cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rheumatoid arthritis and small airways function

The sensitive pulmonary function tests of change in maximum expiratory flow (ΔVmax 50) and volume of isoflow were used to determine the effects of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), smoking, and α-antitrypsin deficiency phenotypes on peripheral airways. Patients were prospectively divided into 4 groups: 14 smokers with RA, 12 nonsmokers with RA, 11 smokers without RA, and 13 nonsmokers without RA. ΔVmax 50 was the most discriminating variable and demonstrated significant small airway obstructive disease in the first 3 groups, with an additive effect in the group of smokers with RA. An increased incidence of the α-antitrypsin-deficient MS phenotype was seen in the RA smoker group, and this phenotype was associated with severe pulmonary disease.
The Battle of Ideological Images: CNN vs. FOX in Visual Framing of the Invasion of Iraq

In their coverage of the invasion of Iraq, CNN and FNC broadcast two distinct ideological news cultures. An in-depth interview with Aaron Brown reveals the CNN news routine of skepticism. Using vis...
Older Women Doing Home Care: Exploitation or Ideal Job?

The increased need for both personal assistance workers and meaningful employment opportunities for older workers results in growing numbers of older home care aides. This study examined lifetime financial security and perceived advantages of older age in this field through interviews with 31 older home care aides. Study participants experienced high levels of financial insecurity and perceived older workers as particularly well suited to the home care job. The consequences of this low-wage, low-status work are explored along with implications for social workers to advocate for improved conditions for these workers providing essential care to frail elders.
Stress and suicidal ideation

Several studies have indicated that attempted suicides have experienced more recent stressful life events (Conte & Plutchik, 1974). The present study was designed to explore instead the level of subjective stress as reported by suicidal people and the type of response made to stress. From college classes 71 male and 59 female students (LM,,, = 21.5 yr., SD = 5.2) were given the Beck Depression Inventory (Beck, et ul., 1961) on which M = 27.8 and SD = 6.2, the Langner (1962) stress scale on which M = 58.3 and SD = 10.4, and the Goleman (1986) mind/body response to stress scale on which the mind subscale M = 17.9 and SD = 3.6 and the body subscale M = 16.9 and SD = 3.4. Students were also asked whether they had ever threatened or attempted suicide in the past. For the women, stress scores were not significantly related to suicidal preoccupation. For the men, however, the response to the suicide item on the Beck Depression Inventory was correlated with the Langner stress score (Pearson r = 0.29, p < .01) and the mind and body stress response scores (n = 0.25 and 0.22, p < .05). Partial correlations controlling for the total Beck depression score eliminated these significant correlations. However, those who had previously attempted suicide ( ~ z = 3 ) and those who had previously threatened suicide ( n = 8 ) did have higher current stress scores even after controls for total depression scores (partial rs = 0.27 and 0.21, p < .05). Over-all, this analysis found little evidence that current suicidal preoccupation was related to current subjective stress or rhe type of response to stress.
Management of Deep Brain Stimulator Battery Failure: Battery Estimators, Charge Density, and Importance of Clinical Symptoms

Objective We aimed in this investigation to study deep brain stimulation (DBS) battery drain with special attention directed toward patient symptoms prior to and following battery replacement. Background Previously our group developed web-based calculators and smart phone applications to estimate DBS battery life (http://mdc.mbi.ufl.edu/surgery/dbs-battery-estimator). Methods A cohort of 320 patients undergoing DBS battery replacement from 2002–2012 were included in an IRB approved study. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 20.0 (IBM, Armonk, NY). Results The mean charge density for treatment of Parkinson’s disease was 7.2 µC/cm2/phase (SD = 3.82), for dystonia was 17.5 µC/cm2/phase (SD = 8.53), for essential tremor was 8.3 µC/cm2/phase (SD = 4.85), and for OCD was 18.0 µC/cm2/phase (SD = 4.35). There was a significant relationship between charge density and battery life (r = −.59, p<.001), as well as total power and battery life (r = −.64, p<.001). The UF estimator (r = .67, p<.001) and the Medtronic helpline (r = .74, p<.001) predictions of battery life were significantly positively associated with actual battery life. Battery status indicators on Soletra and Kinetra were poor predictors of battery life. In 38 cases, the symptoms improved following a battery change, suggesting that the neurostimulator was likely responsible for symptom worsening. For these cases, both the UF estimator and the Medtronic helpline were significantly correlated with battery life (r = .65 and r = .70, respectively, both p<.001). Conclusions Battery estimations, charge density, total power and clinical symptoms were important factors. The observation of clinical worsening that was rescued following neurostimulator replacement reinforces the notion that changes in clinical symptoms can be associated with battery drain.
A written policy increases compliance with guidelines for therapeutic anticoagulation prior to elective direct current cardioversion of atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND Therapeutic anticoagulation before elective direct current cardioversion (DCC) of atrial fibrillation reduces the risk of embolic stroke. Direct current cardioversion is performed by a variety of practitioners, and variable adherence to preprocedural anticoagulation guidelines is common. OBJECTIVE We assessed the impact of a written policy on guideline compliance. METHODS : Anticoagulation status and transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) results were reviewed in 55 patients (32 men/23 women; ages 18-83 years) who underwent elective DCC during the 6-month period before a written anticoagulation policy was sent to physicians who perform, prepare, or refer patients for this procedure. The nurse assigned to each DCC was responsible for documenting anticoagulation status. In accordance with guidelines, therapeutic anticoagulation was defined as a normalized ratio range > or = 2.0 for at least 3 weeks or a negative TEE with a normalized ratio range > or = 2.0 or a partial thromboplastin time > 50 seconds at the time of DCC. Immediately after policy implementation, anticoagulation status and TEE results were reviewed in 53 patients (42 men/11 women; ages 21-84 years) and 1 year post-policy implementation. RESULTS Before policy implementation, 14 of 52 patients (27%) had DCC performed without adequate anticoagulation or a negative TEE. Immediately postimplementation, only 2 of 50 patients (4%) had DCC performed without adequate anticoagulation or a negative TEE (P = .002). One year post-policy implementation, only 4 of 48 patients (8%) had DCC performed without adequate anticoagulation or a negative TEE (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS Implementing a written policy greatly reduces the number of patients undergoing DCC without adequate anticoagulation or a negative TEE. The impact of this intervention was quickly demonstrable and persisted during follow-up. Supplementing published recommendations with guideline-driven policies may reduce variations in clinical practice and improve quality of care.
Real-Time Monitoring of Renal Function During Ischemic Injury in the Rhesus Monkey

