cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Non-verbal Behavior

Non-verbal communication is any communication that does not involve words. There are three major modalities by which non-verbal communication occurs. One is through the environment or context. For example, different houses send different messages about their occupants through the use of color, lighting, heat, fabric textures, photos, and so forth. Another is through physical characteristics or appearance, such as height and weight; skin color, hair, eyebrows, cheeks, and chin; proportion of eye, nose, chin size; odors; and clothing, jewelry, glasses, and other artifactual cues. Keywords: emotion; gestures; universality studies
An optimizing scheme for multi-channel data collection

The authors discuss an optimal interleaving scheme for multichannel data acquisition such that each of the channels is sampled at the desired sampling frequency. The optimal interleaving scheme uses the inactive time between consecutive low-frequency samples to obtain additional samples of the higher-frequency signals. The optimal scheme also ensures uniform sampling of each of the channels in the time domain to have a constant sampling frequency. To obtain an optimal set, all sampling frequencies of the higher frequencies must be an integral multiple of the lowest sampling frequency (multiplicity condition). In addition, the samples of each channel must be uniformly sampled in the time domain (symmetry condition). >
Tell Me Everything You Discussed: Children's Memory for Dyadic Conversations after a 1-Week or a 3-Week Delay

In child abuse investigations, children are often asked to recount previous conversations related to the allegations (i.e., “conversational testimony”). To explore children's ability to provide conversational testimony, we staged a semi-structured novel dyadic conversation between an adult researcher and 8-year-old children (n = 90). Children's gist recall and recognition memory for their own statements, their conversational partner's statements, and question–answer pairs were tested after either a 1-week or a 3-week delay. The results revealed that children recounted a minority of the conversation, although children recalled more after a short delay (7%) than after a long delay (4%). A majority of children's free recall statements were accurate (68%); however, approximately one-third of their free recall statements were incorrect. Children almost exclusively recounted their own statements, and rarely recalled any of the adult's statements or the question–answer pairs during free recall. Reports of the adult's statements and question–answer pairs increased with cued recall questioning, but remained minimal. During recognition testing, children were able to distinguish between true and false recognition items for their own statements and the adult's statements, but performed at chance level on recognition items concerning question–answer pairs. Forensic implications of the results are discussed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Blood pressure measurement using oscillometric finger cuffs in children and young adults. A comparison with arm cuffs during general anaesthesia.

Arterial blood pressure measurements (y) obtained from forefinger cuffs were compared with standard arm cuff readings (x) in 41 anaesthetised children and young adults. Mean (SD) differences between cuff measurements were -0.21 (9.15), -1.56 (10.2) and 1.23 (9.12) mmHg for the systolic, mean and diastolic pressures respectively. The correlation for systolic blood pressures (r = 0.85, y = 0.99x + 0.58, sy.x = 9.15) was better than that for mean or diastolic pressures. Oscillometric finger cuffs are suitable for monitoring the systolic blood pressure in children and young adults during general anaesthesia.
Isolation of a previously undescribed rickettsia from an aborted bovine fetus.

A previously undescribed obligate intracellular bacterium was isolated from an aborted bovine fetus. The organism was resistant to penicillin, replicated within cytoplasmic vacuoles, exhibited structural characteristics compatible with the rickettsias, and shared antigenic determinants with Cowdria ruminantium. Images
The Goulden-Jackson cluster method for monoid networks and an application to lattice path enumeration.

The Goulden-Jackson cluster method is a powerful tool for obtaining generating functions for words in free monoids by occurrences of a set of subwords. We introduce a generalization of the cluster method for monoid networks, which generalize the combinatorial framework of free monoids. As a sample application of the monoid network cluster method, we compute bivariate and multivariate generating functions for Motzkin paths---both with height bounded and unbounded---by statistics corresponding to the number of occurrences of various subwords, yielding both closed-form and continued fraction formulae.
Development of a novel real-time PCR assay with high-resolution melt analysis to detect and differentiate OXA-48-like β-lactamases in carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae

The rapid global spread of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) poses an urgent threat to public health. More than 250 class D β-lactamases (OXAs) have been described in recent years, with variations in hydrolytic activity for β-lactams. The plasmid-borne OXA-48 β-lactamase and its variants are identified only sporadically in the United States but are common in Europe. Recognition of these OXA-48-like carbapenemases is vital in order to control their dissemination. We developed a real-time PCR assay based on high-resolution melt analysis, using blaOXA-48-like-specific primers coupled with an unlabeled 3′-phosphorylated oligonucleotide probe (LunaProbe) homologous to OXA-48-like carbapenemase genes. The assay was validated using genomic DNA from 48 clinical isolates carrying a variety of carbapenemase genes, including blaKPC, blaSME, blaIMP, blaNDM-1, blaVIM, blaOXA-48, blaOXA-162, blaOXA-181, blaOXA-204, blaOXA-244, blaOXA-245, and blaOXA-232. Our assay identified the presence of blaOXA-48-like β-lactamase genes and clearly distinguished between blaOXA-48 and its variants in control strains, including between blaOXA-181 and blaOXA-232, which differ by only a single base pair in the assay target region. This approach has potential for use in epidemiological investigations and continuous surveillance to help control the spread of CRE strains producing OXA-48-like enzymes.
A compact structured light based otoscope for three dimensional imaging of the tympanic membrane

