cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Temporary and selective anosmia in tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum) caused by chemical treatment of the olfactory epithelium.

Tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum) were trained to respond to two dissimilar odorants (i.e., cyclohexanone, dimethyl disulfide) but not to a third odorant (n-butanol). When the training criterion was met, the animals were anesthetized and given nasal lavages of saline or odorants in saline. Lavage with cyclohexanone decreased responding to cyclohexanone but not dimethyl disulfide, and vice-versa, in later behavioral tests. Likewise, ethyl acetoacetate lavage produced selective response decrements to cyclohexanone. Lavage with n-butanol had no effect on responding to presentations of either cyclohexanone or dimethyl disulfide. The effects of lavage increased with increasing odorant concentration. Thus, lavage with 0.05 M cyclohexanone or ethyl acetoacetate produced more persistent response decrements than lavage with 0.01 M concentrations of either odorant. Such results are consistent with several testable interpretations, including the possibility the response decrements could reflect the nature of odorant-receptor interactions.
Mycotoxicosis induced in guinea pigs and rats by corn cultures of Penicillium viridicatum.

Abstract Corn cultures of various isolated of P. viridicatum were fed to guinea pigs and rats. The cultures at concentrations of 50 and 67% were toxic, reducing weight gains and causing death in rats. At necropsy, focal pale areas of necrosis were observed in the livers of guinea pigs fed corn cultures of isolate 66-68-2 at a concentration of 67% of the diet. Similar hepatic lesions were observed in rats. Microscopic alterations in the liver of guinea pigs included bile duct hyperplasia and focal hepatic cell necrosis. These lesions were found in rats also, but additional changes included a severe necrotizing cholangitis and focal hepatitis. In rats, erosions occurred in the stomach, and necrosis of the scrotal skin was accompanied by a severe necrotizing cellulitis of the dermis and necrosis and inflammation of the epididymal fat. Addition of tetracycline at a concentration of 5 mg per gram of feed increased the number of survivors but did not prevent hepatic lesions produced by P. viridicatum cultures. Tetracycline appeared to be toxic and induced a marked dilatation of the cecum.
Auditory memory distortion for spoken prose.

Observers often remember a scene as containing information that was not presented but that would have likely been located just beyond the observed boundaries of the scene. This effect is called boundary extension (BE; e.g., Intraub & Richardson, 1989). Previous studies have observed BE in memory for visual and haptic stimuli, and the present experiments examined whether BE occurred in memory for auditory stimuli (prose, music). Experiments 1 and 2 varied the amount of auditory content to be remembered. BE was not observed, but when auditory targets contained more content, boundary restriction (BR) occurred. Experiment 3 presented auditory stimuli with less content and BR also occurred. In Experiment 4, white noise was added to stimuli with less content to equalize the durations of auditory stimuli, and BR still occurred. Experiments 5 and 6 presented trained stories and popular music, and BR still occurred. This latter finding ruled out the hypothesis that the lack of BE in Experiments 1–4 reflected a lack of familiarity with the stimuli. Overall, memory for auditory content exhibited BR rather than BE, and this pattern was stronger if auditory stimuli contained more content. Implications for the understanding of general perceptual processing and directions for future research are discussed.
A Multistage Approach to Comparative Marketing Analysis

The search continues for a general framework which might be utilized for comparative marketing analysis. We postulate here that the search for a single framework is futile, because the complexity of marketing requires adaption to changes in the surrounding environments. Interactions with the environment result in the development of a host of marketing systems. Even when equivalent data are available, some aspects may be impossible to correlate across cultures. Hence we present a four-stage illustrative model to indicate a philosophy of comparative research study design.
Tilt sensitivity of the two-grating interferometer

Fringe formation in the two-grating interferometer is analyzed in the presence of a small parallelism error between the diffraction gratings assumed in the direction of grating shear. Our analysis shows that with partially coherent illumination, fringe contrast in the interference plane is reduced in the presence of nonzero grating tilt with the effect proportional to the grating tilt angle and the grating spatial frequencies. Our analysis also shows that for a given angle between the gratings there is an angle between the final grating and the interference plane that optimizes fringe contrast across the field.
Conjugate separability in polycyclic groups

