cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Basal ganglia-thalamocortical circuits: parallel substrates for motor, oculomotor, "prefrontal" and "limbic" functions.

The central theme of the "segregated circuits" hypothesis is that structural convergence and functional integration occurs within, rather than between, each of the identified circuits. Admittedly, the anatomical evidence upon which this scheme is based remains incomplete. The hypothesis continues to be predicated largely on comparisons of anterograde and retrograde labeling studies carried out in different sets of animals. Only in the case of the "motor" circuit has evidence for the continuity of the loop been demonstrated directly in individual subjects; for the other circuits, such continuity is inferred from comparisons of data on different components of each circuit obtained in separate experiments. Because of the marked compression of pathways leading from cortex through basal ganglia to thalamus, comparisons of projection topography across experimental subjects may be hazardous. Definitive tests of the hypothesis of maintained segregation await additional double- and multiple-label tract-tracing experiments wherein the continuity of one circuit, or the segregation of adjacent circuits, can be examined directly in individual subjects. It is worthy of note, however, that the few studies to date that have employed this methodology have generated results consistent with the segregated circuits hypothesis. Moreover, single cell recordings in behaving animals have shown striking preservation of functional specificity at the level of individual neurons throughout the "motor" and "oculomotor" circuits. It is difficult to imagine how such functional specificity could be maintained in the absence of strict topographic specificity within the sequential projections that comprise these two circuits. This is not to say, however, that we expect the internal structure of functional channels (e.g., the "arm" channel within the "motor" circuit) to have cable-like, point-to-point topography. When the grain of analysis is sufficiently fine, anatomical studies have shown repeatedly that the terminal fields of internuclear projections (e.g., to striatum, pallidum, nigra, thalamus, etc.) often appear patchy and highly divergent, suggesting that neighboring groups of projection cells tend to influence interdigitating clusters of postsynaptic neurons. While more intricate and complex than simple point-to-point topography, however, this type arrangement should also be capable of maintaining functional specificity. As discussed briefly above, it is not yet clear to what extent the inputs to the "motor" circuit from the different precentral motor fields (e.g., MC, SMA, APA) are integrated in their passage through the circuit. It now appears that at the level of the putamen such inputs remain segregated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Effects of a Supervisor's Observation on Memory Test Performance of the Examinee: Third Party Observer Effect Confirmed

Abstract Studies showing impairing third party observation effects on neuropsychological testing led to the National Academy of Neuro-psychology's policy statement recommending that third party observers, other than supervisors for training purposes, should be excluded during neuropsychological test sessions. The current study was designed to determine if the presence of the examiner's supervisor during testing had similar impairing effects on memory performance as did other forms of third party observers. This study examined the effects of supervisory observation on the Memory Assessment Scales performance of 45 undergraduates. The results showed that the Global and Verbal Memory summary scores were significantly lower in the observed group than the unobserved group. The presence of an evaluator's supervisor negatively impacted an examinee's memory test performance, even when the examinee was informed that the presence of the supervisor was to observe the examiner's administration of the test and not the...
Autonomous Mobile Robot Localization and Navigation Using a Hierarchical Map Representation Primarily Guided by Vision

While impressive progress has recently been made with autonomous vehicles, both indoors and on streets, autonomous localization and navigation in less constrained and more dynamic environments, such as outdoor pedestrian and bicycle-friendly sites, remains a challenging problem. We describe a new approach that utilizes several visual perception modules-place recognition, landmark recognition, and road lane detection-supplemented by proximity cues from a planar laser range finder for obstacle avoidance. At the core of our system is a new hybrid topological/grid-occupancy map that integrates the outputs from all perceptual modules, despite different latencies and time scales. Our approach allows for real-time performance through a combination of fast but shallow processing modules that update the map's state while slower but more discriminating modules are still computing. We validated our system using a ground vehicle that autonomously traversed three outdoor routes several times, each 400 m or longer, on a university campus. The routes featured different road types, environmental hazards, moving pedestrians, and service vehicles. In total, the robot logged over 10 km of successful recorded experiments, driving within a median of 1.37 m laterally of the center of the road, and localizing within 0.97 m median longitudinally of its true location along the route.
Radiation-Induced Bystander Effects in Cultured Human Stem Cells

