cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Teaching & Learning Guide for: On Spirituality: Natural and Non‐Natural

Author’s IntroductionReligious conversations – both scholarly and popular – routinely employ the term ‘spirituality,’ a term whose ubiquity is matched only by its obscurity. ‘Spirituality’ is seldom, if ever, defined. Most people seemingly appeal to commonsense when they speak of ‘spirituality’ as ostensibly referring to something immaterial and by a certain extension non-natural. The spiritual is supposed to transcend the historical. For those working in Religious Studies, such a position ought to be, and finally is beginning to be, looked upon with suspicion because the (substance) dualism informing commonsense definitions of spirituality is no longer viable. As such, the commonsense definition of ‘spirituality’ is untenable for scholarly purposes. We need a new definition of ‘spirituality,’ and this new definition demands a new approach. To be sure, contemporary academic consilience counsels methodological naturalism. Religious Studies rightly abides such academic consilience. Eschewing all appeals to the supernatural, a natural definition of spirituality suggests that it is existential self-esteem. Although there may be multiple manifestations of self-esteem, spirituality is a misrecognized form of self-esteem as the ‘sociometer.’ Existential self-esteem mitigates interpersonal death anxiety. There are two types of ‘spirituality,’ the non-natural and the natural. Non-natural spirituality pursues ‘literal’ immortality; natural spirituality pursues ‘symbolic’ immortality. Methodological naturalism disallows the former and at least countenances the latter. This guide outlines an approach to teaching about and ultimately defining spirituality as a wholly natural phenomenon.
Open-field behavior in guinea pigs: Developmental and adaptive considerations.

Abstract Two experiments were conducted with guinea pigs to test implications of a model which holds that social reinstatement tendencies and attempts to evade predation are the primary factors influencing how organisms initially react when placed in an open field. Because of the age-related reduction in need for maternal care, vocalization and ambulation latencies increased with age, and in support of the hypothesis that humans are perceived as predators, subjects tested in the presence of a human observer were less likely to move or vocalize than those tested alone. The data on vocalization latencies strongly suggest that the species- specific “whistle” of guinea pigs is a functional mammalian analog to the so-called “distress call” of domestic fowl.
On the complexity of project scheduling to minimize exposed time

We consider project scheduling where the project manager’s objective is to minimize the time from when an adversary discovers the project until the completion of the project. We analyze the complexity of the problem identifying both polynomially solvable and NP-hard versions of the problem. The complexity of the problem is seen to be dependent on the nature of renewable resource constraints, precedence constraints, and the ability to crash activities in the project.
A novel restricted photoaffinity spin-labeled non-nucleoside ATP analogue as a covalently attached reporter group of the active site of Myosin subfragment 1.

The photoaffinity spin-labeled non-nucleoside ATP analogue, 2-(4-azido-2-nitrophenyl)amino-2,2-(1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidylidene)di(oxymethylene)ethyl triphosphate (SSL-NANTP), has been shown to be a substrate for skeletal mysoin subfragment 1 (S1) that can be photoincorporated at the active site of S1 [Chen, X., et al. (2000) Bioconjugate Chem. 11, 725-733]. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy shows that the probe undergoes restricted motion with respect to the protein. The parent compound, NANTP {2-[(4-azido-2-nitrophenyl)amino]ethyl triphosphate}, is specifically photoincorporated at Trp-130 on the amino-terminal 23 kDa tryptic fragment in rabbit skeletal myosin. Surprisingly, amino acid sequence analysis shows that SSL-NANTP is photoincorporated on the carboxy-terminal 20 kDa tryptic fragment at Lys-681 on the side opposite Trp-130 in the nucleotide pocket. This is the first direct evidence showing that this residue in the 20 kDa tryptic fragment is close enough to the active site to be photolabeled by trapped ATP analogues. After actin treatment in the presence of MgATP, SSL-NANDP-labeled myosin S1 had normal ATPase activity, indicating that photolabeling did not significantly alter the enzymatic properties of S1. Photoincorporated SSL-NANDP was bound inside the nucleotide site of S1, with an effective concentration of ∼20 mM as judged by the concentration of MgADP needed to displace it. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the ability of NANTP and SSL-NANTP to photolabel different sites results from different orientations of the phenyl ring in the active site. For SSL-NANTP, the p-azido group on the phenyl ring points toward Lys-681. For NANTP, it points in the opposite direction toward Trp-130.
Therapeutic delivery of hydrogen sulfide for salvage of ischemic skeletal muscle after the onset of critical ischemia

