cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, and HIV Risk Behavior Among Ohio Army National Guard Soldiers

We examined the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk behavior among the Ohio Army National Guard (OHARNG). We analyzed data collected from a sample of OHARNG enlisted between June 2008 and February 2009. Participants completed interviews assessing HIV risk activities defined by the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, and were screened for PTSD and MDD based on DSM-IV criteria according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994). Logistic regression was used to examine the independent and combined effects of PTSD and MDD on past-year HIV risk behavior. Of 2,259 participants, 142 (6.3%) reported at least 1 past-year HIV risk behavior. In adjusted models, relative to soldiers with neither disorder, screening positive for MDD only was associated with HIV risk behavior (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.33, 95% CI = [1.15, 4.71]), whereas PTSD was not significant (AOR = 1.60, 95% CI = [0.80, 3.20]). Participants with both PTSD and depression were most likely to report HIV risk behavior (AOR = 2.75, 95% CI = [1.06, 7.11]). Soldiers with PTSD and MDD may be at greater risk for HIV infection due to increased engagement in HIV risk behavior. Integrated interventions to address mental health problems and reduce HIV risk behavior are in need of development and evaluation.
Estimating network layer subnet characteristics via statistical sampling

Network layer Internet topology consists of a set of routers connected to each other through subnets. Recently, there has been a significant interest in studying topological characteristics of subnets in addition to routers in the Internet. However, given the size of the Internet, constructing complete subnet level topology maps is neither practical nor economical. A viable solution, then, is to sample subnets in the target domain and estimate their global characteristics. In this study, we propose a sampling framework for subnets; derive proper estimators for various subnet characteristics including total number of subnets, subnet prefix length distribution, mean subnet degree, and IP address utilization; and analyze the theoretical and empirical aspects of these estimators.
When Consumers Choose to Restrict Their Options: Anticipated Regret and Choice Set Size Preference

The desire to minimize regret is one of the primary drivers of consumer decisions. Yet, consumers display a persistent preference for larger assortments even though they often feel regretful and dissatisfied after choosing from such an abundance of options. We propose that consumers do aim to minimize regret in their assortment choices, but the way in which they do so depends on the type of regret they are anticipating. While the anticipation of hot regret (i.e., the feeling of kicking yourself for having made the wrong choice) leads consumers to restrict their choice options, the anticipation of cold regret (i.e., the painful longing for missed opportunities) encourages consumers to keep their options open. Across five experiments, we demonstrate how subtle changes in the decision environment can influence consumers' assortment preferences by changing the nature of the regret they are anticipating.
MOLECULAR CLOUDS AT THE GALACTIC CENTER

ABSTRACT The greatest abundance of molecular gas in the galaxy occurs in the galactic nucleus. A complex system of extremely massive giant-molecular-clouds contribute a total H2 mass of about 5 × 107 MO estimated from CO and 13CO measurements. The galactic center thus contains about 10 times as much molecular as atomic hydrogen gas. When the molecular gas is included in an accounting of the gas component in the galactic nucleus, we conclude that the galactic center is not grossly deficient in Population I material. The cloud associated with the compact HII Sgr B2 serves as prototype of the galactic center clouds. Molecular and infrared observations of Sgr B2 show a high density core component 12 pc in diameter embedded in an envelope about 60 pc across. The total mass of this region is 3 – 5 × 106 MO; the luminosity determined from far infrared measurements is about 107 LO. The overall distribution and abundance of gas in the nucleus of the Milky Way resembles rather closely that in the nucleii of Sc galaxies rather than the commonly assumed Sb type. The molecular clouds appear to delineate several arm-like features possibly very similar to the dust arms observed winding within 200 pc of the Sc nuclei. Secondly, the total mass of gas, revised upward as a result of molecular observations, is now much greater than that estimated for the nucleus of Andromeda.
Physiologic Smoothing of Blood Time-Activity Curves for PET Data Analysis

UNLABELLED Blood or plasma time-activity curves (TACs) are used as the input function for mathematical models of tracer kinetics in several applications including PET. Uncertainty associated with both the blood data and the PET tissue data can result in uncertainty in the estimates of metabolic rates, blood flow, etc. METHODS This article presents an approach to reduce the uncertainty in the blood TAC by fitting a model to the curve. The model includes a choice of bolus or infusion input and has three compartments (plasma, interstitial fluid and tissue fluid) with exchange between them. There is a parameter for loss from the plasma compartment. To test the utility of smoothing blood TACs with this approach, a program was set up, using the fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) model, with simulated noisy blood and tissue TACs. The smoothed blood TAC was compared to a linearly interpolated TAC as the input function with a compartmental model parameter estimation program and with graphical analysis. RESULTS With a well sampled blood TAC (19 points), the model approach is somewhat more accurate than linear interpolation if the s.d. of noise added to the data exceeded 10%. With sparsely sampled blood TACs (five points) or with a large gap in the blood TAC, the modeled approach was markedly better. For graphical analysis, the model smoothed TAC was also more accurate, although, in general, the results were not as sensitive to the input function. CONCLUSION This approach, using a physiologically reasonable model to smooth the blood TAC, is a useful aid in PET data analysis, particularly when the data are quite noisy or when there are large gaps in the data.
ESSENTIALIST ARGUMENTS AGAINST DESCRIPTIVISM