A group G is said to be conjugate separable if, whenever x and y are elements of G which are not conjugate, there is a finite homomorphic image of G in which the images of x and y are not conjugate. The main result of this paper is that polycyclic-by-finite groups are conjugate separable. Conjugate separability was introduced by Blackburn [2], who showed that finitely generated torsion-free nilpotent groups are conjugate separable. This was extended to supersolvable groups by Kargapolov [5], and to finitely generated nilpotent-by-finite groups by Toh [8]. Remeslennikov [6] obtained the same result as this paper. His proof contained a number of mistakes, but Hartley’s review [MR43, #6313] pointed out that these could be corrected. This paper is taken from my Ph.D. thesis, Rice University, 1970, written under the direction of Steve Gersten. I did not become aware of Remeslennikov’s proof until after I has left Rice University. Both of our proofs are based on a number theoretic result of Chevalley [3]. The main difference between them is that Remeslennikov reduces directly to Chevalley’s result while I first extend Chevalley’s result to certain matrix groups, showing that they have the “congruence subgroup property.” The present form of the paper is a redraft, written in 1975, of a version submitted in April, 1970, and the following changes have been made. (1) Remeslennikov’s work has been acknowledged. (2) Some arguments have been shortened, and I have taken advantage of five years’ experience to improve the writing style. Here is an outline of the proof. Let
AN ACOUSTIC FINITE-DIFFERENCE TIME-DOMAIN ALGORITHM WITH ISOTROPIC DISPERSION

The classic Yee Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) algorithm employs central differences to achieve second-order accuracy, i.e., if the spatial and temporal step sizes are reduced by a factor of n, the phase error associated with propagation through the grid will be reduced by a factor of n2. The Yee algorithm is also second-order isotropic meaning the error as a function of the direction of propagation has a leading term which depends on the square of the discretization step sizes. An FDTD algorithm is presented here that has second-order accuracy but fourth-order isotropy. This algorithm permits a temporal step size 50% larger than that of the three-dimensional Yee algorithm. Pressure-release resonators are used to demonstrate the behavior of the algorithm and to compare it with the Yee algorithm. It is demonstrated how the increased isotropy enables post-processing of the simulation spectra to correct much of the dispersion error. The algorithm can also be optimized at a specified frequency, substant...
Making Memories Matter

This article reviews some of the neuroendocrine bases by which emotional events regulate brain mechanisms of learning and memory. In laboratory rodents, there is extensive evidence that epinephrine influences memory processing through an inverted-U relationship, at which moderate levels enhance and high levels impair memory. These effects are, in large part, mediated by increases in blood glucose levels subsequent to epinephrine release, which then provide support for the brain processes engaged by learning and memory. These brain processes include augmentation of neurotransmitter release and of energy metabolism, the latter apparently including a key role for astrocytic glycogen. In addition to up- and down-regulation of learning and memory in general, physiological concomitants of emotion and arousal can also switch the neural system that controls learning at a particular time, at once improving some attributes of learning and impairing others in a manner that results in a change in the strategy used to solve a problem.
Scatterer stability in high range resolution profiles

Radar target classification typically uses feature sets derived from high range resolution profiles as an input to a classifier. However, such feature sets, when projected in feature space, show both substantial overlap for different targets and substantial variability for a single target. This results in degraded classification performance, as targets cannot be reliably distinguished from one another. In this paper we show that it is a combination of target scattering and signal processing that causes such variability. Specifically we demonstrate that the output of the matched filter is a sensitive function of the relative position of scatters distributed along the length of a target and how this effects the variability of particular features.
Toward a Neurobiology of Child Psychotherapy

Brain imaging studies have demonstrated that psychotherapy alters brain structure and function. Learning and memory, both implicit and explicit, play central roles in this process through the creation of new genetic material that leads to increased synaptic efficiency through the creation of new neuronal connections. Although there is substantial evidence supporting some of the neurobiological effects of psychotherapy in adult patients, little exists on the impact of psychotherapy in children. Research has supported the enduring effects of early childhood trauma as represented by alterations in stress response, for example, which has important implications for early intervention through psychotherapy. Presently, the major questions facing the field of child and adolescent psychotherapy are identical to those in the study of adults. These can be reduced to four questions: what type of therapy, for what type of problem, in what type of child, and by what type of therapist. Areas needing further research are...
Are Human Rights Wrong? A Human-Language Ethic Approach to Global Poverty

In this article, I offer an alternative approach to global poverty by challenging the current ethic of human rights. I argue for what I see as a true human-language ethic, influenced by Marx, which appeals to the claim that global poverty not only directly harms the poor, but actually harms everyone. As human beings, we all have needs that we must satisfy in order to survive. Contrary to human rights’ treatment of individuals as atomistic beings, I argue that a sense of community and connection to the global poor is necessary to meet their (as well as our) human needs. In addition, since labor is a necessary vehicle for meeting such needs, the poor must have access to means of employment. They (and we) must dialogue and labor to meet the needs of all human beings.
Landscape-Scale Food Webs of Fish Nursery Habitat Along a River-Coast Mixing Zone