Background: The radiation-induced ‘‘bystander effect’’ (RIBE) was shown to occur in a number of experimental systems both in vitro and in vivo as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation (IR). RIBE manifests itself by intercellular communication from irradiated cells to non-irradiated cells which may cause DNA damage and eventual death in these bystander cells. It is known that human stem cells (hSC) are ultimately involved in numerous crucial biological processes such as embryologic development; maintenance of normal homeostasis; aging; and aging-related pathologies such as cancerogenesis and other diseases. However, very little is known about radiation-induced bystander effect in hSC. To mechanistically interrogate RIBE responses and to gain novel insights into RIBE specifically in hSC compartment, both medium transfer and cell co-culture bystander protocols were employed. Methodology/Principal Findings: Human bone-marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) and embryonic stem cells (hESC) were irradiated with doses 0.2 Gy, 2 Gy and 10 Gy of X-rays, allowed to recover either for 1 hr or 24 hr. Then conditioned medium was collected and transferred to non-irradiated hSC for time course studies. In addition, irradiated hMSC were labeled with a vital CMRA dye and co-cultured with non-irradiated bystander hMSC. The medium transfer data showed no evidence for RIBE either in hMSC and hESC by the criteria of induction of DNA damage and for apoptotic cell death compared to non-irradiated cells (p.0.05). A lack of robust RIBE was also demonstrated in hMSC co-cultured with irradiated cells (p.0.05). Conclusions/Significance: These data indicate that hSC might not be susceptible to damaging effects of RIBE signaling compared to differentiated adult human somatic cells as shown previously. This finding could have profound implications in a field of radiation biology/oncology, in evaluating radiation risk of IR exposures, and for the safety and efficacy of hSC regenerative-based therapies.
A Pilot of a Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurse Preventive Intervention

Background Persons with an intellectual and developmental disability frequently face barriers in accessing preventive services in community-based health care systems. As they age into middle years, they are at increased risk for functional decline. This paper presents a description of an advanced practice nurse (APN) intervention used in a pilot study that explored the feasibility of using an in-home preventive model based on a comprehensive geriatric assessment with persons ageing with an intellectual and developmental disability. Method The APN intervention was fully provided to a sub-sample (n = 70) of 201 participants with an intellectual and developmental disability enrolled in a programme called ‘Stay Well and Healthy!’ The APN intervention included an initial home visit for a comprehensive geriatric assessment with follow-up home visits to review health status and assess adherence with recommendations and provide education and support to promote health and prevent functional decline. Results Advanced practice nurses identified a number of active health-related problems for persons ageing with an intellectual and developmental disability (mean 5.2; range 1–14) that had potential effects on function and survival. The majority of recommendations (mean 14.4; range 6–35) were for clinical preventive services (42.2%) and self-care for health-related issues (36.8%). Conclusions This study showed that there were problems consistent with persons ageing with an intellectual and developmental disability and older adults without disability. The in-home preventive APN intervention to promote healthy ageing and reduce health disparities in this population is feasible, needed, and warrants further study.
The Theory of the Chemostat: Dynamics of Microbial Competition

1. The simple chemostat 2. The general chemostat 3. Competition on three trophic levels 4. The chemostat with an inhibitor 5. The simple gradostat 6. The general gradostat 7. The chemostat with periodic washout rate 8. Variable yield models 9. A size-structured competition model 10. New directions 11. Open questions Appendix A. Matrices and their eigenvalues Appendix B. Differential inequalities Appendix C. Monotone systems Appendix D. Persistence Appendix E. Some techniques in nonlinear analysis Appendix F. A convergence theorem.
Effect of silicone oil on nozzle heat transfer in solid propellant rockets

The feasibility of reducing heat transfer rates to inert nozzle walls in solid rockets by addition of silicone oil as a propellant ingredient is explored experimentally. A metallized control propellant and its counterpart with 1% silicone oil are fired in a 2 1/2-in. diameter end burning all-metal burner. Pressure-time histories are obtained; temperature-time data at the nozzle throat are obtained in some of the runs. The heat loss by the product gases to the cold inert walls of the nozzle lower the temperature of the gases leading to the condensation of aluminum oxide on the walls. This condensation is used as an index of the heat transfer rate to the nozzle. On a statistical basis it is found that the silicone propellant gives practically no condensation in 70% of the firings contrasted with 21% for its counterpart with no silicone oil in it. The gas temperature at the nozzle throat is experimentally seen to be generally higher with the silicone propellant than with its counterpart; this higher temperature is consistent with a preliminary analysis that is used here to relate the nozzle surface temperature to the heat transfer from the product gases.
Action Research: Improving Graduate-Level Writing.

I am a doctoral student enrolled in an educational research program. While completing an action research course, I conducted research to improve my academic writing and to develop skills for formulating arguments about educational issues. From this research I developed an appreciation for and an understanding of good writing habits and elements of strong arguments. Writing allowed me to explore how my experience shaped my perception of educational issues. I used writing as a tool for advocating for individuals to own their development and advancement and for addressing complexities inherent in education. The results illustrate that academic writing can be perceived as a form of action research, in that writing allows for exploration of possibilities of individual and institutional growth, generates knowledge of self and social and political worlds, and creates relevant knowledge that can contribute to change.
The acquisition of unrounded vowels in English.