Three dimensional (3D) imaging of the tympanic membrane (TM) has been carried out using a traditional otoscope equipped with a high-definition webcam, a portable projector and a telecentric optical system. The device allows us to project fringe patterns on the TM and the magnified image is processed using phase shifting algorithms to arrive at a 3D description of the TM. Obtaining a 3D image of the TM can aid in the diagnosis of ear infections such as otitis media with effusion, which is essentially fluid build-up in the middle ear. The high resolution of this device makes it possible examine a computer generated 3D profile for abnormalities in the shape of the eardrum. This adds an additional dimension to the image that can be obtained from a traditional otoscope by allowing visualization of the TM from different perspectives. In this paper, we present the design and construction of this device and details of the imaging processing for recovering the 3D profile of the subject under test. The design of the otoscope is similar to that of the traditional device making it ergonomically compatible and easy to adopt in clinical practice.
Hydrotherapy as a possible neuroleptic and sedative treatment

Psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations can have a devastating effect on a patient's social functioning. Since psychosis is rarely congenital, it is possible that lifestyle factors play a role in its etiology. This paper offers a hypothesis that some of these factors could be: (a) A lifestyle lacking evolutionarily conserved stressors such as frequent exposure to heat and/or cold, resulting in a lack of "thermal exercise" which could lead to malfunctioning of the brain. (b) Partial retention and absorption of toxic waste in the colon, as described in more detail below. (c) Genetic makeup that makes a person vulnerable to the above conditions. To test the hypothesis, three types of hydrotherapy are proposed (to be tested separately) as a putative neuroleptic treatment: head-out hot showers, adapted cold showers (twice daily each), and colon hydrotherapy (every 3-12 weeks, which also includes a dietary change according to Harvard's Healthy Eating Pyramid). The following is supporting evidence: Dopaminergic transmission in the mesolimbic pathway is involved in central processing of pain and negative stimuli (e.g. stress-induced analgesia) in addition to its role in the pathophysiology of psychosis. It is also known that if a neural pathway can perform two different functions, then the execution of one function will often suppress the other (e.g. gate control theory of pain). Thus, a pain-based therapy, such as a moderately hot shower, could have a "crowding out" effect on pathological processes within the mesolimbic system. In addition, hyperthermia is known to induce fatigue and depress activity of the frontal cortex (the sedative effect). As described previously, an adapted cold shower could work as a mild electroshock applied to the sensory cortex and, therefore, it might have an antipsychotic effect similar to that of electroconvulsive therapy. Additionally, a cold shower is a vivid example of stress-induced analgesia and would also be expected to "crowd out" or suppress psychosis-related neurotransmission within the mesolimbic system. Human and bacterial toxic waste can sometimes be partially retained in the colon and it is known that many high-molecular-weight compounds can be absorbed there. Most narcotics can cause intoxication if administered rectally and there is also significant comorbidity of schizophrenia with intestinal illnesses. Additionally, there is indirect evidence that colon cleansing can significantly improve mental state. Therefore, it is possible that chronic intoxication with yet unknown components of partially retained waste could be one of the unrecognized organic causes of psychosis.
Effects of Chloride Ion Concentration on Mercury(I) Chloride Formation during ex Situ and in Situ Mercury Deposition with Selected Electrode Substrates and Electrolytes

Ex situ and in situ mercury film formation was investigated in solutions containing NO3-, SCN-, Cl-, and ClO4-, and at glassy carbon macro- (3 mm) and micro- (10 μm) electrodes, a platinum macro- (1.6 mm) electrode, and a microfabricated Ir-ultramicroelectrode array (Ir-UMEA). The formation of mercury(I) chloride (calomel) during Hg deposition was investigated by varying the Cl- concentration. The performance of the Hg films was evaluated using Cd2+ and Pb2+ with square wave anodic stripping voltammetry. For ex situ Hg film formation on Ir and GC substrates, the highest efficiency was obtained when no Cl- or 1 M Cl- was present. The Pt surface was affected by the Cl- ions; thus for ex situ Hg film formation, the best results were obtained with no Cl- present. Calomel formation during in situ Hg deposition occurred for 0.001 > [Cl- ] < 0.5 M and was independent of the substrate. Calomel interference was identified by the presence of an anomalous cathodic peak between −0.6 and −0.3 V during the anodic scan....
Infrared emission from heated microcantilevers

An understanding of the thermal behavior of heated microcantilevers is essential to their use. In this article, we investigated the infrared (IR) emission of two silicon cantilevers with integrated solid-state heaters over the 2500–3000 cm−1 spectral range. Two cantilevers were examined: the first had a heater surface area of 17 × 20 μm and the second had a heater surface area of 170 × 100 μm. We calculated the spectral power emitted by the cantilever based on the Planck function, dielectric function of the doped silicon at elevated temperatures, and cantilever spectral emissivity. Measurements of the cantilever spectral power compared well with predictions. The first cantilever had a radiative power of 4.2 μW at a heating power of 15.7 mW and maximum temperature of 1,150 K, and the second cantilever had a radiative power of 70.1 μW at a heating power of 54.9 mW and maximum temperature of 850 K. The cantilever emissive power depended on the spatial variation in the cantilever temperature and cantilever em...
Reconstruction of paleo-wave conditions during the Late Pleistocene from marine terrace deposits, Monterey Bay, California