Background Recent evidence suggests that hydrogen sulfide is capable of mitigating the degree of cellular damage associated with ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Methods This study evaluated the potential utility of hydrogen sulfide in preventing IRI in skeletal muscle by using in vitro (cultured myotubes subjected to sequential hypoxia and normoxia) and in vivo (mouse hind limb ischemia, followed by reperfusion) models to determine whether intravenous hydrogen sulfide delivered after the ischemic event had occurred (pharmacologic postconditioning) conferred protection against IRI. Injury score and apoptotic index were determined by analysis of specimens stained with hematoxylin and eosin and terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated deoxy-uridine triphosphate nick-end labeling, respectively. Results In vitro, hydrogen sulfide reduced the apoptotic index after 1, 3, or 5 hours of hypoxia by as much as 75% (P = .002), 80% (P = .006), and 83% (P Conclusions These findings confirm that hydrogen sulfide limits IRI-induced cellular damage in myotubes and skeletal muscle, even when delivered after the onset of ischemia in this murine model. These data suggest that when given in the appropriate dose and within the proper time frame, hydrogen sulfide may have significant therapeutic applications in multiple clinical scenarios.
Patient Satisfaction with Manualized Versus Standard Interventions in a Managed Care Context

Objective: This article reviews the current debate surrounding the use of manualized treatments within behavioral health settings and presents the results of an exploratory study (N = 230) that examined client satisfaction with structured, time-limited treatment versus unstructured individualized treatment. Method: The study employed a survey design using the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8) to determine levels of client satisfaction with the two distinct treatment options: standardized group treatment versus unstructured, individual therapy. Results: The data suggest that clients are equally satisfied with both types of intervention and that this satisfaction is consistent across descriptive variables. Conclusions: The report concludes with a discussion of the implications of these findings for social work practitioners and administrators and the implications for future research.
The retinoblastoma gene Rb and its family member p130 suppress lung adenocarcinoma induced by oncogenic K-Ras

Mutations of the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor gene RB are frequently observed in human cancers, but rarely in non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs). Emerging evidence also suggests that the RB-related gene p130 is inactivated in a subset of human NSCLCs. To directly test the specific tumor suppressor roles of RB and p130 in NSCLC, we crossed Rb and p130 conditional mutant mice to mice carrying a conditional oncogenic K-Ras allele. In this model, controlled oncogenic K-Ras activation leads to the development of adenocarcinoma, a major subtype of NSCLC. We found that loss of p130 accelerated the death of mice, providing direct evidence in vivo that p130 is a tumor suppressor gene, albeit a weak one in this context. Loss of Rb increased the efficiency of lung cancer initiation and resulted in the development of high-grade adenocarcinomas and rapid death. Thus, despite the low frequency of RB mutations in human NSCLCs and reports that K-Ras activation and loss of RB function are rarely found in the same human tumors, loss of Rb clearly cooperates with activation of oncogenic K-Ras in lung adenocarcinoma development in mice.
Using stream bioassessment to monitor best management practice effectiveness

Abstract A best management practices (BMPs) effectiveness study was conducted to evaluate Florida’s BMPs for protecting aquatic ecosystems during intensive forestry operations. Sites were selected in major ecoregions of the state and each site was associated with a stream adjacent to intensive silviculture treatments. A stream bioassessment was conducted at each site before silviculture treatments, to determine a pre-treatment stream condition index (SCI). Sampling for the bioassessment was conducted at points along each stream, above and below the treatment area, to establish reference and test conditions. Silviculture treatments of clearcut harvesting, intensive mechanical site preparation and machine planting were then completed, during which all applicable BMPs were adhered to. One year after the first bioassessment and following the treatments, the sites were re-sampled at the same points. No significant difference in the SCI was observed between the reference and test portions of the streams that could be attributed to the treatments using BMPs. Hence, the results of the study support the hypothesis that proper application of BMPs provides protection to adjacent stream ecosystems.
Performance of a long-text-input keystroke biometric authentication system using an improved k-nearest-neighbor classification method

Over the last six years Pace University has been developing a long-text-input keystroke biometrie system. The system consists of three components: a java applet that collects raw keystroke data over the Internet, a feature extractor, and a pattern classifier. This paper presents two significant system improvements. The first achieves high performance with a closed system of known users and shows how performance changes as the system is opened (diluted) by additional users. The second is the extension of the k-nearest-neighbor classification method to directly derive Receiver Operating Characteristic curves from the classification data. Performance results on 120 participants are presented.
Cation self-diffusion in CoFe2O4

