cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Control, Accountability, and Constraints: Rethinking Perceptions of Presidential Responsibility for the Economy

The state of the national economy is known to be of fundamental consequence for presidential fortunes, which implies that citizens (1) believe presidents exert substantial control over the national economy and, consequently, (2) hold presidents accountable for economic conditions. Yet the ability of presidents to control the national economy is highly constrained. Thus, we know relatively little about how citizens come to perceive the presidency as being so responsible for economic outcomes. Using a survey experiment, this study examines whether presidential campaigns, and candidates’ claims specifically, are capable of shaping citizens’ perceptions of presidential responsibility for the economy. Paradoxically, the results reveal that the public is inclined to hold presidents accountable for the economy to a significantly greater extent than it perceives presidents to actually control the economy. Moreover, the results suggest that, by deliberately omitting information about the constraints on presidential power over the economy, candidates’ claims may play an important role in perpetuating unrealistic expectations of the president among the general public.
A PATIENT SURVEILANCE SYSTEM EMPLOYING PARALLEL MICROCOMPUTER DESIGN

A distributed processing system is presented for noninvasive cardiac surveilance. Computer utilization in patient surveilance systems is discussed and related to the clinical environment. The surveilance technique, utilizing cardiac waveform analysis, and a method minimizing its clinical and physiological constraints is developed. A multiple processor system design is presented which performs parallel data acquisition, analysis, and display. Since each processing function has minimal computing requirements, multiple microcomputer design is ideally suited for system implementation.
“Friend” or Foe? Why People Friend Disliked Others on Facebook

This study explores the disconnection that exists between the number of friends and relationships people maintain in their face-to-face interactions and the number of connections people establish on social networking sites. Specifically, we examined the extent to which Facebook users “friend” people they dislike and find annoying on Facebook and the reasons people offer for engaging in these seemingly nonintuitive behaviors. The results indicate that, in a sample of college students (N = 305), the majority of Facebook users are friends with people they dislike on Facebook (61%) and actively read the postings of individuals even though they find their postings annoying (85%). Participants’ sex, intensity of Facebook use, and general relational anxiety all independently predicted the occurrence of friending disliked others and actively reading annoying postings. A uses and gratifications framework was adopted to develop a typology of reasons why people engage in these behaviors. Monitoring, surveillance, do...
Reconstitution of Torso signaling in cultured cells suggests a role for both Trunk and Torso-like in receptor activation.

Formation of the Drosophila embryonic termini is controlled by the localized activation of the receptor tyrosine kinase Torso. Both Torso and Torso9s presumed ligand, Trunk, are expressed uniformly in the early embryo. Polar activation of Torso requires Torso-like, which is expressed by follicle cells adjacent to the ends of the developing oocyte. We find that Torso expressed at high levels in cultured Drosophila cells is activated by individual application of Trunk, Torso-like or another known Torso ligand, Prothoracicotropic Hormone. In addition to assays of downstream signaling activity, Torso dimerization was detected using bimolecular fluorescence complementation. Trunk and Torso-like were active when co-transfected with Torso and when presented to Torso-expressing cells in conditioned medium. Trunk and Torso-like were also taken up from conditioned medium specifically by cells expressing Torso. At low levels of Torso, similar to those present in the embryo, Trunk and Torso-like alone were ineffective but acted synergistically to stimulate Torso signaling. Our results suggest that Torso interacts with both Trunk and Torso-like, which cooperate to mediate dimerization and activation of Torso at the ends of the Drosophila embryo.
The Impact of Communication Skills Training on Cardiology Fellows' and Attending Physicians' Perceived Comfort with Difficult Conversations.

Abstract Background: Cardiologists need to decide which treatments are appropriate for seriously ill patients and whether they align with patient goals. Reconciling medical options with patients' wishes requires skilled communication. Although there is evidence that communication is teachable, few cardiologists receive formal training. Objective: To demonstrate that providing communication skills training to cardiologists is feasible and improves their perceived preparedness (PP) for leading difficult conversations. Methods: CardioTalk is a workshop to improve communication through short didactic sessions followed by interactions with standardized patients. Competencies include giving bad news, defining goals of care, responding to emotion, supporting religious beliefs, and withdrawing therapies. Settings/Subjects: First year cardiology fellows, heart failure fellows, and cardiac intensive care unit attendings. Measurements: Surveys evaluated the curriculum's efficacy and learners' PP before and after the...
Thyroid Nodular Disease and Thyroid Cancer During Pregnancy