This paper considers Kripke's (1972, 1980) modal arguments against descriptivism about proper names, the descriptivist reply that the meaning of a name is given by a description involving the modifier ‘actually’, and Kit Fine's (1994) distinction between necessary and essential attributes. It explains how Kripke's modal arguments can be recast in essentialist terms by appealing to Fine's distinction, and it argues that the resulting essentialist arguments are immune to the abovementioned descriptivist reply to the original modal arguments.
White Racial Identity Attitudes and the Ego Defense Mechanisms Used by White Counselor Trainees in Racially Provocative Counseling Situations

This exploratory study examined the relationship between racial identity attitudes and the use of ego defense mechanisms by White counselor trainees during cross-racial counseling and supervision dyads. The sample consisted of 145 White counselor trainees enrolled in both master's and doctoral programs at 2 small private universities located in the northeastern United States. Results indicated that White counselor trainees at less mature statuses of racial identity attitudes relied on more primitive ego defenses to manage the anxiety experienced during racially provocative counseling and supervision dyads. Implications for counseling and counselor training are discussed in the context of the study's findings.
Integrating personality and intelligence: Typical intellectual engagement and need for cognition

Abstract Goff and Ackerman’s (1992) Typical Intellectual Engagement scale and the Need for Cognition scale ( Cacioppo, Petty, & Kao, 1984 ) correlated with each other near the limits of their reliabilities, and were quite interchangeable in convergent–discriminant relations with other variables. We argue that these two scales may be measuring essentially the same personality characteristics that are specifically related to intelligence.
A survey of shergottite, nakhlite and chassigny meteorites whole-rock compositions

(Received 1997 September 8; accepted in revised form I998 March 3) Abstract-Literature data on major and trace elemental abundances and water contents of the shergottite, nakhlite, and chassigny (SNC) meteorites are compiled and evaluated. The individual members of the SNC group are relatively homogeneous, and representative average compositions for each meteorite can be com- puted from multiple data reported in the literature. Major element abundances are used to calculate norma- tive compositions and densities. The data survey shows that our knowledge of whole rock abundances in SNC meteorites is very limited for many elements and that more basic analytical work is needed. IN T R 0 DUCT I0 N The Mars Pathfinder mission and recent speculation about the existence of primitive life on Mars have intensified the interest in the shergottite, nakhlite and chassigny (SNC) meteorites, which are widely believed to originate from Mars. More than ten years have past since Treiman et al. (1986) summarized compositional data for SNC meteorites. Since then, four more SNC meteorites have been recognized and many more analytical data have become available in tainties) were computed for each element. Sometimes authors pub- lished the same data repeatedly, and these analyses were included only once in the computation of average values and standard devia- tions. For several elements, two bulk analyses are available for an individual meteorite. In these cases, the uncertainty reflects the range in values. In some cases (e.g., Na, K, In, or halogens), analyses reported in the older literature are apparently discordant and these data were excluded from the calculation of the mean concentrations. The bulk water abundances are derived from the published water the literature. This data survey provides an overview of available bulk elemental data and mineralogical compositions for the SNC meteorites. These data are useful for modeling parent body mantle composition and structure, core-mantle differentiation, radioactive heat sources, and thermal evolution on the Shergotty parent body,
Low dose systemic morphine attenuates operant escape but facilitates innate reflex responses to thermal stimulation

Abstract Abstract: Effects of systemic morphine on operant escape responses of rats to thermal stimulation were compared directly with effects on innate licking and guarding responses. For these independent tests, thermal stimulation was delivered via the floor of testing chambers with or without platforms that provided an escape option. The principal findings were (1) administration of 0.5 to 1.5 mg/kg morphine attenuated escape from nociceptive heat and (2) in distinct contrast, licking and guarding responses to heat were enhanced by these doses. When escape responding was calculated as time on the heated plate without licking or guarding, sensitivity to morphine was greater for 44°C than for 47°C or 50°C. Also, escape responses to cold (0°C or 10°C) were unaffected by 1.5 mg/kg morphine. The preferential reduction of heat nociception by morphine was demonstrated also by an operant preference task that gave the animals the option of standing on a cold (10°C) or a hot (45°C) surface. Administration of 0.5 mg/kg morphine increased occupancy of the hot surface. Platform time during operant tests was low and variable for warm stimulation (36°C) and was significantly increased by each level of heat, showing that platform occupancy represented escape from nociception rather than avoidance responses. A lack of significant effects of 1.5 mg/kg morphine on operant performance during cold or warm stimulation controls for effects of systemic morphine other than antinociception. © 2002 by the American Pain Society
Recent advances in hypospadias: current surgical technique and research in incidence and etiology.