The presence of delayed graft function (DGF) following cadaver donor renal transplantation is associated with inferior graft survival as well as decreased patient survival. Delay in onset of function eliminates a valuable indicator of allograft viability, which is not easily replaced by standard diagnostic procedures. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that a new clearance technique could be used to measure renal function minute to minute and under conditions similar to those observed in humans in the immediate posttransplantation period. A monkey model was used to provide controlled conditions. Increasing levels of ischemic injury were produced in 12 Rhesus monkeys by renal hilum cross-clamping. Real-time measurements of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were obtained from the rate of clearance of the extracellular fluid of the GFR agent99mTc-DTPA, as measured with a specially designed external radioactivity counting device called the ambulatory renal monitor, or ARM. GFR was measured every 2–5 ...
Analysis of hybrid voting algorithm for replicated file systems

Abstract The use of a hybrid between the available copies method and voting with witnesses to maintain consistency in a replicated file system is investigated. In such a system, the available copies method is augmented with witnesses, and a simple static voting algorithm is used. High levels of availability are possible with only two copies, with the added advantage that the consistency of the file system is maintained even if the network is partitioned. The transformation of copies and witnesses into the other, as needed, is discussed. The system is analysed via a stochastic Petri net model.
Joint fractional signal representations

Abstract Using the recently introduced Hermitian fractional operator within the characteristic function operator method, we derive joint fractional representations (JFRs) of signals. JFRs are functions of fractional variables defined by the fractional Fourier transform (FRFT). The JFRs generalize the conventional time–frequency representations in the same manner as the FRFT generalizes the conventional Fourier transform. We derive the fractional counterparts of the well-known time–frequency analysis tools such as the ambiguity function ( AF ) and the Wigner distribution ( WD ) and present some of their properties. We also analytically compute the fractional AF and the fractional WD of some simple functions and provide plots for a Gaussian amplitude-modulated chirp (linear FM) and a rectangular function.
The effect of flooding regimes on decomposition of Polygonum pensylvanicum in playa wetlands (Southern Great Plains, USA)

Plants in playa wetlands are hypothesized to have high decomposition rates due to rapidly fluctuating water levels. Therefore, Polygonum pensylvanicum (a dominant playa species) decomposition rates were studied in relation to four water regimes (F1 (flooded 30% of 321 days), F2 (41%), F3 (58%), or F4 (100%)) in playa wetlands of the Southern Great Plains of Texas, 1996–1997. Decomposition rates of stems, leaves, and seeds were generally lowest (P<0.001) in the F3 and F4 treatments and highest in the F1 and F2 treatments. The highest rates of decomposition for all plant parts occurred within 56 days of placement in the field (P<0.001), and gradually declined until the conclusion of the study (321 days). Crude protein levels were initially highest in leaves (21.9%) and lowest in stems (3.9%), whereas cellulose and hemicellulose levels were highest in stems (51.4 and 33.3%, respectively) and lowest in leaves (24.3 and 17.7%, respectively); seeds had moderate levels (protein (9.8%); cellulose (46.8%); hemicellulose (30.4%)). However, decomposition rates of seeds were lower (P<0.001) than decomposition rates of stems and leaves. The natural wet–dry cycles in playas enhance decomposition and productivity of playa wetlands.
A novel expression vector for high-level synthesis and secretion of foreign proteins in Escherichia coli: overproduction of bovine pancreatic phospholipase A2

