cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Statistical regularities in vocabulary guide language acquisition in connectionist models and 15-20-month-olds

This research tested the hypothesis that young children's bias to generalize names for solid objects by shape is the product of statistical regularities among nouns in the early productive vocabulary. Data from a 4-layer Hopfield network suggested that the statistical regularities in the early noun vocabulary are strong enough to create a shape bias, and that the shape bias is overgeneralized to nonsolid stimuli. A 2nd simulation suggested that this overgeneralization is due to the dominance of names for shape-based categories in the early noun vocabulary. Two subsequent longitudinal experiments tested whether it is possible to create word learning biases in children. Children 15-20 months old were given intensive naming experiences with 12 noun categories typical of the types of categories children learn to name early. The children developed a precocious shape bias that was overgeneralized to naming nonsolid substances; they also showed accelerated vocabulary development. Children taught an atypical set of nouns or no new nouns did not develop a shape bias and did not show accelerated vocabulary development.
Personal, Reflective Writing: A Pedagogical Strategy for Teaching Business Students to Write

The use of personal, reflective writing exercises is well documented in the disciplines of composition and management, and each discipline has been highly influential in establishing pedagogical pr...
The Education of Children in Im/migrant Families:

chapter examines research on the education of children in immigrant families, focusing on the ways the children and the families have been constructed in public arenas and conceptualized and classified in research discussions. Throughout the chapter, we use the term im/migrant to denote those who have been labeled immigrant, migrant, and refugee, including the undocumented. Although the distinction between each of these terms is critical because they carry social and legal implications it is important to note that the terms are not always mutually exclusive or permanent.1 Immigrants move to a country to seek permanent residence and migrants move to find itinerant work. However, migrants may change their initial intent to return to their home country and immigrants may also change their intent to stay. In addition, families include members who fall within different immigration categories such as siblings who are citizens and who are undocumented. Nonetheless, what children of im/migrant families share is the risk of becoming part of the educationally underserved, socially neglected, and of being identified problematic group of students. Their families are likely to live apart from each other for extended periods, they are more likely to be mistakenly labeled and placed in special education, and their educational paths are burdened with difficulties such as the fear of their parents' deportation. The numbers of im/migrant children in schools have increased throughout the world. The principal receiving areas are North America, Western Europe, the Persian Gulf, Asia and the Pacific, and the Southern Cone of South America (Massey, 1999). In the United States, one out of every four children younger than the age of 8 lives in a family where at least one parent is an immigrant (Foundation for Child Development, 2007). Approximately 93% of children of immigrants were born in
Should 'non-Feighner schizophrenia' be classified with affective disorder?

Abstract Narrow definitions of schizophrenia increase homogeneity at the expense of leaving unclassified many patients with schizophrenic symptoms. Family history and follow-up studies indicate that many such patients ought to be classified with those having affective disorders. This study determines morbid risks for affective disorder and schizophrenia in first degree relatives of patients with chart but not research diagnoses of schizophrenia. Comparisons with morbid risk figures for relatives of individuals satisfying research criteria for depression, mania or schizophrenia indicate that the ‘non-Feighner schizophrenia’ group is probably too heterogenous to be classified entirely as affective disorder or as schizophrenia.
β‐Amyloid‐Induced Cerebrovascular Endothelial Dysfunction

Cerebrovascular effects of beta-amyloid were investigated using bovine mid-cerebral arteries. beta-amyloid-induced endothelial damage was evidenced by increased vasoconstriction, diminished vasodilation and was evident on electron microscopy. The endothelial dysfunction was mediated by reactive oxygen radicals. Vascular damage by beta-amyloid may be an early event in the development of the pathology of Alzheimer's disease.
The Ophthalmic Experience: Unanticipated Primary Findings in the Era of Next Generation Sequencing

Next generation sequencing (NGS) technology, with the ability to sequence many genomic regions at once, can provide clinicians with increased information, in the form of more mutations detected. Discussions on broad testing technology have largely been focused on incidental findings, or unanticipated results related to diseases beyond the primary indication for testing. By examining multiple genes that could be responsible for the patient’s presentation, however, there is also the possibility of unexpected results that are related to the reason genetic testing was ordered. We present a case study where multiple potentially causative mutations were detected using NGS technology. This case raises questions of scientific uncertainty, and has important implications for medical management and secondary studies. Clinicians and genetic counselors should be aware of the potential for increased information to affect one’s understanding of genetic risk, and the pre- and post-testing counseling process.
The Challenge of Managing the Care of Older Heart Transplant Recipients