The Santa Cruz coastal terrace fringes much of the northern Monterey Bay region, California. It consists mainly of a regressive sequence of high-energy, barred nearshore marine sediments deposited during the last (Sangamonian) highstand of sea level. This sequence can be sub-divided into several depth-dependent facies on the basis of paleo-current data and vertical sequence of sedimentary structures. These include a lower shoreface facies deposited in 10–16 m water depth, an upper shoreface facies (including both a storm-dominated assemblage and a surf zone assemblage) deposited in 0–10 m water depth, and a foreshore facies deposited in the swash zone, up to 3.5 m above high tide. The magnitudes of the storm events responsible for depositing these sediments were estimated by calculating paleo-wave heights using a variety of criteria (e.g., critical threshold equations, breaker depths, berm heights). In addition, the climate and paleogeography during the deposition of these sediments were essentially the same as today, allowing the use of present-day wave statistics to estimate the frequency of these storm events. The largest storms formed offshore-flowing currents (e.g., rip, wind-forced, and possibly storm-surge ebb currents) that resulted in the deposition of approximately 30% of the sediments seaward of the surf zone; however, the magnitude and frequency of these events are unknown. The remaining 70% of the sediment beyond the surf zone was deposited in response to smaller storm waves which were, on the average, at least 1.6 m high; such waves presently occur no more than 15% of the time. Sediments deposited during “fairweather” conditions (i.e., the remaining 85% of the time) have a low preservation potential, and are generally not preserved in this facies. In contrast, surf zone sediments were deposited by a variety of processes associated with waves whose maximum offshore heights were probably ≤ 2.2 m; such waves presently occur up to 92% of the time. Sediments within the swash zone were deposited by waves up to 3 m high, the largest of which presently occur approximately 2% of the time. Most of the sediments were deposited by storms of intermediate magnitude and frequency; different facies, however, appear to preferentially record events of different recurrence intervals. In particular, surf zone sediments were deposited under relatively small storm and post-storm conditions, whereas sediments deposited farther offshore record increasingly larger, less frequent storm events. Relatively rare events (e.g., the 100 or 1000 yr events) do not appear to have significantly affected sedimentation in these nearshore environments.
The performance of adult alcoholics working for alcohol: a detailed operant analysis.

Eight chronic alcoholics served as subjects in a residential facility. They were required to make a simple repetitious response in order to earn points exchangeable for social, appetitive, and alcohol reinforcers. Over the course of this project, rates of responding for points on two schedules of reinforcement were observed as were patterns of drinking, working, sleeping, and socializing; the effects of alcohol on the subject's performance; and the influences of alcohol as a reinforcer. The foldings indicated by the detailed analysis provided by the methodology were not in complete agreement with some of the more coarsely analyzed data of similar experiments, e.g. the subjects worked for points during episodes of drinking more often than not. Additionally, new findings were shown, e.g., the subjects did not save points ahead but worked and drank in a “hand-to-mouth” manner in relatively short drinking and working cycles. Finally, many of the findings were in agreement with data reported earlier by other authors. Some implications for the control of alcoholic behavior are discussed.
Does Cardioplegia Type Affect Outcome and Survival in Patients With Advanced Left Ventricular Dysfunction? Results From the CABG Patch Trial

Background—There is controversy regarding which cardioplegic solution, temperature, and route of administration provides superior protection. The CABG Patch Trial enrolled a high-risk group of coronary artery disease patients with an ejection fraction of <36%. Thus, they constitute an ideal group to benefit most from optimal cardioplegic protection. Methods and Results—All patients randomized into the trial were compared with respect to the use of blood and crystalloid cardioplegia. In addition, a questionnaire was sent to surgeons requesting blood cardioplegic temperature and route. Patients receiving crystalloid cardioplegia versus those receiving blood cardioplegia were found to have significantly more operative deaths (2% versus 0.3%, P=0.02), postoperative myocardial infarctions (10% versus 2%, P<0.001), shock (13% versus 7%, P=0.013), and postoperative conduction defects (21.6% versus 12.4%, P=0.001). Despite this, early death (6% crystalloid versus 4% blood cardioplegia) and late death (24% crystal...
Effects of amphetamine on catecholamine levels and turnover in discrete hypothalamic areas.

