cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The BPRS is assessing symptom correlates of cerebral ventricular enlargement in acute and chronic schizophrenia

The present study was an attempt to investigate hypotheses about the interrelationship of brain dysfunction and symptoms of schizophrenia using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and a measure of cerebral ventricular size. The ventricular brain ratio (VBR) was correlated with admission and discharge scores on the BPRS in 46 schizophrenic patients. A significant relationship was found between VBR and discharge BPRS scores. In general, the results were partially supportive of relationships found between neuropsychological data and the BPRS in a previous study, but shed little light on the relationships between brain damage and negative and positive symptoms. Limitations of using the BPRS, as well as possible sampling variations, are discussed.
Microbial amyloids induce interleukin 17A (IL-17A) and IL-22 responses via Toll-like receptor 2 activation in the intestinal mucosa.

The Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)/TLR1 receptor complex responds to amyloid fibrils, a common component of biofilm material produced by members of the phyla Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria. To determine whether this TLR2/TLR1 ligand stimulates inflammatory responses when bacteria enter intestinal tissue, we investigated whether expression of curli amyloid fibrils by the invasive enteric pathogen Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium contributes to T helper 1 and T helper 17 responses by measuring cytokine production in the mouse colitis model. A csgBA mutant, deficient in curli production, elicited decreased expression of interleukin 17A (IL-17A) and IL-22 in the cecal mucosa compared to the S. Typhimurium wild type. In TLR2-deficient mice, IL-17A and IL-22 expression was blunted during S. Typhimurium infection, suggesting that activation of the TLR2 signaling pathway contributes to the expression of these cytokines. T cells incubated with supernatants from bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) treated with curli fibrils released IL-17A in a TLR2-dependent manner in vitro. Lower levels of IL-6 and IL-23 production were detected in the supernatants of the TLR2-deficient BMDCs treated with curli fibrils. Consistent with this, three distinct T-cell populations—CD4+ T helper cells, cytotoxic CD8+ T cells, and γδ T cells—produced IL-17A in response to curli fibrils in the intestinal mucosa during S. Typhimurium infection. Notably, decreased IL-6 expression by the dendritic cells and decreased IL-23 expression by the dendritic cells and macrophages were observed in the cecal mucosa of mice infected with the curli mutant. We conclude that TLR2 recognition of bacterial amyloid fibrils in the intestinal mucosa represents a novel mechanism of immunoregulation, which contributes to the generation of inflammatory responses, including production of IL-17A and IL-22, in response to bacterial entry into the intestinal mucosa.
Formalizing Evaluation Procedures for Marketing Faculty Research Performance.

Abstract Faculty evaluation, especially regarding research performance, has become an increasingly important issue. In this article, we report the results of a national survey of marketing department heads that indicates that very few marketing departments have formalized the development and communication of research performance standards to faculty. We also propose guidelines and methods to accomplish these procedures most effectively.
Biological signatures in clumped isotopes of O2

The abundances of molecules containing more than one rare isotope have been applied broadly to determine formation temperatures of natural materials. These applications of “clumped” isotopes rely on the assumption that isotope-exchange equilibrium is reached, or at least approached, during the formation of those materials. In a closed-system terrarium experiment, we demonstrate that biological oxygen (O2) cycling drives the clumped-isotope composition of O2 away from isotopic equilibrium. Our model of the system suggests that unique biological signatures are present in clumped isotopes of O2—and not formation temperatures. Photosynthetic O2 is depleted in 18O18O and 17O18O relative to a stochastic distribution of isotopes, unlike at equilibrium, where heavy-isotope pairs are enriched. Similar signatures may be widespread in nature, offering new tracers of biological and geochemical cycling.
THAUMASITE INVESTIGATIONS TO M4 OVERBRIDGES

Abstract In March 1998, thaumasite sulfate attack (TSA) was discovered affecting several buried raking supports of the Golden Valley Interchange at Junction 11 of the M5 Motorway in Gloucestershire. Following this discovery and the subsequent issue of the Thaumasite Expert Group Report in January 1999, the Highways Agency required all Network Agencys to investigate the likelihood and extent of any such deterioration. The investigations were to be targeted to all suspect structures, i.e. those with some or all of the details and conditions thought necessary for the initiation of TSA. The thaumasite investigation undertaken by Parsons Brinckerhoff Infrastructure as agents for the Highways Agency Area 5 Network commenced with a desk study to determine the structures most at risk from the initiation of the TSA. Of the 675 bridge structures within this network, the total with an identifiable risk priority of 1 was found to be 50; these having some form of buried foundations in reworked sub-soils affected by either natural ground water sulfates or contaminated road run-off. Of these 50 structures, 18 were initially selected for Phase 3 detailed site investigations. Following the identification of those structures which would most likely have TSA, site investigations were programmed and undertaken in October 1999. Five structures were initially investigated, with concrete cores being removed from selected locations of the buried post-tensioned ground beams. These core samples were subjected to petrographic, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction examinations following discussions with experts from the Building Research Establishment. This paper discusses the methodology adopted in the preparation of the desk study, the Special Inspection and the means by which the samples were extracted, tested and examined. This paper focuses on the ‘Engineers methods’ for the identification of thaumasite and the results of the investigations are presented.
Folic acid therapy in the fragile X syndrome

