cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
No evidence for language benefits in infant relational learning.

Abstract Recent studies have found that infants show relational learning in the first year. Like older children, they can abstract relations such as same or different across a series of exemplars. For older children, language has a major impact on relational learning: labeling a shared relation facilitates learning, while labeling component objects can disrupt learning. Here we ask: Does language influence relational learning at 12 months? Experiment 1 (n = 64) examined the influence of a relational label on learning. Prior to the study, the infants saw three pairs of objects, all labeled “These are same” or “These are different”. Experiment 2 (n = 48) examined the influence of object labels prior to the study, with three objects labeled (e.g., “This is a cup, this is a tower.”). We compared the present results with those of Ferry et al. (2015), where infants abstracted same and different relations after undergoing a similar paradigm without prior labels. If the effects of language mirror those in older children, we would expect that infants given relational labels (Experiment 1) will be helped in abstracting same and different compared to infants not given labels and that infants given object labels (Experiment 2) will be hindered relative to those not given labels. We found no evidence for either prediction. In Experiment 1, infants who had heard relational labels did not benefit compared to infants who had received no labels (Ferry et al., 2015). In Experiment 2, infants who had heard object labels showed the same patterns as those in Ferry et al. (2015), suggesting that object labels had no effect. This finding is important because it highlights a key difference between the relational learning abilities of infants and those seen in older children, pointing to a protracted process by which language and relational learning become entwined.
A Direction Space Interpolation Technique for Calibration of Electromagnetic Surgical Navigation Systems

A new generation of electromagnetic (EM) navigation systems with extremely compact sensors have great potential for clinical applications requiring that surgical devices be tracked within a patient’s body. However, electro-magnetic field distortions limit the accuracy of such devices. Further, the errors may be sensitive both to position and orientation of EM sensors within the field. This paper presents a computationally efficient method for in-situ 5 DOF calibration of the basic sensors of a typical EM system (Northern Digital’s Aurora), and presents preliminary results demonstrating an improvement of approximately 2.6 : 1 positional accuracy and 1.6 : 1 for orientation even when the sensors are moved through arbitrary orientation changes. This work represents one step in a larger effort to understand the field distortions associated with these systems and to develop effective and predictable calibration and registration strategies for their use in stereotactic image-guided interventions.
Open Source Approaches to Eductional Technology Innovation

Universities have a mission to create, preserve, and disseminate knowledge. In realizing that mission, we face significant cultural, legal, economic, and technical pressures. The intellectual commons can be defined as “that shared wellspring of ideas and innovation from which all may freely draw” and its intent is to counteract regimes of control and replace them with regimes of opportunity. The approach to educational technology innovation at MIT seeks to advance the intellectual commons by developing and freely sharing “open content” and “open code”. This talk describes MIT’s approach to educational technology innovation by examining underlying principles, specifying technical architecture, and demonstrating specific projects. We focus in particular on .LRN, an open source project and platform for supporting innovation in collaborative education and learning and research communities. Originally developed at MIT as part of the intellectual commons, .LRN is now backed by a worldwide consortium of educational institutions, non-profit organizations, industry partners and open source developers.
Surface immunoglobulin on rabbit lymphoid cells. II. Ultrastructural distribution of b4 allotypic determinants and morphology of spleen lymphocytes.

Abstract Surface immunoglobulin allotypic determinants on rabbit spleen lymphoid cells are ultrastructurally localized by labeling with antiallotype antisera and soluble complexes of ferritin and rabbit antiferritin of a given allotype. At 0 °C surface Ig is visualized in patches on the membrane of 54% of the spleen lymphocytes examined. Four morphologically distinct categories of spleen lymphocytes display different amounts of labeled surface Ig. Type I cells are essentially identical to peripheral blood lymphocytes and demonstrate rapid endocytosis of surface Ig at 37 °C. Type II cells greater amounts of surface Ig, demonstrate little endocytosis, and are consistent with lymphoblast cells. Type III cells have the greatest amount of surface Ig, reveal some endocytosis, and are morphologically consistent with proplasmacytes and plasmablast cells. Type IV cells are immature plasma cells and have very little detectable surface Ig. The percentage of each cell type making up the labeled population is Type I, 28%; Type II, 21%; Type III, 50%, and Type IV, 1%. Immunoferritin labeled Ig determinants may be modulated from the surface of these cells at 37 °C by endocytosis and/or by shedding after reaction with anti-Ig antisera.
Continuity of Business Enterprise - A Concept Whose Time Has Passed

This article examines the origin and efficacy of the continuity of business enterprise requirement which must be met for a transaction to qualify as a reorganization under section 368 of the Internal Revenue Code. It argues that the requirement emerged from court decisions in the early years of the federal income tax holding that the reorganization provisions were intended by Congress to apply only to transactions involving a mere change in the form of the shareholders' investment. It questions the persuasiveness of these decisions, especially in light of legislative history indicating that Congress had another objective when it adopted the reorganization provisions. The article concludes that the continuity of business enterprise requirement hinders rather than advances this congressional objective, contributes to tax inefficiency in corporate reorganizations, and in many cases is easily circumvented by informed taxpayers. It is therefore suggested that the requirement be abolished or severely restricted.
Applications of silicon micromachining to resonator fabrication