The effects ofd-amphetamine (AMPH, 0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) on catecholamine (CA) levels and turnover in 5 discrete hypothalamic areas were examined using a sensitive radioenzymatic assay. Amphetamine, injected 10 or 45 min prior to sacrifice, produced little change in CA content of hypothalamic nuclei, except in the lateral perifornical area where dopamine (DA) content was significantly decreased, by 48%. The CA synthesis inhibitorα-methy-p-tyrosine (α-MpT, 300 mg/kg, i.p.), injected 3 h prior to sacrifice, produced a significant decline in DA (60–90%) and norepinephrine (NE, 20–80%) levels in most hypothalamic areas, whereas epinephrine (EPI) was only slightly affected. In α-MpT-pretreated rats, the impact of AMPH on the disappearance or turnover of hypothalamic CA was evaluated. The most dramatic effect was within the paraventricular nucleus, where AMPH significantly decrease NE and DA turnover, as reflected by an increase in the presence of these CA. In the dorsomedial nucleus, CA depletion appeared to be enhanced. These results demonstrate that, within the hypothalamus, the effects of AMPH on CA levels or turnover are anatomically localized, and that opposite effects on turnover may occur in nearby nuclei. The significance of these biochemical changes, relative to hypothalamically mediated behavioral effects of AMPH, is discussed.
Improved needle placement technique in periurethral collagen injection

We describe a facilitated technique of periurethral needle placement for collagen injection, utilizing qa methylene blue/lidocaine mixture and a continuous flow cystoscope. This enables the surgeon to place the implant accurately to avoid waste.
River solute fluxes reflecting active hydrothermal chemical weathering of the Yellowstone Plateau Volcanic Field, USA

Abstract In the past few decades numerous studies have quantified the load of dissolved solids in large rivers to determine chemical weathering rates in orogenic belts and volcanic areas, mainly motivated by the notion that over timescales greater than ~ 100 kyr, silicate hydrolysis may be the dominant sink for atmospheric CO 2 , thus creating a feedback between climate and weathering. Here, we report the results of a detailed study during water year 2007 (October 1, 2006 to September 30, 2007) in the major rivers of the Yellowstone Plateau Volcanic Field (YPVF) which hosts Earth's largest “restless” caldera and over 10,000 thermal features. The chemical compositions of rivers that drain thermal areas in the YPVF differ significantly from the compositions of rivers that drain non-thermal areas. There are large seasonal variations in river chemistry and solute flux, which increases with increasing water discharge. The river chemistry and discharge data collected periodically over an entire year allow us to constrain the annual solute fluxes and to distinguish between low-temperature weathering and hydrothermal flux components. The TDS flux from Yellowstone Caldera in water year 2007 was 93 t/km 2 /year. Extensive magma degassing and hydrothermal interaction with rocks accounts for at least 82% of this TDS flux, 83% of the cation flux and 72% of the HCO 3 − flux. The low-temperature chemical weathering rate (17 t/km 2 /year), calculated on the assumption that all the Cl − is of thermal origin, could include a component from low-temperature hydrolysis reactions induced by CO 2 ascending from depth rather than by atmospheric CO 2 . Although this uncertainty remains, the calculated low-temperature weathering rate of the young rhyolitic rocks in the Yellowstone Caldera is comparable to the world average of large watersheds that drain also more soluble carbonates and evaporates but is slightly lower than calculated rates in other, less-silicic volcanic regions. Long-term average fluxes at Yellowstone are likely ~ 20% higher than those in the abnormally dry water year 2007, but the protocol used in this study can be easily adaptable to track future changes in low-temperature weathering and hydrothermal flux components, which could provide better monitoring of magmatic unrest.
Differences in symptomatology and social adjustment between urban and rural schizophrenics.

The symptomatology and social adjustment between urban and rural schizophrenics were compared in 275 consecutive admissions of schizophrenics, who were rated on the Katz Adjustment Scales by the patients themselves and their relatives at admission and 1 year after hospital discharge, or at readmission if it occurred within 12 months of discharge. Numerous significant differences were found in symptomatology and social adjustment between urban and rural schizophrenics. Urban schizophrenics reported lower expectations for performance of social activities than rural schizophrenics. Urban schizophrenics were perceived by relatives to be more helpless, suspicious, nervous, bizarre, hyper-active and less emotionally stable than rural schizophrenics. According to relatives' evaluations, urban schizophrenics performed less in social activities and participated less in leisure-time activities than rural schizophrenics. Relatives of urban schizophrenics were also found to have lower expectations for patients' performance of social activities than their rural counterparts.
Ultrafiltration by a compacted clay membrane—II. Sodium ion exclusion at various ionic strengths☆☆☆

Abstract Several recent laboratory studies and field investigations have indicated that shales and compacted clay minerals behave as semipermeable membranes. One of the properties of semipermeable membranes is to retard or prevent the passage of charged ionic species through the membrane pores while allowing relatively free movement of uncharged species. This phenomenon is termed salt filtering, reverse osmosis, or ultrafiltration. This paper shows how one can proceed from the ion exchange capacity of clay minerals and, by means of Donnan membrane equilibrium concept and the Teorell-Meyer-Siever theory, develop a theory to explain why and to what extent ultrafiltration occurs when solutions of known concentration are forced to flow through a clay membrane. Reasonable agreement between theory and laboratory results were found. The concentration of the ultrafiltrate was always greater than predicted because of uncertainty in values of some parameters in the equations. Ultrafiltration phenomena may be responsible for the formation of some subsurface brines and mineral deposits. The effect should also be taken into consideration in any proposal for subsurface waste emplacement in an environment containing large quantities of clay minerals.
Biochemistry and biology of the inducible multifunctional transcription factor TFII-I: 10 Years Later

Exactly twenty years ago TFII-I was discovered as a biochemical entity that was able to bind to and function via a core promoter element called the Initiator (Inr). Since then several different properties of this signal-induced multifunctional factor were discovered. Here I update these ever expanding functions of TFII-I--focusing primarily on the last ten years since the first review appeared in this journal.
Pressure assisted chelating extraction: a novel technique for digesting metals in solid matrices.