Diffusion of 60Co and 59Fe in Co1-xFe2+xO4, where x has a value of x = 0.003, is measured in an air atmosphere. The results can be expressed as D = (0.45 ± 0.15) exp [-(64900 ± ± 2400)/RT] cm2/s for diffusion of 60Co in the temperature range 1231 to 1390°C and D = (7.0 ± 3.6) × 102 exp [-(92000 ± 3800)/RT] cm2/s for 59Fe in the range 1253 to 1395°C. From a comparison of these results with those previously obtained by Muller and Schmalzried, it is concluded that both the cations diffuse predominantly by a vacancy mechanism for the present experimental conditions. Considering the effect of crystal fields on cation distribution, it is likely that the migration of the Co2+ ion takes place by direct jumps from the original octahedral site to a vacant octahedral site, whereas the migration of the Fe3+ ion is accomplished by an indirect jump from the original octahedral site to a vacant octahedral site via a neighboring tetrahedral site. Die Diffusion von 60Co und 59Fe in Co1-xFe2+xO4, wobei x den Wert von x = 0,003 hat, wird unter Luftatmosphare gemessen. Die Ergebnisse lassen sich durch D = (0,45 ± ± 0,15) exp [-(64900 ± 2400)/RT] cm2/s fur die Diffusion von 60Co im Temperaturintervall von 1231 bis 1390°C und D = (7,0 ± 3,6) × 102 exp [-(92000 ± 3800)/RT] cm2/s fur 59Fe im Bereich 1253 bis 1395°C ausdrucken. Aus einem Vergleich dieser Ergebnisse mit den fruheren von Muller und Schmalzried wird geschlossen, das beide Kationen bei den verliegenden experimentellen Bedingungen vorwiegend uber einen Leerstellenmechanismus diffundieren. Bei Berucksichtigung des Einflusses der Kristallfelder auf die Kationenverteilung ist es wahrscheinlich, das die Wanderung der Co2+-Ionen durch direkte Sprunge von den ursprunglichen Oktaederplatzen zu einem leeren Oktaederplatz stattfindet, wahrend die Wanderung der Fe3+-Ionen durch einen indirekten Sprung von dem ursprunglichen Oktaederplatz zu einem leeren Oktaederplatz uber einen benachbarten Tetraederplatz erfolgt.
Small cell carcinoma of the ovary with hypercalcemia: A report of eleven cases

Eleven cases of a small cell ovarian cancer associated with hypercalcemia that was reversed by removal of the tumor are reported and compared with three similar cases in the literature. The 14 cases account for 50% of recorded cases of ovarian-cancer-related hypercalcemia. The 14 tumors occurred in women between the age of 13 and 35, with an average of 22 years and, with two exceptions, behaved clinically in an aggressive fashion. Light and electron microscopic study confirmed the epithelial nature of the neoplasms but failed to disclose their specific subtype or origin.
The glycan patterns at the individual glycosylation sites in orosomucoid from allergic reaction patients

Little is known about the alterations that have occurred at the individual glycosylation sites in allergy patients or how these glycosylation patterns may change after anti-allergy treatments. Using reverse-phase HPLC, we have quantitated the glycoforms present at the individual glycosylation sites on orosomucoid isolated from the sera of allergic reaction patients and an allergic reaction patient treated with the antihistamine Terfenadine. The glycan structures isolated from the five glycosylation sites for the individual taking Terfenadine were all within normal ranges. It is suggested that if the changes in glycosylation in OMD in the allergic state are functionally driven, then it should be possible to correlate biological activities with quantitative changes at the individual glycosylation sites, and hence further define the role of OMD in allergy and inflammation.
Postpedagogy and Web Writing

Abstract Collaborative digital tools, online communities, and the evolution of literacy create opportunities in which writing for an English class and writing for the “real” world no longer have to be two separate activities. Seizing such opportunities requires rethinking the desire to teach writing—a move toward what has been termed postpedagogy. We align the interactive and collaborative affordances of web writing with a postpedagogical model of learning focused on inventive practices grounded in kairotic interactions. We also detail our candid experiences working with students who are writing for real world audiences, as well as the productive risks and anxieties such an approach produces.
Effects of Corn Grain Conservation Method on Feeding Behavior and Productivity of Lactating Dairy Cows at Two Dietary Starch Concentrations

Effects of conservation method of corn grain and dietary starch concentration on dry matter intake (DMI) and productivity of lactating dairy cows were evaluated. Eight ruminally and duodenally cannulated Holstein cows (55 +/- 15.9 d in milk; mean +/- SD) were used in a duplicated 4 x 4 Latin square design with a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Experimental diets contained either ground high-moisture corn (HM) or dry ground corn (DG) at two dietary starch concentrations (32 vs 21%). Mean particle size and dry matter (DM) concentration of corn grain were 1863 pm and 63.2%, and 885 microm and 89.7%, for HM and DG, respectively. DMI was lower for HM compared to DG treatment in high-starch diets (20.8 vs 22.5 kg/d), but similar for the HM and DG treatments in low-starch diets (19.7 vs 19.6 kg/d). This reduction in DMI is attributed to smaller meal size for HM compared to DG in high-starch diets (1.9 vs 2.3 kg of DM for high-starch diets; 2.1 vs 2.0 kg of DM for low-starch diets). Faster starch fermentation for HM in high-starch diets might result in satiety with smaller meal size. Milk yield was greater when cows were fed high-starch diets compared to low-starch diets (38.6 vs 33.9 kg/d) regardless of corn grain treatment. High-starch diets increased solids-corrected milk yield by 3.3 kg (35.2 vs 31.9 kg/d) compared to low-starch diets for cows fed DG, but did not increase for cows fed HM. This was because of a lower milk fat concentration for cows fed HM in high-starch diets. Reducing ruminal starch fermentation by substituting DG for HM can increase the productivity of lactating cows fed high-starch diets.
Hypermedia Authoring as a Vehicle for Vocabulary Development in Middle School English as a Second Language Classrooms.