This study investigated developmental patterns of acquisition of the unrounded American English vowels /i, i, e, e, ae, α/ by following 6 normally developing children from 22 to 30 months of age. Th...
Statistical Identification in Multinomial Models with Sequential Sampling

SYNOPTIC ABSTRACTWe propose an inverse-type sequential method of statistical identification in multinomial models having unequal cell probabilities. Using the indifference-zone formulation and based on the likelihood ratio of decision vectors, a stopping rule is devised that controls the probability of a correct identification, P {CI} and satisfies a preassigned probability level condition P*. By performing a Monte Carlo experiment, the expected sample sizes are obtained and the numerical results of the proposed procedure are presented for illustration.
Comparative evaluation of Chitosan, Cellulose Acetate, and Polyethersulfone Nanofiber Scaffolds for Neural Differentiation

Based on accumulating evidence that the 3D topography and the chemical features of a growth surface influence neuronal differentiation, we combined these two features by evaluating the cytotoxicity, proliferation, and differentiation of the rat PC12 line and human neural stem cells (hNSCs) on chitosan (CS), cellulose acetate (CA), and polyethersulfone (PES)-derived electrospun nanofibers that had similar diameters, centered in the 200-500 nm range. None of the nanofibrous materials were cytotoxic compared to 2D (e.g., flat surface) controls; however, proliferation generally was inhibited on the nanofibrous scaffolds although to a lesser extent on the polysaccharide-derived materials compared to PES. In an exception to the trend toward slower growth on the 3D substrates, hNSCs differentiated on the CS nanofibers proliferated faster than the 2D controls and both cell types showed enhanced indication of neuronal differentiation on the CS scaffolds. Together, these results demonstrate beneficial attributes of CS for neural tissue engineering when this polysaccharide is used in the context of the defined 3D topography found in electrospun nanofibers.
Photodetachment of thermally relaxed CO3

The CO3(-) ion is the most abundant negative ion species in the night-time D region (65-85 km above earth's surface). The absolute photodetachment cross section and the solar detachment rate of ground electronic and vibrational energy state of this ion have been determined by using an electron-detecting drift-tube method. The CO3(-) ion is identified by mass and mobility measurements and its cross section is obtained. The solar photodetachment rate is found to be 0.022. The experiment may be of interest to the modeling of the ionized atmosphere.
Evolutionary innovation in behavior and speciation: opportunities for behavioral neuroethology.

Populations of animals differentiate by speciation. How speciation takes place, for long a puzzle for evolutionary biologists, should be regarded as a research opportunity for neuroethologists and com
The CO-adsorption of hydrogen and carbon monoxide on the (110) surface of iridium

The nonreactive co-adsorption of hydrogen and carbon monoxide on Ir(110) was studied under ultra-high vacuum conditions with thermal desorption mass spectrometry, LEED, contact potential difference measurements and UPS. No changes in the Ir(110)-(1 × 2) reconstructed surface structure or ordering of the adsorbed layers were observed with LEED due to the presence of hydrogen and CO co-adsorbed. The adsorption of hydrogen on pre-adsorbed CO, or vice versa, causes less hydrogen to occupy the high temperature β2 state and shifts the occupancy to the low temperature β1 state preferentially. An apparent increase in the sticking probability of hydrogen for adsorption in the β1 state for small CO coverage is discussed. At high CO coverage, the Ir(110) surface is poisoned to hydrogen adsorption. Exposing CO to preadsorbed hydrogen causes the binding energy of hydrogen to decrease with increasing CO exposure. Eventual displacement of hydrogen from the surface occurs for large CO exposures. The contact potential difference (CPD) as a function of hydrogen exposure on pre-adsorbed CO complements the desorption data for both the β1 and β2 states of hydrogen. For low coverages of CO, relating the CPD to hydrogen coverage shows the induced dipole of hydrogen is unchanged from the clean surface. Furthermore, the HeI UP spectra of small coverages of hydrogen and CO indicate the valence orbitals of CO are not affected detectibly by the presence of hydrogen. The results indicate CO poisons β2 sites for hydrogen by a simple site blocking mechanism and may exclude β1 sites at high CO coverages by a hydrogen -CO repulsive action.
Neutral Hydrogen in the Interacting Magellanic Spirals NGC 4618 and NGC 4625

Asymmetry is a common trait in spiral galaxies and is particularly frequent among Magellanic spirals. To explore how morphological and kinematic asymmetry are affected by companion galaxies, we analyze neutral hydrogen observations of the interacting Magellanic spirals NGC 4618 and NGC 4625. The analysis of the H I distribution reveals that about 10% of the total H I mass of NGC 4618 resides in a looping tidal structure that appears to wrap all the way around the galaxy. Through calculations based on derived H I profiles, we show that NGC 4618 and NGC 4625 are no more asymmetric than the noninteracting Magellanic spirals analyzed recently by Wilcots & Prescott. We also derive rotation curves for the approaching and receding sides of each galaxy. By fitting the mean curves with an isothermal halo model, we calculate dynamical masses of 4.7 × 109 and 9.8 × 109 M⊙ out to 6.7 kpc for NGC 4618 and NGC 4625, respectively. While the rotation curves had systematically higher velocities on the receding side of each galaxy, the effect was no more pronounced than in studies of noninteracting spirals. The degree of interaction-driven asymmetry in both galaxies is indistinguishable from the intrinsic degree of asymmetry of lopsided galaxies.
Two approaches to isolate cytoplasmic dynein ATPase from Neurospora crassa