Two brothers with fra(X) positive X-linked mental retardation (XLMR) were treated with folic acid. Initially a double blind cross-over design was employed followed by a long-term high dose trial. A decrease in the frequency of fra(X) positive cells was observed when low folic acid culture medium was used but not when an FUdR induction system was employed. Selected behavioral characteristics improved in both while receiving folic acid. Decreased hyperactivity, greater attention span, increased motor coordination, increased quantity and quality of speech were noted. Improvement in Leiter mental age and regression after cessation of treatment was seen in one subject but not in the other. Further controlled trials with larger numbers of subjects using high doses of folic acid over longer periods of time are needed to assess the possible benefits of this experimental form of treatment.
Numerical simulation of smoke clearing with nanoparticle aggregates

Smoke reduction processes in an indoor room-scale chamber are generated by injecting nanoparticle aggregates. A numerical model, with a flow solver implemented with a particle collision model, is used to simulate the smoke-reduction effect. The collision model, developed particularly for simulating collisions among particles with significantly different sizes, enables real-time simulations of three-dimensional, two-phase flow when flow/particle interactions need to be considered. The accuracy of the collision model is estimated by comparing with the exact solution from the Smoluchowski equation. The simulated smoke reduction results are compared with measured data with good agreement. Optimized particle size distributions are studied using the simulation. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Forensic Study on the Cracking of New Jersey’s Long-Term Pavement Performance Specific Pavement Study Sections

In 2010, New Jersey's long-term pavement performance (LTPP) Specific Pavement Study (SPS-5) sections closed out. Before the rehabilitation of these pavement sections, an extensive coring and forensic study was conducted to characterize the material properties of the virgin and the 30% reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) asphalt mixtures used on the project. Along with field cores, raw materials (i.e., aggregates, binder, loose mix) were procured from FHWA-LTPP Materials Reference Library. Visual distress surveys from the LTPP database were collected and used to compare the mixture performance with the general field performance. Overall, the field performance indicated that the virgin and the 30% RAP sections initiated cracking within 1 to 3 years of each other, given the section evaluated. Once cracking began, however, the 30% RAP sections cracked at a faster rate than the virgin sections; this behavior resulted in higher crack counts even though the 30% RAP section had a softer binder (i.e., AC-10 versus AC...
Equilibrium Modeling of Asset Prices: Rationality Versus Rules of Thumb

General equilibrium models with representative agents have proved to be inadequate descriptions of U.S. financial data. I present a model with heterogeneous agents, optimizers, and nonoptimizers that exhibits high stock-price volatility and mimics empirical regularities found in U.S. consumption, stock return, and three-month treasury-bill return data. The simulation and estimation of the model are performed using a new technique called “backsolving,” which is of independent interest to researchers attempting to solve nonlinear, stochastic models.
On the evaluation of double square integral in the (s 1 , s 2 ) complex biplane

In this correspondence, a method of evaluating the double square integral \int\min{0}\max{\infin}\int\min{0}\max{\infin} [h(t_{1}, t_{2})]^{2} dt_{1} dt_{2} = \frac{1}{(2\pij)^{2}} \int\min{-j\infin}\max{j\infin}\int\min{-j\infin}\max{j\infin} H(-s_{1}, -s_{2}) ds_{1} ds_{2} where h(t_{1}, t_{2}) = L^{-1} [H(s_{1}, s_{2})] is discussed. The method of evaluation is based on using the double bilinear transformation (DBT) s_{k} = (1 - z_{k})/(1 + z_{k}), k = 1, 2 to reduce the above complex integral to a double integral in the complex ( z_{1}, z_{2} ) bidisk, \sum\min{m=0}\max{\infin}\sum\min{n=0}\max{\infin}[a(m, n)]^{2} =\frac{1}{(2\pij)^{2}} \oint\min{|z1| = 1} \oint\min{|z2| = 1} A(z_{1}, z_{2}) \cdot A(Z_{1}^{-1}, Z_{2}^{-1}) \frac{dz_{1}}{z_{1}}\frac{dz_{1}}{z_{2}} . There exist several methods for evaluating the above double integral. In this correspondence, we mention one promising method. Also, a matrix method is proposed for applying the "DBT" to a quotient of two-dimensional (2-D) polynomials.
College persistence among undocumented students at a selective public university: a quantitative case study analysis

Texas House Bill 1403, which was passed in 2001, is the first in-state resident tuition (ISRT) policy to benefit undocumented students in the United States. Seven years later, the literature includes virtually no empirical evidence of the persistence patterns of students who have enrolled in postsecondary institutions as beneficiaries of the in-state resident tuition policies in Texas, and in the United States in general. This study represents one of the first research studies to provide a quantitative analysis of the persistence behavior of ISRT policy eligible students at a large selective public institution in Texas. The findings, while not generalizable to all postsecondary institutions with this population, provocatively suggest that ISRT recipients are remaining in college at rates similar to those of their Latino peers who are U.S. citizens and legal residents. The study addresses the implications of this policy for selective institutions and makes suggestions for further research.
Measurement of illumination exposure in postpartum women