Surgical techniques to repair hypospadias have undergone remarkable advances in recent years with the development and widespread use of dorsal urethral plate incision to facilitate urethroplasty. Clinical studies of the technique have shown excellent cosmesis and low complication rates for dorsal plate incision (DPI) in distal hypospadias repair, and have demonstrated the efficacy of expanding the use of the DPI in conjunction with other surgical techniques in more proximal repairs. There have been reports of increas-ing overall incidence of hypospadias in Scandinavian and US populations, but this might not be a uniform trend. There is, in fact, wide variation in the reported incidence of hypospadias among different countries. Many countries have not shown increased rates of hypospadias; further-more, in countries noted previously to have an increased incidence of hypospadias, rates have leveled off since 1985. Investigations into the etiology of hypospadias have shown potential links to estrogen effects in utero from increased phytoestrogen intake in maternal vegetarian diets, and rare cases of genetic mutations in 5-alpha reductase type II.
Solitary Intercostal Arterial Trunk A Previously Unreported Anatomical Variant

During embryonic life, events may alter the normal growth and fusion of the endocardial tube, the paired dorsal aortae, and the vitelline plexus, leading to anomalies and variants of the mature axial arterial system.1 Many of these are well known, especially those associated with the aorta, heart, and umbilical artery.1,2 Vitelline variants have also been found that are either associated with Meckel diverticulum or caudal regression syndrome.3,4 We present a case of anomalous intercostal arterial supply, which, to our knowledge, has not been reported previously. The aberrant intercostal trunk is associated with aberrant descending thoracic aorta position, a replaced common hepatic artery from the superior mesenteric artery, and an isolated splenic artery origin from the aorta. A 27-year-old man with a medical history of irritable bowel syndrome and stage I hypertension presented for renal vasculature evaluation. A renal arterial magnetic resonance …
Disease severity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus correlates with an increased ratio of interleukin-10: Interferon-γ–secreting cells in the peripheral blood

Objective. To compare the phenotype and frequency of cells that actively secrete type 1 and type 2 cytokines in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients (n = 46), versus normal controls (n = 60). Methods. ELISPOT analysis of freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Results. T cells were the major source of interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, and interferon-γ (IFNγ), whereas monocytes were the primary source of IL-6 and IL-10 in the PB of lupus patients. Significantly fewer PBMC spontaneously secreted IFNγ and IL-2 (P ⩽ 0.03), while significantly more PBMC produced IL-6 and IL-10 (P < 0.001), in lupus patients versus controls. Disease severity in lupus patients correlated with an elevated ratio of IL-10:IFNγ-secreting cells (P < 0.001). Conclusion. SLE is characterized by an imbalance in the ratio of type 1:type 2 cytokine-secreting PBMC.
So Many Factors, So Little Time... Simulation Experiments in the Frequency Domain

Abstract We illustrate how an efficient methodology called frequency domain experimentation can be used to gain better insight into the behavior of production systems. With the full factorial designs commonly used for simulation experiments, the number of runs grows exponentially with the number of factors involved, while the run length remains constant. In frequency domain experiments, the number of runs is independent of the number of factors, while the required run lengths increase relatively slowly. We describe the method, illustrate its effectiveness at identifying important main effects, two-way interactions, and quadratic terms for a known model, demonstrate the approach by evaluating a kanban system involving 34 factors, and provide links to software. We also present computational requirements for running simulation experiments that combine a batch means approach with efficient run-oriented designs for a variety of systems. The results indicate that frequency domain experiments perform very favorably for systems, such as queueing networks, where the simulation's output stream exhibits high positive autocorrelation.
Edge of the world: practical considerations and a clinical perspective of next-generation sequencing for hereditary cardiac disease

In the article by Jongbloed et al. in the current issue of Expert Opinion on Medical Diagnostics entitled ‘New clinical molecular diagnostic methods for congenital and inherited heart disease’, the authors introduce the application of next-generation sequencing technologies to a wide range of genetically based cardiac diseases. Although these technologies certainly are exciting and hold great diagnostic promise, their impact is limited at present by insufficient correlation between genotype and phenotype in cardiac disease. In the following discussion, the application of genetic testing in the evaluation of two important familial cardiac diseases, familial cardiomyopathy and long QT syndrome, is considered.
Susceptibility to strychnine convulsions in maturing rats

Chez le rat ce n'est pas la permeabilite du systeme nerveux central, mais le metabolisme du foie qui joue le rOle principal dans la susceptibilite a la strychnine inoculee par voie intraperitoneale.
Experimental induction and elimination of adult diapause and autumnal coloration in Chrysopa carnea (Neuroptera)