Abstract Cytoplasmic dynein is a force-producing enzyme that, in association with dynactin, conducts minus-end directed transport of various organelles along microtubules. Biochemical analyses of cytoplasmic dynein and dynactin have been conducted primarily in vertebrate systems, whereas genetic analyses have been explored mainly in yeast and the filamentous fungi. To provide a complementary biochemical approach for the study of fungal dynein, we isolated/partially purified cytoplasmic dynein ATPase from the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa . N. crassa dynein was partially purified by slightly modifying the existing procedures, described for mammalian cytoplasmic dynein that uses dynein-microtubule binding, followed by release with ATP and sucrose gradient fractionation. A novel approach was also used to isolate dynein-specific ATPase by gel filtration (Sepharose CL-4B). The K m , ATP obtained by isolating dynein ATPase using gel filtration was similar to that obtained by using conventional method, suggests that contaminant proteins do not interfere with the dynein ATPase activity. Like vertebrate dynein, N. crassa dynein is a general NTPase with highest activity toward ATP, and only the ATPase activity is stimulated by microtubules. The K m , ATP for N. crassa cytoplasmic dynein is 10- to 15-fold higher than that of the vertebrate enzyme.
Paradigm shifts in soil organic matter research affect interpretations of aquatic carbon cycling: transcending disciplinary and ecosystem boundaries

New conceptual models that highlight the importance of environmental, rather than molecular, controls on soil organic matter affect interpretations of organic matter (OM) persistence across terrestrial and aquatic boundaries. We propose that changing paradigms in our thinking about OM decomposition explain some of the uncertainties surrounding the fate of land-derived carbon (C) in marine environments. Terrestrial OM, which historically has been thought to be chemically recalcitrant to decay in soil and aquatic environments, dominates inputs to rivers yet is found in trace amounts in the ocean. We discuss three major transformations in our understanding of OM persistence that influence interpretations of the fate of aquatic OM: (1) a shift away from an emphasis on chemical recalcitrance as a primary predictor of turnover; (2) new interpretations of radiocarbon ages, which affect predictions of reactivity; and (3) the recognition that most OM leaving soils in dissolved form has been microbially processed. The first two explain rapid turnover for terrigenous OM in aquatic ecosystems once it leaves the soil matrix. The third suggests that the presence of terrestrial OM in aquatic ecosystems may be underestimated by the use of plant biomarkers. Whether these mechanisms occur in isolation of each other or in combination, they provide insight into the missing terrestrial C signature in the ocean. Spatially and temporally varying transformations of OM along land–water networks require that common terrestrial source indicators be interpreted within specific environmental contexts. We identify areas of research where collaborations between aquatic and terrestrial scientists will enhance quantification of C transfer from soils to inland water bodies, the ocean, and the atmosphere. Accurate estimates of OM processing are essential for improving predictions of the response of vulnerable C pools at the interface of soil and water to changes in climate and land use.
Hydrogen bond cooperativity in polyols: A DFT and AIM study

Abstract Density functional theory calculations, and atoms in molecules analyses are performed to investigate both the strength and the cooperative enhancement of intramolecular O H⋯O H hydrogen bonding interactions occurring in polyols. The relative strength of the O H⋯O H interaction is evaluated in two basic model systems: 1,3-propanediol, and 1,8-napthalenediol. The backbone of the former model is aliphatic, whereas that of the latter is aromatic. The cooperative enhancement of the O H⋯O H interaction is evaluated by extending symmetrically the polyol chain of each model system on both sides of the interaction in the basic unit. Specifically, we considered polyols with an odd number of H bonds running from one to eleven depending on the size of the polyol. The polyols are chosen so that there is a carbon atom located in between adjacent hydroxyl groups. Pertinent geometrical, and topological parameters are used as primary indicators of H bond strength, and consequently for cooperativity assessment. Also, the Lippincott and Schroeder hydrogen bond model, LS-HB, is used to estimate intramolecular hydrogen bonding energies.
Comparative feeding behavior of planktonic ctenophores

The phylum Ctenophora (known as comb jellies) consists of gelatinous marine carnivores found from the surface to several thousand meters depth. Their morphology can be simple or complex, ranging from a sac-like shape with no tentacles to large lobed forms with sinuous "auricles," papillae, and two different kinds of tentacles. This diversity appears to reflect adaptations to many different diets. For example, some species can continuously "graze" on small crustaceans or larvae, others engulf larger jellies, and some are able to snare individual larger prey through a variety of strategies. Thus feeding behavior can help explain the high morphological diversity in this relatively small phylum. Because of their fragility, comb jellies are difficult to study alive and the natural histories of many types, especially those found in the deep sea, have not been examined. This account categorizes ctenophore feeding methods using published reports as well as new observations using submersibles and blue-water scuba diving.
A sounding rocket payload experiment on zero gravity fuel gauging using modal analysis