Low levels of light exposure at critical times are thought to cause seasonal affective disorder. Investigators, in studies demonstrating the usefulness of bright light therapy, also have implicated light's role in non-seasonal depression. The precise cause of postpartum depression has not been delineated, but it seemed possible that new mothers would spend reduced time in daylight. The goal of this study was to examine the levels of illumination experienced by postpartum mothers and to discover any relationship between light exposure and mood levels experienced during the postpartum period. Fifteen postpartum women, who did not have any baseline indication of depression, wore a wrist device (Actillume) for 72 hours to measure their exposure to light. At the end of the recording period, they completed a self-reported measure of mood. The mean light exposure of these postpartum women (expressed as the 24-hour average logarithm of illumination in lux) was compared with that of a representative sample of women of comparable age, residence, and seasonal months of recording. Mood levels were then rank-ordered and tested for correlation with light exposure levels. There was no significant difference between the amount of light [log10lux] experienced by postpartum (1.01 SD 0.236) and control women (1.06 SD 0.285). Mood was not correlated with illumination in the postpartum sample. Postpartum women in San Diego did not receive reduced light, nor was low mood related to low illumination.
Maximum likelihood blur identification and image restoration using the EM algorithm

The authors describe an algorithm for the identification of the blur and the restoration of a noisy blurred image. The original image and the additive noise are modeled as zero-mean Gaussian random processes. Their covariance matrices are unknown parameters. The blurring process is specified by its point spread function, which is also unknown. Maximum likelihood estimation is used to find these unknown parameters. In turn, the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm is exploited in computing the maximum likelihood estimates. In applying the EM algorithm, the original image is part of the complete data; its estimate is computed in the E-step of the EM iterations. Explicit iterative expressions are derived for the estimation. Experimental results on simulated and photographically blurred images are shown. >
Components of Speech Prosody and their Use in Detection of Syntactic Structure by Older Adults

Young and older adults heard sentences in which one character was describing another character ("The doctor said the nurse is thirsty"), where the character being described could be determined only by the prosodic pattern in which the sentence was heard. Using computer editing, the authors generated sentences that were heard with either one (Experiment 1) or two (Experiment 2) of three ordinarily co-occurring prosodic features reduced (pitch variation, amplitude variation, timing variation). For both age groups, timing variation was the most valuable of the three prosodic features. These results add to our understanding of the effective preservation of spoken language comprehension in normal aging.
Bivalent cations and amino-acid composition contribute to the thermostability of Bacillus licheniformis xylose isomerase.

Comparative analysis of genome sequence data from mesophilic and hyperthermophilic micro-organisms has revealed a strong bias against specific thermolabile amino-acid residues (i.e. N and Q) in hyperthermophilic proteins. The N + Q content of class II xylose isomerases (XIs) from mesophiles, moderate thermophiles, and hyperthermophiles was examined. It was found to correlate inversely with the growth temperature of the source organism in all cases examined, except for the previously uncharacterized XI from Bacillus licheniformis DSM13 (BLXI), which had an N + Q content comparable to that of homologs from much more thermophilic sources. To determine whether BLXI behaves as a thermostable enzyme, it was expressed in Escherichia coli, and the thermostability and activity properties of the recombinant enzyme were studied. Indeed, it was optimally active at 70-72 degrees C, which is significantly higher than the optimal growth temperature (37 degrees C) of B. licheniformis. The kinetic properties of BLXI, determined at 60 degrees C with glucose and xylose as substrates, were comparable to those of other class II XIs. The stability of BLXI was dependent on the metallic cation present in its two metal-binding sites. The enzyme thermostability increased in the order apoenzyme < Mg2+-enzyme < Co2+-enzyme approximately Mn2+-enzyme, with melting temperatures of 50.3 degrees C, 53.3 degrees C, 73.4 degrees C, and 73.6 degrees C. BLXI inactivation was first-order in all conditions examined. The energy of activation for irreversible inactivation was also strongly influenced by the metal present, ranging from 342 kJ x mol(-1) (apoenzyme) to 604 kJ x mol(-1) (Mg2+-enzyme) to 1166 kJ x mol(-1) (Co2+-enzyme). These results suggest that the first irreversible event in BLXI unfolding is the release of one or both of its metals from the active site. Although N + Q content was an indicator of thermostability for class II XIs, this pattern may not hold for other sets of homologous enzymes. In fact, the extremely thermostable alpha-amylase from B. licheniformis was found to have an average N + Q content compared with homologous enzymes from a variety of mesophilic and thermophilic sources. Thus, it would appear that protein thermostability is a function of more complex molecular determinants than amino-acid content alone.
What do people believe about gay males? A study of stereotype content and strength