The identification of clinically relevant thyroid nodules occurs frequently during pregnancy. Most nodules are asymptomatic and simply detected during a time of increased medical care. Initial evaluation of clinically relevant thyroid nodules identified during pregnancy generally does not differ from assessment performed in nonpregnant individuals, excepting the use of diagnostic molecular tests, or the administration of radiopharmaceuticals. Ultrasound and ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (UG-FNA) can be safely performed during pregnancy and provide important information regarding thyroid cancer risk. The approach to thyroid surgery during pregnancy, however, is most often conservative. Most thyroid nodules with malignant or indeterminate cytology detected during pregnancy will not grow nor pose significant risk during a 6–12 month delay in treatment. In contrast, thyroid surgery in pregnant women is higher risk in comparison to nonpregnant women. Therefore, the decision to pursue thyroidectomy must be individualized, weighing the risks and benefits of any intervention against those of conservative monitoring. In rare circumstances, high-risk scenarios necessitate thyroidectomy during pregnancy. When required, thyroid surgery is generally recommended before 24–26 weeks of pregnancy and should be performed by thyroid surgeons with a high degree of experience. Thyroid hormone concentrations should be assessed preoperatively and monitored closely postoperatively, acknowledging an increasing demand for thyroxine that occurs throughout gestation. Maternal serum TSH concentrations should be regularly assessed during the first half of pregnancy, with levothyroxine doses adjusted upward to maintain a TSH target below 3.0 mIU/L. In conclusion, through a balanced and informed approach to the clinical care of this unique population, outcomes can be optimized for both the mother and the fetus.
Differential gene expression in populations of sympathetic neurons purified from a neuropeptide Y reporter mouse

Using gene chip methodology, we identified candidate genes differentially expressed by vasomotor and non-vasomotor sympathetic neurons in the superior cervical ganglion. Groups of 10 neurons were manually sorted after isolation from a transgenic neuropeptide Y (NPY) reporter mouse that expresses the humanized Renilla green fluorescent protein (GFP) under control of Npy promoter sequences. Anatomical analysis of GFP and NPY co-expression showed that 98% of GFP-positive neurons and 16% of GFP-negative neurons express NPY. The probability of contamination in sorted cell samples was therefore high. To minimize this problem, we screened amplified cDNA samples by the quantitative polymerase chain reaction. This approach identified 101 candidate genes preferentially expressed by GFP-positive neurons and 74 candidate genes preferentially expressed by GFP-negative neurons.
Emerging Adult Relationship Transitions as Opportune Times for Tailored Interventions

The goal of this research was to identify predictors of college students’ relationship dissolution and how a relationship education (RE) curriculum integrated into a college course (Relationship U ...
Expectations and Warning Effectiveness: Literature Review and Proposed Model:

Warnings seek to influence precautionary intent, and precautionary intent is largely a function of the individual's expectations about possible consequences. This paper organizes relevant research ...
RFIW: Large-Scale Kinship Recognition Challenge

Recognizing Families In the Wild (RFIW) is organized as a Data Challenge Workshop in conjunction with ACM MM 2017. The workshop is scheduled for the afternoon of October 27th. RFIW is the 1st large-scale kinship recognition challenge and is made up of 2 tracks, kinship verification and family classification. In total, 12 final submissions were made. This big data challenge was achieved with our FIW dataset which is, by far, the largest image collection of its kind. Potential next steps for FIW are abundant.
Rossby vortices in thin magnetized accretion discs

We study the Rossby wave instability (RWI) in a thin accretion disc threaded by an initially toroidal magnetic field using the magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) code PLUTO. We find that for plasma $10^1 10^3$, the magnetic field has negligible effect. The initially toroidal field is twisted inside the vortex and expelled at late times. This creates a radially directed field outside the vortex region, which can be understood via a simple kinematic model of a magnetic field in a rotating fluid and may be observable via polarised dust emission.
Soziologie der Interaktionsordnung

Wahrend der Initiator der Ethnomethodologie, den Sie im vorangehenden Kapitel kennengelernt haben, Zeit seines Lebens keine einzige Monographie verfasst hat, verkorpert der Autor, dem wir uns nun zuwenden, mit seinen zahlreichen Buchern (vgl. die Auflistung in Raab 2008, S. 107 ff.) das genaue Gegenteil. Und im Vergleich zu den bisher vorgestellten Ansatzen des Interpretativen Paradigmas fallt auf, dass mit dem Namen Erving Goffman keine soziologische Schulenbildung verbunden ist, obwohl es sich bei diesem kanadischen Autor um einen der meistgelesensten und erfolgreichsten Soziologen des 20. Jahrhunderts handelt, der weit uber die Disziplingrenzen hinaus auf offentliches Interesse gestosen ist. Wer ist diese Person, die obzwar etwas junger als Harold Garfinkel (mit dem er damals in regem Kontakt stand), doch etwa in der gleichen Zeit – Goffmann wird 1953 an der University of Chicago promoviert – die soziologische Buhne betritt und innerhalb kurzester Zeit um das Ende der 1950er/Anfang der 1960er Jahre eine Vielzahl bis heute masgeblicher soziologischer Schriften vorgelegt hat? Er
Everything’s Bigger in Texas: Examining the Mandatory (and Additional) Financial Burden of Postsecondary Education