In this study, the authors investigate the impact of authoring hypermedia on English as a second language sixth- and seventh-grade students' academic English vocabulary and underlying-concept development. Analysis of data showed that students participating in hypermedia projects, as opposed to traditional science or social science curriculum, were better able to acquire content-specific concept terms. Interview data revealed that students found projects worthwhile because they allowed students to personalize their learning and accomplishments.
New-onset atrial fibrillation predicts long-term mortality after coronary artery bypass graft.

Objectives We sought to investigate the association between new-onset atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) (post-operative atrial fibrillation [POAF]) and long-term mortality in patients with no history of atrial fibrillation. Background POAF predicts longer hospital stay and greater post-operative mortality. Methods A total of 16,169 consecutive patients with no history of AF who underwent isolated CABG at our institution between January 1, 1996, and December 31, 2007, were included in the study. All-cause mortality data were obtained from Social Security Administration death records. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model was constructed to determine the independent impact of new-onset POAF on long-term survival after adjusting for several covariates. The covariates included age, sex, race, pre-operative risk factors (ejection fraction, New York Heart Association functional class, history of myocardial infarction, index myocardial infarction, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, peripheral arterial disease, smoking, diabetes, renal failure, hypertension, dyslipidemia, creatinine level, dialysis, redo surgery, elective versus emergent CABG, any valvular disorder) and post-operative adverse events (stroke, myocardial infarction, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and renal failure), and discharge cardiac medications known to affect survival in patients with coronary disease. Results New-onset AF occurred in 2,985 (18.5%) patients undergoing CABG. POAF independently predicted long-term mortality (hazard ratio: 1.21; 95% confidence interval: 1.12 to 1.32) during a mean follow-up of 6 years (range 0 to 12.5 years). This association remained true after excluding from the analysis those patients who died in-hospital after surgery (hazard ratio: 1.21; 95% confidence interval: 1.11 to 1.32). Patients with POAF discharged on warfarin experienced reduced mortality during follow-up. Conclusions In this large cohort of patients, POAF predicted long-term mortality. Warfarin anticoagulation may improve survival in POAF.
Malpractice paid losses and financial performance of nursing homes.

Background: Florida’s nursing home industry has experienced significant financial pressure over the past decade. One of the primary reasons is the dramatic increase in litigation activity for nursing home providers claiming negligent care and abuse. Although anecdotal reports indicate a higher cost because of malpractice in nursing facilities, few studies have examined the extent of malpractice paid losses and their effect on the financial performance of nursing homes. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of malpractice paid losses on the financial performance of nursing homes. Methodology/Approach: Medicare Cost Report data and Online Survey, Certification, and Reporting data for Florida skilled nursing facilities over the 6-year period from 2001 to 2006 were used to calculate the malpractice paid losses and the financial performance indicators as well as the nursing home organizational and market factors. Descriptive analysis and multivariate regression analysis were used to examine the effect of paid loss on financial performance. Findings: The paid loss for malpractice claims was strongly associated with financial performance. Nursing facilities with malpractice paid losses had consistently lower total margins over the study period. The threat of nursing home litigationmaycreateanincentivefornursinghomestoimprovequalityofcare;however,largepaidclaimscanalsoforce nursing homes into a financial situation where the organization no longer has the resources to improve quality. PracticeImplications:Nursinghomemanagersmustassesstheirmalpracticelitigationriskandidentifytacticstomitigate theseriskstobetterprovideasafeandsecureenvironmentfortheolderpersons.Inaddition,thisresearchofferssupport for local, state, and federal policymakers to revisit the issue of malpractice litigation and the nursing home industry through its insight on the relationship of nursing home margins and litigation.
Regulated Binding of Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein to Actin

Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) protein is a large tumor suppressor that is truncated in most colorectal cancers. The carboxyl-terminal third of APC protein mediates direct interactions with microtubules and the microtubule plus-end tracking protein EB1. In addition, APC has been localized to actin-rich regions of cells, but the mechanism and functional significance of this localization have remained unclear. Here we show that purified carboxyl-terminal basic domain of human APC protein (APC-basic) bound directly to and bundled actin filaments and associated with actin stress fibers in microinjected cells. Actin filaments and microtubules competed for binding to APC-basic, but APC-basic also could cross-link actin filaments and microtubules at specific concentrations, suggesting a possible role in cytoskeletal cross-talk. APC interactions with actin in vitro were inhibited by its ligand EB1, and co-microinjection of EB1 prevented APC association with stress fibers. Point mutations in EB1 that disrupted APC binding relieved the inhibition in vitro and restored APC localization to stress fibers in vivo, demonstrating that EB1-APC regulation is direct. Because tumor formation and metastasis involve coordinated changes in the actin and microtubule cytoskeletons, this novel function for APC and its regulation by EB1 may have direct implications for understanding the molecular basis of tumor suppression.
Revision of the Genus Carvalhomiris (Hemiptera: Miridae: Orthotylinae)