We used carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios to identify changes in organic matter (OM) sources supporting fish larvae along the river–lake mixing zone in three Lake Superior coastal tributaries. We used a stable isotope mixing model to quantify how the number and origin of OM sources supporting fish larvae changed with respect to the relative fraction of tributary and lake water along the coastal mixing zone. Fish stable isotope ratios, after adjusting for trophic fractionation, generally were intermediate between the measured OM sources, indicating widespread nutritional support from multiple OM sources. Mixing model results indicated that more OM sources supported fish larvae in river and mixed regions than in the lake; however, the number of OM sources did not change linearly with respect to tributary water fraction. Contributions from allochthonous OM were highest in the mixed and lake regions; most fish larvae obtained some energy from food sources originating outside the region where the fish larvae were collected. At the species level, principal component analysis revealed that the number of OM sources was positively correlated with percent terrestrial OM contribution and greatest in demersal fish larvae that were captured in the mixed region. Our findings demonstrate that these coastal habitats do function as a “mosaic”, wherein proximal and some more distal habitats and ecosystems contribute to fish growth during a critical life stage. By extension, the findings suggest the need for conservation measures to consider upland, wetland, and coastal habitat, whether or not fish directly occupy all of those habitats.
Nearly hamiltonian systems in two degrees of freedom

Abstract Perturbed systems of differential equations are studied which are close to Hamiltonian systems of the type for which small divisor problems arise. If the non-Hamiltonian terms involve both damping and self-excitation, behavior characteristic of Hamiltonian systems can occur but is confined to small regions of space in which these opposite effects are in balance. The results provide a partial justification for truncating the Fourier series occurring in these problems. The principle method is local averaging, which is used to obtain global results by compactness arguments.
Invariant measures in brain dynamics

Abstract This note concerns brain activity at the level of neural ensembles and uses ideas from ergodic dynamical systems to model and characterize chaotic patterns among these ensembles during conscious mental activity. Central to our model is the definition of a space of neural ensembles and the assumption of discrete time ensemble dynamics. We argue that continuous invariant measures draw the attention of deeper brain processes, engendering emergent properties such as consciousness. Invariant measures supported on a finite set of ensembles reflect periodic behavior, whereas the existence of continuous invariant measures reflect the dynamics of nonrepeating ensemble patterns that elicit the interest of deeper mental processes. We shall consider two different ways to achieve continuous invariant measures on the space of neural ensembles: (1) via quantum jitters, and (2) via sensory input accompanied by inner thought processes which engender a “folding” property on the space of ensembles.
999 HUMAN CORD BLOOD: LYMPHOCYTE SUBPOPULATIONS AND LYMPHOKINE PRODUCTION

As part of a study of respiratory health and immunity of children, 61 cord blood specimens were separated into a mononuclear cell population (>70% lymphocytes). Total T, helper T, supressor/cytotoxic (sup/cy) T and natural killer (NK) cells were determined by rosette (ER) and immunofluorescent methods (OKT3, OKT4, OKT8, Leu 11 respectively). B cells were detected by the presence of membrane immunoglobulin. Interleukin-2 .(IL-2) and interferon (IFN) production were measured in supernatant fluids of Con A and phorbol ester stimulated cells. IL-2 units were determined by probit analysis, and IFN titers were based on a 50% reduction in virus cytopathic effect (log3, dilution). NK assays were performed at 5 effector to target cell ratios on K562 cells, and lytic units/106 lymphocytes (LU) were calculated. The mean % ± SD for these results are compared to adult values (N=38 to 74). T sup/cy cells, IFN titers and NK activity were lower while the T4/8 ratio and IL-2 production were increased for cord blood. These findings may relate to the increased susceptibility of neonates to infection. (Supported by NHLBI-SCOR Grant# HL1436-1351 and The Southwestern Clinic and Research Institute).
Lakes with two Outfalls

FIFTY miles south of Denver, Colorado Territory, on the Denver and Rio Grande R.R., there is a little lake with two outfalls, which I have myself seen. This lake is on an east and west “divide” and is 8,000ft. above sea-level; the outfall to the north, Phun Creek, goes to the Platte River, while Monument Creek, to the south, flows into the Arkansas.
Modelling the human factors aspects of a computer-based text-graphics layout system

Abstract In converting task listings into multiple pages of documentation for job aids or training, the two major problems are deciding on how much material should go on each page and how text and graphics should be laid out on the page. A questionnaire study was used to collect input from fourteen human factors personnel in order to design algorithms for page splitting and page layout. From the rules or heuristics used for page-splitting, an algorithm was devised which closely matched human page-splitting results. Layout of individual pages was automated with an algorithm based on the (significant) consensus among the subjects on questions of graphics positioning and label ordering. The two algorithms have been combined in a Computer Aided Design Procedure which automatically pages task lists and lays out individual pages.
Prevention of low back pain in the military cluster randomized trial: effects of brief psychosocial education on total and low back pain–related health care costs