Abstract Dissections of the reproductive system of over-wintering adults of Chrysopa carnea disclose the classical symptoms of gonotrophic dissociation and show these adults to be in a state of reproductive diapause. Experiments testing the efficacy of day length and warm temperatures in promoting the resumption of reproductive activity show that the diapause state is eliminated within 20 days with exposure to daily photophases of 16 hr at 25°C, whereas with daily photophases of 10 hr no indications of the termination of diapause are visible after as long as 55 days at this temperature. Parallel experiments at 3°C give comparable results and provide no evidence that exposure to low temperatures potentiates the elimination of diapause to any significant degree. Rearing experiments show that the induction of diapause is also under primary photoperiodic control which, at least in the male, acts upon some pre-imaginal instar. A reversible colour change undergone by the over-wintering generation is likewise shown to be largely under the control of the adult photoperiod, although certain components of this change are influenced by non-photoperiodic factors to a small extent. The adaptive role of certain of these changes in the seasonal cycle of C. carnea is discussed, and the significance of developmental systems which are dependent upon environmental photoperiods for both the induction and termination of diapause is noted.
Effects of Bepridil on exercise tolerance in chronic stable angina: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial

Abstract Bepridil, a calcium antagonist with a half-life of approximately 42 hours, was compared with placebo in a double-blind, randomized, crossover trial. Thirteen men (average age 62 years) with exercise-related angina pectoris and a positive exercise test (modified Bruce protocol) were studied. In the group as a whole, bepridil (400 mg once a day) caused an increased total exercise time (2.6 ± 1.8 minutes, mean ± standard deviation), time to onset of angina (3.3 ± 1.6 minutes), time to 1 mm of ST-segment depression (2.2 ± 2.3 minutes), time to 2 mm of ST-segment depression (2.4 ± 1.4 minutes) and total work load achieved (1.8 ± 1.4 kpm) compared with the preceding placebo phase (all p
Quantitative aspects of reactive gliosis: A review

Recent studies of gliosis in a variety of animal models are reviewed. The models include brain injury, neurotoxic damage, genetic diseases and inflammatory demyelination. These studies show that reactive gliosis is not a stereotypic response, but varies widely in duration, degree of hyperplasia, and time course of expression of GFAP immunostaining, content and mRNA. We conclude that there are different biological mechanisms for induction and maintenance of reactive gliosis, which, depending on the kind of tissue damage, result in different expressions of the gliotic response.
NEWS IN MY BACKYARD: Media and Democracy in an “All American” City

Considerable research indicates that, at both the national and community levels, commercial news media generally fail to provide citizens with the specific information they require to hold government and public organizations accountable. This study extends research on media and democracy at the local level through a detailed content analysis of the community issue coverage of a local newspaper that serves an unusually well educated, financially secure, and politically active population. Data suggest that media do not serve democracy even in a context in which the limitations imposed by a politically disengaged audience are not present.
The Use of High Performance Liquid Chromatography for the Studies of Pigment Components from Serratia Marcescens 08 Before and After Hydrogen Peroxide Oxidation

Abstract A method to separate the pigment components of Serratia marcescens 08 by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is described. By maintaining a small but constant amount of concentrated HCI in the mobile phase of 25% ethylene dichloride in methanol on a reverse-phase column (Lichrosorb RP-18), the pigment components were resolved and separated in about 5 min. This method allowed preparative isolation of the individual components for infrared spectroscopic characterization. The interrelationship of the components studied by hydrogen peroxide oxidation of the pigment extract and the HPLC profiles and infrared spectra of the oxidized products as well as those of the individual isolated fractions were investigated. It is suggested that components separated by this method and detected at 272 nm might be related to the parent pigment of prodigiosin.
Influence of high biomass concentrations on alkane solubilities.

Alkane solubilities were measured experimentally for high-density biomass. The resulting Henry's law constants for propane were found to decrease significantly for both dense yeast suspensions and an actual propane-degrading biofilm consortium. At the biomass densities of a typical biofilm, propane solubility was about an order of magnitude greater than that in pure water. For example, a dense biofilm had a propane Henry's law constant of 0.09 ± 0.04 atm m3 mol−1 compared to 0.6 ± 0.1 atm m3 mol−1 measured in pure water. The results were modeled with mixing rules and compared with octanol-water mixtures. Hydrogels (agar) and salts decreased the alkane solubility. By considering a theoretical solubility of propane in dry biomass, estimates were made of intrinsic Henry's law constants for propane in pure yeast and biomass, which were 13 ± 2 and 5 ± 2 atm kg biomass mol−1 for yeast and biofilm consortium, respectively. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 68: 279–284, 2000.
Behavioral manifestations of competition of retinal endings for sites in doubly innervated frog optic tectum.