Student fees remain an under-researched aspect of postsecondary education and finance (Kelchen, 2016). This study examines the mandatory and additional fees charged to full-time, in-state undergraduate students by public and private not-for-profit four-year institutions in Texas (n=96). Findings demonstrate the average four-year institution in Texas charges over $1,500 per academic year in mandatory fees, $500 higher than the national average. Moreover, private institutions charge an average of $1,100 less than publics, while fees comprise 6.8% of the total cost of attendance at private and 29.1% at publics. Institutions of higher education compose fee explanations above the 12th-grade reading level and only 5.2% of the sample provided fee explanations in a language other than English, thus further marginalizing non-English speaking language populations in Texas. Implications for policy makers, practitioners, and future research are addressed.
Microchemical investigations of medicinal plants. XIII

This paper describes the technique to isolate trace amounts of alkaloids from 500 mg of dry morning glory (Ipomoea violacea) leaves. Thin layer chromatography is employed and 7 alkaloids have been separated. The effect of solvent systems on separation is discussed.
Sharp Lines and Sliding Scales in Tax Law

The law is full of sharp lines, where small changes in one’s circumstances lead to significant changes in legal treatment. In many cases, a sharp line can be smoothed out by replacing it with a sliding scale. Under a sliding scale, small changes in one’s circumstances lead to small changes in legal treatment. In this paper, we study the policy choice between sharp lines and sliding scales in tax law. We focus on considerations relating to efficiency, complexity, administration, tax planning, and the objectives of specific provisions. Although sharp lines are currently widespread in tax law, we argue that sliding scales are frequently feasible in practice and can often better serve a range of tax policy goals. We illustrate our claims with examples drawn from diverse areas of tax law.
Profile of Angelika Amon, winner of the 2019 Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Science.

In 2006, the New York City-based Vilcek Foundation launched a prize program to honor US-based biomedical scientists who immigrated to the United States and made extraordinary contributions to their fields (1). Established in 2000 by Jan and Marica Vilcek, the Vilcek Foundation has been supported by Jan Vilcek’s donation of royalties received from the New York University School of Medicine for his contribution to the development of the antiinflammatory drug infliximab. The Vilcek Foundation’s prize program was born out of the Vilceks’ desire to recognize the contributions of immigrants to science and arts in the United States. It is also a celebration and emblem of immigration’s role in securing the primacy of the United States in science and arts on the world stage. There is no other major prize that specifically recognizes immigrant contributions to science in the United States. Angelika Amon. Image courtesy of Samara Vise (Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA). Since the establishment of the prize program in 2006, 15 scientists have received the Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Science. The Vilcek Foundation also recognizes outstanding young foreign-born scientists through the establishment of Prizes for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science; these prizes are open to candidates who are not more than 38 y old at the time of consideration. To date, 22 scientists have received Prizes for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science (in parallel, the Vilcek Foundation also awards an equal number of prizes in the arts to outstanding foreign-born artists active in the United States) (2). The recipient of the 2019 Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Science is Angelika Amon, an Austrian-born molecular and cell biologist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Angelika Amon’s passion for biology began early, when a picture of dividing plant cells viewed through a microscope sparked an enduring fascination with … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence should be addressed. Email: pnair{at}nas.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Video-Rate Confocal Microscopy

Most current confocal laser-scanning microscopes require <0.1 sec, more typically ~1 sec, to complete a single full scan of the field of view. Such speeds are considerably slower than conventional video displays or the psychophysical flicker-fusion frequency, so they give the visual impression of discontinuous image acquisition, rather than a smoothly evolving scene. This speed limitation is imposed by the scanning rates of conventional scanners based on linear servo galvanometers, not from any inherent feature of the confocal principle. Scanning at video rate has many advantages. The most obvious but not necessarily the most important is the psychophysical appearance of smooth motion or evolution, which greatly aids the user to locate and focus on regions of interest. Many biochemical signals inside living cells, particularly membrane potential and cytosolic free Ca2+and Na+, undergo changes in the time scale of seconds down to tenths of milliseconds. Such signals are especially important in neurobiology because neurons rely on such biochemistry to perform their special function of fast information processing.
Guided Motion Knees

A Guided Motion knee is one with features other than basic bearing surfaces, to guide or control the motion in prescribed ways, usually to provide some resemblance to anatomic knee motion. Among the earliest knees were those which allowed freedom of rotation of the femoral component on the tibia about a central axis, the UCI and the Variable Axis being two examples. These designs allowed for the axial rotation which occurs in function as well as anterior-posterior stability. Reproducing the function of the menisci was a logical goal in that they maintain a large area of contact, minimize contact stresses, and buffer the femur at the extremes of motion. Meniscal bearing knees were the result, including the Oxford and Minns. An evolution of this concept was the LCS rotating platform, which also provided freedom of internal-external rotation. Based on experimental data that the knee pivoted about the medial side, due to medial stability and lateral mobility, medial pivot knees were invented and have shown positive clinical feedback. Biomimetic knees, either imitating anatomic geometry or motion, have been challenging in that several designs have been invented, but there has been limited experience so far. This class of knee has a high but as yet unrealized potential.
Using Yeast Tools to Dissect the Action of Anticancer Drugs: Mechanisms of Enzyme Inhibition and Cell Killing by Agents Targeting DNA Topoisomerases