This work describes a novel technique for the digestion of metals in solid matrices. The technique is called pressure assisted chelating extraction (PACE). In a typical procedure, a solid sample is placed in a stainless steel cell and is mixed with appropriate chelating agents. Using a programmed sequence of temperature, static time, pressure and thermal equilibration available in ASE 200TM, the metal is removed under moderate temperature (up to 200 °C) and pressure (up to 3000 psi). PACE achieves metal recovery that is equivalent to that of wet digestion techniques and also provides for a clean and safe operation by substituting the strong acids commonly used during wet digestion with chelating agents. It uses less solvents and significantly less time (minutes vs. hours) for metal digestion. PACE has been validated using certified standard reference materials (SRMs) including industrial sludge, buffalo river sediments and coal fly ash. The total time required to remove metals was ∼20 min. Results show that the PACE system provides an ideal platform for efficient, rapid, and safe metal digestion. Good agreement between measured and reference values for Pb, Mn, and Cu were found with recoveries averaging between 80 and 101% and a relative standard deviation of less than 5%. This approach may provide an alternative digestion technique for environmental samples, alloys, biological materials and samples of geological importance. The potential advantage offered lies in non-destruction of the sample, automation and the exclusion of concentrated mineral acids during the digestion procedure.
The protein composition of rat parotid saliva and secretory granules.

Abstract Rat parotid saliva was collected by surgical cannulation of the ducts and stimulation with pilocarpine. The secreted salivary proteins were resolved on columns of DEAE-Sephadex into five major Fractions, I–V, which were characterized by polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis, amino acid analyses and enzymatic assay. Rat parotid secretory granules were isolated by density gradient centrifugation and lysed in hypotonic buffers. Granule content proteins were resolved and examined by the same techniques as for secreted proteins. In both experiments, Fraction I contained RNAase and a major unidentified protein, M1, Fraction II contained the isoenzymes of amylase; DNAase was present in Fraction III and, to a lesser degree, in Fraction IV. The proportions of the enzyme-containing peaks were the same in saliva and granule contents. Fractions IV and V contain proteins of unknown function. Fraction IV contains exceptionally high levels of glutamic acid, glycine and proline in its protein moieties and approx. 6–8% neutral sugars.
Parental Involvement, Selected Student Attributes, and Learning Outcomes in Instrumental Music

This study examined relationships among selected aspects of parental involvement as they relate to the cognitive, affective, and performance outcomes of instrumental music students. Independent variables were music aptitude, parental involvement, grade level, and gender. Dependent variables were cognitive musical outcomes, performance outcomes, and affective outcomes. Subjects were instrumental music students (N = 406) from five intact band programs located in rural New York and Pennsylvania. Wind and percussion volunteers from Grades 4 through 12 participated. Data were examined using descriptive analysis, correlational analysis, and analysis of variance. Major findings included: (1) Parental involvement was related to overall performance, affective, and cognitive musical outcomes. (2) For cognitive musical outcomes, parental involvement was only related at the elementary level. (3) For musical performance outcomes, parental involvement was only related at the elementary level. (4) For affective outcomes...
Randomized rule selection in transformation-based learning: a comparative study

Transformation-Based Learning (TBL) is a relatively new machine learning method that has achieved notable success on language problems. This paper presents a variant of TBL, called Randomized TBL, that overcomes the training time problems of standard TBL without sacrificing accuracy. It includes a set of experiments on part-of-speech tagging in which the size of the corpus and template set are varied. The results show that Randomized TBL can address problems that are intractable in terms of training time for standard TBL. In addition, for language problems such as dialogue act tagging where the most effective features have not been identified through linguistic studies, Randomized TBL allows the researcher to experiment with a large set of templates capturing many potentially useful features and feature interactions.
Effect of storage time and temperature on steroid and protein hormone concentrations in porcine plasma and serum

Abstract The effect of storage time and temperature of porcine blood prior to quantitation of hormone concentrations by radioimmunoassay (RIA) was evaluated. Blood from each of four luteal phase gilts was used to determine cortisol (CS) and progesterone (P) concentrations, while blood from each of four ovariectomized gilts and each of four lactating sows was used to determine luteinizing hormore (LH) and prolactin (PRL) concentrations, respectively. Blood was collected via jugular puncture from each animal within a 30-sec time period and placed into 18 heparinized and 18 nonheparinized tubes. One sample with and without heparin was stored in ice water (4°C) or at 28°C for 0.25, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 36 or 48 hours. After storage, blood was centrifuged at 4°C and plasma or serum was collected and stored at −20°C until quantitated by RIA. There were no differences (P>0.05) between plasma and serum concentrations (X ± SE, ng/ml) of CS (26.9 ± 0.8 vs 28.5 ± 0.8), P (24.7 ± 0.7 vs 24.8 ± 0.8), LH (2.1 ± 0.1 vs 2.2 ± 0.1) or PRL (53.2 ± 2.3 vs 52.6 ± 2.1). Similarly, storage temperature (4 vs 28°C) did not affect the concentrations of P (25.7 ± 0.8 vs 23.9 ± 0.7), LH (2.2 ± 0.1 vs 2.2 ± 0.1) or PRL (53.7 ± 2.1 vs 53.2 ± 2.3). Howver, CS concentrations decreased (P
Toward some circuitry of ethical robots or an observational science of the genesis of social evaluation in the mind-like behavior of artifacts