For the past three years Carthage Space Sciences faculty and students have been developing Ex- perimental Modal Analysis (EMA) techniques for use in microgravity fuel gauging of spacecraft propellant tanks. Our experiments were initially conducted on parabolic flights in which periods of microgravity of 20 seconds can be obtained. Parabolic flights were necessary to demonstrate the effectiveness of the technique in a relevant environment, but the short period of microgravity available during each parabola is insufficient to probe the resolution of the technique for settled, non-sloshing propellant. Here we report the results of an experiment in which the EMA technique is implemented in a sounding rocket payload developed through participation in the RockSat-C program of the Colorado and Virginia Space Grant Consortia.
Punishment of Expectancy Responses by Stutterers

Each of three adult stutterers spoke spontaneously for a number of sessions. During baserate the subjects depressed a hand switch each time they expected to stutter. During conditioning each hand-s...
Mitochondrial changes in rat inferior colliculus during postnatal development: an electron microscopic study.

Summary This paper reported postnatal changes in mitochondria of developing neuropil of rat inferior colliculus as revealed by quantitative and qualitative electron microscopy. The number of mitochondrial profiles per unit area increased 6-fold, and the mitochondrial volume fraction (%) increased 5-fold from birth to adulthood. The mean size of mitochondria remained fairly constant, while the mitochondrial matrix density and cristal volume increased gradually during the postnatal period. These morphological changes suggest that the capacity of rat inferior collicular neuropil for oxidative phosphorylation increases considerably with development. The temporal sequence of postnatal changes in mitochondria was determined, and an attempt was made to relate such changes to other submicroscopic events. The analysis indicates that there is no simple temporal correlation between postnatal mitochondrial changes and changes in plasma membrane surface area or rate of myelinogenesis. The reported changes in mitochondrial concentration may be related to increasing levels of synaptic activity in the neuropil.
The tail lobe ion spectrometer

A two-dimensional kinetic 'tail lobe ion spectrometer' model for the transport of ionospheric ions from polar cleft ionosphere into the tail lobes is developed to semiquantitatively simulate the behavior of the observed O(+) ion streams in the magnetotail lobes. The consequences of the present model include: (1) the increase in velocity of the O(+) streams away from the tail midplane; (2) the existence of 'tongues' of O(+) density from the cleft ionosphere into the tail lobes whose distribution configuration depends on the convection electric field and the source thermal energies; and (3) very low parallel thermal energies and speeds in the lobes which are correlated with the parallel ion bulk velocities. These consequences are reasonably consistent with the trends in lobe streams observed by recent spacecraft.
Object Identification And Orientation Estimation From Contours Based On An Affine Invariant Curvature

New methods of image matching and of calculation of the affine transformation relating two images of an object in different orientations are developed. These methods are applicable to contours extracted from images of planar-patch objects. The approach is based on a new definition of a curvature function (previously developed by the authors) which is invariant to all image distortions representable by affine transformations. The algorithm is implemented and tested using camera-acquired images of actual objects, and is seen to exhibit considerable robustness to real-world distortions in the imaging process, as well as to deviations from planarity of the objects.
Leg glucose and protein metabolism during an acute bout of resistance exercise in humans.

The present study investigated the responses of leg glucose and protein metabolism during an acute bout of resistance exercise. Seven subjects (5 men, 2 women) were studied at rest and during a str...
Conductivity of mixed sodium decyl and dodecyl sulfates—the composition of mixed micelles

Abstract Precise measurements of conductivity of solutions of pure sodium decyl and dodecyl sulfates and their mixtures in the region of the critical micelle concentration (c.m.c.) are reported and the c.m.c. values of the mixed systems are evaluated. An empirical interpretation of these results is proposed which leads to a self-consistent assignment of composition to the mixed micelles. This interpretation is based on an extrapolation—on the conductivity vs. concentration plot—to obtain the concentration of monomers in a mixed solution in the same way in which the c.m.c. is obtained in a pure system. This extrapolated concentration is assumed to be the c.m.c. of the mixed monomers, again in analogy with the pure system. This concentration therefore determines the composition of the equilibrium monomers. The composition of the mixed micelles is then calculated by difference.
Maternal dietary n-3 fatty acids alter immune cell fatty acid composition and leukotriene production in growing chicks.