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Effective strategies for preventing low back pain (LBP) have remained elusive, despite annual direct health care costs exceeding $85 billion dollars annually. In our recently completed Prevention of Low Back Pain in the Military (POLM) trial, a brief psychosocial education program (PSEP) that reduced fear and threat of LBP reduced the incidence of health care–seeking for LBP. PURPOSE: The purpose of this cost analysis was to determine if soldiers who received psychosocial education experienced lower health care costs compared with soldiers who did not receive psychosocial education. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: The POLM trial was a cluster randomized trial with four intervention arms and a 2-year follow-up. Consecutive subjects (n54,295) entering a 16-week training program at Fort Sam Houston, TX, to become a combat medic in the U.S. Army were considered for participation. METHODS: In addition to an assigned exercise program, soldiers were cluster randomized to receive or not receive a brief psychosocial education program delivered in a group setting. The Military Health System Management Analysis and Reporting Tool was used to extract total and LBP-related health care costs associated with LBP incidence over a 2-year follow-up period. RESULTS: After adjusting for postrandomization differences between the groups, the median total LBP-related health care costs for soldiers who received PSEP and incurred LBP-related costs during the 2-year follow-up period were $26 per soldier lower than for those who did not receive PSEP ($60 vs. $86, respectively, p5.034). The adjusted median total health care costs for soldiers who received PSEP and incurred at least some health care costs during the 2-year follow-up period were estimated at $2 per soldier lower than for those who did not receive PSEP ($2,439 vs. $2,441,
Pricing Strategy and Corporate Bond Value: Evidence from the Airline Industry

Pricing strategy is expected to impose profound impacts on a firmâ€™s cash flow and default risk. However, little research has been done to examine its direct impacts on financial markets. Applying event study methodology on the airline industry data, this paper aims to fill this gap by investigating whether and how corporate bond value is affected by pricing cut events in the airline industry in various time windows. The authorsâ€™ empirical results find significant positive abnormal bond returns in the announcement month. However, the price effect becomes insignificant and vanishes in the following months. By integrating financial market and marketing behavior analysis, this paper provides managerial insights for both marketing managers and corporate bond investors.
Polymer Nanocomposites for Energy Storage Applications

High dielectric polymer nanocomposites are promising candidates for energy storage applications. The main criteria of focus are high dielectric breakdown strength, high dielectric constant and low dielectric loss. In this study, we investigate the effect of the addition of TiO2 particles to PVDF matrix on the dielectric constant, breakdown and energy density of the system. The dispersion of the particles is qualified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The morphology of the composites is characterized by polarized light microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The dielectric properties are measured by a Novocontrol system with an Alpha analyzer. Finally, the breakdown measurements are carried out by a QuadTech hipot tester.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Comparison of Speed-Acceleration Profiles from Field Data with NETSIM Output for Modal Air Quality Analysis of Signalized Intersections

New vehicle modal emissions rate models will assess emissions as a function of specific operating mode or engine load surrogates. These new models require that vehicle activity be input by fraction of time spent in different operating modes. However, the ability to realistically model onroad modal vehicle activity currently limits the implementation of these models. Few data on how vehicles operate in a real-world setting exist. Simulation models offer attractive advantages for modal modeling. They are readily available and generally can be used with both simple and detailed data input. Simulation models were developed to model the impacts of signal timing, incidents, or design features on traffic flow and perform well for these applications. However, simulation models, such as CORSIM, use theoretical profiles of vehicle acceleration and speed relationships that have not been validated in the field. To determine the feasibility of using simulation models to predict on-road speedacceleration profiles and t...
Ozone process insights from field experiments – part I: overview

This paper gives an overview of selected approaches recently adopted to analyze observations from field experiments that characterize the tropospheric physics and chemistry of ozone and related oxidation products. Analysis of ambient oxidant and precursor concentration measurements, combined with meteorological observations, has provided important information about tropospheric processes. Projection of the response of tropospheric ozone concentrations to changes in precursor emissions is achieved through emissions based air quality models (AQMs). These models integrate several “process” elements from source emissions to meteorological and chemical phenomena. Through field campaigns, new knowledge has become available which has enabled workers to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of AQMs and their components. Examples of insightful results include: (a) reconciliation of ambient concentrations of speciated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with estimates from emissions models, and inventories, (b) verification of chemical mechanisms for ozone formation from its precursors using approximations applicable in different chemical regimes, (c) inference of regimes of sensitivity in ozone concentration to changes in VOC and NOx precursors from ozone management practices, (d) conceptualization of important air mass transport and mixing processes on different spatial and temporal scales that affect ozone and precursor concentrations distributions, and (e) application of the analysis of spatial and temporal variance to infer the origins of chemical product transport, and precursor distributions. Studies from the first category have been used to improve emissions models substantially over previous forms. The remainder of the analyses has yielded valuable insight into the chemical and meteorological mechanisms at work on different spatial and temporal scales. The methods have provided an observationally based framework for effective choices to improve ozone management, notably in terms of NOx or VOC sensitive regimes. Investigation of meteorological processes relevant to ozone accumulation has illustrated the importance of accounting for both transport winds and the day–night vertical structure of the atmosphere in AQM analyses. Finally, variance analyses of O3 concentrations with other aerometric parameters offer significant opportunities to use semi-empirically air monitoring data as a means determining space and time scales of O3 variance, and detecting precursor emissions source-ozone receptor relationships.
The Wonderlic Personnel Test and elementary cognitive tasks as predictors of religious sectarianism, scriptural acceptance and religious questioning ☆