Modern knowledge of servo systems and computing machines makes it possible to specify a circuit that can and will induce the rules and winning moves in a game like chess when they are given only ostensibly, that is, by playing against opponents who quit when illegal or losing moves are made. Such circuits enjoy a value social in the sense that it is shared by the players.
The Approach-Avoidance Model of Work Engagement

Work engagement has been a construct that, to date, is not well understood in terms its underlying motivational processes. Further, research has almost exclusively taken a job characteristics appro...
Effects of Differential Housing on the Primary and Secondary Antibody Responses of Male C57BL/6 and BALB/c Mice

Abstract The influence of the number of animals housed together in a cage on antibody production in response to keyhole limpet hemanocyanin (KLH) was evaluated among male C57B1/6 and BALB/c mice. In Experiment 1, male C57B1/6 mice were housed 1, 6, or 12 animals per cage and primary and secondary responses were evaluated. The secondary, but not the primary, antibody responses of male C57B1/6 mice were higher among mice housed alone compared to mice housed in groups; differences were observed for both IgM and IgG anti-KLH antibodies. The differential housing effects on secondary IgM antibody responses interacted with the priming dose of KLH. In Experiment 2, the primary and secondary responses to KLH of male C57B1/6 and BALB/c mice were compared among mice housed alone or 4 per cage. Among both strains, the secondary, not the primary, response was influenced by the number of mice housed in a cage; both secondary IgM and IgG titers were higher among the C57B1/6 mice housed alone but only secondary IgM titers were higher among the BALB/c mice housed alone. These experiments confirm previous observations that the primary antibody responses of C57B1/6 mice are not influenced by the number of animals housed in a cage and extend these findings by demonstrating that the secondary antibody responses of C57B1/6 and BALB/c are influenced by housing condition.
The effect of follicular fluid hormones on oocyte recovery after ovarian stimulation: FSH level predicts oocyte recovery.

Ovarian stimulation for assisted reproductive technology (ART) overcomes the physiologic process to develop a single dominant follicle. However, following stimulation, egg recovery rates are not 100%. The objective of this study is to determine if the follicular fluid hormonal environment is associated with oocyte recovery. This is a prospective study involving patients undergoing ART by standard ovarian stimulation protocols at an urban academic medical center. A total of 143 follicular fluid aspirates were collected from 80 patients. Concentrations of FSH, hCG, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone and prolactin were determined. A multivariable regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between the follicular fluid hormones and oocyte recovery. Intrafollicular FSH was significantly associated with oocyte recovery after adjustment for hCG (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.21, 95%CI 1.03–1.42). The hCG concentration alone, in the range tested, did not impact the odds of oocyte recovery (AOR = 0.99, 95%CI 0.93–1.07). Estradiol was significantly associated with oocyte recovery (AOR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.96–0.99). After adjustment for progesterone, the strength of association between FSH and oocyte recovery increased (AOR = 1.84, 95%CI 1.45–2.34). The relationship between FSH and oocyte recovery is significant and appears to work through mechanisms independent of the sex hormones. FSH may be important for the physiologic event of separation of the cumulus-oocyte complex from the follicle wall, thereby influencing oocyte recovery. Current methods for inducing the final stages of oocyte maturation, with hCG administration alone, may not be optimal. Modifications of treatment protocols utilizing additional FSH may enhance oocyte recovery.
(Z)-5-tetradecen-1-ol: A secondary pheromone of the yellowheaded spruce sawfly, and its relationship to (Z)-10-nonadecenal.

The yellowheaded spruce sawfly,Pikonema alaskensis (Rohwer), was known to possess a potent secondary pheromone with the polarity of an alcohol, based on earlier studies with Florisil fractions. Purification of the 25% ether-hexane Florisil fraction (polarity as with alcohols) and the hydrolyzed 5% ether-hexane fraction (polarity as with esters) from 50,000 females yielded a total of ca 3μg of an active compound identified as (Z)-5-tetradecen-1-ol (Z5–14∶ OH). When added to 100 ng of (Z)-10-nonadecenal (Z10–19∶Al), which behaves as the primary pheromone in this sawfly, 0.5 ng of syntheticZ5–14∶ OH caused an 8.8-fold increase in the greenhouse bioassay response, compared toZ10–19∶Al alone.E5–14∶ OH caused a 2.8-fold increase. Only the combination ofZ5–14∶ OH andZ10–19∶ Al consistently elicited mating attempts among males. When Hercon® formulations ofZ5–14∶OH andZ10–19∶ Al were used together to bait traps, catches were up to four times higher than for theZ10–19∶ Al alone, but this increase was seen only after emergence and mating activity in the field population were virtually complete. TheZ5–14∶ OH was inactive alone, and at higher levels it depressed trap catches toZ10–19∶ Al. The Hercon formulations ofZ5–14∶ 0H andZ10–19∶Al together were as attractive as virgin females.Z10–19∶Al alone and the (Z,Z)-9,19 hydrocarbon dienes (found in all females and able to oxidize in air to produceZ10–19∶Al) were similar to mated females. ThusZ5–14∶:OH accounted for the difference in attractiveness between virgin and mated females.
Immediate effects of exercise on apparent limb mass and circumference.