This paper surveys recent developments in using silicon micromachining processes to fabricate micromechanical resonant structures for sensors, filters, and oscillators. Single-crystal silicon and polycrystalline silicon are excellent mechanical materials with quality factors approaching those of quartz. By etching sacrificial layers from a sandwich of thin films, microstructures can be surface micromachined from a deposited polycrystalline silicon (polysilicon) him. This technology can be applied to fabricate micromachined vacuum encapsulation for the resonant structure, as well. Surface micromachining has been merged with CMOS processes to enable fabrication of integrated micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) on a single silicon chip. An alternative process fabricates crystalline silicon resonators by means of wafer bonding and etch-back. These microstructures can be over 10 /spl mu/m thick-much thicker than surface-micromachined polysilicon structures. Integration with this technology is feasible by processing CMOS electronics on wafers containing sealed cavity microstructures, with the microresonators defined at the end by reactive-ion etching. Trimming silicon microresonators is possible using micromechanical fusing and welding structures, or by electrical tuning. >
Structural domains of catecholamine transporter chimeras involved in selective inhibition by antidepressants and psychomotor stimulants.

Reuptake systems for monoamines are the initial sites of action for a wide range of therapeutic antidepressants and drugs of abuse, such as cocaine. To delineate structural domains of the dopamine and norepinephrine transporters that contribute to differential interaction with reuptake inhibitors with antidepressant or reinforcing properties, a series of recombinant transporter chimeras were generated and transiently expressed in HeLa cells. The inhibition constants (Ki values) for cocaine and a variety of selective transport inhibitors were determined for each chimera. Analyses of functional chimeras delineate a segment spanning transmembrane domains 5-7 of the norepinephrine transporter of primary importance for high affinity binding of tricyclic and nontricyclic antidepressants (e.g., Ki < 20nM desipramine or nisoxetine). In contrast, all chimeras containing dopamine transporter sequences from this region resemble the dopamine transporter, which demonstrates higher affinity for psychomotor stimulants compared with antidepressants (e.g., Ki = 391 +/- 39 nM cocaine compared with 9365 +/- 1260 nM desipramine). A region including transmembrane domains 1-3 of the norepinephrine transporter also contributes to the interaction of desipramine and nisoxetine, whereas the analogous region of the dopamine transporter influences the affinity for piperazine derivatives (e.g., GBR12909 and LR1111) that are selective for the dopamine transporter. These analyses provide a framework for identifying the precise structural determinants of monoamine transporters involved in selective interactions with antidepressant and psychomotor stimulant reuptake inhibitors.
Explaining institutional change: : policy areas, outside options, and the Bretton woods institutions

I propose and test a theoretical framework that explains institutional change in international relations. Like firms in markets, international institutions are affected by the underlying characteristics of their policy areas. Some policy areas are prone to produce institutions facing relatively little competition, limiting the outside options of member states and impeding redistributive change. In comparison, institutions facing severe competition will quickly reflect changes in underlying state interests and power. To test the theory empirically, I exploit common features of the Bretton Woods institutions�the International Monetary Fund and World Bank�to isolate the effect of variation in policy area characteristics. The empirical tests show that, despite having identical membership and internal rules, bargaining outcomes in the Bretton Woods institutions have diverged sharply and in accordance with the theory.
A Raman Spectrometry Study of Phonon Anharmonicity of Zirconia at Elevated Temperatures

Raman spectra of monoclinic zirconia (ZrO_2) were measured at temperatures of up to 950 K. Temperature-dependent Raman peak shifts and broadenings were reported and compared with prior results on hafnia (HfO_2). Lattice dynamics calculations were performed with both shell model and density functional theory to obtain Raman frequencies, and the total and partial phonon density of states. These calculations were also used to identify the individual motions of metal and oxygen atoms in the different Raman modes. By correlating these motions to the thermal peak shifts and broadenings, it was confirmed that modes involving changes in oxygen-oxygen bond length were the most anharmonic. The metal-dominated modes were found to be more quasiharmonic, and thus showed less broadening with temperature. Mass effects were evident by comparing the mode softening and shifting between zirconia and hafnia.
Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan : A Tale of Two Transition Paths

Uzbekistan adopted a cautious, gradual approach to market reform. Kazakhstan followed a more aggressive strategy. But while Kazakhstan may have achieved a better policy environment, its economic performance has not been better than Uzbekistan's. The authors examine the interplay between policies, institutions, and initial conditions, to examine several competing, and complementary hypotheses about why the paths the two Central Asian countries took, may have led to different economic outcomes. One possibility is that missing pieces in reform - especially deficiencies in the competitive environment - in combination with a rapidly diminishing role for the state, may have limited the gains from the policy reforms in Kazakhstan.
Unitarity, the pole approximation, and interference between radiative emission and autoionization