Abstract Lynn, Harvey and Nyborg [Lynn, R., Harvey, J., & Nyborg, H. (in press). Average intelligence predicts atheism rates across 137 nations. Doi:10.1016/j.intell.2008.03.004. ] discovered that average intelligence (IQ) co-varies with national atheism rates. Extending this work, we investigated relationships among individual IQ scores, elementary cognitive task (ECT) performance, and three types of religious beliefs. Sectarianism (believing one's religion is the only path to God) correlated negatively with IQ and ECT. Considerable mean differences also existed on this factor between the highest and lowest IQ ( d = .69) and ECT ( d = .73) quartiles. Scriptural acceptance (believing one's scripture is literally true), however, correlated only nominally with IQ and ECT. Religious questioning (one's willingness to question religious convictions) correlated positively with ECT, and consistent differences existed on this factor between the highest and lowest scoring IQ ( d = .38) and ECT ( d = .55) quartiles. Only ECT explained unique variance in religious beliefs, as controlling for it attenuated the effects of IQ. Possible theoretical explanations for these effects are discussed.
Assessing offshore wind resources: An accessible methodology

Abstract This paper describes a method for assessing the electric production and value of wind resources, specifically for the offshore environment. Three steps constitute our method. First, we map the available area, delimiting bathymetric areas based on turbine tower technology, then assess competing uses of the ocean to establish exclusion zones. From exclusion zones, bathymetry, and turbine tower water depth limitations, the water sheet area available for wind turbines is calculated. The second step is calculation of power production starting from available area, which determines the location and count of turbines. Then existing wind data are extrapolated to turbine height and, along with the turbine power output curve, they are used to establish the expected electric power production on an hourly basis. The third step calculates market value based on the hourly electric market at the nearest electric grid node. To illustrate these methods, we assess the offshore wind resource of the US state of Delaware. We find year-round average output of over 5200 MW, or about four times the average electrical consumption of the state. On local wholesale electricity markets, this would produce just over $2 billion/year in revenue. Because the methods described here do not rely on constructing meteorological towers nor on proprietary software, they are more accessible to a local government, state college, or other organization. For example, these methods can be carried out as an initial assessment of resources, or by a government or public entity as a check on claims by private applicants.
Grape Powder Intake Prevents Ovariectomy-Induced Anxiety-Like Behavior, Memory Impairment and High Blood Pressure in Female Wistar Rats

Diminished estrogen influence at menopause is reported to be associated with cognitive decline, heightened anxiety and hypertension. While estrogen therapy is often prescribed to overcome these behavioral and physiological deficits, antioxidants which have been shown beneficial are gaining nutritional intervention and popularity. Therefore, in the present study, utilizing the antioxidant properties of grapes, we have examined effect of 3 weeks of grape powder (GP; 15 g/L dissolved in tap water) treatment on anxiety-like behavior, learning-memory impairment and high blood pressure in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Four groups of female Wistar rats were used; sham control, sham-GP treated, OVX and OVX+GP treated. We observed a significant increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure in OVX rats as compared to sham-controls. Furthermore, ovariectomy increased anxiety-like behavior and caused learning and memory impairment in rats as compared to sham-controls. Interestingly, providing grape powder treated water to OVX rats restored both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, decreased anxiety-like behavior and improved memory function. Moreover, OVX rats exhibited an impaired long term potentiation which was restored with grape powder treatment. Furthermore, ovariectomy increased oxidative stress in the brain, serum and urine, selectively decreasing antioxidant enzyme, glyoxalase-1 protein expression in the hippocampus but not in the cortex and amygdala of OVX rats, while grape powder treatment reversed these effects. Other antioxidant enzyme levels, including manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Cu/Zn SOD remained unchanged. We suggest that grape powder by regulating oxidative stress mechanisms exerts its protective effect on blood pressure, learning-memory and anxiety-like behavior. Our study is the first to examine behavioral, biochemical, physiological and electrophysiological outcome of estrogen depletion in rats and to test protective role of grape powder, all in the same study.
Comparison between the Quantum Yields of Compact and Porous WO3 Photoanodes