The current research examined the content and strength of the gay male stereotype. This focus represents a return to the earliest issues addressed by social psychologists. Although once a major substantive area in social psychology, issues of content gradually gave way to issues of process. However, issues of content and process are inextricably tied to one another. Content studies detail the specific attributes in stereotypes, their strength, valence, and inaccuracy. Process studies use this information to examine when stereotypes will influence social reality and social perception. The current research showed that beliefs about gay males included attributes from multiple stereotype components, formed two subtypes, and varied in strength. These findings have implications for research on issues of process because knowing what people believe about gay males and how strongly they hold those beliefs provides insight into when stereotypes may be most likely to create biases.
Treatment of acute gout with oxaprozin

Fifty patients with acute gouty arthritis entered into an 8-day multicenter open study designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Oxaprozin, a new nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID). Patients received 1,800 mg of Oxaprozin daily in two divided doses (1,200 mg in the morning and 600 mg in the evening) for 2 days, followed by 1,200 mg daily until pain was relieved. Based on evaluation of pain intensity recorded on patient diary cards, 84% of the patients ( P P P
The Use of Latent Semantic Analysis as a Tool for the Quantitative Assessment of Understanding and Knowledge

Latent Semantic Analysis (LSA) is a statistical model of word usage that has been used for a variety of applications. One of these applications is the quantitative assessment of the semantic content within written text. While the technology has been successful in correlating with the qualitative ratings of human experts, it is unclear what aspect of knowledge is being reflected in an LSA output. The two experiments presented here were designed to address this general question. We were particularly interested in whether an LSA analysis more accurately reflects the factual or conceptual knowledge contained in written material. Experiment 1 explored this issue by comparing LSA analyses of essays to human-generated scores. It also compared the LSA output to several measures of conceptual structure. Experiment 2 correlated LSA analyses of transcribed recall protocols with a series of comprehension measures that were designed to vary in the degree to which they reflect conceptual or factual knowledge. We found ...
New Criteria and a New Algorithm for Learning in Multi-Agent Systems

We propose a new set of criteria for learning algorithms in multi-agent systems, one that is more stringent and (we argue) better justified than previous proposed criteria. Our criteria, which apply most straightforwardly in repeated games with average rewards, consist of three requirements: (a) against a specified class of opponents (this class is a parameter of the criterion) the algorithm yield a payoff that approaches the payoff of the best response, (b) against other opponents the algorithm's payoff at least approach (and possibly exceed) the security level payoff (or max-imin value), and (c) subject to these requirements, the algorithm achieve a close to optimal payoff in self-play. We furthermore require that these average payoffs be achieved quickly. We then present a novel algorithm, and show that it meets these new criteria for a particular parameter class, the class of stationary opponents. Finally, we show that the algorithm is effective not only in theory, but also empirically. Using a recently introduced comprehensive game theoretic test suite, we show that the algorithm almost universally outperforms previous learning algorithms.
Advanced Integrated Bidirectional AC/DC and DC/DC Converter for Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) technology provides an effective solution for achieving higher fuel economy, better performance, and lower emissions, compared with conventional vehicles. Plug-in HEVs (PHEVs) are HEVs with plug-in capabilities and provide a more all-electric range; hence, PHEVs improve fuel economy and reduce emissions even more. PHEVs have a battery pack of high energy density and can run solely on electric power for a given range. The battery pack can be recharged by a neighborhood outlet. In this paper, a novel integrated bidirectional AC/DC charger and DC/DC converter (henceforth, the integrated converter) for PHEVs and hybrid/plug-in-hybrid conversions is proposed. The integrated converter is able to function as an AC/DC battery charger and to transfer electrical energy between the battery pack and the high-voltage bus of the electric traction system. It is shown that the integrated converter has a reduced number of high-current inductors and current transducers and has provided fault-current tolerance in PHEV conversion.
Antipneumococcal Activity of Ertapenem (MK-0826) Compared to Those of Other Agents