Resistance to anticancer agents is one of the defining problems of cancer pharmacology. Drug resistance is clearly a major obstacle to the cure of many neoplastic diseases. Through the years we have come to understand that anticancer drug resistance has different biochemical and molecular mechanisms depending on the class of drug. Early studies centered on trying to understand “acquired drug resistance”, alterations in cancer cells that were originally sensitive to one or more chemotherapeutic agents, but which acquired changes that attenuated the cell cytotoxicity of the original agent, and also frequently resulted in “multidrug resistance”, resistance to multiple classes of anticancer agents. While prevention of acquired drug resistance, and a detailed understanding of mechanisms leading to drug resistance are still critical concerns of cancer pharmacology, we now understand that many cancer cells accumulate changes that result in inherent drug resistance. Alternatively, some of the changes leading to the development of neoplastic disease can make cancer cells inherently more sensitive to specific classes of anticancer agents. Current experimental approaches are providing a detailed description of the molecular changes that occur in many types of cancers. Anna T. Rogojina, Zhengsheng Li, Karin C. Nitiss and John L. Nitiss
Reducing Artifacts in GAN Audio Synthesis

Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) have recently shown promising results for audio synthesis, however, synthesized audio has artifacts and can sound unnatural/mechanical. In the case of speech synthesis, the artifacts can contribute to reduced intelligibility of the generated speech. A new architecture is proposed, TangGAN, that generates audio with less artifacts compared to the current state-of-the-art. This is achieved via the introduction of decimation layers in the discriminator and interpolation layers in the generator of a common GAN architecture to formally address aliasing due to improper sampling. Aliasing occurs in convolutional layers with strides larger than one. To quantify the reduction of artifacts in generated audio three new metrics for evaluating GANs for audio/speech synthesis are introduced: total harmonic distortion (THD), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and Speech-To-Reverberation Modulation Energy Ratio (SRMR). New metrics are necessary, given that results in this study indicate that the commonly used Inception score does not capture human listener perception of quality of generated speech. Results presented in this study demonstrate an improved Inception score over the benchmarked WaveGAN architecture as well as reduction of artifacts in generated speech as quantified by THD (up to 2dB), SNR (up to 5 dB), and SRMR. These improvements are achieved in half the training iterations of TangGAN compared to the WaveGAN architecture.
Development of a Patient Reported Measure of Experimental Transplants with HIV and Ethics in the United States (PROMETHEUS)

Transplantation of HIV-positive (HIV+) donor organs for HIV+ recipients (HIV D+/R+) is now being performed as research in the United States, but raises ethical concerns. While patient-reported outcome measures are increasingly used to evaluate clinical interventions, there is no published measure to aptly capture patients’ experiences in the unique context of experimental HIV D+/R+ transplantation. Therefore, we developed PROMETHEUS (patient-reported measure of experimental transplants with HIV and ethics in the United States). To do so, we created a conceptual framework, drafted a pilot battery using existing and new measures related to this context, and refined it based on cognitive and pilot testing. PROMETHEUS was administered 6-months post-transplant in a clinical trial evaluating these transplants. We analyzed data from the first 20 patient-participants for reliability and validity by calculating Cronbach’s alpha and reviewing item performance characteristics. PROMETHEUS 1.0 consisted of 29 items with 5 putative subscales: Emotions; Trust; Decision Making; Transplant; and Decision Satisfaction. Overall, responses were positive. Cronbach’s alpha was > 0.8 for all subscales except Transplant, which was 0.38. Two Transplant subscale items were removed due to poor reliability and construct validity. We developed PROMETHEUS to systematically capture patient-reported experiences with this novel experimental transplantation program, nested it in an actual clinical trial, and obtained preliminary data regarding its performance.
A novel method for the design and selection of neutron-attenuating media

Abstract A new methodology for designing neutron shields and selecting moderators using sets of generalized metrics is presented. The metrics were derived from many MCNP®6.2 simulations. Neutron and photon statistics were tracked at the outer surface of a sphere for each of the materials in each simulation to derive neutron energy attenuation coefficients that can accurately track the exponential energy decrement of neutrons in media. Neutron penetration probabilities as well as a normalized measure of the number of collisions were also obtained as a measure of the number of neutrons that penetrate the media and the number of collisions the neutrons undergo, respectively. Finally, the penetrative photon generation probability and their average energy were also obtained, allowing for photon dose rate computations. Attempts at generalizing each of the derived metrics are also discussed, showing the limitations of such simplifications. The methodology allows more streamlined approaches for analyzing complex neutron attenuating media.
A Note on the

It is shown in this note that in an incomplete markets economy with uncountably many states of the world there may be uncountably many isolated equilibria as well as uncountably many non-isolated equilibria. Moreover, both subsets can be simultaneously of second category. Therefore, none of the subsets can be considered negligible with respect to the other, neither from a cardinality point of view nor from a topological one. Unfortunately, this fact prevents from claiming that these economies may have "typically" determinate equilibria - even though uncountably many of them - as would have been desirable for comparative statics exercises.
History and Correlates of Smoking Cessation Behaviors among Individuals with Current or Past Major Depressive Disorder Enrolled in a Smoking Cessation Trial.