In model problems involving the "decay" of discrete states into electron and photon continua there is frequently a final-state coupling between the two continua which must be considered. Armstrong, Theodosiou, and Wall have shown that this coupling can change the relative decay probabilities into the two channels. We examine and interpret this continuum-continuum coupling further, paying particular attention to questions of unitarity violation and the validity of the pole or Markov approximation for the continuum-continuum coupling. We also examine unitarity violation and the pole approximation in a more general context, and discuss criteria under which the approximation can be made in sequential diagonalizations. Finally, we interpret the square of the Fano $q$ value as the ratio of two rates in the pole approximation.
Isolipidic additions of fat from corn germ, corn distillers grains, or corn oil in dairy cow diets

Eight multiparous and 8 primiparous Holstein cows were used in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square design with 4-wk periods to determine the effects on dairy cow performance of feeding corn germ (CG) compared with dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) or corn oil (CO). Four isolipidic dietary treatments were formulated: a control diet, a 14% corn germ diet (CGD), a 30% dry distillers grains with solubles diet (DGD), and a 2.5% corn oil diet (COD). All diets were formulated to contain 6.0% fat, with the fat in the control diet provided by a ruminally inert fat source. Dry matter intake was decreased by feeding the COD compared with the CGD; however, no difference in dry matter intake was observed among the control diet, the DGD, and the COD. Dietary treatments had no effect on milk yield, energy-corrected milk, or 4% fat-corrected milk. Feeding CG had no effect on milk fat percentage when compared with the control diet; however, milk fat percentage tended to decrease with DDGS and decreased with CO when compared with the CGD. Milk protein percentage decreased when cows were fed the COD compared with the control diet. Feeding CO tended to decrease milk fat yield compared with CG; however, dietary treatments had no effect on milk protein and lactose yield. Feed efficiency was not affected by dietary treatments and averaged 1.55 kg of energy-corrected milk/kg of dry matter intake. Feeding DDGS and CO increased the concentration of vaccenic and conjugated linoleic acid in milk fat. Concentrations of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids in milk were increased in response to feeding the 3 corn coproducts. Fat from CG appears to be relatively protected in the rumen when compared with that from DDGS and CO and therefore will not affect the production of milk fat to the degree of the more available fat in DDGS and CO.
Effective Implementation of the Watershed Management Approach for Adjudicated Ground Water Basins in California

The watershed management initiative (WMI) is quickly being adopted as a new paradigm for the protection of water resources in the United States. Initially, this approach appears to focus largely on the protection and management of surface water and habitat resources within a watershed framework. However, inevitably there must also be some consideration given to the effects on the availability and quality of ground water resources. Implementation of a watershed management approach in California will necessarily involve the integration of a wide variety of both parallel and conflicting interests among users of the watershed. The regulation and management of wetlands have raised conflicting legal issues regarding property rights across the country. What may be more unique to southern California watersheds is the degree to which watershed management plans must integrate existing requirements governing water resources located in adjudicated ground water basins.
Improving short-term forecasts

Abstract This empirical study compares the accuracy of combined forecasts, found by averaging individual forecasts from univariate time-series techniques, with judgmental forecasts actually made daily by experienced practitioners in real business settings. The value of judgment is assessed, used alone and in combination with quantitatively derived forecasts. The key finding is that the value of each forecasting approach depends on the characteristics of the time series, namely data variability. Automated quantitative forecasts are superior for time series that are relatively stable. Complete reliance on quantitative procedures is not only more efficient, but reduces forecast errors. However, as the volatility of the time series increases, a point is reached where judgmental inputs are desirable, either to supplement or even to replace the forecasts provided by quantitative techniques.
Low-cost single-layer clock trees with exact zero Elmore delay skew

We give the first single-layer clock tree construction with exact zero skew according to the Elmore delay model. The previous Linear-Planar-DME method guarantees a planar solution under the linear delay model. In this paper, we use a Linear-Planar-DME variant connection topology to construct a low-cost zero skew tree (ZST) according to the Elmore delay model. While a linear-delay ZST is trivially converted to an Elmore-delay ZST by “detouring” wires, the key idea is to defer this detouring as much as possible to reduce tree cost. Costs of our planar ZST solutions are comparable to those of the best previous non-planar ZST solutions, and substantially improve over previous planar clock routing methods.
Adaptation of the contrast injection protocol to tube potential for cardiovascular computed tomography