54 subjects were given a standardized elbow flexion exercise consisting of holding the arm flexed at 90 ° against the pull of a 20 lb. weight while in a recumbent position. Measurements were obtained on apparent weight of the arm and on upper arm and forearm circumferences during a period of 10 min. prior to exercise and 20 min. after exercise. The immediate post-exercise upper arm circumference was 1 percent greater than the resting level (t = 10.3) and the lower arm circumference was also 1 percent greater (t = 12.3). The circumferences gradually returned toward the pre-exercise resting level during the 20 min. of recovery period. However, they had not completely returned at this time. The upper arm circumferences lost only 65 percent of the increase. The forearm circumference lost 75 percent. The time after exercise required for the apparent arm weight to return to within 5 percent of the level of resting was between 8 and 9 min. The subject's failure to relax appears to prevent the arm from manifesting its full apparent weight during the early stages of rest and recovery. To secure data on apparent weight by the method described, therefore entails a rest period of at least 10 min.
Relationships between facial features in the perception of profile attractiveness.

Abstract Objective The aim of the study was to analyse the attractiveness of modifications of lip, nose or chin positions on profile photographs. Materials and methods A profile digital photograph was randomly selected among pictures of 50 models participating to a beauty contest and then reviewed by 10 orthodontists and 10 laypersons who unanimously rated the profile as attractive. The original picture (O) was modified so as to create protrusion and retrusion of the lips of 2,4 and 6 mm, thus generating 6 new pictures (O-6, O-4, O-2, O+2, O+4, O+6). From the original picture 7 new pictures were generated: (N) with the nose protruded of 6 mm and its combinations with lips protrusion and retrusion (N-6, N-4, N-2, N+2, N+4, N+6). In the same way, picture (C) was created with the chin protruded of 6 mm and 6 combinations of protruded chin with protruded and retruded lips were generated (C-6, C-4, C -2, C+2, C+4, C+6). 15 orthodontists and 15 laypersons were asked to rate all the 21 pictures on Visual Analogue Scales (VAS). Results The original picture reported the highest VAS scores. Comparing the series “C” and “N”, the pictures with Nose protrusion show higher VAS scores if compared with pictures with chin protrusion (p Conclusions In cases of nose or chin protrusion, a compensatory lip protrusion improves the profile attractiveness. Nose protrusion seems to be more tolerated than a similar amount of chin protrusion.
Identification of Functional Regulatory Residues of the β-Lactam Inducible Penicillin Binding Protein in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Resistance to methicillin by Staphylococcus aureus is a persistent clinical problem worldwide. A mechanism for resistance has been proposed in which methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates acquired a new protein called β-lactam inducible penicillin binding protein (PBP-2′). The PBP-2′ functions by substituting other penicillin binding proteins which have been inhibited by β-lactam antibiotics. Presently, there is no structural and regulatory information on PBP-2′ protein. We conducted a complete structural and functional regulatory analysis of PBP-2′ protein. Our analysis revealed that the PBP-2′ is very stable with more hydrophilic amino acids expressing antigenic sites. PBP-2′ has three striking regulatory points constituted by first penicillin binding site at Ser25, second penicillin binding site at Ser405, and finally a single metallic ligand binding site at Glu657 which binds to Zn2+ ions. This report highlights structural features of PBP-2′ that can serve as targets for developing new chemotherapeutic agents and conducting site direct mutagenesis experiments.
Caring to Disagree: Democratic Disagreement as Civic Care

Some democratic theorists, especially John Rawls and Jurgen Habermas, identify pervasive disagreements as “facts” of pluralistic political life, and propose strategies for either mitigating or altogether avoiding especially recalcitrant disagreements. Others—for instance, Chantal Mouffe and Amy Gutmann—suggest that disagreements are not only pervasive but desirable for democratic politics. This article argues that within a democratic context, the value of disagreement should be measured by its reasonableness rather than its termination in agreement between adversarial interlocutors. Plato's Gorgias illustrates such worthwhile disagreement. In the dialogue, the interlocutors approach and sustain disagreement while articulating Socrates’ conception of disagreement as a form of civic care. By sustaining reasoned disagreements, citizens can care for democracy and about each other.
A screen for genes that function in leg disc regeneration in Drosophila melanogaster.

