (1) repair action selection, (2) repair result evaluation and (3) recovery from revision failures. The contributions of the work lie in experimentally demonstrating in a domain where neither the human expert nor the program possess causal knowledge that search control knowledge can be acquired through past repair cases to improve the efficiency of rather intractable iterative repair process. The experiments in this paper were performed in the context of job-shop scheduling problems. >
Founders, Governance, and Firm Valuation: Does the Market Perceive Psychological Ownership?

We examine the impact of the governance in entrepreneurial firms at the time of the IPO focusing on market valuation based on whether the founder is still with the company. Using agency theory to explain the governance devices (and their purpose), we probe their impact on firm valuation. We develop hypotheses using concepts from psychological ownership to explain why the devices would differ based on founder status and why the market would value them differently. Consistent with our theorizing, we find that stronger bonding mechanisms have a negative impact on valuation when the founder is still with the organization. We also find that stronger monitoring is associated with higher valuation when the founder is still with the firm. The implications of these findings and several directions for future research are discussed as well.
Selected epidemiologic observations of cell-specific leukemia mortality in the United States, 1969-1977

Utilizing a newly available data set which includes for the first time cell-specific leukemia mortality rates for the United States during 1969-1977, age and sex distributions, time trends and geographic patterns were analyzed. Four major cell types of leukemia were considered. Acute lymphatic leukemia had a bimodal distribution with the first peak in the 5-9-year age group and lowest rates in age group 35-44, after which rates rose geometrically. Acute myeloid leukemia had only a very small childhood peak with a low in the age group 5-9, after which the rates also rose geometrically. For both chronic lymphatic and myeloid leukemia the rates rose geometrically after age 15. Rates among females were consistently lower for each age group. The highest sex ratio was found for chronic lymphatic leukemia and is proposed to be the result of a lag period between male and female rates. During the period under study acute lymphatic leukemia mortality in adults declined by almost 10% while acute myeloid leukemia mortality increased by almost 20%. Analysis of the geographic variation of the four major cell types revealed a geographic association between acute lymphatic and acute myeloid leukemia in children, a lack of association between childhood and adultmore » cell types, and an association of acute and chronic cell types in adults.« less
What Does the World Spend on Policing

Social indicators vary in their breadth and coverage. One popular indicator of the priority that society gives to specific areas of life is a measure of monetary expenditure. Do we spend more or less on X or on Y? Is the balance correct? A necessary precursor to such comparisons is measurement. This paper presents a method for estimating annual global expenditure on policing. Data from the fifth sweep of the United Nations Survey of Crime Trends and Criminal Justice Systems are supplemented with information from other sources. The relationship between gross domestic product and policing expenditure is examined via regression methods. The coefficients are used to extrapolate across space to produce national policing estimates from which a global estimate is derived. It is estimated that the world spent U.S. $194 billion on public policing in the year 2000. The method utilized to produce this estimate is described, and the implications and possibilities for future research are discussed.
Desipramine and contingency management for cocaine and opiate dependence in buprenorphine maintained patients

Co-dependence on opiates and cocaine occurs in about 60% of patients entering methadone treatment and has a poor prognosis. However, we recently found that desipramine (DMI) could be combined with buprenorphine to significantly reduce combined opiate and cocaine use among these dually dependent patients. Furthermore, contingency management (CM) has been quite potent in reducing cocaine abuse during methadone maintenance. To test the efficacy of combining CM with these medications we designed a 12-week, randomized, double blind, four cell trial evaluating DMI (150 mg/day) or placebo plus CM or a non-contingent voucher control in 160 cocaine abusers maintained on buprenorphine (median 16 mg daily). Cocaine-free and combined opiate and cocaine-free urines increased more rapidly over time in those treated with either DMI or CM, and those receiving both interventions had more drug-free urines (50%) than the other three treatment groups (25-29%). Self reported opiate and cocaine use and depressive and opioid withdrawal symptoms showed no differences among the groups and symptom levels did not correlate with urine toxicology results. Lower DMI plasma levels (average 125 ng/ml) were associated with greater cocaine-free urines. DMI and CM had independent and additive effects in facilitating cocaine-free urines in buprenorphine maintained patients. The antidepressant appeared to enhance responsiveness to CM reinforcement.
Essential Fatty Acid Metabolism in Boys With Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the term used to describe children who are inattentive, impulsive, and hyperactive. The cause is unknown and is thought to be multifactorial. Based on the work of others, we hypothesized that some children with ADHD have altered fatty acid metabolism. The present study found that 53 subjects with ADHD had significantly lower concentrations of key fatty acids in the plasma polar lipids (20:4n-6, 20:5n-3, and 22:6n-3) and in red blood cell total lipids (20:4n-6 and 22:4n-6) than did the 43 control subjects. Also, a subgroup of 21 subjects with ADHD exhibiting many symptoms of essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency had significantly lower plasma concentrations of 20:4n-6 and 22:6n-3 than did 32 subjects with ADHD with few EFA-deficiency symptoms. The data are discussed with respect to cause, but the precise reason for lower fatty acid concentrations in some children with ADHD is not clear.
Sodium/Phosphorus‐Sulfur Cells II. Phase Equilibria

Equilibrium open-circuit cell voltage data from a sodium/{beta}{double_prime}-alumina/phosphorus-sulfur cell utilizing P/S ratios of 0, 0.143, and 0.332 and a sodium atom fraction ranging from 0 to 0.4 were interpreted to construct ternary phase diagrams of the Na-P-S ternary system at 350 and 400 C.
Distribution of efferent cholinergic terminals and α‐bungarotoxin binding to putative nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the human vestibular end‐organs

Although acetylcholine (ACh) has been identified as the primary neurotransmitter of the efferent vestibular system in most animals studied, no direct evidence exists that ACh is the efferent neurotransmitter of the human vestibular system. Choline acetyltransferase immunohistochemistry (ChATi), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) histochemistry, and alpha-bungarotoxin binding were used in human vestibular end-organs to address this question. ChATi and AChE activity was found in numerous bouton-type terminals contacting the basal area of type II vestibular hair cells and the afferent chalices surrounding type I hair cells; alpha-bungarotoxin binding suggested the presence of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors on type II vestibular hair cells and on the afferent chalices surrounding type I hair cells. This study provides evidence that the human efferent vestibular axons and terminals are cholinergic and that the receptors receiving this innervation may be nicotinic.