To investigate the adaptation of the contrast injection protocol for lower tube potential at cardiovascular computed tomography (CT) angiography, this study analyzed 83 patients (56 100kV vs. 27 120kV) imaged with a prospectively ECG-triggered axial technique for evaluation of aortic disease on a 256-slice CT scanner from 4/10/12 to 5/23/12. A custom algorithm was used to select tube potential and tube current based on patient size. The same contrast injection protocol (contrast concentration 370 mgI/mL, flow rate = 3.5 mL/s, volume = 90 mL) was applied to both cohorts. A Bae-Heiken-Brink pharmacokinetic model was utilized to simulate attenuation in the aorta for the applied contrast protocol in both cohorts and for 3 reduced volumes in the 100kV cohort (A: 72mL, -20%; B: 60mL, -33%; C: 50mL, -44%). Quantitative analysis revealed that 100kV cohort had significantly higher contrast attenuation and signal-to-noise ratio than the 120kV cohort but similar image noise. Simulation of protocol A and B in the 100kV cohort yielded significantly higher attenuation than that measured from the 120kV cohort (p<;0.05); attenuation with protocol C showed no significant difference. Simulation results demonstrated that the amount of contrast material can be reduced by as much as 44% for 100 compared to 120 kV imaging but still yielded similar aortic attenuation. A prospective, randomized study should be conducted to validate the performance of the proposed contrast injection protocol at 100kV.
Studies of retinoids in the prevention and treatment of cancer.

Investigation of retinoids for anticancer activity in humans, either in the chemopreventive or treatment mode, has been little studied. We summarize here our ongoing investigations in four different areas: (1) secondary prevention of cervical dysplasia with topical application of all- trans -retinoic acid; (2) adjuvant treatment of resected high-risk stage I and II malignant melanoma with bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) plus or minus oral vitamin A; (3) topical vitamin A acid therapy for cutaneous metastatic melanoma; and (4) oral isotretinoin as an anticancer agent.
Environmental physiology of reptilian breeding cycles: Role of temperature

Phenological data indicate that most reptiles, even in tropical regions, exhibit some seasonality in reproductive activity; in most temperate species, a single, relatively brief breeding period alternates with a period of sexual quiescence. In lizards, the most studied of the Reptilia, it appears that exogenous, climatic factors act to synchronize these cycles, although some species may also exhibit endogenous (circannual) rhythmicity. Rainfall may influence egg laying in some tropical lizards. Photoperiodism probably also affects certain aspects of the gonadal cycle in a few species, but many reports of photoperiodism have been questioned on the basis of inadequate experimental design. Of all the environmental factors, temperature appears to be the single most important and widespread of the timing cues for saurian reproduction. Available data on the basic reproductive endocrinology in reptiles are reviewed and it is suggested that reptiles may possess only a single (FSH-like) gonadotropin (GTH). Studies on the mechanisms by which changes in temperature generate seasonal reproductive cycles indicate that several loci may be involved. They may act at the level of the central nervous system in relation to GTH-releasing factors and, likewise, may modify the response of the CNS to photoperiodic changes. The physiological responsiveness of the pituitary gonadotropes per se may be altered by temperature but this hypothesis is untested. The possibility that the peripheral metabolism (e.g., half-life) of GTH may also vary with temperature has also not been tested. In both sexes, the peripheral target tissues (gonads) are highly temperature sensitive. More importantly, gametogenesis and steroidogenesis may be differentially affected by changes in temperature; their relative temperature sensitivities vary among species. These two processes also show different sensitivities to the level of circulating GTH.
Genetic Influence on the Renin-Angiotensin System: LOW RENIN ACTIVITIES IN HYPERTENSION-PRONE RATS

Two strains of rats with opposite, genetically determined predispositions to hypertension were compared. Rats from the hypertension-prone strain had significantly lower plasma and kidney renin activities than did rats from the hypertension-resistant strain. Although renin activities were modified by NaCl intake and blood pressure, significant differences between the two strains were present with all four experimental regimens used: low-NaCl diet, high-NaCl diet, unilateral renal artery constriction, and unilateral renal artery constriction plus contralateral nephrectomy. Therefore, we concluded that renin activities along with blood pressure were modified by genetic influences in these two strains of rats.
Environmentally Initiated, Self-Confirming Alienation in the Workplace

Employees face an increasing number of stressors that can originate from the actual performance of their duties, from the relationships with fellow workers and supervisors, and from organizational structures and expectations which accumulated over time results on burnout which contains the factor of depersonalization/cynicism. This conceptual paper focuses on an insidious pattern of behavior that evolves from chronic stress in the workplace into a pattern of ongoing behavior that increases worker alienation from others and perpetuates itself through self-confirming perceptions and actions. We argue that depersonalization/cynicism needs to be addressed at the organizational and individual level.
Technocracy and the transformation of organizational control

Abstract Organizational control (both the structures and the ideology) subordinates workers. Modern technocracy has called forth new control structures and ideology. These are characterized by (1) polarization into expert and non-expert sectors and the erosion of internal labor markets in favor of external credentialing, (2) flexible configurations of the level of centralization, (3) skill restructuring, (4) the growing importance of expertise rather than rank authority, and (5) technocratic ideology of apolitical decision making. Technocratic control, although highly sophisticated and legitimated, has its own contradictions.
Changing IB scholarship via rhetoric or bloody knuckles? A case study in the boundary conditions for persuasion