INTRODUCTION Smoking among adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) is at least double that of the general U.S. population. More effective smoking cessation interventions for depressed smokers may be facilitated through a better understanding of the smoking and depression-related characteristics of this population. METHODS We used baseline data from 300 participants enrolled in randomized clinical trial for smokers with current or past MDD. We described history of smoking cessation behaviors (i.e., quit attempts, quit motivation, and cessation treatment utilization) and used multivariate regression to identify demographic and depression-related correlates of these behaviors. RESULTS Sixty-eight percent of participants reported at least one quit attempt in the past year, nearly 51% reported motivation to quit in the subsequent 30 days, and 83% reported prior use of a nicotine replacement therapy. A greater readiness to quit smoking was associated with increased age (p = 0.04) and lower cigarettes per day (p = 0.01). Greater use of smoking cessation medication was associated with greater education and nicotine dependence, minority race, and greater use of complementary reinforcers. (e.g., activities associated with increased reinforcing value of smoking; p's < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that smokers with current or past MDD are highly motivated to quit smoking and have a history of engaging in efforts to quit. Interventions to promote smoking cessation behaviors should address younger and lighter smokers, who may perceive less risk from tobacco use, and efforts to promote smoking cessation medications and counseling should address minority smokers who are engaging in complementary reinforcers. IMPLICATIONS These data are inconsistent with the assumption that smokers with serious mental illness are not willing to quit smoking and suggest the need for studies that test behavioral interventions that address complementary reinforcers to treat tobacco use in this community.
Young Adults’ Folk Theories of How Social Media Harms Its Users

The age of digital, and especially social, media has increased the volume of information users encounter and the mediated interactions users are involved in or observe. This study analyzes young ad...
Maize biochemistry in response to root herbivory was mediated by domestication, spread, and breeding

With domestication, northward spread, and breeding, maize defence against root-herbivores relied on induced defences, decreasing levels of phytohormones involved in resistance, and increasing levels of a phytohormone involved in tolerance. We addressed whether a suite of maize (Zea mays mays) phytohormones and metabolites involved in herbivore defence were mediated by three successive processes: domestication, spread to North America, and modern breeding. With those processes, and following theoretical predictions, we expected to find: a change in defence strategy from reliance on induced defences to reliance on constitutive defences; decreasing levels of phytohormones involved in herbivore resistance, and; increasing levels of a phytohormone involved in herbivore tolerance. We tested those predictions by comparing phytohormone levels in seedlings exposed to root herbivory by Diabrotica virgifera virgifera among four plant types encompassing those processes: the maize ancestor Balsas teosinte (Zea mays parviglumis), Mexican maize landraces, USA maize landraces, and USA inbred maize cultivars. With domestication, maize transitioned from reliance on induced defences in teosinte to reliance on constitutive defences in maize, as predicted. One subset of metabolites putatively involved in herbivory defence (13-oxylipins) was suppressed with domestication, as predicted, though another was enhanced (9-oxylipins), and both were variably affected by spread and breeding. A phytohormone (indole-3-acetic acid) involved in tolerance was enhanced with domestication, and with spread and breeding, as predicted. These changes are consistent with documented changes in herbivory resistance and tolerance, and occurred coincidentally with cultivation in increasingly resource-rich environments, i.e., from wild to highly enriched agricultural environments. We concluded that herbivore defence evolution in crops may be mediated by processes spanning thousands of generations, e.g., domestication and spread, as well as by processes spanning tens of generations, e.g., breeding and agricultural intensification.
Repression in the Existential Lives of Dostoevsky’s Poor People

This paper explores Sigmund Freud's concept of repression in the existential strife exhibited by two main characters, Makar Alexyevitch and Varvara Alexyevna, in Fyodor Dostoevsky's Poor People . To demonstrate this, I psychoanalyze of how they handle their repressed desires, emphasizing the necessity of Freud's main rule for this method: Openness. Dostoevsky's Poor People presents an existential crisis handled through openness and mishandled when an individual represses one's desires. In delving into Dostoevsky's first novel, I demonstrate a link between the existential and psychological, wherein individuals strive to overcome themselves. Surprisingly, this link has a come a common influence between Dostoevsky and Freud: Immanuel Kant. I briefly discuss this shared similarity to show the basic idea of an "existential middle" derived from a Freudian psychoanalysis of Dostoevsky's Poor People .
Cortical and Dopaminergic Regulation of Amphetamine-Induced Changes In Striatal Single-Unit Activity in Awake, Behaving Rats