Abstract The Neotropical genus Carvalhomiris Maldonado and Ferreira, 1971, is revised. Carvalhomiris brachypterus Maldonado and Ferreira, 1971, its type species, is redescribed and two species are described as new, C. bifurcatus sp. nov. from Ecuador, and C. truncatus sp. nov. from Colombia. Selected external morphological structures of the head, pronotum, metathoracic scent gland efferent area, pretarsus, and egg are documented with scanning electron micrographs for the two new species. Dorsal habitus photographs of macropterous and brachypterous specimens illustrating color variation, line drawings of male and female genitalia of all species, and a key to adults of the species are provided. The potential relationships of Carvalhomiris within Orthotylini are discussed, the genus now being placed in the Zanchius group.
A magnetic resonance imaging-compatible, large-scale array for trans-skull ultrasound surgery and therapy.

Objective. Advances in ultrasound transducer array and amplifier technologies have prompted many intriguing scientific proposals for ultrasound therapy. These include both mildly invasive and noninvasive techniques to be used in ultrasound brain surgery through the skull. In previous work, it was shown how a 500-element hemisphere-shaped transducer could correct the wave distortion caused by the skull with a transducer that operates at a frequency near 0.8 MHz. Because the objective for trans-skull focusing is its ultimate use in a clinical context, a new hemispheric phased-array system has now been developed with acoustic parameters that are optimized to match the values determined in preliminary studies. Methods. The transducer was tested by focusing ultrasound through ex vivo human skulls and into a brain phantom by means of a phase-adaptive focusing technique. Simultaneously, the procedure was monitored by the use of magnetic resonance guidance and thermometry. Results. The ultrasound focus of a 500-element 30-cm-diameter, 0.81-MHz array could be steered electronically through the skull over a volume of approximately 30 × 30 × 26 mm. Furthermore, temperature monitoring of the inner and outer surfaces of the skull showed that the array could coagulate targeted brain tissue without causing excessive skull heating. Conclusions. The successful outcome of these experiments indicates that intensities high enough to destroy brain tissue can be produced without excessive heating of the surrounding areas and without producing large
Eigenschaften und Bindungsverhältnisse der Borhydrid‐Derivate

Die Wasserstoffbrucken-Struktur des Diborans wird von vielen Basen unter Bildung von Borin-Komplexen symmetrisch gespalten; seltener erleidet sie eine unsymmetrische Spaltung unter Bildung des Boranat-Ions und eines (BH)-Komplex-Ions. Polare Borin-Komplexe reagieren mit Protonensauren unter Bildung von Wasserstoff; tragt die Base ein Proton, so fuhrt die Proton-Hydrid-Reaktion zu einem substituierten Borin-Derivat. Von den zahlreichen Derivaten werden u. a. die Aminoborhydride mit ihren Polymeren, die Amino-diborane, die Silylamino-borine sowie ein Stibino-borin behandelt. Als uberraschend stabil gegenuber erhohten Temperaturen und chemischen Angriffen erwiesen sich die ringformigen Phosphinoborine, denen die Arsinoborine verwandt sind. Die hoheren Borane werden ebenfalls von Basen angegriffen, wobei gewohnliche Borin-Komplexe entstehen; die zuruckbleibenden Bruchstucke der hoheren Borane konnen sich umlagern, Komplexe bilden oder sehr stabile Harze liefern, welche die angreifende Base enthalten.
Training radial basis neural networks with the extended Kalman filter

Abstract Radial basis function (RBF) neural networks provide attractive possibilities for solving signal processing and pattern classification problems. Several algorithms have been proposed for choosing the RBF prototypes and training the network. The selection of the RBF prototypes and the network weights can be viewed as a system identification problem. As such, this paper proposes the use of the extended Kalman filter for the learning procedure. After the user chooses how many prototypes to include in the network, the Kalman filter simultaneously solves for the prototype vectors and the weight matrix. A decoupled extended Kalman filter is then proposed in order to decrease the computational effort of the training algorithm. Simulation results are presented on reformulated radial basis neural networks as applied to the Iris classification problem. It is shown that the use of the Kalman filter results in better learning than conventional RBF networks and faster learning than gradient descent.
Langerhans' cell histiocytosis in adults

Three cases of Langerhans' cell histiocytosis with unusual clinical and histopathologic features are described. The first two cases illustrate diagnostic pitfalls that underscore the importance of considering Langerhans' cell histiocytosis in the differential diagnosis of purpuric papular eruptions of the scalp and intertriginous areas, particularly in association with hypothalamic, pituitary, or liver disease. The third case is the first report of Langerhans' cell histiocytosis presenting as a vesicular eruption.
Culture and the formalization of organizational decision support systems