Papers challenging institutionalized fields to change are rare, and those not extinguished by neglect are rarer. Shenkar understands his target audience. Those in that target community of IB scholars studying cultural distance's (CD) associations with foreign direct investment (FDI) might read this paper as relatively radical. Culture scholars sometimes interpret the discussion of cultural friction (CF) as competing with, even slighting by omission, their corpus of work on contact and interaction. Both readings are false, and forced comparison with two later papers reveals retrospective bias at work. It further reveals CF as a metaphor, not theory; it is not a research agenda “assigned to the field”, even if it becomes a personal project for the author. Rhetorical theory is the basis to compare the reasoning of appeals and emotion. The discussion considers whether academic change agents might consider more use of emotion. Bringing Shenkar into focus enriches our appreciation for its impressive craftsmanship as well as its scholarship. I discuss implications for “impact” as a concept currently stuck with looking for citation over substance, and offer suggestions for reviewers and editors to lower the barriers for impact.
Influence of photoperiod, time, and sex on hormone concentrations in collared lemmings (Dicrostonyx groenlandicus).

Abstract Collared lemmings ( Dicrostonyx groenlandicus ) of both sexes show seasonal changes in body mass and body composition. Previous studies using single-point sampling indicated that, in young males, these photoperiod-mediated changes are associated with changes in circulating growth hormone (GH), corticosterone (B), and thyroid hormones. The present study was conducted to (1) examine daily fluctuations in serum levels of GH, B, and thyroxine (T 4 ) in animals exposed to long (22L:2D, “LD”), intermediate (16L:8D, “ID”), and short (8L:16D, “SD”) photoperiods, (2) confirm that conclusions based on single-point sampling are valid when photoperiod-related differences in hormone concentration are examined over 24 hr, (3) examine the effect of photoperiod on hormone concentrations in adults of both sexes, and (4) characterize the daily pineal melatonin rhythm in this species. Adult male and female collared lemmings housed in SD had higher levels of GH, and lower levels of B and T 4 , even when the diurnal variations in serum concentrations of these hormones were taken into account. A significant effect of time was observed on serum B (ID animals only) and serum T 4 . ID lemmings had B levels that were similar to those of SD animals, but concentrations of GH that more closely resembled those of LD animals. Females had lower GH and T 4 than males. Pineal melatonin concentration closely tracked the dark phase of the day in each of the three photoperiods. Photoperiod-mediated changes in melatonin synthesis may mediate observed day length-related differences in serum concentrations of metabolic hormones, which in turn may contribute to the seasonal changes in body composition observed in collared lemmings.
Protective effect of anti-glycoprotein D antibody on herpetic chorioretinitis in newborn rabbits.

Subcutaneous injection of type 2 herpes simplex virus (HSV-2) (103 PFU) to newborn rabbits produced severe skin lesions and wide dissemination of the virus to various organs including the eye. Ocular lesions were characterized by retinal folds and choroiditis. HSV could be isolated from mononuclear cells (MNCs) of infected animal blood. Newborn rabbits treated with monoclonal antibody (MAb) against glycoprotein D (gD) of HSV on days 0, 2 and 4 post infection had little or no skin lesions (0.0 - 2.3 mm) compared to controls (2.8 - 13.0 mm). In addition, the MAb treatment significantly suppressed dissemination of the virus to the eye (0% in MAb-treated vs 83% in control) and other organs and reduced the rate of chorioretinitis (0% in MAb-treated vs 50% in control). The treatment of HSV-infected MNCs with MAb resulted in 91-100% reduction in infectivity of the cells. The results suggest that anti-gD MAb protects newborn rabbits from HSV-2 eye infection by neutralizing the virus in skin and inactivating HSV-i...
Higher-order pair-conversion peaks in heavy-ion collisions.

We analyze quantum electrodynamic pair creation from vibrating nuclear ''quasimolecules'' which may occur in collisions of heavy ions. We find that higher-order processes, which can be phenomenologically relevant for sufficiently long lived systems, can result in coincident narrow peaks even for subcritical systems. The Z dependence of the energy of the peaks can be much softer than that predicted for positrons from ''sparking'' of the vacuum. Our results may be relevant to peaks which have been observed at the Gesellschaft fuer Schwerionenforschung (GSI).
Anaphora resolution: a multi-strategy approach

Anaphora resolution has proven to be a very difficult problem; it requires the integrated application of syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic knowledge. This paper examines the hypothesis that instead of attempting to construct a monolithic method for resolving anaphora, the combination of multiple strategies, each exploiting a different knowledge source, proves more effective - theoretically and computationally. Cognitive plausibility is established in that human judgements of the optimal anaphoric referent accord with those of the strategy-based method, and human inability to determine a unique referent corresponds to the cases where different strategies offer conflicting candidates for the anaphoric referent.
Glycosaminoglycans and WNTs: just a spoonful of sugar helps the signal go down.