Ordered structures offer the potential for producing photoanodes with enhanced minority-carrier collection. To evaluate this approach to visible-light-driven oxidation in aqueous electrolytes, porous WO_3 structures were synthesized by the potentiostatic anodization of W foil. The photoelectrochemical behavior of the porous WO_3 photoanodes was compared to that of compact WO_3 films. Relative to planar electrodes, the porous WO_3 electrodes exhibited a 6-fold increase in photocurrent density, from 0.12 to 0.75 mA cm^(–2), under 100 mW cm^(–2) of simulated solar illumination. Spectral response measurements indicated that the porous electrodes exhibited internal quantum yields of 0.5 throughout most of the region of WO_3 absorption. The external quantum yield of the porous WO_3 films was a function of the angle of incidence of the light, increasing from 0.25 at normal incidence to 0.50 at 65° off normal. The porous WO_3 films showed excellent stability against photodegradation. This work demonstrates that morphological control can improve the internal quantum yield of photoanodes in contact with aqueous electrolytes.
Internet Pornography and Loneliness: An Association?

The aim of this study was to determine if an association between Internet pornography usage and loneliness existed. Survey data was collected from 400 individual Internet users who completed an online Internet questionnaire. This questionnaire was comprised of 14 general questions along with the University of Los Angeles Loneliness Scale (UCLALS). A multiple regression equation was developed, predicting the total UCLALS score from the predictor variables. This model accounted for 45.9% of the variance in total loneliness scores. Results showed a significant association between Internet pornography usage and loneliness as evidenced by the data analysis.
Central retinal artery occlusion.

Central retinal artery occlusion is characterized by sudden, painless visual loss due to blockage of retinal blood flow. It has been reported in all age groups including children but is most frequent in the sixth decade. Both thrombosis and embolism have been suggested as possible mechanisms. The emergency treatment includes intravenous acetazolamide, digital ocular massage, and inhalation of 5% carbon dioxide — 95% oxygen for ten minutes. Following emergency treatment, immediate ophthalmologic referral and consultation is required. Comprehensive medical evaluation should be initiated to exclude systemic vascular disease.
Quality control in cotton ginneries — A status report

“Cotton quality” is defined as the natural or inherent length distribution of cotton fibers as they grow on their seeds. Quality control is simply maintaining this distribution throughout processing in a cotton gin. Quality control methods are described and analyzed. Specifically, moisture control devices (which prevent the fiber from becoming brittle and breaking) are discussed. These include a system which measures the resistance of a cotton mass to determine its moisture content and to control the drying process. Another system measures cotton temperature drops between various points in the ginning process and adjusts dryer temperatures accordingly. Progress in quality control research at the U. S. Department of Agriculture's Cotton Ginning Research Laboratories is described, including systems for moisture detection and for process control.
Utilization of integrated process control, data capture, and data analysis in construction of accelerator systems

Jefferson Lab has developed a web-based system that integrates commercial database, data analysis, document archiving and retrieval, and user interface software into a coherent knowledge management product called Pansophy. Pansophy provides key tools for the successful pursuit of major projects such as accelerator system development and construction by offering elements of process and procedure control, data capture and review, and data mining and analysis. Today, Pansophy is used in Jefferson Lab's SNS superconducting linac construction effort as a means for structuring and implementing the QA program, for process control and tracking, and for cryomodule test data capture and presentation/analysis. Development of Pansophy continues, with improvements to data queries and analysis functions that are the cornerstone of its utility. In this paper the present configuration and operational environment of Pansophy is described, along with future development goals. Additionally, specific examples of its use in an accelerator construction project will be presented.
Marijuana usage in relation to harmfulness ratings, perceived likelihood of negative consequences, and defense mechanisms in high school students.

This study investigated high school students' marijuana usage patterns in relation to their harmfulness ratings of 15 licit and illicit drugs, perceived negative consequences from using marijuana, and types of defense mechanisms employed. Subjects were classified into one of five pattern-of-use groups based on marijuana usage: principled nonusers, nonusers, light users, moderate users, and heavy users. Principled nonusers (individuals who have never used marijuana and would not do so if it was legalized) rated marijuana, hashish, cocaine, and alcohol as significantly more harmful than heavy users. A cluster analysis of the drugs' harmfulness ratings best fit a three cluster solution and were named medicinal drugs, recreational drugs, and hard drugs. In general, principled nonusers rated negative consequences from using marijuana as significantly more likely to occur than other groups. Principled nonusers and heavy users utilized reversal from the Defense Mechanism Inventory, which includes repression and ...
Increased Reactive Oxygen Species, Metabolic Maladaptation, and Autophagy Contribute to Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension–Induced Ventricular Hypertrophy and Diastolic Heart Failure