This paper posits that the design and implementation formalization of organizational decision support systems (ODSSs) is more formalized than other types of decision support systems. By examining the process of information sharing as a cultural phenomenon, the paper demonstrates that the type of decision support system is related to two dimensions of culture, space-codification and diffusion. Since codification is directly related to formalization, the model suggests that ODSSs require greater formalization than either group decision support systems (GDSSs) or individual decision support systems (DSSs). >
Automatically Learning Measures of Child Language Development

We propose a new approach for the creation of child language development metrics. A set of linguistic features is computed on child speech samples and used as input in two age prediction experiments. In the first experiment, we learn a child-specific metric and predicts the ages at which speech samples were produced. We then learn a more general developmental index by applying our method across children, predicting relative temporal orderings of speech samples. In both cases we compare our results with established measures of language development, showing improvements in age prediction performance.
The Significance of Interferon-γ in HIV-1 Pathogenesis, Therapy, and Prophylaxis.

Interferon-γ (IFNγ) plays various roles in the pathogenesis of HIV/AIDS. In an HIV-1 infected individual, the production of IFNγ is detected as early as the acute phase and continually detected throughout the course of infection. Initially produced to clear the primary infection, IFNγ together with other inflammatory cytokines are involved in establishing a chronic immune activation that exacerbates clinical diseases associated with AIDS. Unlike type-1 IFNs, IFNγ has no direct antiviral activity against HIV-1 in primary cultures, as supported by the in vivo findings of IFNγ therapy in infected subjects. Results from both in vitro and ex vivo studies show that IFNγ can instead enhance HIV-1 replication and its associated diseases, and therapies aimed at decreasing its production are under consideration. On the other hand, IFNγ has been shown to enhance cytotoxic T lymphocytes and NK cell activities against HIV-1 infected cells. These activities are important in controlling HIV-1 replication in an individual and will most likely play a role in the prophylaxis of an effective vaccine against HIV-1. Additionally, IFNγ has been used in combination with HIV-1 vaccine to augment antiviral immunity. Technological advancements have focused on using IFNγ as a biological marker to analyze the type(s) of immunity generated by candidate HIV vaccines and the levels of immunity restored by anti-retroviral drug therapies or novel immunotherapies. Hence, in addition to its valuable ancillary role as a biological marker for the development of effective HIV-1 prophylactic and therapeutic strategies, IFNγ has a vital role in promoting the pathogenesis of HIV.
After a Child Abuse Report: Early Adolescents and the Child Welfare System

Child welfare researchers long have advocated a developmental perspective in research, practice, and policy. However, this perspective rarely has been applied to the study of children older than the age of 6 years reported for maltreatment. The present study was an exploratory examination of whether child welfare system responses and recurrent reports varied as a function of age among older children: late childhood (7 through 10 years), early adolescents (11 through 14 years), and older adolescents (15 through 17 years). Data were drawn from computerized tracking systems of maltreatment reports and child welfare services. Descriptive analyses and logistic regression models of the decision to provide services and the likelihood of report recurrence are presented. Findings indicated that trends in report characteristics and service provision for early adolescents differ from other age groups. Implications for further research are presented.
CA4-04: Using the Concept of “Population Dose” in Planning and Evaluating Community Health Initiatives

Background/Aims There are a number of recent large-scale community-level initiatives targeting obesity prevention that focus on policy and environmental change strategies. To help evaluate the impact of these initiatives we have created a measure of estimated strategy-level impact that we refer to as ‘population dose’ that provides an overall estimate of the impact of a strategy on food and physical activity behaviors. We provide a definition and examples of measuring population dose and show how the concept was used in an evaluation of the Kaiser Permanente’s Healthy Eating, Active Living Community Health Initiative in Northern California (HEAL-CHI).
The linear prediction inverse modulation transfer function (LP-IMTF) filter for spectral enhancement, with applications to speaker recognition

We propose a method for spectral enhancement of reverberant speech based on inverting the modulation transfer function (MTF). Using all-pole models of modulation spectra allows the linear prediction inverse MTF (LP-IMTF) filter to exhibit a smooth frequency response, and allows it to be implemented as a low-order IIR filter in the modulation envelope domain. The proposed filter adapts to current acoustic conditions without relying on explicit information regarding reverberation time. Additionally, the LP-IMTF framework allows for estimation of useful side information, such as local signal-to-reverberation ratios and band-specific reverberation times. As example applications, the LP-IMTF system is applied to enhancement and speaker recognition of reverberant speech, and significant performance improvements are achieved.
Markets and Geography: Designing Marketable Permit Schemes to Control Local and Regional Pollutants