New studies have brought Drosophila geneticists face to face with some perplexing questions about proteoglycans and their role in growth factor signaling. Three papers published in Development report that mutations in the gene encoding UDP-glucose dehydrogenase disrupt both the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans and WINGLESS/WNT signaling 1-3, while a fourth paper provides evidence that TGF-~/DPP signaling Js regulated by the proteoglycan DALLY (Ref. 4).
Bio-inspired flow sensors using carbon nanomaterials

Fish utilize neuromasts to help them detect changes in water flow, which is essential for swimming, tracking prey, and performing synchronized swimming maneuvers. The neuromasts contain a staircase of hair cells that perform this task by transforming mechanical stimulation from the flowing water to electrical impulses that ultimately are transported to the brain. Inspired by the physical structure of the hairs, flow sensors are fabricated using carbonaceous nanomaterials partially embedded in a polydimethylsiloxan (PDMS) polymer substrate, which leaves part of the nanomaterial exposed to the fluid flow. This is an effective means of sensor fabrication that prevents the carbon nanomaterial from being washed away by the flowing liquid. Different carbon materials such as long and short single walled carbon nanotubes, carbon nanohorns, peapods, and multi walled carbon nanotubes are investigated in this research. All sensors from these carbon materials performed well when fabricated using this method. Future focus of this research is to maximize electrical response by implementing different techniques, aimed at improving hydrophilicity by introducing a functional group such as siloxane (SiOH) to the sensing surface and increasing the surface area in contact between the electrodes and the sensing surface.
Lithospermum ruderale and the incidence of mammary tumors in mice.

SummaryGround Lithospermum ruderale, administered by drug-diet methods, lowered the incidence of mammary tumors from 58.1% to 2.8% in C3H mice and from 96.6% to 21.9% in ZD8Fi mice. The exact roles played by the drug and by possible diet restriction were not determined.
Redefining Poverty: A Sensitivity Analysis

First, we discuss the adoption of the absolute standard by the federal government and then present six alternative definitions of poverty. The motivation for redefining poverty derives from a concern with incorporating some measure of relative deprivation. The next section, performs a sensitivity analysis comparing the poverty rates generated by the alternative measures of poverty to the official poverty rate. The purpose of this comparison is to elucidate misconceptions circumscribing current poverty discourse. In the concluding section, we briefly address the politics of poverty in the USA.
Spherical parametrization and remeshing

The traditional approach for parametrizing a surface involves cutting it into charts and mapping these piecewise onto a planar domain. We introduce a robust technique for directly parametrizing a genus-zero surface onto a spherical domain. A key ingredient for making such a parametrization practical is the minimization of a stretch-based measure, to reduce scale-distortion and thereby prevent undersampling. Our second contribution is a scheme for sampling the spherical domain using uniformly subdivided polyhedral domains, namely the tetrahedron, octahedron, and cube. We show that these particular semi-regular samplings can be conveniently represented as completely regular 2D grids, i.e. geometry images. Moreover, these images have simple boundary extension rules that aid many processing operations. Applications include geometry remeshing, level-of-detail, morphing, compression, and smooth surface subdivision.
Risk of Infection with Prolonged Ventricular Catheterization

Objective The relationship between extended ventricular catheterization and infection remains controversial. Although studies have substantiated an increasing infection rate with prolonged catheterization, there has been less agreement on whether this trend continues beyond 10 days. Our study reviews the daily infection rate of 595 patients, 213 of whom underwent more than 10 days of catheterization. Methods All patients who underwent ventricular monitoring in the neurological intensive care unit from 1995 to 2003 at the University of Michigan Health System were reviewed retrospectively. Infection was defined as a positive cerebrospinal fluid culture. Life-table analysis was used to calculate daily hazard (infection) rates. Patient age, sex, diagnosis, catheter exchanges, location of patient during catheter insertion, and cerebrospinal fluid leak were evaluated as risk factors for infection. Results The average patient age was 51.3 years, and 51.3% were male. Duration of catheterization averaged 8.6 days. The overall infection rate was 8.6%. Daily infection rates increased from the onset of catheter insertion but reached a plateau after Day 4, with subsequent rates ranging predominantly between 1 and 2%, even with extended catheterization beyond 10 days. Only ventricular catheters that had been placed at other institutions significantly affected the infection rate. Conclusion A relationship between duration of catheterization and infection seems to be present. However, this relationship is not linear. There is an extremely low daily infection rate that rises over the initial 4 days but then remains relatively constant even with prolonged catheter use. Clinical decisions to continue ventricular catheterization should reflect this low daily risk of infection, which does not seem to increase with extended catheter use.
The role of cyclooxygenases in endotoxin- and interleukin-1-induced hypophagia.