The striatum and its dopaminergic input from the ventral midbrain are known to play a critical role in the behavioral effects of amphetamine and related psychomotor stimulants. Relatively little information is available, however, on the neuronal mechanisms underlying these behavioral effects. In an initial attempt to address this issue, a series of single-unit recording experiments has been carried out in the striatum of awake, behaving animals. Early data obtained from cats revealed a tendency for amphetamine to accelerate striatal neuronal activity in parallel with the drug-induced behavioral activation (Trulson and Jacobs, 1979). Consistent with these findings, West et al. (1987) reported that amphetamine increased unit activity in virtually all striatal neurons sampled from rats trained to walk on a treadmill. In contrast, other investigators found both excitatory and inhibitory striatal responses to amphetamine in freely moving rats (Gardiner et al., 1988; Ryan et al., 1989). Subsequent research has shown that striatal neurons firing in close temporal association with movement are significantly more likely to increase activity in response to amphetamine than neurons in which neuronal activity is unrelated to movement (Haracz et al, 1989; Rebec et al., 1991). In fact, nonmotor-related neurons typically are inhibited by the drug. Although these changes in unit activity may occur secondarily to an amphetamine–induced behavioral change, data obtained from behavioral clamping techniques, which attempt to control for behavioral feedback effects by comparing neuronal activity during matched pre- and post-amphetamine behaviors, argue against this view (Haracz et al., 1993). In fact, direct infusions of amphetamine into the striatum of freely moving animals activates motor- and inhibits nonmotor-related neurons several minutes prior to the onset of overt behavioral changes (Wang and Rebec, 1992). Thus, amphetamine-induced changes in striatal activity appear to reflect a direct action of this drug on striatal neurons rather than a secondary response associated with behavioral activation. By creating a divergence in firing rate between motor-and nonmotor-related neurons, amphetamine may help to bias the striatum toward expression of the drug–induced behavioral response. In the present series of experiments, we focused on some likely mechanisms by which dopamine may regulate the changes in striatal neuronal activity produced by amphetamine.
GP-ORAM: A Generalized Partition ORAM

Oblivious RAM (ORAM) is a provable technique to protect a user’s access pattern to outsourced data. Recently, many ORAM constructions have been proposed, but most of them are impractical due to high communication and user-side storage costs. Motivated by Partition ORAM (P-ORAM) [15], a state-of-the-art communication-efficient ORAM construction, this paper proposes GP-ORAM (Generalized Partition ORAM) as a new framework to assemble multiple ORAM partitions together while overcoming the limitations of the P-ORAM construction. GP-ORAM allows smaller and adjustable number of partitions, fully utilizes the available user-side storage to reduce communication cost, and can efficiently export the index table to the server. As a result, GP-ORAM incurs low bandwidth cost (i.e., \(O(\log N)\) data blocks per query in practice) and has significantly less user-side storage cost than P-ORAM. We demonstrate the security and practicality of GP-ORAM through extensive performance analysis.
A Leadership Reality Check Involving County Extension Leaders and Their Stakeholders.

The perceptions of stakeholders as well as leaders' self-perceptions are critical in maximizing leadership and outreach capacity within higher education and extension organizations. This study demonstrates a leadership style assessment that includes perspectives of both leaders and stakeholders. West Virginia University Extension Service county program coordinators and local extension service committee members completed surveys scoring perceptions for four types of leadership frames: structural, human resource, political, and symbolic. Among coordinators, 39 percent reported using none of the four leadership frames frequently; 33 percent reported a single frame style, 15 percent a paired frame style, and 12 percent a multiple frame style. In contrast, committee members reported 21 percent of coordinators used no frame style, 18 percent a single frame style, 6 percent a paired frame style, and 55 percent a multiple frame style. Results suggest that committee members perceive more frequent use of leadership styles than is reflected in coordinators' self-perceptions.
The east-west effect in solar proton flux measurements in geostationary orbit: A new GOES capability

[1] Since 1998, the GOES system has made eastward and westward observations of multi-MeV solar proton fluxes. The gyrocenters of the fluxes observed looking westward (eastward) lie outside (inside) geostationary orbit. Due to this “east-west effect,” eastward observations of 4.2–82 MeV protons vary with respect to their westward equivalents. At times of high solar wind dynamic pressure (Pdyn > 10 nPa), the “inside” and “outside” fluxes are approximately equal. As Pdyn decreases to ∼1 nPa and the ring current decreases, the “inside” fluxes decrease as much as an order of magnitude with respect to the “outside” fluxes. Under low Pdyn, the “inside” fluxes exhibit short-lived (1–3 hr) increases, sometimes to the levels of the “outside” fluxes, during periods of enhanced AE index activity. This association suggests that magnetotail topologies associated with substorms enhance the access of solar protons to lower L shells under low Pdyn.
The physiology of the human axillary apocrine sweat gland.