A novel expression plasmid (pTO-N) has been constructed that allows for the production of large quantities of foreign proteins (or fragments thereof) in an unfused state. The vector has a strong and tightly regulated T7 gene 10 promoter and the ompA Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence, followed by the ompA sequence and a cloning linker region. The mRNAs produced by the vector are protected by secondary structures at both ends of the mRNAs. The OmpA signal peptide directed the synthesized proteins into the periplasmic space of Escherichia coli. Phospholipase A2 and prophospholipase A2 from bovine pancreas have been produced to a high level by using this expression vector. One additional feature, which is essential for the stable maintenance of the plasmid in the E. coli expression host, BL21 (DE3)[pLysS], is the shortened distance between the 5' secondary structure sequence (immediately following the gene 10 promoter) and the SD sequence. This vector could be particularly useful for synthesis of toxins in E. coli.
Spousal influence on general health behaviors in a community sample.

OBJECTIVE To examine if one partner's premarital health behavior was longitudinally associated with his or her partner's health behaviors. METHODS Newlyweds were assessed at marriage and at 3 follow-ups with respect to frequency of general health behaviors: exercise, physical examinations, and healthy and unhealthy eating. RESULTS One partner's health behavior prior to marriage was associated with the other partner's health behavior over time. This was true for positive and negative behaviors for both men and women. CONCLUSIONS Understanding how partners influence each other's health behaviors is important for health promotion and intervention efforts. Targeting the couple for health promotion activities could benefit the couple more than simply targeting individuals.
Differences by Level of Technology Use on Students' Motivation, Anxiety, and Classroom Learning Environment in Mathematics:

This study examined whether students' 1) motivation, 2) anxiety, and 3) classroom learning environment in mathematics significantly differed according to the degree of implementation of technology ...
Paleomagnetism, Paleolatitudes, and Magnetic Overprinting on the North Slope, Alaska: ABSTRACT

Several paleomagnetic studies have been made in Arctic Alaska, by industry, by the U.S. Geological Survey, and by the University of Alaska. In general, the results available to the public have been disappointing--most samples of pre-Cretaceous rocks give very steep magnetic inclinations with respect to present horizontal. This has been generally interpreted in terms of a Cretaceous overprinting event. A study of the paleomagnetism of Cretaceous rocks from the North Slope shows that although the Cretaceous field was steeply inclined, it was not as steep as conventional paleogeographic reconstructions would indicate, and not as steep as the bulk of the apparently remagnetized older rocks. This finding leaves open the possibility that the steeper directions recorded by the older rocks are the result of regional tilt, or the result of a paleogeography that allowed an earlier, steeper remagnetizing field. The shallower inclinations seen in the Cretaceous sediments of the Nanushuk Group (Albian-Cenomanian based on the fossil record with one K-Ar age of 100 Ma from an ash parting) give paleolatitudes of about 75°N. The predicted paleolatitude based on North American paleogeographic reconstructions is 80-85°N. Circumstantial evidence that the paleolatitude was shallower than 80-85°N comes from the enormous biogenic productivity needed to form the extensive coal deposits of the Nanushuk Group. Lower paleolatitudes also may be needed to explain the apparent existence of broad-leaved evergreens and the recently reported dinosaur tracks and skin imprints in the Nanushuk Group. End_of_Article - Last_Page 680------------
The Dynamical Balance of a General Circulation Model

Abstract A global, spectral model developed at the National Center for Atmospheric Research is investigated. It is first demonstrated that some of the model's normal modes tend toward an approximate dynamical balance. This is shown by presenting time series of a kind of mean frequency for the various types of modes. For the analyzed data investigated, almost all inertial-gravitational waves initially present are dissipated within two weeks. Most are dissipated much more quickly. The model is then used to determine which modes are balanced. Only the balance described byMachenhauer is investigated. The relative magnitudes of various diabatic and adiabatic forces (including advection as a "force"), as they act to drive each normal mode, are compared with the time tendency of each mode. A mode is considered balanced if the magnitude of its time tendency is significantly smaller than the magnitudes of some forces acting upon it, implying that those forces tend to cancel each other. Gravitational modes whose na...
Haplotypic origin of β-chain genes expressed by human T-cell clones

A contribution of allelic variation of T-cell receptor (Tcr) genes to the immune response has not been studied. Here we report that the presence of insertion-deletion-related polymorphisms (IDRP) of the Tcr β chain (Tcrb) can be utilized to distinguish the parental origin of the gene complex that undergoes rearrangement in individual T-cell clones. Phytohemagglutinin stimulated clones from an individual heterozygous for an IDRP located between the variable(V) and diversity (D)-joining (J) region genes were studied for the presence of V to DJ rearrangements in each of the two parental chromosomes. Results indicate that single rearrangements were present in the majority of clones. in contrast to the double rearrangements of D to J genes that were generally present. In this individual, V to DJ rearrangements also occured with different frequencies on each of the two germline genes. IDRP clonotyping of the Tcrb complex should prove generally applicable to the study of the influence of allelic variation of Tcrb genes in selection of the expressed T-cell repetoire.
Guns, Testosterone, and Aggression: An Experimental Test of a Mediational Hypothesis