Many diverse animal species regenerate parts of an organ or tissue after injury. However, the molecules responsible for the regenerative growth remain largely unknown. The screen reported here aimed to identify genes that function in regeneration and the transdetermination events closely associated with imaginal disc regeneration using Drosophila melanogaster. We screened a collection of 97 recessive lethal P-lacZ enhancer trap lines for two primary criteria: first, the ability to dominantly modify wg-induced leg-to-wing transdetermination and second, for the activation or repression of the lacZ reporter gene in the blastema during disc regeneration. Of the 97 P-lacZ lines, we identified six genes (Kruppel-homolog-1, rpd3, jing, combgap, Aly and S6 kinase) that met both criteria. Five of these genes suppress, while one enhances, leg-to-wing transdetermination and therefore affects disc regeneration. Two of the genes, jing and rpd3, function in concert with chromatin remodeling proteins of the Polycomb Group (PcG) and trithorax Group (trxG) genes during Drosophila development, thus linking chromatin remodeling with the process of regeneration.
The number of eight-cell embryos is a key determinant for selecting day 3 or day 5 transfer.

Abstract Objective: To select patients for day 3 vs. day 5 embryo transfer. Design: Retrospective analysis of assisted reproduction technology (ART) cycles comparing outcomes of day 3 and day 5 transfers. Setting: ART program of Brigham and Women's Hospital. Patient(s): Patients with day 3 or day 5 embryo transfers (n = 221 and 141, respectively). Intervention(s): Cycles with eight or more zygotes were stratified by the number of eight-cell embryos available on day 3 (none, one or two, or three or more). Main Outcome Measure(s): Number of blastocysts, implantation rates, ongoing pregnancy rates, and number of fetal heart beats. Result(s): With no eight-cell embryos on day 3, 0% and 33% pregnancies resulted from day 5 vs. day 3 transfers. With one or two eight-cell embryos on day 3, ongoing and high order multiple rates were not different between day 3 and day 5 transfers. With three or more eight-cell embryos, day 5 transfer resulted in a decrease in multiple gestations but no difference in ongoing pregnancy rates compared with day 3 transfer. Conclusion(s): With no eight-cell embryos on day 3, a day 3 transfer is warranted. With one or two eight-cell embryos, any benefit of day 5 transfer appears to be equivocal. With three or more eight-cell embryos, day 5 transfer is recommended.
Understanding the change in male and female intimate partner homicide over time: a policy- and theory-relevant investigation

Research on intimate partner homicide has increased along with public awareness and policy responses toward domestic violence. The current study addresses the decline in gender-specific intimate pa...
Krüppel Like Factor 4 Promoter Undergoes Active Demethylation during Monocyte/Macrophage Differentiation

The role of different lineage specific transcription factors in directing hematopoietic cell fate towards myeloid lineage is well established but the status of epigenetic modifications has not been defined during this important developmental process. We used non proliferating, PU.1 inducible myeloid progenitor cells and differentiating bone marrow derived macrophages to study the PU.1 dependent KLF4 transcriptional regulation and its promoter demethylation during monocyte/macrophage differentiation. Expression of KLF4 was regulated by active demethylation of its promoter and PU.1 specifically bound to KLF4 promoter oligo harboring the PU.1 consensus sequence. Methylation specific quantitative PCR and Bisulfite sequencing indicated demethylation of CpG residues most proximal to the transcription start site of KLF4 promoter. Cloned KLF4 promoter in pGL3 Luciferase and CpG free pcpgf-bas vectors showed accentuated reporter activity when co-transfected with the PU.1 expression vector. In vitro methylation of both KLF4 promoter oligo and cloned KLF4 promoter vectors showed attenuated in vitro DNA binding activity and Luciferase/mouse Alkaline phosphotase reporter activity indicating the negative influence of KLF4 promoter methylation on PU.1 binding. The Cytosine deaminase, Activation Induced Cytidine Deaminase (AICDA) was found to be critical for KLF4 promoter demethylation. More importantly, knock down of AICDA resulted in blockade of KLF4 promoter demethylation, decreased F4/80 expression and other phenotypic characters of macrophage differentiation. Our data proves that AICDA mediated active demethylation of the KLF4 promoter is necessary for transcriptional regulation of KLF4 by PU.1 during monocyte/macrophage differentiation.
The evolution of the structure and application of U.S. NRC regulations and standards

Abstract NRC regulations and standards and their implementation have evolved from early adaptations of conventional engineering practices to a mature, cohesive set of regulations that govern NRC regulation of nuclear power plant safety in the United States. From a simple set of rules and design criteria and from the standards of the professional engineering societies, a hierarchy of practices, standards, guides, rules and goals has developed. Resting on a foundation of industrial practices, this hierarchy rises through levels of national standards, regulatory guides and standard review plans, policy statements and NRC regulations. The licensing process is evolving today toward one that permits both site approval and standard design certification before the plant is constructed. At the present time, NRC is reviewing five standard designs for certification for a period of 15 years. NRC focuses its regulation of operating nuclear plants on inspections conducted from five regional offices. Resident inspectors, specialist inspectors, and multi-disciplinary inspection teams examine specific plant situations. The results of all these inspections are used to develop a complete understanding of a plant's physical condition, its operation, maintenance and management. To improve safe operation of nuclear plants in the U.S., a most important program, the Systematic Assessment of Licensee Performance, measures operational performance, using a broad spectrum of functional areas.