Age is perhaps the most controversial exclusion criterion for heart transplantation. One concern focuses on whether chronological or functional age is the better predictor of positive outcomes when considering heart transplantation for an elderly patient with end-stage heart disease. Another concern is related to the philosophical and ethical rationale for allocation of scarce resources to those near the end of a normal life expectancy. However, the number of people who are older than age 65 years and have received a donor heart has increased and will continue to due to aging of the people who received a transplant a decade ago, as well as the growing number of people who undergo heart transplantation after the age of 65. In either case, the nurse must be aware of age-related concerns in this vulnerable population.
Monoclonal rat anti-MHC alloantibodies detectHLA-linked polymorphisms in humans

Two monoclonal rat anti-MHC alloantibodies detect a polymorphic determinant expressed on the peripheral lymphocytes of normal human donors. The pattern of cytotoxicity observed with these antibodies correlated with theHLA type of the individual; no HLA-A-locus specificities showed significant associations, and all of the HLA-B-locus specificities showing significant association were members of the Bw6 supertype. Family studies established that the determinant detected by the monoclonal antibodies is linked toHLA. These studies therefore provide an alternative basis for the production of monoclonal antibodies to polymorphic HLA determinants based on the conservation of polymorphic MHC determinants between man and rats.
Chemical Potential Derivatives and Preferential Interaction Parameters in Biological Systems from Kirkwood-Buff Theory

New expressions for chemical potential derivatives and preferential interaction parameters for ternary mixtures are derived for open, semiopen, and closed ensembles in terms of Kirkwood-Buff integrals, where all three components are present at finite concentrations. This is achieved using a simple approach that avoids the use of the general matrix formulation of Kirkwood-Buff theory. The resulting expressions provide a rigorous foundation for the analysis of experimental and simulation data. Using the results, a simple model is developed and used to investigate the possible effects of finite protein concentrations on the corresponding cosolvent dependent chemical potential and denaturation thermodynamics.
Pontine and extrapontine myelinolysis following liver transplantation. Relationship to serum sodium.

The relationship between central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) and extrapontine myelinolysis (EPM) and serum sodium changes in the setting of orthotopic liver trans plantation (OLT) is examined. Postmortem examination of 14 patients with end-stage liver disease who under went liver transplantation revealed CPM in four, of which three also had EPM. A retrospective review of clinical and laboratory data was performed on all patients. There were marked perioperative rises (21–32 mEq/L) in the serum sodium concentration in all four patients who developed myelinolysis. In contrast, the largest increase in sodium in patients without demyelination was 16 mEq/L. We conclude that perioperative rises in the serum sodium concentration increase the risk of myelinolysis. CPM and EPM should be considered if the patient develops mental status changes or focal neurological deficits several days after OLT.
Neutron Deficient Radioactive Isotopes of Tantalum and Wolfram

Neutron deficient radioactive isotopes of tantalum have been produced by bombardment of lutetium with $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-particles, of hafnium with 10 Mev protons, and of tantalum with fast neutrons and protons from 10 to 70 Mev energy. In addition, wolfram isotopes produced by 10 to 70 Mev proton bombardments of tantalum, together with their respective tantalum daughter activities were studied. The radiation characteristics of the new activities of tantalum and wolfram are described.
A tale of trade-offs: the impact of macroeconomic factors on environmental concern.