The activities of ertapenem (MK-0826) and eight other agents against a range of penicillin-susceptible and -resistant pneumococci were tested by determination of MICs by the microdilution method and by the time-kill methodology. For 125 penicillin-susceptible, 74 penicillin-intermediate, and 86 penicillin-resistant pneumococci, the MICs at which 50% of isolates are inhibited (MIC 50 s) and MIC 90 s, as determined by the microdilution method, were as follows: for ertapenem, 0.016 and 0.03, 0.125 and 0.5, and 0.5 and 1.0 μg/ml for penicillin-susceptible, penicillin-intermediate, and penicillin-resistant pneumococci, respectively; for amoxicillin, ≤0.016 and 0.03, 0.25 and 1.0, and 2.0 and 2.0 μg/ml for penicillin-susceptible, penicillin-intermediate, and penicillin-resistant pneumococci, respectively; for cefprozil, 0.125 and 0.25, 1.0 and 8.0, and 16.0 and 16.0 μg/ml for penicillin-susceptible, penicillin-intermediate, and penicillin-resistant pneumococci, respectively; for cefepime, ≤0.016 and 0.06, 0.5 and 1.0, and 1.0 and 2.0 μg/ml for penicillin-susceptible, penicillin-intermediate, and penicillin-resistant pneumococci, respectively; for ceftriaxone, ≤0.016 and 0.06, 0.25 and 1.0, and 1.0 and 2.0 μg/ml for penicillin-susceptible, penicillin-intermediate, and penicillin-resistant pneumococci, respectively; for imipenem, ≤0.008 and ≤0.008, 0.03 and 0.25, and 0.25 and 0.25 μg/ml for penicillin-susceptible, penicillin-intermediate, and penicillin-resistant pneumococci, respectively; for meropenem, ≤0.008 and 0.016, 0.125 and 0.5, and 0.5 and 1.0 μg/ml for penicillin-susceptible, penicillin-intermediate, and penicillin-resistant pneumococci, respectively; and for clarithromycin, 1.0 and >32.0, 1.0 and >32.0, and >32.0 and >32.0 μg/ml for penicillin-susceptible, penicillin-intermediate, and penicillin-resistant pneumococci, respectively. For 64 strains for which quinolone MICs were increased (ciprofloxacin MICs, ≥4.0 μg/ml), the MIC 90 of ertapenem was 1.0 μg/ml and the MIC 90 s of the other β-lactams tested and clarithromycin were >32.0 μg/ml. Against four penicillin-susceptible, four penicillin-intermediate, and four penicillin-resistant strains, testing by the time-kill methodology showed that ertapenem at two times the MIC was bacteriostatic (99% killing) after 12 h and bactericidal (99.9% killing) against all strains by 24 h, with 90% killing of all strains at two times the MIC after 6 h. At the MIC, ertapenem was bacteriostatic against all strains tested after 24 h. Although the bactericidal activity of imipenem at the MIC after 24 h was significantly greater than that of ertapenem, the kinetics of the two drugs at two times the MIC were similar after 24 h. The killing kinetics of clarithromycin were slower than those of ertapenem and other agents, with clarithromycin at two times the MIC having bactericidal activity against seven of eight macrolide-susceptible strains after 24 h.
THE ROLE OF MIXING RULES AND THREE-BODY FORCES IN THE PHASE BEHAVIOR OF MIXTURES: SIMULTANEOUS VLE AND VLLE CALCULATIONS

Abstract It is demonstrated that with the use of proper statistical mechanical mixing rules in empirical equations of state it is possible to predict the vapor—liquid equilibrium (VLE) and vapor—liquid—liquid equilibrium (VLLE) of highly polar multicomponent mixtures. It is also shown that the new mixing rules are capable of predicting the VLE and VLLE data of a given mixture, simultaneously, with the use of only one set of unlike-binary interaction parameters. In predicting the VLE data of ternary mixtures using equations of state a common problem has been the inaccuracy of prediction around the critical solution point of the mixture. This problem is resolved here through the inclusion of the unlike-three-body intermolecular interaction contribution in formulating the VLE algorithm. A number of sample calculations demonstrating the correcting roles of the new mixing rules and unlike-three-body contribution in VLE and VLLE predictions is presented.
Academic abilities and glycaemic control in children and young people with Type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Aims To determine if children and young people aged < 23 years with Type 1 diabetes differ in academic ability from age-matched control subjects without Type 1 diabetes and whether academic scores are related to glycaemic control. Methods Using a cross-sectional study design, we administered cognitive and academic tests (Woodcock-Johnson III Spatial Relations, General Information, Letter-Word Recognition, Calculation and Spelling tests) to young people with Type 1 diabetes (n=61) and control subjects (n=26) aged 9–22 years. The groups did not differ in age or gender. Participants with Type 1 diabetes had a disease duration of 5–17.7 years. History of glycaemic control (HbA1c, diabetic ketoacidosis and severe hypoglycaemic episodes) was obtained via medical records and interviews. Results The participants with Type 1 diabetes had a lower mean estimated verbal intelligence (IQ) level compared with those in the control group (P=0.04). Greater exposure to hyperglycaemia over time was associated with lower spelling abilities within the group with Type 1 diabetes (P=0.048), even after controlling for age, gender, socio-economic status, blood glucose level at time of testing and verbal IQ (P=0.01). History of severe hypoglycaemia or ketoacidosis was not associated with differences in academic abilities. Conclusions In children and young people, Type 1 diabetes was associated with a lower verbal IQ. Moreover, increased exposure to hyperglycaemia was associated with lower spelling performance. These results imply that hyperglycaemia can affect cognitive function and/or learning processes that may affect academic achievement.
"The king of terrors" revisited: the smallpox vaccination campaign and its lessons for future biopreparedness.