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a debilitating and deadly disease with no known cure. Heart failure is a major comorbidity and a common cause of the premature death of patients with PAH. Increased asymmetrical right ventricular hypertrophy and septal wall thickening compress the left ventricular cavity and elicit diastolic heart failure. In this study, we used the Sugen5416/hypoxia/normoxia-induced PAH rat to determine whether altered pyridine nucleotide signaling in the failing heart contributes to 1) increased oxidative stress, 2) changes in metabolic phenotype, 3) autophagy, and 4) the PAH-induced failure. We found that increased reactive oxygen species, metabolic maladaptation, and autophagy contributed to the pathogenesis of right ventricular remodeling and hypertrophy that lead to left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. In addition, arterial elastance increased in PAH rats. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase is a major source of pyridine molecule (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate), which is a substrate for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidases in the heart. Dehydroepiandrosterone, a 17-ketosteroid that reduces pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular hypertrophy, inhibited glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, decreased oxidative stress, increased glucose oxidation and acetyl-coA, and reduced autophagy in the hearts of PAH rats. It also decreased arterial stiffness and improved left ventricular diastolic function. These findings demonstrate that pyridine nucleotide signaling, at least partly, mediates PAH-induced diastolic heart failure, and that reduction of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-derived nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate is beneficial to improve left ventricle diastolic function.
Distinct roles for CREB-binding protein and p300 in hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal.

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) are tightly regulated through, as yet, undefined mechanisms that balance self-renewal and differentiation. We have identified a role for the transcriptional coactivators CREB-binding protein (CBP) and p300 in such HSC fate decisions. A full dose of CBP, but not p300, is crucial for HSC self-renewal. Conversely, p300, but not CBP, is essential for proper hematopoietic differentiation. Furthermore, in chimeric mice, hematologic malignancies emerged from both CBP−/− and p300−/− cell populations. Thus, CBP and p300 play essential but distinct roles in maintaining normal hematopoiesis, and, in mice, both are required for preventing hematologic tumorigenesis.
Theoretical investigation of the thermodynamic stability of nanoscale systems—III: Thin film with an IPB

Abstract Thermodynamic stability of nanoscale thin films is analyzed theoretically using equilibrium statistical mechanics. A model binary system with a miscibility gap is treated in fcc using the pair approximation of the Cluster Variation Method. Each film has equal total numbers of A and B atoms, and has an interphase boundary (IPB) around the center of a film at low temperatures. The composition profile across the film is calculated for different temperatures and thicknesses. The result reveals that the composition inside a film is practically the same as that of the corresponding bulk fcc system, and the surface composition is close to that of the two-dimensional surface lattice. For a fixed temperature, the mutual solubility of two components increase as the film thickness decreases, and becomes totally miscible for very thin films. For a given thickness, the miscibility increases with the temperature, and the critical temperature Tc of phase separation is determined as a function of film thickness.
Maximum mutual information principle for dynamic sensor query problems

In this paper we study a dynamic sensor selection method for Bayesian filtering problems. In particular we consider the distributed Bayesian Filtering strategy given in [1] and show that the principle of mutual information maximization follows naturally from the expected uncertainty minimization criterion in a Bayesian filtering framework. This equivalence results in a computationally feasible approach to state estimation in sensor networks. We illustrate the application of the proposed dynamic sensor selection method to both discrete and linear Gaussian models for distributed tracking as well as to stationary target localization using acoustic arrays.
Cancellation of common-mode Voltages for induction motor drives using active method

This paper presents a theoretical analysis for canceling common-mode (CM) voltages for induction motor (IM) drives using a CM transformer with active circuitry. The design methodology and the practical implementation are presented for motor drives rated 460 V or higher. To verify the design approach, an implementation example and experimental results for a 460-V motor drive system are presented.
Japanese Cultural Psychology and Empathic Understanding: Implications for Academic and Cultural Psychology

This article examines personally divergent ways that Japanese individuals understand and act on the cultural script of empathy (omoiyari). Through interviews with highschool students and observations of people in real-life situations, I shall show the contradictory and multidimensional motives that do not always fit into the culturally idealized patterns of empathic behavior. In so doing, I shall critique Markus and Kitayama's and Wierzbicka's use of hypothetical problems and situations to generalize from cultural norm to individual subjects. Implications of the empathic and experiential approach to academic and cultural psychology are discussed.
Methamphetamine Toxicity Secondary to Intravaginal Body Stuffing