Objective: We test whether macroeconomic conditions affect individuals' willingness to pay for environmental quality improvements. Background: Improvements in environmental quality, like everything, come at a cost. Individuals facing difficult economic times may be less willing to make trade-offs required for improvements in environmental quality. Using somewhat different methodologies and shorter time frames, prior investigations have generally found a direct relationship between willingness to pay for environmental improvements and macroeconomic conditions. Method: We use a nearly 40-year span (27 periods) of the General Social Survey (1974e2012) to estimate attitudes toward environmental spending while controlling for U.S. macroeconomic conditions and respondent-specific factors such as age, gender, marital status, number of children, residential location, educational attainment, personal financial condition, political party affiliation and ideology. Macroeconomic conditions include one-year lagged controls for the unemployment rate, the rate of economic growth (percentage change in real GDP), and an indicator for whether the U.S. economy was experiencing a recession. Results: We find that, in general, when economic conditions are unfavorable (i.e., during a recession, or with higher unemployment, or lower GDP growth), respondents are more likely to believe the U.S. is spending too much on “improving and protecting the environment”. Interacting lagged macroeconomic controls with respondent's income, we find that these views are at least partially offset by the respondent's own economic condition (i.e., their own real income). Conclusion: Our findings are consistent with the notion that environmental quality is a normal, or procyclical good, i.e., that environmental spending should rise when the economy is expanding and fall during economic contractions.
LOW SELF-CONTROL, OPPORTUNITY, AND STRAIN IN STUDENTS’ REPORTED CHEATING BEHAVIOR

ABSTRACT Despite the fact that academic dishonesty in higher education has received much scholarly attention in recent years, only a small amount of this research has been based on traditional theoretical models found in the extant literature. This study examines the conditional effects low self-control, opportunity, and strain/frustration theories on explaining variation in students’ self-reported cheating. A self-report survey was administered to 289 students at the conclusion of the 1999-2000 academic year, asking them about their cheating behavior during the past year. The study found that measures of opportunity and strain/frustration had differential effects on reported cheating behaviors dependent on varying levels of low self-control among the participants.
Ca2+ dependence and La3+ interference of ultraviolet radiationinduced K+ efflux from rose cells

A low fluence of ultraviolet radiation (UV) causes cultured cells of Rosa damascena Mill cv. Gloire de Guilan to lose intracellular K+. This effect required the presence of Ca2+ in the medium. A reduction in the concentration of free Ca2+ to 10−5M with ethyleneglycol-bis-(β-aminoethyl-ether)-N.N.N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) buffer inhibited the UV-stimulated efflux; this was correlated with a discharge of the membrane potential and a stimulation of the leakage of K+ from unirradiated cells. All the same effects were seen with La3+ at 0.2 mM. At 0.02 mM La3+, the UV-stimulated efflux of K+ was blocked without concomitant effects on the membrane potential or K+ efflux from control cells. It is suggested that removal of Ca2+ blocks or masks the UV-induced leakage of K+ by destabilizing the plasma membrane. In addition, La3+ may specifically inhibit the UV-stimulated opening of K+ or anion channels.
Differential Expression of Neuroleukin in Osseous Tissues and Its Involvement in Mineralization During Osteoblast Differentiation

Osteoblast differentiation is a multistep process that involves critical spatial and temporal regulation of cellular processes marked by the presence of a large number of differentially expressed molecules. To identify key functional molecules, we used differential messenger RNA (mRNA) display and compared RNA populations isolated from the defined transition phases (proliferation, matrix formation, and mineralization) of the MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cell line. Using this approach, a complementary DNA (cDNA) fragment was isolated and identified as neuroleukin (NLK), a multifunctional cytokine also known as autocrine motility factor (AMF), phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI; phosphohexose isomerase [PHI]), and maturation factor (MF). Northern analysis showed NLK temporal expression during MC3T3-E1 cell differentiation with a 3.5-fold increase during matrix formation and mineralization. Immunocytochemical studies revealed the presence of NLK in MC3T3-E1 cells as well as in the surrounding matrix, consistent with a secreted molecule. In contrast, the NLK receptor protein was detected primarily on the cell membrane. In subsequent studies, a high level of NLK expression was identified in osteoblasts and superficial articular chondrocytes in bone of 1-, 4-, and 8-month-old normal mice, as well as in fibroblasts, proliferating chondrocytes, and osteoblasts within a fracture callus. However, NLK was not evident in hypertrophic chondrocytes or osteocytes. In addition, treatment of MC3T3 cells with 6-phosphogluconic acid (6PGA; a NLK inhibitor) resulted in diminishing alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mineralization in MC3T3-E1 cells, especially during the matrix formation stage of differentiating cells. Taken together, these data show specific expression of NLK in discrete populations of bone and cartilage cells and suggest a possible role for this secreted protein in bone development and regeneration.
Credit Policies and Rural Financial Markets in Botivia