For over two centuries anatomists have known that there are large sweat glands in the axillae of man. These apocrine glands have been carefully studied by histologists and pathologists, yet only scant attention has been given them by the physiologist (1). The need for further knowledge of the physiology of these organs is apparent to the dermatologist, and recently Lobitz and Campbell (2) have undertaken a physiological study of the apocrine glands of the human ear canal. Concurrently, we are studying the axillary apocrine glands in a similar manner (3,4). The present account details some of the physiological data obtained.
Pan-colonic pharmacokinetics of catechins and procyanidins in male Sprague-Dawley rats

Abstract Poor absorption and bioavailability of procyanidins from the upper gastrointestinal tract result in the majority of the dose reaching the colon. During colonic transit, progressive microbial metabolism likely produces gradients of procyanidins and microbial metabolites along the length of the colon, suggesting that proximal and distal regions are exposed to different profiles of procyanidins and metabolites. However, previous studies have largely treated the colon as a single organ or looked at fecal profiles, and differences in the profiles of native and metabolite compounds between regions have not been observed. The metabolism kinetics of procyanidins larger than trimers and formation of metabolites in the colon have not been well characterized. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the kinetics of delivery and microbial metabolism of monomeric, dimeric and oligomeric procyanidins in the cecum and proximal, mid and distal colon. Sprague–Dawley rats were gavaged grape seed extract and sacrificed over 18h. Analysis of luminal contents showed distinct native and metabolite profiles for each region. Procyanidins had maximum concentrations at approximately 3h postgavage for all sections. Metabolites reached maximum concentrations from 3 to 18h postgavage. The appearance of metabolites was highly dependent on species: larger metabolites were found at earlier times in the more proximal segments, and smaller metabolites were found at later times in more distal regions. This study allowed for the observation of regions in the lower gastrointestinal tract, giving insight into the distribution and delivery of procyanidins and their microbial metabolites throughout the colon.
Distress, race/ethnicity and smoking cessation in treatment-seekers: implications for disparity elimination.

Background and Aims Distress is a modifiable risk factor for smoking maintenance. This study aimed to assess racial/ethnic differences in distress pre- and post-cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT) for smoking cessation, and relations with abstinence. Design Analyses of variance and logistic regressions were conducted. Setting University-based smoking cessation laboratory in South Florida, USA. Participants The sample comprised 234 treatment-seekers recruited from the community (18% white, 60% African American and 22% Hispanic). Intervention All participants received eight sessions of group CBT plus 8 weeks of transdermal nicotine patches (TNP). Measurements Demographics and smoking history [baseline], perceived stress and depressive symptoms [baseline and end of therapy (EOT)], carbon monoxide-verified 7-day point prevalence abstinence (p.p.a.) at EOT, 3 months post-CBT (primary outcome) and 6 months (self-report). Findings Compared with whites, African Americans reported greater baseline perceived stress (P = 0.03) and depressive symptoms (P = 0.06); no EOT differences were found. African Americans (P < 0.001) and Hispanics (P < 0.01) reported greater perceived stress reduction, and African Americans reported greater reductions in depressive symptoms (P < 0.01). EOT-perceived stress (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.93 (0.89–0.98)) and depressive symptoms [AOR = 0.96 (0.93–0.99)] were associated inversely with 7-day p.p.a. at 3 months. Reductions in perceived stress [AOR = 0.93 (0.89–0.98)] and depressive symptoms at the EOT [AOR = 0.96 (0.93–0.99)] were associated with cessation, such that reduced distress increased the odds of abstinence. The interactions between race/ethnicity and distress on 7-day p.p.a. were not significant at any assessment point. Conclusions Among smokers in Florida, USA, racial/ethnic differences in distress before starting cognitive–behavioral therapy for smoking cessation were eliminated at the end of treatment, driven by improvements among African Americans and Hispanics. High levels of distress were associated with reduced odds of abstinence through 6 months across racial/ethnic groups.
The Long-term Risk of Upper-extremity Lymphedema is Two-fold Higher in Breast Cancer Patients than in Melanoma Patients

Background and Objectives We assessed the cumulative incidence, symptoms, and risk factors for upper-extremity lymphedema in breast cancer and melanoma patients undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary lymph node dissection. Methods Patients were recruited preoperatively (time 0) and assessed at 6, 12, and 18 months postoperatively. Limb volume change (LVC) was measured by perometry. Lymphedema was categorized as none, mild (LVC 5–9.9%), or moderate/severe (LVC≥10%). Symptoms were assessed with a validated lymphedema instrument. Longitudinal logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify risk factors associated with moderate/severe lymphedema. Results Among 205 breast cancer and 144 melanoma patients, the cumulative incidence of moderate/severe lymphedema at 18 months was 36.5% and 35.0%, respectively. However, in adjusted analyses, factors associated with moderate/severe lymphedema were breast cancer (OR 2.0, P = 0.03), body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 (OR 1.6, P = 0.04), greater number of lymph nodes removed (OR 1.05, P < 0.01), and longer interval since surgery (OR 2.33 at 18 months, P < 0.01). Conclusions Lymphedema incidence increased over time in both cohorts. However, the adjusted risk of moderate/severe lymphedema was two-fold higher in breast cancer patients. These results may be attributed to surgical treatment of the primary tumor in the breast and more frequent use of radiation. J. Surg. Oncol. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Does the Use of Sukuk (Islamic Bonds) Impact Islamic Banks Performances? A Case Study of Relative Performance during 2007-2009