In recent years, there has been a steady rise in the use of marketable permits in environmental regulation. They have been employed as tools to control both air and water pollution, and have been implemented on local, regional, and national scales. These trading regimes - based upon a single market in emission permits - do not control the distribution of emissions throughout the trading region or prevent the formation of "hot spots" of pollution. Over the years, commentators have advocated several alternative design structures to deal with these problems. Each of these alternatives, however, has significant drawbacks, either providing only an incomplete solution to the problem or introducing complexity that could stand in the way of the efficient functioning of the market. In this Article, we propose constructing a market in tradable emission permits under which trading would be entirely unfettered, with the sole exception that a prospective buyer and seller would have to receive approval from a website before they could consummate their trade. The website would use an atmospheric dispersion model to predict the impact of the emissions from all the sources in the region - as modified by the proposed trade - on ambient pollution levels at various receptor points. It would reject any trade resulting in the violation of an applicable ambient standard. We discuss how such a regime would deal with variable - as opposed to uniform - ambient standards throughout the region; auctions of permits, either at the time of the initial distribution or subsequently; and purchases of permits with the intent to bank them for use at a future time, retire them in order to improve environmental quality, or hold them as an investment with the goal of reselling them in the future.
Reaching Out to See: Arm Position Can Attenuate Human Visual Loss

Electrophysiological recordings in monkeys have now revealed several brain regions that contain bimodal visuotactile neurons capable of responding to either tactile or visual stimuli placed on or near the hands, arms, and face. These cells have now been found in frontal, parietal, and subcortical areas of the monkey brain, suggesting a cortical network of neurons that preferentially represent near peripersonal space. The degree to which the visual responses of such cells rely on input from the primary visual cortex and the extent to which they may contribute to visual perception is not completely understood. Nonetheless, recent neuropsychological studies suggest that a similar representation of near space may be bimodally coded in humans as well. Given the accumulating evidence for specialized processing of visual stimuli placed near the hands and arms, we hypothesized that arm position may be capable of modulating human visual ability. Here we report the case of WM, who lost his ability to see in his left visual hemifield after sustaining damage to his right primary visual cortex. Interestingly, the placement of WM's left arm into his ''blind'' field resulted in significantly better detection of left visual field stimuli compared to when his hand was placed in his lap at midline. Moreover, we found this attenuation to be confined to stimuli presented within reaching distance (unless a tool that extended WM's reach was held while he performed the test). These findings are highly consistent with the characteristics of the bimodal visuo-tactile neurons that have been described in monkeys. Thus, it seems that arm position can modulate human visual ability, even after damage to the primary visual cortex. This study provides an exciting bridge between monkey neurophysiology and human visual capacity while also offering a novel approach for improving visual defects acquired via cortical injury.
Remembering to Execute a Goal Sleep on It

Remembering to execute deferred goals (prospective memory) is a ubiquitous memory challenge, and one that is often not successfully accomplished. Could sleeping after goal encoding promote later execution? We evaluated this possibility by instructing participants to execute a prospective memory goal after a short delay (20 min), a 12-hr wake delay, or a 12-hr sleep delay. Goal execution declined after the 12-hr wake delay relative to the short delay. In contrast, goal execution was relatively preserved after the 12-hr sleep delay relative to the short delay. The sleep-enhanced goal execution was not accompanied by a decline in performance of an ongoing task in which the prospective memory goal was embedded, which suggests that the effect was not a consequence of attentional resources being reallocated from the ongoing task to the prospective memory goal. Our results suggest that consolidation processes active during sleep increase the probability that a goal will be spontaneously retrieved and executed.
Digital Computation in Subthreshold Region for Ultralow-Power Operation: A Device–Circuit–Architecture Codesign Perspective

Ultralow-power dissipation can be achieved by operating digital circuits with scaled supply voltages, albeit with degradation in speed and increased susceptibility to parameter variations. However, operating digital logic and memory circuits in the subthreshold region (supply voltage less than the transistor threshold voltage) for ultralow-power operations requires device, circuit as well as architectural design optimizations, different from the conventional superthreshold design. This paper analyzes such optimizations from energy dissipation point of view and shows that it is feasible to achieve robust operation of ultralow-voltage systems. Operation with power supply as low as 60 mV is demonstrated. Techniques to reduce the impact of process variations on subthreshold circuits are also discussed. In addition, it is shown that subthreshold leakage current can be useful for other applications like thermal sensors.
Improved functional vasodilation in obese Zucker rats following exercise training