Summary The effect of feeding different amounts of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids (FA) to hens on immune tissue FA composition and leukotriene production of hatched chicks was investigated. Hens were fed diets supplemented with either 3.0% sunflower oil (Diet I), 1.5% sunflower+1.5% fish oil (Diet II), or 3.0% fish oil (Diet III) for 46 days. The hatched chicks were fed a diet containing C18:3n-3, but devoid of longer chain n-6 and n-3 FA, for 21 days. Spleen docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content was higher in chicks from hens fed Diet III ( P P P P 5 (LTB 5 ). The ratio of LTB 5 to LTB 4 concentrations was also highest ( P
PEM Fuel Cell Stack Cold Start Thermal Model

For passenger fuel cell vehicles (FCVs), customers will expect to start the vehicle and drive almost immediately, implying a very short system warmup to full power. While hybridization strategies may fulfill this expectation, the extent of hybridization will be dictated by the time required for the fuel cell system to reach normal operating temperatures. Quick-starting fuel cell systems are impeded by two problems: (i) the freezing of residual water or water generated by starting the stack at below freezing temperatures and (ii) temperature-dependent fuel cell performance, improving as the temperature reaches the normal range. Cold start models exist in the literature; however, there does not appear to be a model that fully captures the thermal characteristics of the stack during sub-freezing startup conditions. Existing models lack the following features: (i) modeling of stack internal heating methods (other than stack reactions) and their impact on the stack temperature distribution and (ii) modeling of endplate thermal mass effect on end cells and its impact on the stack temperature distribution. Unlike a lumped model, which may use a single temperature as an indicator of the stack's thermal condition, a model considering individual cell layers can reveal the effect of the endplate thermal mass on the end cells, and accommodate the evaluation of internal heating methods that may mitigate this effect. This paper presents and discusses results from simulations performed with a new, layered model.
Political Communication as Negotiation Breathing New Life Into Government

The COAST model, a paradigm for effective decision making in negotiation, is applied to political communication as evident in the 1992 campaign (COAST = Communication, Options, Alternatives, Standa...
Workplace productivity and voice disorders: a cognitive interviewing study on presenteeism in individuals with spasmodic dysphonia.

Summary Objective The objective of this study was to obtain initial reactions and suggested modifications to two existing presenteeism scales: the Stanford Presenteeism Scale 6 (SPS-6) and the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire-Specific Health Problem (WPAI-SHP) among a cohort of employed individuals with a focal laryngeal dystonia, spasmodic dysphonia (SD). Study design The study design is a qualitative study. Methods Nine speakers with SD underwent cognitive interviews, during which they were asked to evaluate the relevance of statements and clarity of wording on the SPS-6, the WPAI-SHP, and an additional set of voice-related statements designed by the researchers. Participants were asked to complete the scales, rank order statements in terms of perceived importance, and suggest additional statements of relevance. Results Although all participants noted that their SD did have an effect on their jobs, there were suggestions for modifying both the WPAI-SHP and the SPS-6. Participants regarded specific voice-related statements that were generated by the researchers to be of greater importance than the majority of the statements on the SPS-6. Minor changes in the wording of the instructions on the WPAI-SHP were recommended. Conclusions Presenteeism is an important construct to measure in individuals with a chronic voice disorder such as SD. However, existing presenteeism scales might best be administered in conjunction with additional statements that are more voice related so that clinicians can be made aware of specific difficulties encountered in the workplace.
The effects of early home literacy environments on fourth-grade literacy achievement: an international comparison

It is well known that the home environment is a major factor in a child's literacy development. Exactly how different home-environmental factors play out across different national contexts is not as well understood. Using data from the 2011 Progress in International Reading and Literacy Study (PIRLS), we tested for structural invariance in the relationship between early childhood home literacy practices and later fourth-grade achievement among students across 52 countries or regions within countries (N = 106,297-109,582), while controlling for background characteristics. Findings indicate that the effect of many aspects of the home environment prior to school age, including adult-child interactions and parental values and beliefs about reading, may interact with national factors, particularly factors relating to government-subsidised preschool programmes. Implications include that any
Transesophageal echocardiographic identification of thrombus producing obstruction of left pulmonary artery descending lobar branches and bronchial artery dilatation

We report an elderly patient in whom a thrombus in the distal left pulmonary artery was shown by transesophageal echocardiography to extend and produce obstruction of the descending lobar branches as well as dilatation of the left bronchial artery.
Simulation studies of smoothing parameter estimates and bayesian confidence intervals in bernoulli ss anova models

Wahba, Wang, Gu, Klein and Klein (1994b) introduced Smoothing Spline ANalysis of VAriance (SS ANOVA) method for data from exponential families. They used GCV and UBR methods to choose smoothing parameters. They also constructed Bayesian confidence intervals for SS ANOVA estimates. In this paper, we report simulation results concerning the performance of SS ANOVA estimates with smoothing parameters chosen by GCV or UBR method and their Bayesian confidence intervals. We also compare the performace between GCV and UBR
Probes for narcotic receptor mediated phenomena. 48. C7- and C8-substituted 5-phenylmorphan opioids from diastereoselective alkylation