Abstract In three groups of frogs the optic nerve was induced to innervate the ipsilateral optic tectum with or without the original innervation present. Visual striking responses to mealworms in the inferior visual field were observed postoperatively. Animals in all three groups of frogs eventually evidenced striking appropriate to the point of the visual field stimulated, but misdirected to the opposite field. These mirror-image responses were first elicited in nasal field positions, and spread over time to temporal field positions. The first indications of mirror-image responding in the animals with doubly innervated tecta were seen at later postoperative times than in the animals with only ipsilateral connections. This delayed onset of mirror-image behavior is taken as evidence of competition for synaptic sites.
Constrained overlapping clusters: minimizing the negative effects of bridge-nodes

This paper presents a new approach to form overlapping clusters of objects by balancing the effects of incompleteness, impurity, and overlap. Incompleteness results from similar objects separated into different clusters while impurity arises when a cluster contains dissimilar objects. Overlap is caused by nodes that appear in more than one cluster. The key to balancing these effects is the identification of bridge-nodes. We show the limitations of traditional clustering algorithms in handling bridge-nodes and demonstrate the intractability of minimizing all three effects. Approximation algorithms based on graph mincut and genetic algorithm are proposed to minimize these effects. Our results with real data sets show significant improvement over traditional methods with regard to incompleteness, impurity, and overlap. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Statistical Analysis and Data Mining 3: 20-37, 2010
The measurement of sea water pH

Abstract This paper reviews the thermodynamic basis of two approaches that are used to measure the total hydrogen ion concentration of sea water, potentiometry using a glass electrode and spectroscopy using an indicator dye. Both of these methods depend ultimately on measurements made using the classical hydrogen/silver-silver chloride cell for their calibration and thus provide equivalent pH scales. As a result of recent advances in measurement techniques and calibration, we should expect to see a revival in the popularity of pH measurements and a renewed understanding of the importance of this parameter in interpreting acid-base processes in sea water; particularly those involving the geochemically important carbon dioxide system.
Democratizing the Classroom: Sequencing Discussions and Assignments to Promote Student Ownership of the Course:

This article explores a radical pedagogical method for democratizing the classroom that generates rich, engaged, student-led discussions. The approach is grounded in the notion that democratic part...
Maternal inheritance of centrosomes in mammals? Studies on parthenogenesis and polyspermy in mice.

Abstract The centrosome, the microtubule-organizing center of the cell, is introduced typically by the sperm at fertilization. In some mammals, however, this paternal pattern of inheritance appears to be violated. The hypothesis that the centrosome is maternally inherited was tested during parthenogenesis, polyspermy, and polygyny as well as after recovery from microtubule inhibition at first mitosis. During parthenogenesis the paternal contribution was absent, and in polyspermy the paternal contribution was multiplied. Haploid and diploid parthenogenotes as well as polyspermic and digynic fertilized eggs each segregated their centrosomes to organize a bipolar mitotic apparatus. Oocytes recovering from a nocodazole block formed two normal bipolar mitotic apparatus; the paternal chromosomes aligned at one spindle equator, while the maternal chromosomes were found at the other. These results show that the centrosome is maternally inherited from cytoplasmic sites in the mouse. The evolutionary switch from paternal to maternal inheritance in mammals might be related to the additional dangers that parthenogenesis represents: a threat to the life of the mother as well as to the life of the fetus.
Hemiretinae and nonmonotonic masking functions with overlapping stimuli

Single-letter targets, followed at varying onset-onset intervals by a patterned mask, were presented for identification to the hemiretinae of both eyes. The target and mask stimuli were spatially overlapping; the mask could impede target perception dichoptically, and the energy of the target stimuli was twice that of the mask. Under these conditions, U-shaped monoptic masking functions were obtained which did not differ, as a function of hemiretina, in their overall shape or in their points of maximal masking.
Antinociceptive evaluation of 14β-(bromoacetamido)- 7,8-dihydro-N(cyclopropylmethyl)-normorphinone in mice

This study evaluated the supraspinal opioid effects of 14β-(bromoacetamido)-7,8-dihydro-N(cyclopropylmethyl)-normorphinone (N-CPM-H2BAMO) in the mouse acetic acid-induced writhing and tail-flick assays. In the writhing test, N-CPM-H2BAMO produced a time- and dose-dependent antinociception after i.c.v. administration, with a 50% antinociceptive response being obtained with 0.28 (0.19–0.39) nmol when given 10 min before testing. The antinociceptive effect of N-CPM-H2BAMO was antagonized in a dose-dependent manner by the κ-selective opioid receptor antagonist, nor-binaltorphimine. In the mouse tail-flick assay, N-CPM-H2BAMO failed to produce any antinociception after i.c.v. administration. N-CPM-H2BAMO produced a dose-dependent antagonism of morphine-induced antinociception but not antinociception induced by the δ-opioid receptor agonist [D-Pen2,D-Pen5]enkephalin. Nor-binaltorphimine (0.3 nmol) at dose that completely antagonized N-CPM-H2BAMO-induced antinociception in the writhing assay did not prevent the antagonistic effect of N-CPM-H2BAMO on morphine-induced antinociception. Therefore, these data indicate that N-CPM-H2BAMO produces antinociception by acting at supraspinal κ-opioid receptors in the writhing assay, and also acts as a μ-opioid receptor antagonist.
A recursive planar feature extraction method for 3D range data segmentation