We tested whether interacting with a gun increased testosterone levels and later aggressive behavior. Thirty male college students provided a saliva sample (for testosterone assay), interacted with either a gun or a children's toy for 15 min, and then provided another saliva sample. Next, subjects added as much hot sauce as they wanted to a cup of water they believed another subject would have to drink. Males who interacted with the gun showed significantly greater increases in testosterone and added more hot sauce to the water than did those who interacted with the children's toy. Moreover, increases in testosterone partially mediated the effects of interacting with the gun on this aggressive behavior.
PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF SOLUBLE NUCLEOHISTONES.

Soluble nucleohistones have been reconstituted by gradient dialysis from individual histone fractions and a common preparation of DNA. The nucleohistones thus obtained sediment at rates approximately that of native nucleohistone and the preparations appear to consist to a substantial degree of individual DNA molecules fully complexed with histone. The complexes reconstituted from different histone fractions differ in their ability to support DNA-dependent RNA synthesis by pea chromosomal or Escherichia coli RNA polymerase, varying from inactive to highly active. The histone fractions differ also in the extent to which they stabilize DNA against thermal denaturation. The histone of lowest arginine-lysine ratio stabilizes DNA most and yields the nucleohistone least active in support of RNA synthesis.
Diagnosing laser-driven, shock-heated foam target with Al absorption spectroscopy on OMEGA EP

Abstract Results on diagnoses of laser-driven, shock-heated foam plasma with time-resolved Al 1s-2p absorption spectroscopy are reported. Experiments were carried out to produce a platform for the study of relativistic electron transport. In cone-guided Fast Ignition (FI), relativistic electrons generated by a high-intensity, short-pulse igniter beam must be transported through a cone tip to an imploded core. Transport of the energetic electrons could be significantly affected by the temperature-dependent resistivity of background plasmas. The experiment was conducted using four UV beams of the OMEGA EP laser at the Laboratory For Laser Energetics. One UV beam (1.2 kJ, 3.5 ns square) was used to launch a shock wave into a foam package target, consisting of 200 mg/cm3 CH foam with aluminum dopant and a solid plastic container surrounding the foam layer. The other three UV beams with the total energy of 3.2 kJ in 2.5 ns pulse duration were tightly focused onto a Sm dot target to produce a point X-ray source in the energy range of 1.4–1.6 keV. The quasi-continuous X ray signal was transmitted through the shock-heated Al-doped, foam layer and recorded with an X-ray streak camera. The measured 1s-2p Al absorption features were analyzed using an atomic physics code FLYCHK. Electron temperature of 40 eV inferred from the spectral analysis is consistent with 2-D DRACO Radiation-hydrodynamic simulations.
Self-induced drinking in rats: the qualitative identity of drive and reward systems in the lateral hypothalamus.

Abstract Of 9 rats bearing electrodes in the “drinking area” of the lateral hypothalamus, 7 were found to self-stimulate at their drinking-threshold intensities only when water was available for drinking during the stimulation. The other 2 self-stimulated even in the absence of water, but at a lower rate than with water available. There was no gross anatomical difference between the locations of the electrodes in these two groups of rats. Each of the rats in the first group would self-stimulate in the absence of water only at current intensities which were above its drinking threshold. Thus, for these rats the effect of drinking on reinforcement was equivalent to the effect of raising current intensity. It is suggested that this was so because drive and reward are qualitatively identical at the level of the LHA; they represent different degrees of activation of the same neural system.
Induction by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine of lipid peroxidation invivo in vitamin E deficient mice

Abstract 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) is neurotoxic to dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain and their projections into the striatum [I], It has been speculated that the mechanism of dopaminergic neurotoxicity involves at least two potential components: mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress. There is no question that MPTP is a mitochondrial toxin in vivo [2]. It is aiso widely accepted that MPTP induces oxidative stress in the lung in vivo [3,4], What is in question is which of these mechanisms might predominate in the neurotoxicity of MPTP. MPTP has been shown not to induce lipid peroxidation in vivo in the striatui [5]. Since lipid peroxidation may be a component of the toxicity of some oxidative stress-inducing agents, the lack of lipid peroxidation with MPTP might argue against oxidative stress as part of the neurotoxic mechanism. This study was performed to reexamine the induction of lipid peroxidation by MPTP, as measured by conjugated diene formation, in various brain regions as well as the striatum, In addition, vitamin E deficient mice were used since they are known to be more susceptible to oxidative stress than normal mice [6].
Performance of multiple-relay cooperative diversity systems with best relay selection over Rayleigh fading channels