The early works of Patrick, Gurley and Shaw, and more recently McKinnon and Shaw stress the important role of financial markets in influencing the extent and pattern of economic development. Adams and Gonzalez-Vega were early authors to examine the specific role of rural financial markets (RFM's) in mobilizing savings from and delivering credit to farmers in less developed countries. There are three major separate but interdependent roles that RFM's are expected to perform: mobilize rural savings, allocate credit among productive activities in agriculture, and integrate the RFM's with the capital markets of the rest of the economy and the world. Often a fourth role of income distribution is added, i.e., ensuring that credit is directed to the potentially viable small farmer. The development of Bolivian RFM's in many ways serves to illustrate not only the nature of the institutional and structural un-
Epilepsy After Resolution of Presumed Childhood Encephalitis

Abstract Objective To evaluate factors associated with the development of epilepsy after resolution of presumed childhood encephalitis. Methods A total of 217 patients with suspected encephalitis who met criteria for the California Encephalitis Project were identified. Evaluable outcome information was available for 99 patients (40 girls, 59 boys, ages 2 months to 17 years) without preexisting neurological conditions, including prior seizures or abnormal brain magnetic resonance imaging scans. We identified factors correlated with the development of epilepsy after resolution of the acute illness. Results Development of epilepsy was correlated with the initial presenting sign of seizure ( P P P P P P P Conclusions Limited data are available on the risk of developing epilepsy after childhood encephalitis. This is the first study that not only identifies risk factors for the development of epilepsy, but also provides data regarding the success rate of discontinuing antiepileptic medication after resolution of encephalitis.
Is Every Truth Knowable? Reply to Williamson

This paper addresses an objection raised by Timothy Williamson to the 'restriction strategy' that I proposed, in The Taming of The True, in order to deal with the Fitch paradox. Williamson provides a new version of a Fitch-style argument that purports to show that even the restricted principle of knowability suffers the same fate as the unrestricted one. I show here that the new argument is fallacious. The source of the fallacy is a misunderstanding of the condition used in stating the restricted knowability principle. I also rebut Williamson's criticism of my argument for the claim that any proposition of the form 'it is known that φ' is decidable if φ is decidable.
Dependence of polarization on epitaxial strain in ferroelectric ultrathin films from first principles

First-principles-based methods are used to determine the response of polarization to epitaxial strain in films made of $\mathrm{Ba}\mathrm{Ti}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ (BT) and $\mathrm{Pb}({\mathrm{Zr}}_{0.5}{\mathrm{Ti}}_{0.5}){\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ (PZT). Unlike in BT films, the strength of this response as well as its sign dramatically depend on the film's thickness and electrical boundary conditions in PZT films. A phenomenological model provides a rationale for these findings.
Solution methods for the mathematical models of single-loop AGV systems

Guide path simplification can potentially reduce the complexity inherent in conventional, multi-loop automated guided vehicle systems (AGVs). A single-loop configuration is one alternative. A procedure for designing single-loop AGV systems, the OSL method was presented in a previous paper. In this paper, we suggest faster and more efficient methods for solving the two mathematical models in the OSL procedure. The first model called the valid single-loop problem (VSLP) is used to determine an initial single loop for the procedure. The method suggested is a heuristic procedure that starts from a loop around one of the departments and keeps adding departments to the loop until a valid single loop is constructed. The second model called the single-loop station location problem (SLSLP) is used to determine the location of the pick-up and delivery stations along a given loop. The method suggested converts the mixed integer formulation into a linear formulation.
Segmental necrotizing glomerulonephritis: diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic significance