“Smallpox was always present, filling the churchyard with corpses, tormenting with constant fear all whom it had not yet stricken, leaving on those whose lives it spared the hideous traces of its power, turning the babe into a changeling at which the mother shuddered, and making the eyes and cheeks of the betrothed maiden objects of horror to the lover.” In 1848, British historian T.B. Macaulay first captured the picture of the devastation smallpox wreaked on its victims, but the “King of Terrors,” as it was dubbed by future president John Adams, had already decimated populations in the ancient world from Greece to Egypt to China. Smallpox had no respect for authority: the earliest identified victim, Pharaoh Ramses V (d.1157 B.C.) was but the first in a long line of monarchs and rulers who succumbed,. including the Hittite king Suppiluliumas I, Aztec Emperor Cuitlahuac, and Queen Mary II of England.
Mapping connections between biological-emotional preferences and affective recognition: An eye-tracking interface for passive assessment of emotional competency

This study presents a proof-of-concept study to assess the prediction of emotional perceptive competency and implicit affective preferences from each other. Predictions are made using linear regression, principal component analysis with linear regression, and support vector machines. Results point to a strong, bidirectional relationship between preference for emotional stimuli and affective competency. This work informs future studies predicting emotion processing abilities in humans and highlights the importance of tailoring interfaces to meet the emotional abilities of the user.
Glutamate Cysteine Ligase Modifier Subunit (Gclm) Null Mice Have Increased Ovarian Oxidative Stress and Accelerated Age-Related Ovarian Failure

Glutathione (GSH) is the one of the most abundant intracellular antioxidants. Mice lacking the modifier subunit of glutamate cysteine ligase (Gclm), the rate-limiting enzyme in GSH synthesis, have decreased GSH. Our prior work showed that GSH plays antiapoptotic roles in ovarian follicles. We hypothesized that Gclm(-/-) mice have accelerated ovarian aging due to ovarian oxidative stress. We found significantly decreased ovarian GSH concentrations and oxidized GSH/oxidized glutathione redox potential in Gclm(-/-) vs Gclm(+/+) ovaries. Prepubertal Gclm(-/-) and Gclm(+/+) mice had similar numbers of ovarian follicles, and as expected, the total number of ovarian follicles declined with age in both genotypes. However, the rate of decline in follicles was significantly more rapid in Gclm(-/-) mice, and this was driven by accelerated declines in primordial follicles, which constitute the ovarian reserve. We found significantly increased 4-hydroxynonenal immunostaining (oxidative lipid damage marker) and significantly increased nitrotyrosine immunostaining (oxidative protein damage marker) in prepubertal and adult Gclm(-/-) ovaries compared with controls. The percentage of small ovarian follicles with increased granulosa cell proliferation was significantly higher in prepubertal and 2-month-old Gclm(-/-) vs Gclm(+/+) ovaries, indicating accelerated recruitment of primordial follicles into the growing pool. The percentages of growing follicles with apoptotic granulosa cells were increased in young adult ovaries. Our results demonstrate increased ovarian oxidative stress and oxidative damage in young Gclm(-/-) mice, associated with an accelerated decline in ovarian follicles that appears to be mediated by increased recruitment of follicles into the growing pool, followed by apoptosis at later stages of follicular development.
Visual Attention and Behavior Under Positive Stereotypes

Afrocentricity bias occurs when Black individuals with dark skin, wide nose, and large lips are associated with certain negative and positive traits (e.g., criminality and athleticism) compared to those with Eurocentric features (i.e., light skin, narrow nose, thin lips). In racial bias research, inhibition of biased responses is common. The current study employed positive stereotypes associated with Blacks and Whites (physical and verbal ability, respectively) in order to link implicit behavior (visual attention) to explicit behavior. Participants selected, from an array of two faces, the best candidate for a team requiring either physical strength or verbal ability. Stereotypes did not affect visual behavior and choice; rather, Afrocentric features did. Visual attention to highly Afrocentric Black faces was greater when with White faces. In terms of choice, when present with two Black faces, the more Eurocentric face was more likely to be selected. Selections did not vary for White and highly Afrocentric Black candidate pairs. Eurocentric Black faces were selected more often when paired with a White candidate. Trait rating data showed that highly Afrocentric features resulted in higher ratings of agility and strength, whereas Eurocentric features resulted in higher ratings for verbal and grammatical skill. Although participants rated Blacks as predicted by Afrocentricity Bias, their behavior did not reflect the bias.
A Review of: “How to avoid falling in love with a jerk: The foolproof way to follow your heart without losing your mind”

Many young adults view making a lifelong commitment to someone as highly important (Arnett, 1997). Given this importance, it is essential to find resources that are based on sound principles derive...
'It's Not All About You: Alternative Routes to Norms Change'

The story of norms evolution dominant in international relations and social movement scholarship has tended to weight the power of persuasion in favor of industrialized/Western states over underdeveloped/non-Western ones. It has also assumed that advocates are active across borders, moving ideas from the centers of normative (and financial and political) power in New York or Geneva on "down" to the sites of norms violation someplace else. But what if people in those places either dismissed, ignored, or simply rose above existing human rights frameworks to forge new norms and new modes of implementing rights on their own? And what if their actions ultimately enhanced (rather than detracted from) the mainstream human rights canon? This paper takes that possibility seriously. I use original ethnographic data on a decade-long "Right to Food Campaign" in India to demonstrate how non-Western human rights advocates are offering radical new legal interpretations of economic rights and creative new modes of progressive implementation of rights that stand to expand the existing theoretical and practical frameworks for rights implementation -- but that come from the opposite direction of that predicted by dominant explanations of norms evolution. The absence of engagement with international human rights advocacy in the Right to Food campaign thus stands to contribute a new causal pattern to the norms evolution literature: namely, the form of progressive backlash.
Surface-Topography Simulations of Ionized Sputter Metal Deposition