We consider an amplify-and-forward (AF) cooperative diversity system where a source node communicates with a destination node directly and indirectly (through multiple relays). In regular multiple-relay cooperative diversity systems, all relay nodes relay the source signal using orthogonal channels (time slots, carriers, or codes) to avoid cochannel interference. Hence, for a regular cooperative diversity network with M relays, we need M+1 channels (one for the direct link and M for the M indirect links). This means that the number of required channels increases linearly with the number of relays. In this paper, we investigate the performance of the best-relay selection scheme where the "best" relay only participates in the relaying. Therefore, two channels only are needed in this case (one for the direct link and the other one for the best indirect link) regardless of the number of relays (M). The best relay is selected as the relay node that can achieve the highest signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the destination node. We show that the best-relay selection not only reduces the amount of required resources but also maintains a full diversity order (which is achievable by the regular multiple-relay cooperative diversity system but with much more amount of resources). We derive closed form expressions for tight lower bounds of the symbol error probability and outage probability. Since it is hard to find a closed-form expression for the probability density function (PDF) of SNR of the relayed signal at the destination node, we use an approximate value instead. Then, we find a closed-form expression for the moment generating function (MGF) of the total SNR at the destination. This MGF is used to derive the closed-form expressions of the performance metrics such as the average symbol error probability, the outage probability, the average SNR, the amount of fading, and the SNR moments. Furthermore, we derive the asymptotic behavior of the symbol error probability. From this asymptotic behavior, the diversity order and its dependence on the number of relays (M) can be explicitly determined. Simulation results are also given to verify the analytical results.
The development and maintenance of myelinated tissue cultures of rat trigeminal ganglion.

Trigeminal ganglia of fetal or neonatal rats and mice have been cultured on collagen-coated coverslips in Maximow assemblies. The methods which proved optimal and the natural history of the resulting cultures are presented in detail. Cultures formed abundant myelin, remained healthy for at least three months, and resembled previously described cultures of other primary sensory ganglia in most but not all respects. New features included an exceptionally high requirement for glucose and apparently for other nutrients, migration of some neuron somas, and the occasional occurrence of stable but abnormally formed myelin segments. The advantages and limitations of such cultures for experimental study of isolated nervous tissues are discussed.
A residual radial limit zero set

We construct a nonconstant holomorphic function on the unit ball in ℂ n having radial limit zero on a certain residual subset of the unit sphere.
Parallel SAH k-D tree construction

The k-D tree is a well-studied acceleration data structure for ray tracing. It is used to organize primitives in a scene to allow efficient execution of intersection operations between rays and the primitives. The highest quality k-D tree can be obtained using greedy cost optimization based on a surface area heuristc (SAH). While the high quality enables very fast ray tracing times, a key drawback is that the k-D tree construction time remains prohibitively expensive. This cost is unreasonable for rendering dynamic scenes for future visual computing applications on emerging multicore systems. Much work has therefore been focused on faster parallel k-D tree construction performance at the expense of approximating or ignoring SAH computation, which produces k-D trees that degrade rendering time. In this paper, we present two new parallel algorithms for building precise SAH-optimized k-D trees, with different tradeoffs between the total work done and parallel scalability. The algorithms achieve up to 8x speedup on 32 cores, without degrading tree quality and rendering time, yielding the best reported speedups so far for precise-SAH k-D tree construction.
Positron Ring Cameras for Emission-Computed Tomography

A properly designed circular ring of NaI(Tl) crystals and suitable reconstruction algorithms can provide rapid, high-resolution transverse section images of positron-labeled compounds in the human body. The spatial resolution is limited by the crystal center-to-center spacing and by the positron range in tissue. Using 280 crystals with 10-mm center-to-center spacing and isotopes such as 68Ga. 11C, 18F, or 52Fe, a resolution of 7.5 mm full width at half maximum (FWHM) is possible. Improvements in this technology will involve larger numbers of smaller crystals, more efficient crystals (possibly bismuth germanate), or faster detectors (such as loaded organic scintillators).
Deoxyglucose Kinetics in a Rat Brain Tumor

Accurate quantitation of local glucose metabolic rates (LMRglc) of abnormal tissues such as brain tumors with the 2-deoxyglucose (DG) method requires knowledge of the tissue rate constants and lumped constant. The deoxyglucose rate constants were measured in an experimental intracerebral glioma in 24 awake rats with a dual tracer [(3H)-DG and (14C)-DG] method. Tissue time points were obtained at 2, 5, 10, 18, 30, 60, 90, and 180 min after injection by decapitation and liquid scintillation counting. Blood samples were obtained at 1 min intervals initially and at longer intervals later. The rate constants were estimated with parameter estimation. LMRglc was calculated from the rate constants, assuming a lumped constant of 0.5. K1 for normal cerebrum was found to be 0.258 ml/g/min, and k2–k4 were 0.406, 0.075, and 0.0103 min−1; LMRglc = 65.1 μ;mol/100 g/min. The corresponding values for the glioma were 0.108, 0.126, 0.040, and 0.0019 with LMRglc = 41.7. The considerably lower k4 in the glioma was reflected i...
Primary and secondary reinforcers as distinctive cues which acquire information value in partial-reinforcement discrimination training☆