Background: People who ingest packets of illicit drugs or insert them into body cavities in an attempt to smuggle them are termed body packers. People who do this in an attempt to hide the drugs when encountered by law enforcement are called body stuffers. Severe toxicity and death occurs in body packers and body stuffers, and this is usually secondary to leaking of drug from packets in the gastrointestinal tract. This is well reported with cocaine and heroin and occurs less commonly with methamphetamine. We report an unusual case of intravaginal body stuffing that lead to severe methamphetamine toxicity in a young woman. Case Report: A 20-year old female, who was in police custody, developed multiple seizures, altered mental status, tachycardia and hypertension shortly after admitting to having drugs enclosed in plastic bags in her vagina. She was hospitalized for 4 days with gradual improvement in her symptoms with the exception of a resting tachycardia. Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry of the urine at this time confirmed the presence of methamphetamine and the amphetamine metabolite, co-intoxicants were excluded based on comprehensive urine drug screening using GCMS. Quantitative serum levels of methamphetamine and amphetamine were 3100 ng/ml and 110 ng/ml, repectively. Conclusions: We report an unusual case of intravaginal body stuffing that lead to severe methamphetamine toxicity in a young woman. This case highlights the potential for severe methamphetamine poisoning secondary to intravaginal stuffing. If either body packing or stuffing is suspected, a vaginal exam may be warranted.
Comparison of Vapor and Liquid Isotherms for Casein and Casein‐Sucrose Mixture

Hydration by vapor sorption and liquid water addition for the effect on sorption isotherms of casein and a casein-sucrose mixture was compared. Both isotherm data and NMR relaxation rates were obtained from the same samples. Data showed biphasic linear plots with breaks at the same water activity (aw). At a given moisture content, liquid hydration of casein showed a lower aw and a lower NMR mobility than the vapor sorbed samples. The casein-sucrose mixture showed the opposite. As aw was increased above 0.90, casein alone showed decreasing difference between vapor and liquid hydration while the mixture showed rapidly diverging lines. These isotherm differences between vapor and liquid hydration were corroborated by NMR.
Allelic variation in genes encoding Panton–Valentine leukocidin from community‐associated Staphylococcus aureus

Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates characteristically contain the genes for Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL), which is a proposed virulence factor. To determine whether different alleles of the PVL genes lukS-PV and lukF-PV occur, and whether they are associated with specific genetic lineages of S. aureus, sequences from 28 S. aureus isolates, representing four different multilocus sequence types, and bacteriophages SLT and PVL were compared. Seven nucleotide polymorphisms were identified, which defined three groups of the lukS-PV and lukF-PV sequence. Only one polymorphism resulted in an amino-acid change. Bacteriophage SLT and isolates of bacteriophage type 80/81 contained the prototypic (founder) lukS-PV and lukF-PV sequence. The alleles were not lineage-specific.
Message Framing and Persuasion: A Message Processing Analysis

Previous research has indicated that the way in which a message is framed affects the amount of persuasion it elicits. Various processes have been suggested to account for the differential persuasiveness of negatively (or loss-) framed messages versus positively (or gain-) framed messages. The authors hypothesized that differential processing of negatively and positively framed messages is a factor that contributes to the differential persuasiveness that has been observed. Experiment 1 demonstrated that message frames are consequential in determining the extent to which a message is scrutinized. Experiment 2 provided evidence for a mechanism by which this occurs. Specifically, by manipulating the expected framing and the actual framing of messages, the authors found that either negatively or positively framed messages could lead to more extensive processing, depending on which was less expected.
Polarization electronics - a path to multifunctional nanoscale materials

An oft-overlooked parameter in semiconductor-based device structures is the presence of induced or spontaneous polarization. Polarization provides an added degree of freedom that can be used to fabricate new and innovative device structures both for electronics and photonics. We present a discussion of two approaches - the use of spontaneous polarization in GaN for nanoscale photonic devices and structures, and the potential for the integration of complex oxides with GaN for induced polarization electronics.
Leveraging Computation Sharing and Parallel Processing in Location-Based Services

A variety of research exists for the processing of continuous queries in large, mobile environments. Each method tries, in its own way, to address the computational bottleneck of constantly processing so many queries. In this paper, we introduce an efficient and scalable system for monitoring continuous queries by leveraging the parallel processing capability of the Graphics Processing Unit. We examine a naive CPU-based solution for continuous range-monitoring queries, and we then extend this system using the GPU. Additionally, with mobile communication devices becoming commodity, location-based services will become ubiquitous. To cope with the very high intensity of location-based queries, we propose a view oriented approach of the location database, thereby reducing computation costs by exploiting computation sharing amongst queries requiring the same view. Our studies show that by exploiting the parallel processing power of the GPU, we are able to significantly scale the number of mobile objects, while maintaining an acceptable level of performance.
A 2.4 GHz low-IF receiver for wideband WLAN in 0.6mm CMOS part II: adaptive IF strip

Abstract An IF strip for a wireless receiver supports variable baud rate by changing filter bandwidth. Sliding and step adaptive dynamic range are both used at IF to minimize the power consumption at the prevailing channel conditions. A combination of VGA and PGA is developed for 64-QAM. The circuit drains an average of 16 mA from 3.3 V, with peak supply current of 73 mA. The differential input noise is as low as 3.9 nV/adHz, while maximum IIP3 is +22 dBm with respect to 100 ohms.