Abstract The exploration of the effect of substituents at C7 and C8 of the 5-phenylmorphans on their affinity for opioid receptors was enabled by our recently introduced “one pot” diastereoselective synthesis that provided C7-oxo, hydroxy and alkyl substituents, C8-alkyl substituted 5-phenylmorphans, and compounds that had a new cyclohexane ring that includes the C7 and C8 carbon atoms of the 5-phenylmorphan. The affinity of the 5-phenylmorphans for opioid receptors is increased by a C8-methyl substituent, compared with its C7 analog. The affinity of the newly synthesized compounds is generally for the μ-opioid receptor, rather than the δ- or κ-receptors. Addition of a new cyclohexane ring to the C7 and C8 positions on the cyclohexane ring of the 5-phenylmorphans enhances μ-receptor affinity, bringing the Ki to the subnanomolar level. Unexpectedly, the N-methyl substituted compounds generally had higher affinity than comparable N-phenethyl-substituted relatives. The configurations of two compounds were determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analyses.
Reduction by naloxone of lipopolysaccharide-induced neurotoxicity in mouse cortical neuron-glia co-cultures

Abstract An inflammatory response in the CNS mediated by activation of microglia is a key event in the early stages of the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Using mouse cortical mixed glia cultures, we have previously demonstrated that the bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide induces the activation of microglia and the production of proinflammatory factors. Naloxone, an opioid receptor antagonist, inhibits the lipopolysaccharide-induced activation of microglia and the production of proinflammatory factors. Using neuron–glia co-cultures, we extended our study to determine if naloxone has a neuroprotective effect against lipopolysaccharide-induced neuronal damage and analysed the underlying mechanism of action for its potential neuroprotective effect. Pretreatment of cultures with naloxone (1 μM) followed by treatment with lipopolysaccharide significantly inhibited the lipopolysaccharide-induced production of nitric oxide and the release of tumor necrosis factor-α, and significantly reduced the lipopolysaccharide-induced damage to neurons. More importantly, both naloxone and its opioid-receptor ineffective enantiomer (+)-naloxone were equally effective in inhibiting the lipopolysaccharide-induced generation of proinflammatory factors and the activation of microglia, as well as in the protection of neurons. These results indicate that the neuroprotective effect of naloxone is mediated by its inhibition of microglial activity and may be unrelated to its binding to the classical opioid receptors.
Quantum mechanical binding free energy calculation for phosphopeptide inhibitors of the Lck SH2 domain

The accurate and efficient calculation of binding free energies is essential in computational biophysics. We present a linear-scaling quantum mechanical (QM)-based end-point method termed MM/QM-COSMO to calculate binding free energies in biomolecular systems, with an improved description of entropic changes. Molecular dynamics trajectories are re-evaluated using a semiempirical Hamiltonian and a continuum solvent model; translational and rotational entropies are calculated using configurational integrals, and internal entropy is calculated using the harmonic oscillator approximation. As an application, we studied the binding of a series of phosphotyrosine tetrapeptides to the human Lck SH2 domain, a key component in intracellular signal transduction, modulation of which can have therapeutic relevance in the treatment of cancer, osteoporosis, and autoimmune diseases. Calculations with molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann, and generalized Born surface area methods showed large discrepancies with experimental data stemming from the enthalpic component, in agreement with an earlier report. The empirical force field-based solvent interaction energy scoring function yielded improved results, with average unsigned error of 3.6 kcal/mol, and a better ligand ranking. The MM/QM-COSMO method exhibited the best agreement both for absolute (average unsigned error = 0.7 kcal/mol) and relative binding free energy calculations. These results show the feasibility and promise of a full QM-based end-point method with an adequate balance of accuracy and computational efficiency.
Influence of simazine on formation of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae inChenopodium quinona Willd

Low levels of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza formation were found in a normally nonmycorrhizal species,Chenopodium quinona, when sprayed with sublethal doses of simazine. Application of simazine also increased exudation of sugars and amino acids from roots. It is suggested that this increase in root exudation is responsible for the unusual formation of mycorrhizae in this species.
Woodland demographic and social dynamics in the American Midwest: Analysis of a burial mound survey

Abstract The Woodland period in eastern North America was the climax of the gatherer‐hunter‐horticultural‐ist way of life. In many areas, the dead from this period were buried in earthen mounds. These facilities are readily discovered during systematic pedestrian surveys, and they can provide data for regional population estimates and for studies of social change. This paper presents the rationale for such inferences, and it documents a case‐study from west‐central Illinois. The results suggest a refinement in our understanding of Hopewell and the transition from Middle to Late Woodland patterns of material culture. The Middle Woodland period, at least in this region, was not one of stable development but was instead an era of marked population redistribution. Hopewell exchange and mortuary ritual were used by elite segments of communities to create, sustain and/or augment their social standing. The ‘less interesting’ Late Woodland material culture reflects a stabilization of the social and demographic sc...
Book Review: Neural Network Models of Schizophrenia