Numerical simulations are used to predict microscopic topography of deposited metal films in ionized magnetron sputter deposition experiments. The simulation takes into account ionized and neutral fluxes as deposition material sources and re–sputtering and re–deposition of the deposited material due to the ion bombardment. The shock-tracking algorithm is used to advance the moving surface boundary. Applications of this deposition technique include lining and filling of trenches, vias and dual damascene.
Physical Therapists' Role in Health Promotion as Perceived by the Patient: Descriptive Survey

Background The importance of health professionals discussing health behaviors with patients is emphasized in Healthy People 2020, the national health objectives established by the US Department of Health and Human Services. Many physical therapists do not routinely discuss health behaviors with their patients. One reason may be uncertainty about how these discussions might be perceived by patients. Objective The primary purpose of this study was to determine patients' opinions regarding physical therapists discussing the topics of physical activity, smoking, fruit and vegetable consumption, and maintaining a healthy weight during clinical visits. A secondary purpose was to determine whether patients believe that physical therapists should be role models for these behaviors. Design This was a descriptive cross-sectional survey. Methods Patients were surveyed at 8 outpatient clinics in Michigan and Minnesota. A written questionnaire collected information about the participants' health behaviors, their opinions about physical therapists discussing their health behaviors during clinical visits, and their opinions about physical therapists role-modeling healthy behaviors. Results The survey response rate was 45.6%. A total of 230 patients participated. Most participants agreed that physical therapists should speak to them about physical activity (91.3%), maintaining a healthy weight (73%), and abstaining from smoking (51.3%). Fewer participants agreed that physical therapists should advise them about fruit and vegetable consumption (32.1%). The majority of participants agreed that physical therapists should be role models for engaging in regular physical activity (83.4%), maintaining a healthy weight (71.7%), and abstaining from smoking (63.9%). Limitations Limitations of this study include the potential for response bias and limited generalizability. Conclusions Most participants believed it is appropriate for physical therapists to speak with them about and be role models for the behaviors of physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and abstaining from smoking. Physical therapists have the opportunity to support the goals of Healthy People 2020 by discussing health behaviors with their patients.
Multi-gigabit/s underwater optical communication link using orbital angular momentum multiplexing

In this work we experimentally demonstrated an underwater wireless optical communications (UWOC) link over a 2.96 m distance with two 445-nm fiber-pigtailed laser diodes employing Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) to allow for spatial multiplexing. Using an on-off keying, non-return-to-zero (OOK-NRZ) modulation scheme, a data rate of 3 Gbit/s was achieved in water with an attenuation coefficient of 0.4128 m−1 at an average bit error rate (BER) of 2.073 × 10−4, well beneath the forward error correction (FEC) threshold.
Analysis of the Effect of the ISAC Stress Absorption Layer on the Asphalt Load Stress and the Thermal Stress

The 3-D finite element method is used to analyze asphalt overlay with ISAC and another two kinds of asphalt overlays without ISAC.The results from the analysis show that the load stress and the thermal stress in asphalt overlay can be reduced significantly with ISAC between old cement concrete pavement and new asphalt overlay.
The celestial fire of conscience.

to the editor: With regard to the Perspective article by Charo on conscience clauses, I am disappointed by the treatment of a very serious topic in medicine. The debate over conscience is an important one for both providers and patients. Charo offers distortions of the proposed Wisconsin law, as well as a very biased approach. Even the title frames the discussion in terms of the refusal of care. I urge readers to read the proposed law for themselves.1 In the included legislative analysis, it is plain that the law would leave in place current law that deems it unprofessional to fail to make a good-faith effort to refer a patient. It is also surprising that Charo does not mention the protection in the bill for nurses, medical students, and others in employee relationships who are being fired, harassed, and coerced into actions that they find morally troubling. It seems to me that she would be the “moral busybody” in forcing a medical student or nurse to violate his or her own conscience. That would be the worst “tyranny.” I hope that in the future the Journal will deal with this topic in an honest and balanced manner.
The effect of methadone on fetal brain function.

The effect of methadone on fetal brain function in terms of the elctroencephalogram (EEG) was studied in eight short-term fetal sheep experiments by single injections of 5 to 20 mg. of methadone into the fetal circulation. Plasma methadone concentrations (determined by radioimmunoassay) greater than 0.065 mg. per cent were associated with an immediate but brief decrease in carotid blood flow, a rapid decrease in frequency and amplitude in the EEG that occasionally became isoelectric but recovered, and immediate and relatively prolonged bradycardia. Similar cardiovascular observations were obtained with plasma methadone concentrations less than 0.065 mg. per cent, but the EEG changes were either minimal or not observed. These results indicate that uptake of methadone by the fetal brain is rapid and that electrical activity and heart rate are affected.
Random Mutagenesis by Whole-Plasmid PCR Amplification

Random mutagenesis has become a powerful means of studying the effects of a large number of permutations of a particular DNA sequence. As a prime example, libraries of randomized cDNA clones, when ...
Weekly reading assignments and examinations result in sustained improvement in American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination (ABSITE) scores.