Abstract To assess the cue as opposed to incentive effect of reward, rats were trained on an easy visual discrimination with food contingent on 50 or 100% of the correct responses, and white-noise contingent on 0, 50 or 100% of these responses. Additionally, the 50% food and noise schedules were structured for different groups to produce positive, zero, or negative correlations of the two events. Although the addition of noise did not affect learning with 100% food, the slower learning observed with 50% food was increasingly offset by greater percentages of noise, with the 50% groups showing faster learning under the negative than zero correlation and faster under the zero than positive correlation. Together with supporting speed data, these results indicate that a “neutral” stimulus can be substituted for food with little loss in performance. Consequently, the reinforcing effect of food is attributed in part to its function as a cue which, like noise, can increase the discriminability of the alternatives and provide information about the correctness of the response.
Impact of Injury on Posttraumatic Stress in Survivors Seeking Counseling After the 1995 Bombing in Oklahoma City

ABSTRACT This study explored the relationship of injury and posttraumatic stress symptoms in victims of the 1995 terrorist bombing in Oklahoma City. Participants for the study were drawn from a sample of 85 individuals receiving bomb-related mental health services six months after the incident. Fourteen injured survivors were matched with 14 noninjured survivors from the same sample. A self-report instrument examining demographics, exposure, peritraumatic reaction, posttraumatic stress, worry about safety, trouble functioning, and coping was administered. Injured survivors reported stronger peritraumatic reactions and greater posttraumatic stress than their noninjured counterparts. Peritraumatic reaction to the explosion was the strongest predictor of PTSD symptomatology. Injury was not a significant predictor of avoidance, though it did predict intrusion and arousal. The results indicate that even mild injury may be related to subsequent posttraumatic stress.
Inhibition of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor induced intracellular activity by K-252b on dopaminergic neurons.

The c-ret protooncogene encodes Ret, the functional tyrosine kinase receptor for glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). K-252b, a known protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been shown earlier to inhibit the trophic activity of brain-derived neurotrophic factor on dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons and nerve growth factor on basal forebrain cholinergic neurons while potentiating neurotrophin-3 activity on central cholinergic and peripheral sensory neurons and PC12 cells. We tested whether K-252b would modulate GDNF-induced differentiation in DAergic neuron cultures. Exposure to 1 ng/ml GDNF increased dopamine (DA) uptake 80% above control, whereas treatment with 5 microM K-252b decreased the efficacy of GDNF by 60%. Concentrations of GDNF of 100 pg/ml were moderately active, between 10 and 20% above control. In addition, K-252b shifted the ED50 from 20 to 200 pg/ml. GDNF treatment increased soma size and neurite outgrowth in tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons. K-252b inhibited differentiation of these morphological parameters induced by GDNF. Furthermore, GDNF stimulated Ret autophosphorylation at maximal levels, whereas the inhibition of DA uptake and morphological differentiation by K-252b correlated with a significantly decreased level of Ret autophosphorylation. Therefore, K-252b is able to inhibit intracellular activities induced by GDNF on mesencephalic DAergic neurons.
Expression of N-methyl- d-aspartate glutamate receptor subunits in the prefrontal cortex of the rat

The laminar distribution and cellular levels of expression of mRNAs encoding N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunits (NMDAR1, NMDAR2A-D and the alternatively spliced isoforms of NMDAR1) were examined in prefrontal cortex of rat by in situ hybridization using film and emulsion autoradiography. Film autoradiograms demonstrated a distinctive laminar distribution of hybridization signals for each of the probes recognizing NMDAR1, NMDAR2A, and NMDAR2B messenger RNA; hybridization with probes for NMDAR2C and NMDAR2D resulted in scattered signals without laminar organization. Grain counting disclosed that neurons in layer V displayed the highest and neurons in layer IV the lowest absolute number of grains for all probes examined. Correction for cell size demonstrated statistically significant differences in cellular labelling density of up to 50% across neurons in different cortical layers. The cellular density profiles across cortical laminae differed between probes. Hybridization with a probe recognizing all isoforms of NMDAR1 resulted in significantly lower densities of cellular labelling in neurons of layer IV than of layers II/III, V and VI. Cellular labelling densities following hybridization with probes recognizing alternatively spliced segments of NMDAR1 were examined. Densities were low in neurons of the upper cortical layers II/III and IV using probes for the messenger RNA encoding the amino terminal insert, NMDAR11XX and the second carboxy terminal deletion, NMDAR1XX1; hybridization with a probe for the messenger RNA encoding the first carboxy terminal deletion, NMDAR1X1X, resulted in low cellular signal densities in neurons of layers IV and VIb. NMDAR2A messenger RNA expression was of relatively uniform intensity in neurons of layers II-V but significantly lower in neurons of the inner part of layer VI. NMDAR2B expression was most dense in layer II neurons. These data indicate that neurons in different cortical laminae express distinct N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit messenger RNA phenotypes. In addition, the observed differences in density of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit messenger RNA expression suggest that cortical laminae differ in the relative contribution of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors to their excitatory responses.
The Effect of Oxide Volatilization on the Oxidation Kinetics of Cr and Fe‐Cr Alloys