There is considerable neurobiological evidence suggesting that schizophrenia is associated with reduced corticocortical connectivity. The authors describe two neural network computer simulations that explore functional consequences of these abnormalities. The first utilized an "attractor" neural network capable of content-addressable memory. Application of a pruning rule that eliminated weaker connections over longer distances produced functional fragmentation and the emergence of localized, "parasitic" attractors that intruded into network dynamics. These pathologies generally were expressed only when input information was ambiguous and provide models for delusions and cognitive disorganization. A second neural network simulation examined effects of corticocortical pruning in a speech perception network. Excessive pruning caused the network to produce percepts spontaneously, that is, in the absence of inputs, thereby simulating hallucinations. The "hallucinating" network also demonstrated subtle impairments in narrative speech perception. A parallel study of human patients found similar impairments when comparing hallucinating patients with nonhallucinating patients. In addition, the authors have used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to directly probe speech perception neurocircuitry in patients with these hallucinations. As predicted by the neural network model, the authors confirmed that "suppressive" low-frequency TMS reduces auditory hallucinations. Neural network simulations provide empirically testable concepts linking phenomenological, cognitive, and neurobiological findings in schizophrenia.
The New Bloom's Taxonomy: Implications for Music Education

Academic programs use objective and standardized assessment criteria. Music education programs have avoided such objective assessments via the assertion of subjectivity and aesthetics in music learning. In this article, the author introduces the revised Bloom's taxonomy as a tool to translate music education outcomes into objective educational criteria. The author analyzes cognitive processes and knowledge domains that address more complex forms of musicianship using achievement standards from the nine national standards in music education as examples. The author also introduces four new knowledge domains to describe procedural and metacognitive knowledge that are integral to music learning. In addition, the new taxonomy elevates creativity as the most complex of the cognitive processes, which has positive implications for the field of music education.
Fabrication and characterization of high-speed integrated electro-optic lens and scanner devices

Uniaxial strain impact experiments have been performed to obtain shock compression and release response of a 0.22 g/cm{sup 3} polyurethane foam in a configuration where the foam impacts a thin target witness plate. Wave profiles from a suite of ten experiments have been obtained, where shock amplitudes range from 40 to 500 MPa. A traditional P-{alpha} porous material model generally captures the material response. A fully three-dimensional explicit representation of the heterogeneous foam structure modeled with numerical simulations recovers some of the high frequency aspects of the particle velocity records.
Differential Equations—Not Just a Bag of Tricks!

Differential equations often seems like a hodgepodge of techniques designed to solve very specific equations. There is, however, a unifying theme for many of those techniques, which is to find the ...
American content teachers’ literacy brokerage in multilingual university classrooms

Abstract To internationalize higher education, non-English dominant nations have increased English-medium instruction, posing challenges to non-native speaker (NNS) students’ written English ability. The present study examines nine American professors’ literacy brokerage at an English-medium summer school in China, where they taught courses in art history, history, philosophy, political science, psychology, and sociology. The professors identified vocabulary knowledge, disciplinary thinking, and personal voice as the major challenges for their Chinese students. They developed a series of adaptive strategies to facilitate subject learning: adjusting writing tasks by adopting short papers and short answer questions; assisting with major writing assignments through workshops, worksheets, group discussions, and detailed comments on student writings; valuing students’ multilingual resources by allowing Chinese in-group discussions and written exams; and connecting subject matter to the students’ home cultures. The article ends by both suggesting implications and raising questions for the teaching of English-medium content courses to NNS students.
The recombination activating gene 1 (RAG1) of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): cloning, expression, and phylogenetic analysis

The characterization of genes involved in the generation of the immune repertoire is an active area of research in lower vertebrate taxa. The recombination activating genes (RAG) have been shown to be essential for V (D) J recombination of T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) and immunoglobulin (Ig) genes, leading to the generation of the primary repertoire. As RAG1 is critical to the differentiation of pre-B and-T cells, its expression within an associated primary lymphoid organ can serve as a developmental marker. To examine the ontogeny of lymphocytes in Oncorhynchus mykiss, we cloned RAG1 from trout and examined its tissue-and lymphocyte-specific expression. The polymerase chain reaction, coupled with degenerate oligonucleotide primers, was used to amplify a homologous probe [(633 base pairs) (bp)] from rainbow trout genomic DNA, which in turn was used to isolate a lambda genomic clone. Sequence analysis of this genomic clone confirmed the RAG1 nature of this gene (3888 bp) and revealed an internal intron of 666 bp. When compared with other previously reported RAG1 sequences, the predicted amino acid translation (1073 aa) displayed a minimum of 78% similarity for the complete sequence and 89% similarity in the conserved region (aa 417-1042). Using northern blot analysis, we found the expression of RAG1 to be limited to surface Ig-n lymphocytes within the thymus. This data forms the basis for a proposal that the thymus of teleost species plays an essential developmental role in lymphopoiesis and thus can be regarded as a primary lymphoid organ.