This study investigates whether the use of Sukuk (Islamic bonds) by Islamic Banks have impacted the performance of these banks during a financial crisis for period of 2007-2009. Data in this study was collected over the period of 2007-2009, with the study focusing on fourteen Islamic banks that used Sukuk part of their operations. In the first stage of the study, financial ratios would measure the strength of the bank, liquidity, deployment, overall efficiency, and profitability ratio though the uses of equity/asset, liquidity, deployment, cost/income, and profitability ratios during a financial crisis. While the second stage regression analysis would be used to measure the sensitivity of using of the Sukuk in these banks to their performances during a financial crisis. The result of the study has suggested Islamic banks have decreased in strength, deployment, efficiency, and profitability during 2008 compared to 2007 and increased the uses of Sukuk in their operation in 2009.
All is not fun and games: conversation, play, and surveillance at the Montefeltro court in Urbino

Works of art and literature commissioned for the Montefeltro court in Urbino and executed by Joos Van Gent, Pedro Berruguete, Baldassare Castiglione and Martino Filetico, use conversation, play, and wit to commemorate humanist interests and court practice. While these and other works celebrate Federico da Montefeltro's court, the illusionism of the intarsia panels in his studiolo do more than amuse. The objects and the uomini illustri portraits that fill the studiolo tease the visitor to the space and point to systems of surveillance and judgment as familiar to the Renaissance courtier as they were to the prisoner in the panopticon.
Ramsey-type results for metric spaces

Abstract If X, a metric space, is either finite, or the one consisting of the points {xi: i ⩽ ω} with dist(xi, xj) = 2−i for i
Ground-State Wave Function for Shallow Donor Electrons in Silicon

We describe a new calculation of hyperfine contact interactions for ${\mathrm{Si}}^{29}$ lattice nuclei near shallow donors in silicon. The calculation utilizes Bloch functions for several energy bands throughout the Brillouin zone. The results are sufficiently accurate that for the first time it is possible to assign all experimental ${\mathrm{Si}}^{29}$ electron-nuclear double-resonance data to specific lattice sites.
Estimating regional benefits of reducing targeted pollutants: an application to agricultural effects on water quality and the value of recreational fishing

The general focus of this paper is the regional estimation of marginal benefits of targeted water pollution abatement to instream uses. Benefit estimates are derived from actual consumer choices of recreational fishing activities and the implied expenditures for various levels of water quality. The methodology is applied to measuring the benefits accruing to recreational anglers in Indiana from the abatement of pollutants that are by-products of agricultural crop production.
Familial occurrence frequencies and relative risks for systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) in three United States cohorts.

Objective To determine the frequency with which scleroderma (systemic sclerosis; SSc) recurs in families and the familial relative risk (λ) in the US. Methods Family histories of SSc were prospectively surveyed in 3 large US cohorts of SSc patients, 2 in Texas and 1 in Michigan. Diagnoses of familial SSc were verified by rheumatologist evaluation and/or review of medical records. Familial relative risks for first-degree relatives (λ1) and siblings (λs) were calculated using actual reported counts of first-degree relatives in 2 cohorts and recent estimates of SSc prevalence in the US. Results Compared with the estimated prevalence of SSc in the US (2.6 cases/10,000 population [0.026%]), the disease occurred in 1 or more first-degree relatives in 1.5–1.7% of SSc families in the 3 cohorts (or 11 of 703 families [1.6%]), a significant increase. Familial relative risks in first-degree relatives in the 3 cohorts ranged from 10 to 16 (13 combined), and in siblings they ranged from 10 to 27 (15 combined). Conclusion SSc occurs significantly more frequently in families with scleroderma (1.6%) than in the general population (0.026%). A positive family history of SSc is the strongest risk factor yet identified for SSc; however, the absolute risk for each family member remains quite low (<1%).
Linear models for estimating annual and growing season reference evapotranspiration using averages of weather variables

We develop linear regression equations to estimate location-specific average annual reference evapotranspiration (ETo) using one or more of annual averages of: incoming solar radiation (Rs), air temperature (T), relative humidity (RH), and wind speed (U). We also provide two sets of equations to estimate growing season ETo, either using one or more of annual averages of Rs, T, RH, and U, or using growing season averages of the same variables. The equations are developed using the FAO-56 Penman–Monteith model ETo estimates as a reference. Supporting weather data to develop the regression equations were from 102 locations (494 station-years) across the contiguous United States. The models were tested with additional data from 32 stations (114 station-years). To illustrate potential applications of the regression models, we estimate spatial patterns of annual ETo and growing season ETo across the contiguous United States using existing spatial datasets of annual averages of Rs, T, RH, and U. Other applications of the models provided may include rapid assessments of historical annual and growing season ETo, evaluation of past ETo trends, or evaluation of ETo projected trends based on output from global climate models. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society