The oxidation of Cr and Fe‐Cr alloys which form scales involves at least two processes: (i) the solid‐state, diffusive transport of ionic species, with parabolic kinetics, and (ii) the oxidation of to a volatile species, probably , with linear kinetics. The effects of this second reaction cannot be neglected, either in interpretation of short‐term oxidation results, or in predicting long‐term oxidation behavior. In this paper equations are derived which describe the oxidation behavior of a system in which both diffusive and gas/oxide interface processes occur simultaneously. According to the model, the oxide scale grows to a limiting thickness which is determined by the parabolic rate constant and the surface‐reaction rate constant; as the limiting thickness is approached, a transition from parabolic to linear kinetics takes place. The model is applied to the oxidation of Cr and Fe‐Cr alloys, and good agreement with experimental data is found.
Study of recirculating induction accelerator as drivers for heavy ion fusion

Two years ago, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) began a study of the viability and relative utility of recirculating induction accelerators as drivers for Heavy Ion Fusion (HIF). The final draft of the report detailing the results in 284 pages was completed in September, 1991 [ref 1]. As well as broadly involving the collaboration of many researchers from several groups at LLNL, it also benefited from contributions from several individuals in the HIF program at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory (LBL) and from others in the HIF community nationwide. This presentation summarizes the key findings given in that report.
Nonuniform Data-Dependent Noise Prediction in Magnetic Recording

In this paper, we report a method for nonuniform data-dependent noise prediction (DDNP), in which the noise predictive filters do not have an identical order (number of taps). To accommodate this new architecture, we implemented a partial decision feedback strategy for branch metric computations of the higher order predictive filters. Theoretical analysis and computer simulations show that our proposed DDNP can achieve a better tradeoff between detection performance and computational complexity compared with the previously reported DDNP
Development of a model of focal pneumococcal pneumonia in young rats

Background: A recently licensed pneumococcal conjugate vaccine has been shown to be highly effective in the prevention of bacteremia in immunized children but the degree of protection against pneumonia has been difficult to determine. Methods: We sought to develop a model of Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumonia in SpragueDawley rats. We challenged three-week old Sprague-Dawley pups via intrapulmonary injection of S. pneumoniae serotypes 3 and 6B. Outcomes included bacteremia, mortality as well histologic sections of the lungs. Results: Pneumonia was reliably produced in animals receiving either 10 or 100 cfu of type 3 pneumococci, with 30% and 50% mortality respectively. Similarly, with type 6B, the likelihood of pneumonia increased with the inoculum, as did the mortality rate. Prophylactic administration of a preparation of high-titered anticapsular antibody prevented the development of type 3 pneumonia and death. Conclusion: We propose that this model may be useful for the evaluation of vaccines for the prevention of pneumococcal pneumonia.
Percentage Shell as a Function of Shell Thickness, Egg Volume, and Egg Shape

Abstract The avian egg may be divided into four parts: the yolk, the albumen or white, the shell membrane, and the shell. The absolute and relative weight of the yolk, the albumen, and the shell varies for different species and also within narrower limits for eggs of the same species as shown by the summary of Grossfeld (1938, pp. 70–78). Asmundson (1939) has also shown that the absolute and relative weight of the shell membrane varies for different species, the turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) egg having a heavier shell membrane than the chicken (Gallus demesticus) egg. There was also some indication that the shell on the larger turkey eggs may weigh relatively less than the shell on the smaller chicken eggs, although the shell on turkey eggs is thicker, on the average, than the shell on the chicken eggs. This finding prompted us to inquire into the influence of egg volume, . . .
Whispering Down the Lane: The Economics of Vicarious Information Transfer

This article presents a model of the use of communication about personal experience or experiences of third parties (gossip) in the context of cooperation. To date, previous research on the effect of gossip on cooperation has focused primarily on the manipulation of reputations. We present a formal model of vicarious information transfer, as a social learning strategy, between (potential) cooperative and competitive group members. We build on theories that have shown how effective communication can solve the adaptive problem of the high costs of individual learning. By communicating about the strat egies of others, individuals can vicariously learn at faster rates and lower cost. The costs and benefits of social versus individual learning have been modeled extensively. In this article, we focus on the unexplored and more basic question of when an individual should initiate the sharing of vicarious infor mation that can potentially affect the fitness of a cooperative or competitive receiver.
Miscommunication in native/nonnative conversation