Obese individuals exhibit impaired functional vasodilation and exercise performance. We have demonstrated in obese Zucker rats (OZ), a model of morbid obesity, that insulin resistance impairs functional vasodilation via an increased thromboxane receptor (TP)-mediated vasoconstriction. Chronic treadmill exercise training improves functional vasodilation in the spinotrapezius muscle of the OZ, but the mechanisms responsible for the improvement in functional vasodilation are not clear. Based on evidence that exercise training improves insulin resistance, we hypothesized that, in the OZ, exercise training increases functional vasodilation and exercise capability due to decreases TP-mediated vasoconstriction associated with improved insulin sensitivity. Six-week-old lean Zucker rats (LZ) and OZ were exercised on a treadmill (24 m/min, 30 min/day, 5 days/wk) for 6 wk. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed at the end of the training period. We measured functional vasodilation in both exercise trained (spinotrapezius) and nonexercise trained (cremaster) muscles to determine whether the improved functional vasodilation following exercise training in OZ is due to a systemic improved insulin resistance. Compared with LZ, the sedentary OZ exhibited impairments in glucose tolerance and functional vasodilation in both muscles. The TP antagonist SQ-29548 improved the vasodilator responses in the sedentary OZ with no effect in the LZ. Exercising training of the LZ increased the functional vasodilation in spinotrapezius muscle, with no effect in the cremaster muscle. Exercising training of the OZ improved glucose tolerance, along with increased functional vasodilation, in both the spinotrapezius and cremaster muscles. SQ-29548 treatment had no effect on the vasodilator responses in either cremaster or spinotrapezius muscles of the exercise-trained OZ. These results suggest that, in the OZ, there is a global effect of exercising training to improve insulin resistance and increase functional vasodilation via a decreased TP-mediated vasoconstriction.
Enhancing road weather information through vehicle infrastructure integration

Vehicle infrastructure integration (VII) represents a concept with the potential to aid in the reduction of weather-related accidents on U.S. roadways while increasing surface transportation mobility and efficiency. Technological advancements in the automotive and telecommunications industries have resulted in the ability of vehicles to acquire and use high temporal- and spatial-resolution information associated with environmental and roadway conditions. VII would enable vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications through dedicated short-range communications (wireless radio communication at 5.9 GHz). This capability could potentially serve as a means of gathering and distributing vehicle data in support of applications and products designed to diagnose and predict road weather conditions. It is believed that the inclusion of VII-enabled data in road weather applications will improve weather and road condition analyses and forecasts. A summary is given of vehicle data elements that are likely to contribute to development and improvement of road weather products. A synopsis of probable VII product enhancements is provided, along with examples of how vehicle data can be used in the application development process. Developing a broad understanding of how to use vehicle data properly will require a significant amount of research. Research needs aimed at addressing the technical issues and barriers associated with the use of VII-enabled data are discussed.
Agonistic ethogram of the equid bachelor band

An ethogram of agonistic and related behaviors among equid bachelor band members was developed. Several key English-language studies on equids were reviewed to derive a preliminary inventory of specific behaviors to be included in the ethogram. A bachelor band of domestic pony stallions pastured together was observed for approximately 50 daylight hours to obtain detailed descriptions of each behavior, enable photographic and video documentation of behaviors, and identify any behaviors to be added to the preliminary inventory. An initial draft of the ethogram was sent to 65 equine researchers for review. Twenty-eight critical reviews were received and their suggestions considered for the final draft. A total of 49 elemental behaviors including five distinct vocalizations was included in the ethogram. Three complex behavioral sequences were also included. Most of the behaviors catalogued from the direct observation of pastured pony stallions were also found in the equid literature. For many, references to these behaviors specifically among males or bachelor band members were not found. The results offer a practical tool for quantitative research and other studies of equid inter-male behavior as well as for teaching of equid behavior, and should facilitate progress toward development of a complete ethogram for the horse and other equids.
Melatonin protects hippocampal neurons in vivo against kainic acid- induced damage in mice

In this investigation, 40 mg/ kg of the excitatory neurotoxin kainic acid (KA) was subcutaneously administered to CD2-F1 mice. In this mouse strain morphological damage induced by KA in the hippocampus was markedly concentrated in the CA3 pyramidal neurons. Neuronal injury was accompanied by several pathological neurobehavioral activities including arching of tail, tremors and seizures, and by certain biochemical changes, i.e., increased lipid peroxidation products (LPO) in the brain. When melatonin was injected intraperitoneally at a single dose of 5 mg/ kg 10 min before KA administration, it significantly reduced these pathological neurobehavioral changes and almost completely attenuated the increase in LPO and morphological damage induced by KA. The neuroprotective effect of melatonin against KA-induced brain damage in mice is believed to be in part related to its oxygen radical scavenging properties as well as its antiepileptic and GABA receptor regulatory actions. Considering melatonin's relative lack of toxicity and ability to enter the brain, these results along with previous evidence suggest that melatonin, which is a natural substance, may be useful in combating free radical-induced neuronal injury in acute situations such as stroke and brain trauma as well as neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease that have free radicals as causative factors. J. Neurosci. Res. 54:382–389, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Production and functional roles of nitric oxide in the proximal tubule

A significant role for nitric oxide (NO) in proximal tubule physiology and pathophysiology has been revealed by a series of in vivo and in vitro studies. Whether the proximal tubule produces NO und...