This paper presents a recursive method for extracting planar surfaces from noisy range data. The method first transforms the range image into a so-called Enhanced Range Image (ERI) that encodes the local geometric information (surface normals) and global spatial information (coordinates) of the 3D range data. The ERI is then clustered into a number of homogenous groups called Super-Pixels (SPs). By treating the SPs as the nodes a graph is constructed. A new similarity function is proposed to compute the edge weights between the nodes, base on which the graph is recursively partitioned into two segments by the Normalized Cuts (NC) method until an exit condition is met. In this work, the exit condition is that each of the resulting segments is a plane or contains only one SP. After the partitioning process, neighboring planar segments are merged based on their spatial relationships. The recursive approach eliminates the need for a pre-specified segment number that is necessary in the existing NC based image segmentation methods. The ERI coding enhances object surfaces and edges while the effect of its sensitivity to surface normals is suppressed by the similarity function that takes into account the spatial information in computing the edge weights of the graph. The proposed method can be applied to navigation of mobile robots, symbolic map-building, and range data understanding. In this work the range data are captured from a 3D Time-of-Flight imaging sensor—the Swissranger SR-3000.
Neuromuscular Junction Protection for the Potential Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neuromuscular disease characterized by the progressive degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons (MNs), leading to muscular atrophy and eventual respiratory failure. ALS research has primarily focused on mechanisms regarding MN cell death; however, degenerative processes in the skeletal muscle, particularly involving neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), are observed in the early stages of and throughout disease progression. According to the “dying-back” hypothesis, NMJ degeneration may not only precede, but actively cause upper and lower MN loss. The importance of NMJ pathology has relatively received little attention in ALS, possibly because compensatory mechanisms mask NMJ loss for prolonged periods. Many mechanisms explaining NMJ degeneration have been proposed such as the disruption of anterograde/retrograde axonal transport, irregular cellular metabolism, and changes in muscle gene and protein expression. Neurotrophic factors, which are known to have neuroprotective and regenerative properties, have been intensely investigated for their therapeutic potential in both the preclinical and clinical setting. Additional research should focus on the potential of preserving NMJs in order to delay or prevent disease progression
Distant nontraumatic clostridial myonecrosis and malignancy

Distant nontraumatic clostridial myonecrosis in association with malignancy is an uncommon disorder, with only 14 well-documented cases previously reported in the English literature. Clostridium perfringens and C. septicum are the most common organisms, usually gaining access to the circulation through an ulcerated lesion of the small bowel or colon. A case report of this syndrome caused by C. histolyticum is presented with a review of the literature.
Polyelectrolyte-Mediated Electrochemical Fabrication of a Polyacetylene p−n Junction

The diffusion of dopant counterions has made the formation of conjugated polymer p−n junctions challenging. We demonstrate polyelectrolyte mediated electrochemistry (PMEC) as a three-electrode technique for separately introducing n- and p-type regions in an ion-functionalized polyacetylene structure to form a p−n junction. PMEC uses a polyelectrolyte-based supporting electrolyte and ion-functionalized conjugated polymers to control the ions available for exchange between a solid sample and supporting electrolyte, and in this way, select for oxidative vs reductive electrochemical processes. A bilayer consisting of solid layers of anionically and cationically functionalized polyacetylenes was driven first to −1.5 V vs SCE and then to 0.6 V vs SCE using tetrabutylammonium polystyrene sulfonate/acetonitrile as a supporting electrolyte. The negative potential step n-doped the entire structure, and the positive potential step selectively p-doped the anionically functionalized layer to form a p−n junction as fol...
Lesional temporal lobe epilepsy: Ictal semiology and operative outcome

We reviewed the medical records of all patients undergoing anterior temporal lobe surgery for intractable epilepsy from 1988–93 to compare the ictal semiology and operative outcome in patients with intractable partial epilepsy associated with medial or lateral temporal lobe lesions. Forty-one consecutive patients with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and pathologically identified temporal lobe lesions were divided into two groups based on lesion location: Group I (medial [ n = 25]) and Group II (lateral [ n = 16]). Complex partial seizures occurred in 92% of Group I and 94% of Group II ( p > 0.05). Generalized tonic-clonic seizures occurred in 16% of Group I and 23% in Group II ( p > 0.05). Auras were present in 76% of Group I and 56% of Group II ( p > 0.05). The specific ictal behavior and interictal-ictal EEG findings were not significantly different in the two groups. The postoperative seizure-free rates were 80% in Group I and 88% in Group II ( p > 0.05) and 83% for both groups combined. We found no differences in the ictal semiology of medial and lateral temporal lobe lesional epilepsy. Both groups experienced an excellent surgical outcome.
Spiel mit dem klassischen Erbe: Volker Brauns Iphigenie in Freiheit