Renal biopsies from 50 patients with segmental necrotizing glomerulonephritis (SNGN) were divided into three groups on the basis of initial clinical information: (group A) Wegener's granulomatosis (WG)--14 patients; (group B) SNGN without renal vasculitis (RV)--21 patients; and (group C) SNGN with RV--15 patients. Renal biopsy findings did not distinguish the SNGN in WG from non-WG patients. However, focal endocapillary proliferation was more common in non-WG groups B (48%) and C (33%) than in WG (7%). In addition, GBM deposits of both IgG and C3 were present in 35% of biopsies in group B and 33% in group C in comparison to only 7% in WG. Glomerular fibrin deposition was common in all groups (54% group A, 70% group B, and 100% group C), suggesting that coagulation plays a role in the development of SNGN. Histologic parameters of severity and chronicity of the SNGN were inconsistent predictors of outcome, although an increased percentage of crescents in the non-WG groups correlated with a poorer prognosis. Chronic renal failure developed in 46% of group A patients, 65% group B, and 73% group C. After clinical follow-up, 15 patients had WG, 15 patients had documented or suspected systemic vasculitis (SV), and idiopathic SNGN was present in 20 patients. Sixty-six percent of patients with SV had RV, and 62% of biopsies with RV were from patients with SV. Chronic renal failure developed in 78% of patients with idiopathic SNGN and 57% patients with SV. These findings confirm that SNGN carries a poor prognosis, independent of its association with WG or SV. Fourteen of the 15 WG patients were treated with alkylating agents, and the development of chronic renal failure appeared to be related to delays in diagnosis and therapy. In the non-WG groups, presentation in acute renal failure with high serum creatinine and long duration of symptoms was predictive of development of chronic renal failure. Therapy in the non-WG patients consisted of alkylating agents (seven patients), steroids (20 patients), and dialysis only (seven patients). The seven non-WG patients treated with alkylating agents had clinical responses similar to WG patients, and cyclophosphamide therapy appeared to be most beneficial to patient outcome. Results of this retrospective study stress the importance of early diagnosis and, although based on small numbers of patients, suggest that aggressive chemotherapy should be recommended for SNGN, independent of its association with biopsy-proven WG or documented SV.
1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 production in the isolated perfused rat kidney in response to changing perfusate phosphorus concentrations and insulin-like growth factor

We used the isolated perfused rat kidney as a model to assess the direct, acute effect of perfusate phosphorus and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) (somatomedin-C) on renal 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 1-α-hydroxylase (1-α-hydroxylase) activity. 1-α-hydroxylase activity was assessed by measuring the conversion of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) (20 ng/mL of perfusate, total volume 100 mL) to 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) using a radioreceptor assay specific for 1,25(OH)2D3. In experiment 1, all perfusions were performed with constant perfusate calcium (2.5 mmol/L) and four different concentrations of phosphate (2.0, 1.0, 0.5, and 0.25 mmol/L). In experiment 2, perfusions were performed with normal perfusate calcium (2.5 mmol/L) and phosphorous (2.0 mmol/L) and three different levels of IGF-I (0, 1, and 3 μg/mL of perfusate). Analysis of variance showed a significant (P < 0.05) difference in 1-α-hydroxylase activity between groups in both experiments 1 and 2. In experiment 2, this difference is shown with increasing time of perfusion. These data indicate that there is an increase in 1-α-hydroxylase activity in response to decreasing perfusate phosphorous concentration and a high concentration of IGF-I.
Role of urodynamics in diagnosing tethered cord in spina bifida patients

Materials and methods Between 2000 and 2008 approximately 400 SBA patients, under the age of 18 years, were followed. In 70 cases secondary TC was suspected, based on a variety of symptoms: visible back anomalies, loss of strength, changes in lower urinary tract function, increase in scoliosis or a combination of these. Patients had a one day check-up by a multidisciplinary team, consisting of neurologist, orthopedic surgeon, neurosurgeon, physical therapist and urologist. Imaging (MRI) and urodynamic studies were done on the same day. At the end of the day the results were evaluated and a decision was made whether or not to operate for TC.
Integrating obstacle avoidance, global path planning, visual cue detection, and landmark triangulation in a mobile robot

This paper describes the design and implementation of an integrated system for combining obstacle avoidance, path planning, landmark detection and position triangulation. Such an integrated system allows the robot to move from place to place in an environment, avoiding obstacles and planning its way out of traps, while maintaining its position and orientation using distinctive landmarks. The task the robot performs is to search a 22 m X 22 m arena for 10 distinctive objects, visiting each object in turn. This same task was recently performed by a dozen different robots at a competition in which the robot described in this paper finished first.
Emotion recognition in speech using inter-sentence Glottal statistics