Abstract Endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) reduce food intake in rodents. Cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors have long been known to attenuate these responses, but recent work has revealed the existence of two distinct isoforms of the enzyme, COX1 and COX2, with different characteristics and functions. Therefore, we reassessed the COX involvement using inhibitors with different selectivities for COX1 and COX2. Feeding was assessed in nondeprived mice by measuring the intake of sweetened milk in a 30-minute period, as well as daily food pellet intake. LPS and IL-1β consistently reduced milk intake. Treatment of the mice with the selective COX1 inhibitor, piroxicam, attenuated the hypophagic responses to IL-1 and LPS. Similar results were obtained with diclofenac. The hypophagic responses to LPS and IL-1β were not affected by the COX2-selective inhibitors nimesulide and NS-398 at doses considered selective for COX2, but were inhibited by higher doses. Pretreatment of the mice with aspirin, an irreversible inhibitor of COX1 and COX2, prevented the hypophagic response to IL-1, 16 h, but not 40 h later. Taken together, these results suggest that COX1 may be the major isozyme involved in the hypophagic responses to LPS and IL-1, but a role for COX2 cannot be excluded. We also studied the combination of a COX inhibitor with the IL-1 receptor antagonist protein. Consistent with earlier results, both the IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) and indomethacin attenuated the hypophagic responses to LPS. Combination of the two treatments produced additive results almost completely preventing the hypophagic response. Because indomethacin almost completely prevented the hypophagic response to IL-1, this additivity suggests that there are multiple mechanisms by which LPS induces hypophagia.
The importance of therapist/client ethnic/racial matching in couples treatment for domestic violence

Outcome research indicates a relative degree of variability regarding the effectiveness of client and therapist ethnic/racial matching (see Cabral and Smith 2011; Shin et al. in J Couns Psychol 52(1):45–56, 2005). Considering these findings, our study hopes to further understand the complexity behind ethnic/racial matching in treatment. In this study, we examined interviews with clients and therapists regarding ethnic/racial matching in couples treatment for domestic violence (e.g., McCollum and Stith in Violence Vict 23(2):187–201, 2008). Our findings indicated that ethnic/racial matching is a complex multi-faceted issue and connected ethnic/racial matching with issues of culture, human experience, and others. We recommend clinicians consider the complexity of ethnic/racial matching in practice.
35 kDa proteins are not components of vertebrate smooth muscle thin filaments

A 35 kDa protein present in vertebrate smooth muscle and capable of binding to purified actin does not appear to be a constituent of smooth-muscle thin filaments in vivo; instead, it is more likely to be a component easily solubilized from particulate material which then spuriously interacts with actin.
Creative Destruction and Globalization: The Rise of Massive Standardized Education Platforms

This paper describes how massive standardized education platforms have emerged as a result of globalization and the process of creative destruction. In education, creative destruction involves the initial development of a large number of educational standards, followed by cycles of the destruction of old standards and the creation of new ones. This leads to the narrowing and refinement of the standards until the key element of interoperability is achieved, thus allowing individuals or organizations to interact on a large scale. Examples are presented of standardized education platforms in the United States and globally. While the objective and subjective knowledge systems are represented in the field of education, one danger is that standardized platforms may become homogenized around only the objective knowledge system, which seeks perfect efficiency. This may result in the exclusion of the subjective knowledge system, which argues that diversity and heterogeneity are needed to produce educational creati...
Attitudes and behavior of the public regarding cervical cytology: current findings and new directions for research.

IN DISCUSSING problems concerned with inducing women to avail themselves of presymptomatic cervical cytology, focus will be on three topics: (1) what is known or thought to be known about the attitudes and behaviour of the population regarding screening for cervical cancer; (2) what problems there are in interpreting these data, and (3) what kinds of research need be done in order to understand better the relationship between attitudes and health behavior generally, especially as this has relevance to cervical cytology. I will exemplify this third point by discussing a research program currently in its planning stage with a first project on cervical cytology scheduled to go into the field within the next month. Attitudes, beliefs, and behavior in regard to cancer in general, especially the voluminous material known under the general title of “delay” in visiting physicians with symptoms of cancer, has been analyzed quite completely in papers by KUTNER et al, [l], by GOLDSEN et al. [2], and by HENDERSON et al. [3] and need not be reviewed here.
Sensitivity Analyses of Pulse Adjustment Control Technique of a Buck-Boost Converter Operating in Discontinuous Conduction Mode and Driving Constant Power Loads

Pulse Adjustment, a fixed frequency control approach, is employed to control DC/DC converters loaded by constant power loads (CPLs) in this paper. Pulse Adjustment achieves output voltage regulation by choosing high and low power pulses instead of using conventional pulse width modulation (PWM) scheme. It is simple, cost effective, and enjoys a fast dynamic response. A model to analyze buck-boost converters controlled by Pulse Adjustment approach in discontinuous conduction mode has been driven. Stability of the buck-boost converter driving constant power loads is analyzed using introduced model. Comprehensive sensitivity analyses of applying Pulse Adjustment method to control DC/DC converters loaded by CPLs are done in this paper. This paper gives design considerations to assess performance and stability robustness of the Pulse Adjustment method to control DC/DC converters loaded by CPLs.
Use of Ada in digital radar landmass simulation (DRLMS)