In this paper we discuss miscommunication in exchanges between native speakers and nonnative speakers of a language, focusing on an analysis of a service encounter telephone conversation between a nonnative speaker and a native speaker television repair shop employee. We present a goal-based model of conversation and a coding system for interpreting utterances, both of which are necessary for understanding the type of miscommunication which occurred in the conversation described herein. We argue that the lack of shared background on the part of the interlocutors interacted with their lack of shared linguistic code. In general, such interactions hinder successful communication and increase the probability that the miscommunication will not be recognized and thus not easily resolved. We show that a complete analysis of native/nonnative conversations must minimally invoke notions of correct interpretation, confidence in interpretation, goals of a conversation, shared beliefs, and linguistic as well as cultural systems. (Sociolinguistics, nonnative interactions, conversational analysis, Ameri
Mach Number/Surface Roughness Effects on Symmetric Transonic Turbine Airfoil Aerodynamic Losses

The effects of surface roughness and Mach number on the aerodynamic performance of turbine airfoils are investigated in compressible, high-speed flows with exit freestream Mach numbers of 0.6, 0.8, and 0.9 and three different inlet turbulence intensity levels of 0.9, 5.5, and 16.2%. Three symmetric airfoils, each with the same shape and exterior dimensions, are employed with different rough surfaces. The nonuniform, irregular, three-dimensional roughness is characterized using the equivalent sand grain roughness size. Increased surface roughness size and increasing freestream Mach number produce larger magnitudes of nondimensional total pressure loss coefficients. Magnitudes of integrated aerodynamic losses change by a much larger amount as either the freestream Mach number or turbulence intensity are altered, when the airfoil is roughened (compared to smooth airfoil results). This is partially a result of the thicker boundary layers, which develop over the roughened surfaces giving greater blockage and less expansion of the flow through the airfoil passage. As a result, total pressure losses indicate that oblique shock waves are present at the trailing edge of the airfoil (with transonic passage flow) when the airfoil is smooth, which are not present when the airfoil surfaces become roughened.
Crystal Drop Award Speech: Connecting the dots: a unifying theory for modelling in water engineering

Water engineering can be defined as an amalgam of engineering aspects of hydraulics, hydrology, ecosystems, and environmental and water resources as well as non-engineering aspects of social, economic and political sciences. Each of these looks at problems using different techniques that are based on different concepts and assumptions and that vary in complexity. The second law of thermodynamics (entropy theory) permits us to develop a theory that helps address these issues in a unified manner. This paper discusses rudimentary aspects of the entropy theory and illustrates its potential by addressing some of the above-mentioned issues.
Co-activation of hedgehog and AKT pathways promote tumorigenesis in zebrafish.

The zebrafish has become an important model for cancer research. Several cancer models have been established by transgenic expression of human or mouse oncogenes in zebrafish. Since it is amenable to efficient transgenesis, zebrafish have immense potential to be used for studying interaction of oncogenes and pathways at the organismal level. Using the Gal4VP16-UAS binary transgenic expression approach, we established stable transgenic lines expressing an EGFP fusion protein of an activated zebrafish Smoothened (Smoa1-EGFP). Expression of the zebrafish Smoa1-EGFP itself did not lead to tumor formation either in founder fish or subsequent generations, however, co-expressing a constitutively active human AKT1 resulted in several tumor types, including spindle cell sarcoma, rhabdomyoma, ocular melanoma, astrocytoma, and myoxma. All tumor types showed GFP expression and increased Patched 1 levels, suggesting involvement of zebrafish Smoa1 in tumorigenesis. Immunofluorescence studies showed that tumors also expressed elevated levels of phosphorylated AKT, indicating activation of the PI3K-AKT pathway. These results suggest that co-activation of the hedgehog and AKT pathways promote tumorigenesis, and that the binary transgenic approach is a useful tool for studying interaction of oncogenes and oncogenic pathways in zebrafish.
An efficient calculation method for pharmacokinetic parameters in brain permeability study using dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI

Purpose To develop an efficient method for calculating pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters in brain DCE-MRI permeability studies. Methods A linear least-squares fitting algorithm based on a derivative expression of the two-compartment PK model was proposed to analytically solve for the PK parameters. Noise in the expression was minimized through low-pass filtering. Simulation studies were conducted in which the proposed method was compared with two existing methods in terms of accuracy and efficiency. Five in vivo brain studies were demonstrated for potential clinical application. Results In the simulation studies using chosen parameter values, the calculated percent difference of Ktrans by the proposed method was <5.0% with a temporal resolution (Δt) < 5 s, and the accuracies of all parameter results were better or comparable to existing methods. When analyzed within certain parameter intensity ranges, the proposed method was more accurate than the existing methods and improved the efficiency by a factor of up to 458 for a Δt = 1 s and up to 38 for a Δt = 5 s. In the in vivo study, the calculated parameters using the proposed method were comparable to those using the existing methods with improved efficiencies. Conclusions An efficient method was developed for the accurate and efficient calculation of parameters in brain DCE-MRI permeability studies. Magn Reson Med 75:739–749, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.