This study deals with the recognition of three emotional states in speech, namely: happiness, anger, and sadness. The corpus included speech from six subjects (3M and 3F) speaking ten sentences. Glottal inverse filtering was first performed on the spoken utterances. Then parameters for computing the glottal symmetry were collected and computed to create a final matrix of features. A combined with all emotions across the different subjects was formed and used to train a Gaussian mixture model (GMM) classifier. Training on 80% of all combined utterances for each emotion was performed. Testing was administered on the remaining 20%. The system shows confidence that glottal information may be used for determining the correct emotion in speech. The recognition performance varied between 48.96% and 82.29%.
A new microfluorometric method for the measurement of galactose-l-phosphate in erythrocytes

Abstract A new and sensitive assay for measuring galactose-1-phosphate in erythrocytes is described. Galactose-1-phosphate is determined by mixing an aliquot of deproteinized hemolysate with a reagent containing uridine diphosphoglucose, NADP+, hexose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase, phosphoglucomutase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and phosphogluconate dehydrogenase and measuring the NADPH formed fluorometrically. Under the conditions of this assay 2 mol of NADPH are formed per mol of galactose-1-phosphate. The assay is linear from 0 to 1160 μg of galactose-1-phosphate per gram of hemoglobin. Recovery of galactose-1-phosphate added to four hemolysates averaged 99%. Galactose-1-phosphate concentrations were measured in erythrocytes from five heterozygous subjects not under dietary control and seven transferase-deficient galactosemic individuals who were receiving galactose restricted diets. In all samples from the heterozygous individuals, the galactose-1-phosphate concentrations were normal. Of the samples from galactosemic subjects, two showed extreme elevations of galactose-1-phosphate, four showed moderate elevations, and one was normal. Galactose-1-phosphate levels are used to monitor the degree of dietary control in the transferase-deficient galactosemic individual.
REFLECTIONS ON INTERORGANIZATIONAL POWER, DEPENDENCE, AND SATISFACTION '

This note attempts to contribute to the proper positioning of the 1995 article by Zemanek and McIntyre. After attending to matters of fundamental disciplinary and theoretical context, some methodol...
Nitrate reductase activity during desiccation and rehydration of the desiccation-tolerant moss Tortula ruralis

Abstract Water stress reduces the activity of many plant enzymes. When the stress is alleviated there is generally a delay in the recovery of metabolism to unstressed levels. The enzyme nitrate reductase (EC 1.6.6.1) declines in plants experiencing water deficits and upon the alleviation of water stress its activity recovers to control levels in 1–7 days. In desiccation-tolerant plants, metabolic recovery can occur within hours following rehydration. It has been proposed that metabolic characteristics of desiccation-tolerant plants are a source of information that can be used to improve the performance of crop plants under water deficits. In this study, the effect of desiccation and hydration on nitrate reductase activity in the desiccation-tolerant moss Tortula ruralis has been investigated. It was expected that the activity of nitrate reductase would decline during desiccation and recover rapidly following rehydration. Inclusion of nitrate in the hydration medium increased the activity in the tissue. Nitrate reductase activity increased with nitrate concentration in the bathing medium up to levels of 200 mM. The highest activity measured in rehydrated moss samples was 5.23 nkat g−1 dry weight (dw). The activity declined rapidly during dehydration and was not detectable in dried moss samples after 24 h of dehydration. The recovery of activity following rehydration was dependant on the rate of the preceding dehydration. In slowly dried moss, the activity recovered to control levels in less than 8 h while rapidly dried samples required 24 h for full recovery. Nitrite accumulated during slow dehydration but did not accumulate when desiccation was rapid. Following rehydration of slowly dried moss, the amount of nitrite declined and reached a control level within 1 h. It was proposed that nitrite accumulation might provide a source of nitrogen for metabolism during the time required for nitrate reduction to resume following rehydration. Attempts to measure immunologically reactive nitrate reductase protein levels or nitrate reductase mRNA levels using heterologous DNA probes were unsuccessful, suggesting that the Tortula nitrate reductase may be significantly different from that found in algae and higher plants.
Asymmetry of the Pitch Vestibulo‐Ocular Reflex in Patients with Cerebellar Disease