2. Introduction Radsim(TM) is a line of cost-effective, high fidelity, multi-mode radar simulations implemented entirely in software. This approach allows Radsim(TM) to easily adapt to a wide variety of training system applications. The latest version consists of SAIC's patented core radar simulation technology, including the fundamental algorithms and processes necessary to produce real-time synthetic aperture radar, doppler beam sharpening and real beam imagery. Implemented as an Ada95 class library that allows the construction of new Radar simulations with a fraction of the work required to build custom simulations. Figure 1 is a Radsim generated 1 meter Synthetic Aperture Radar image of some buildings. Note the highlights and shadows for individual buildings. 3. Initial Work RADSIM(TM) is based on a highly successful approach developed for simulating the AN/APQ-164 radar on the B-1B Engineering Research Simulator built by SAIC for the Armstrong Aerospace Research Laboratory at WrightPatterson Air Force base in 1984. One of the driving requirements of the B-1B DRLMS was a high degree of simulated image fidelity and correlation with real-world radar imagery. This original DRLMS was developed in a combination of PLM and FORTRAN. It was highly successful, but extremely expensive to maintain and tied to SAIC proprietary hardware.
Effects of ethanol on human free-operant cooperative responding

The effects of ethanol (0.5, 0.75 and 1.00 g/kg) on human cooperative behavior were examined. Ethanol or placebo was administered 30 min before the second of five trials. During the first of two alternating schedule components, button presses were maintained by a random interval (RI) 60-s schedule of point additions to a counter marked 'Your Earnings'. During the second, Choice, component a concurrent RI 60-s schedule maintained button presses on two manipulanda. Subjects randomly assigned to the social group were instructed that they were paired with another person and could earn points working with or independently of this person. Working together, the cooperative response, simultaneously produced points on counters marked 'Other's Earnings' and 'Your Earnings'. Working independently, the independent response produced points only on the counter marked 'Your Earnings'. The other person was fictitious. The instructions for the non-social group did not mention another subject and the counter marked 'Other's Earnings' was not visible but schedule contingencies were identical to those for the social instruction group. For the social instructions group, 1.00 g/kg ethanol increased the proportion of cooperative responses and time allocated the cooperative option. For the non-social instruction group, time allocated to the topographically identical but non-social equivalent of the cooperative response decreased at the same dose. No significant between-group effects were observed following acute administration of 0.50 and 0.75 g/kg ethanol. These results suggest that the instructions established a functionally distinct social, cooperative, response which was differentially affected by ethanol.
Exploration of a Series Type Multifunctionalized Nonlinear Optical Chromophore Concept

ABSTRACT Density functional theory calculations were used to develop understanding of the effects of differing substitution patterns in multiply donor an d acceptor substituted nonlinear optical chromophores. A novel series type substitution design was presented and evaluated. Calculations were performed for a number of structures and hyperpolarizability values were compared. The data obtained showed an increase in molecular first hyperpoloarizability in multifunctional chromophores based on the series type design as compared with linear molecules constructed from the same donor-bridge-acceptor components. This data was then used to direct the synthesis of novel nonlinear optical chromophores. 1. INTRODUCTION Organic molecules with large hyperpolarizabilities have drawn considerable attention over the past two decades because of their potential use in telecommunications, optical computing, phased array radar, and many other applications. 1 Such applications require thermally robust and photochemically stable materials exhibiting high nonlinear optical response. A popular semi-classical approach to the description of the origin of microscopic nonlinear optical (NLO) effects uses an anharmonic oscillator model.
Stability of Trifluoromethane in Forest Soils and Methanotrophic Cultures

Trifluoromethane (TFM) has been reported as an endproduct of trifluoroacetate degradation under oxic conditions. Although other halomethanes, such as chloroform, methyl bromide, and methyl fluoride, inhibit methane oxidation or are degraded by methanotrophs, the fate of TFM is unknown. TFM had no affect on atmospheric methane consumption when added to forest soils at either 10 ppm or 10,000 ppm. No degradation of TFM was observed at either concentration for incubations of 6 days. Cultures of Methylobacter albus BG8 and Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b grown With and without added copper were also used to assay TFM degradation at 10 10000 ppm levels. TFM did not inhibit methane oxidation under any growth conditions, including those inducing expression of soluble methane monooxygenase, nor was it degraded at measurable rates. In contrast, parallel assays showed that both methyl fluoride and chloroform inhibited methane oxidation in M. trichosporium OB3b. Our results suggest that TFM may be relatively inert with respect to methanotrophic degradition. Although TFM has a negligible ozone depletion potential, it absorbs infrared radiation and has a relatively long atmospheric residence time. Thus, accumulation of TFM in the atmosphere as a consequence of the decomposition of hydrochlorofluorocarbons may have significant unpredicted climate impacts.