The American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination (ABSITE) score is used by general surgery training programs as a measure of the medical knowledge component of the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education competencies. Poor performance on ABSITE (<35%) has correlated with high failure rates on the American Board of Surgery Qualifying Examination. We previously demonstrated an improvement in ABSITE scores over a 1-year period through the initiation of weekly reading assignments and review examinations. We sought to determine whether this educational endeavor would result in a sustained improvement in ABSITE scores over several years. ABSITE scores from two successive, 3-year time periods (1999-2001, Group 1, 2002-2004, Group 2), were compared. For Group 1, no formal reading assignments or preparatory exams were given. For Group 2, weekly reading assignments and examinations were administered by the faculty. For Group I, the mean ABSITE score was 60 per cent, versus 75 per cent (P < 0.01) for Group 2. In Group 1, 13 out of 76 scores (17%) were below 35 per cent, whereas in Group 2, only 4 out of 74 scores (5%) were below 35 per cent (P = 0.03). Sustained improvement in ABSITE scores and fewer scores <35 per cent were achieved over a 3-year period with an educational program of weekly topic-specific reading assignments and written review examinations.
The KP theory and Mach reflection

Interactions of two line solitons in the two-dimensional shallow-water field are studied based on the Kadomtsev–Petviashvili (KP) theory. With the use of the normal form, the extended KP equation with higher-order correction is derived. This extended KP theory improves significantly the predictability of the original KP theory for soliton interactions with finite oblique angles. The previously existing discrepancy between the experiments and the theory in the Mach reflection problem is now resolved by the normal form theory.
Historical Episodes; a Laboratory for the Study of Cultural Change

Students of the evolution of culture have been forced to recognize the prominent part that diffusion—the passing of cultural elements from one culture to another—has played in the evolution process. The principal factor in the discovery that cultures do not follow uniform patterns in their evolution was diffusion. Arithmetic and geometry, as well as elementary algebra, are involved in this schema. Mathematical formulae used by the Babylonians and the Egyptians filtered through trade and intellectual channels to Greece and India. The term “Hindu-Arabic” originated from the diffusion of Hindu numerals to Arabia. This chapter describes mathematics as a cultural system. Diffusion and cultural lag as operative in cultural change have been discussed. The chapter focuses on selecting historical episodes that serve to bring out the stresses.
VTA dopaminergic neurons regulate ethologically relevant sleep–wake behaviors

Dopaminergic ventral tegmental area (VTA) neurons are critically involved in a variety of behaviors that rely on heightened arousal, but whether they directly and causally control the generation and maintenance of wakefulness is unknown. We recorded calcium activity using fiber photometry in freely behaving mice and found arousal-state-dependent alterations in VTA dopaminergic neurons. We used chemogenetic and optogenetic manipulations together with polysomnographic recordings to demonstrate that VTA dopaminergic neurons are necessary for arousal and that their inhibition suppresses wakefulness, even in the face of ethologically relevant salient stimuli. Nevertheless, before inducing sleep, inhibition of VTA dopaminergic neurons promoted goal-directed and sleep-related nesting behavior. Optogenetic stimulation, in contrast, initiated and maintained wakefulness and suppressed sleep and sleep-related nesting behavior. We further found that different projections of VTA dopaminergic neurons differentially modulate arousal. Collectively, our findings uncover a fundamental role for VTA dopaminergic circuitry in the maintenance of the awake state and ethologically relevant sleep-related behaviors.
A Grammatical Parallel between Music and Language

For a number of years we have been developing a formal theory of tonal music, based on the goals and methodology of generative linguistics. Without any intention on our part, one aspect of our theory has proved to be closely analogous to some recent developments in phonological theory. In this paper we will describe the parallelism.
Dissipation factor measurements on dielectric materials at liquid helium temperatures

In any cryogenic, high-voltage cable design, it is crucial that the advantage in conductor efficiency won by cooling is not offset by an intolerable refrigeration load due to dielectric and other losses. This constraint is especially felt by designers of tape-insulated, ac superconducting cables.1 In this case, the steady-state power loss from the dielectric alone is P ∝ V2 ω e' tan δ. For a cable designed to operate at voltage V and frequency ω/2π, the only way to reduce P for a given cable geometry is by minimizing the product e' tan δ. Here e' is the real part of the dielectric constant e = e' + je”, and tan δ = e″/e'.
Analysis and measurement of grating lobe effects in infinite planar arrays of finite-sized subarrays

One of the practical challenges while integrating large phased arrays is predicting and therefore carefully managing grating lobes which may appear due to unavoidable mechanical gaps between sub array modules. In particular, gaps in the ground plane are a common concern because they are potential impediments to the flow of natural current between the array elements. Recently, standard Floquet modal analysis was extended to infinite arrays of sub arrays in order to explore these effects in a rigorous framework [1]. However, to the authors knowledge, this type of analysis has not been validated through measurements in the open literature. To corroborate the overall theory, this paper presents measurements of an array of 3 × 3 sub arrays of simple patch antennas, quantifying the grating lobe and the grating lobe effects.