This article analyzes Volker Braun’s understanding of world history as theatrum mundi as depicted in the text Iphigenie in Freiheit (1992). Braun sees mankind’s history as perpetually determined by forces beyond an individual’s control, by war, and by murder, and suggests that the only way to escape this vicious circle is by renouncing violence. How then, Braun asks, is one to embrace this new, right(eous) way of life after the loss of belief in a political system’s utopian potential? By analyzing Braun’s engagement with fragments of German dramas from the 18th to the 20th centuries, namely Lessing’s Philotas , Buchner’s Dantons Tod and Brecht’s Der Untergang des Egoisten Johann Fatzer , I show that while Braun’s text proclaims the death of utopia, by continuing to write, Braun confirms that ultimately he still believes in mankind’s salvation through fiction. However, he also realizes that unlike the classical texts, post-modern fiction is unable to mediate transcendence. It can only polemicize with itself and the world. (CP)
Calligraphic Interfaces: Classifier combination for sketch-based 3D part retrieval

In this paper, we present a search method with multi-class probability estimates for sketch-based 3D engineering part retrieval. The purpose of using probabilistic output from classification is to support high-quality part retrieval by motivating user relevance feedback from a ranked list of top categorical choices. Given a free-hand user sketch, we use an ensemble of classifiers to estimate the likelihood of the sketch belonging to each predefined category by exploring the strengths of various individual classifiers. Complementary shape descriptors are used to generate classifiers with probabilistic output using support vector machines (SVM). A weighted linear combination rule, called adapted minimum classification error (AMCE), is developed to concurrently minimize the classification errors and the log likelihood errors. Experiments are conducted using our Engineering Shape Benchmark database to evaluate the proposed combination rule. User studies show that users can easily identify the desired classes and then the parts under the proposed method and algorithms. Compared with the best individual classifier, the classification accuracy using AMCE increased by 7% for 3D models, and the average best rank improved by 11.6% for sketches.
Effect of Ginkgo biloba (EGb 761) on treadmill walking time among adults with peripheral artery disease: a randomized clinical trial.

Purpose Medical therapies for treatment of peripheral artery disease (PAD) are limited. Ginkgo biloba has been reported to increase maximal and pain-free walking distance among patients with PAD; however, the evidence is inconsistent. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of 300 mg/d of Ginkgo biloba (EGb 761) versus placebo on treadmill walking time and related cardiovascular measures among patients with PAD. Methods A double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel design trial with a 4-month duration was used. Participants were 62 adults, aged 70 +/- 8 years (mean +/- SD), with claudication symptoms of PAD. The primary study outcomes were maximal and pain-free walking time on a treadmill. Secondary outcomes included flow-mediated vasodilation, a measure of antioxidant status as assessed by determining antibody levels to epitopes of oxidized low-density lipoprotein, and questionnaires addressing walking impairment and quality of life. Results Maximal treadmill walking time increased by 20 +/- 80 and 91 +/- 242 seconds in the placebo and the EGb 761 groups, respectively (P = .12). Pain-free walking time increased by 15 +/- 31 and 21 +/- 43 seconds, respectively (P = .28). No significant differences were detected between groups for any of the secondary outcomes. Conclusions In older adults with PAD, Ginkgo biloba produced a modest but insignificant increase in maximal treadmill walking time and flow-mediated vasodilation. These data do not support the use of Ginkgo biloba as an effective therapy for PAD, although a longer duration of use should be considered in any future trials.
The power of a paired t-test with a covariate.

Many researchers employ the paired t-test to evaluate the mean difference between matched data points. Unfortunately, in many cases this test in inefficient. This paper reviews how to increase the precision of this test through using the mean centered independent variable x, which is familiar to researchers that use analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). We add to the literature by demonstrating how to employ these gains in efficiency as a factor for use in finding the statistical power of the test. The key parameters for this factor are the correlation between the two measures and the variance ratio of the dependent measure on the predictor. The paper then demonstrates how to compute the gains in efficiency a priori to amend the power computations for the traditional paired t-test. We include an example analysis from a recent intervention, Families Preparing the New Generation (Familias Preparando la Nueva Generacion). Finally, we conclude with an analysis of extant data to derive reasonable parameter values.
Validity and reliability of the nicotine and marijuana interaction expectancy (NAMIE) questionnaire.

Background The co-occurring use of tobacco and marijuana among young people is a concern, yet little research has examined processes of co-use. Understanding expectancies around use of the two substances will help identify intervention targets. This study examined psychometric properties of the Nicotine and Marijuana Interaction Expectancy (NAMIE) questionnaire based on three modified scales of the Nicotine and Other Substance Interaction Expectancy (NOSIE) questionnaire.
The intelligibility of C.I.D. auditory test W-1 words as speechreading stimuli

Abstract The thirty-six words of the C.I.D. Auditory Test W 1 were presented to forty-eight normal hearing college students as speechreading stimuli via videotape without auditory cues. Subjects were tested in groups of four and had no prior knowledge of the test items except that they were two-syllable words. Responses were written on prepared terms Results indicated that the spondees are not equally intelligible as speechreading stimuli and that only half of the words are good predictors of overall speechreading performance on such stimuli. Further study is needed in identifying the distribution of the words with respect to intelligibility as speechreading stimuli and determining the influence of intra- word position of highly visible consonants on speechreading performance.
Search Query Quality and Web-Scale Discovery: A Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis

This study observes user behavior within the Web-scale discovery tool, Summon by Serials Solutions, at Montana State University. The most common search query within Summon at the time of this study was facebook.com. Two hypotheses are explored: a majority of search queries performed within Summon are of low quality; and search query quality improved during the first two semesters of implementation. Transaction log analysis was performed on a random sample of search queries. Search query quality was consistently high over the first two semesters of implementation, but it did not increase thereafter. Further analysis revealed that users neglected to use Boolean operators.
Analysis of Intact Tablets by Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectrometry

A typical pharmaceutical tablet is too small for analysis in an ordinary NIRA instrument. An intact tablet will not begin to fill a solid-sample holder designed for use with a powdered sample. Grinding the sample is likewise unproductive, as a single tablet also does not provide enough powder for the sample cup. Potential NIRA applications such as the detection of product tampering and even routine quality control are unnecessarily complicated by this grinding requirement. A method of analyzing single, intact tablets using a double-reflecting aluminum sample holder is described in this report. The integrity of the sample is preserved during the analysis, allowing the tablet to be sold or consumed after the procedure.
New family of quadruply-bonded ditungsten(II,II) species with chloride and amine ligands

Abstract The first ditungsten(II,II) complexes with amine ligands of the formula W2Cl4(NH2R)4 (R=Prn (1), But (2), Cy (3)) have been prepared by reduction of a tungsten(IV) compound with potassium graphite in the presence of the appropriate amine. The X-ray crystal structure determination of 3 revealed a quadruply-bonded ditungsten molecule having D2d geometry and a trans arrangement of the amine ligands on each metal atom.
Small world network measures predict white matter degeneration in patients with early-stage mild cognitive impairment

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) has long been considered a cortical degenerative disease, but impaired brain connectivity, due to white matter injury, may exacerbate cognitive problems. Predicting brain changes is critically important for early treatment. In a longitudinal diffusion tensor imaging study, we investigated white matter fiber integrity in 19 patients (mean age: 74.7 +/− 8.4 yrs at baseline) displaying early signs of mild cognitive impairment (eMCI). We first examined whether baseline average fractional anisotropy (FA) measures in the corpus callosum (CC) predicted changes in white matter integrity over the following 6 months. We then examined whether “small world” architecture measures — calculated from baseline connectivity maps — predicted white matter changes over the next 6 months. While average CC FA measures at baseline were not associated with future changes in FA, network measures were a sensitive biomarker for predicting white matter changes during this critical time before AD strikes.
THE k ORDERING OF ATOMIC AND IONIC ENERGY LEVELS

This paper describes several properties of atomic spectra associated with k ordering, in particular, the existence of a limiting ionicity delta/sub 1/ and a limiting angular momentum l/sub 1/ and the related phase transitions from k ordering to hydrogenic ordering (according to n) the connection with the phenomenon of inverted fine structure, the identification of the spectroscopic quantum defects delta/sub nl/ as the appropriate ''order parameter'' for k ordering, and, finally, the possibility of a symmetry breaking in atomic spectra associated with k ordering.
Effect of familiarity on reward anticipation in children with and without autism spectrum disorders.

Background: Previous research on the reward system in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) suggests that children with ASD anticipate and process social rewards differently than typically developing (TD) children—but has focused on the reward value of unfamiliar face stimuli. Children with ASD process faces differently than their TD peers. Previous research has focused on face processing of unfamiliar faces, but less is known about how children with ASD process familiar faces. The current study investigated how children with ASD anticipate rewards accompanied by familiar versus unfamiliar faces. Methods: The stimulus preceding negativity (SPN) of the event-related potential (ERP) was utilized to measure reward anticipation. Participants were 6- to 10-year-olds with (N=14) and without (N=14) ASD. Children were presented with rewards accompanied by incidental face or non-face stimuli that were either familiar (caregivers) or unfamiliar. All non-face stimuli were composed of scrambled face elements in the shape of arrows, controlling for visual properties. Results: No significant differences between familiar versus unfamiliar faces were found for either group. When collapsing across familiarity, TD children showed larger reward anticipation to face versus non-face stimuli, whereas children with ASD did not show differential responses to these stimulus types. Magnitude of reward anticipation to faces was significantly correlated with behavioral measures of social impairment in the ASD group. Conclusions: The findings do not provide evidence for differential reward anticipation for familiar versus unfamiliar face stimuli in children with or without ASD. These findings replicate previous work suggesting that TD children anticipate rewards accompanied by social stimuli more than rewards accompanied by non-social stimuli. The results do not support the idea that familiarity normalizes reward anticipation in children with ASD. Our findings also suggest that magnitude of reward anticipation to faces is correlated with levels of social impairment for children with ASD.