Responses to pitch head impulses were measured in 15 patients with cerebellar degeneration and downbeat nystagmus and in 5 control subjects, using three-axis search coils. For each subject, response gains were calculated as (1) the ratio of instantaneous vertical eye velocity to pitch head velocity (at 30 ms and at 70 ms into the response), and (2) the ratio of peak eye velocity to peak head velocity. Gains varied more widely among patients. When calculated at 70 ms and using peak values, patients had higher gains for downward pitch, and normal subjects had symmetric gains. At 30 ms, gains were more symmetric in patients, but at that point control subjects actually had lower gains for downward pitch. Thus, the pitch gain ratio (ratio of downward gain to upward gain) was consistently greater in patients than in normal subjects. Because downward impulses were generally faster, eye velocities during downward and upward pitch for equivalent head speeds were also compared. Again, patients had higher gains for downward pitch. These results are consistent with the authors' hypothesis that cerebellar disease results in a higher sensitivity of anterior than posterior semicircular canal pathways, perhaps through loss of inhibition from the flocculus/paraflocculus complex on anterior canal secondary neurons in the vestibular nuclei. The pitch gain asymmetry was larger than, and did not correlate with, the velocity of spontaneous upward drift. This supports the notion that other mechanisms are likely to contribute to downbeat nystagmus in these patients.
Reconciling the apparent difference between mass- and area-based expressions of the photosynthesis-nitrogen relationship.

The relationship between photosynthetic carbon assimilation (Amax) and leaf nitrogen content (Nleaf) can be expressed on either a leaf area basis (Aarea vs Narea) or a leaf mass basis (Amass vs Nmass). Dimensional analysis shows that the units for the slope of this relationship are the same for both expressions (μmol [CO2] g−1 [N] s−1). Thus the slope measures the change in CO2 assimilation per gram of nitrogen, independent of leaf mass or leaf area. Although they have the same units, large differences between the area and mass-based slopes have been observed over a broad range of taxonomically diverse species. Some authors have claimed that regardless of these differences, the fundamental nature of the Amax-Nleaf relationship is independent of the units of expression. In contrast, other authors have claimed that the area-based Amax-Nleaf relationship is fundamentally different from the mass-based relationship because of interactions between Amax, Nleaf, and leaf mass per area (LMA, g [leaf] m−2 [leaf]). In this study we consider the mathematical relationships involved in the transformation from mass- to area-based expressions (and vice versa), and the implications this transformation has for the slope of the Amax-Nleaf relationship. We then show that the slope of the relationship is independent of the units of expression when the effect of LMA is controlled statistically using a multiple regression. The validity of this hypothesis is demonstrated using 13 taxonomically and functionally diverse C3 species. This analysis shows that the slope of the Amax-Nleaf relationship is similar for the mass- and area-based expressions and that significant errors in the estimate of the slope can arise when the effect of LMA is not controlled.
Congenital Jugular Vein Phlebectasia: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Fusiform dilation of the jugular vein, or jugular venous phlebectasia, is a rare clinical entity, with an etiology of cervical swelling. We present a case of a 15-year-old male with no antecedent history of trauma and an enlarging right neck mass. Pertinent literature and relevant diagnostic and therapeutic modalities are reviewed. While conservative management is usually prescribed, ligation and resection may be performed safely when intervention is warranted.
Variation in stable carbon isotope discrimination among and within exotic conifer species grown in eastern Nebraska, USA

Abstract The study involved the measurement of stable-carbon isotope discrimination and specific leaf area on foliage of mature trees of 11 conifer species grown in a common-garden in eastern Nebraska, USA. Each species was represented by three to six trees from at least three populations. Carbon isotope discrimination differed significantly among species ( F = 31.41, P F = 1.65, P Pinaceae family ( Abies, Larix, Picea, Pinus, Pseudotsuga ) had much higher discrimination (Δ = 18.87, SE = 0.08, n = 141) than species in the Cupressaceae family ( Juniperus ) (Δ = 16.26, SE = 0.12, n = 18). A deciduous conifer, Larix (Δ = 19.09, SE = 0.20, n = 16), did not differ significantly from evergreen members of the Pinaceae family. Although specific leaf area differed among species ( F = 152.62, P r = 0.24, P > 0.14). Annual height growth, specific leaf area, and annual precipitation of seed sources were intercorrelated (0.60 ≤ r ≤ 0.67, P
Method for the determination of the concentration and of the carbon and oxygen isotopic composition of atmosspheric carbon monoxide

Abstract A procedure is described by which carbon monoxide in the air at the lowest concentration levels is quatitatively removed from the air and converted to pure carbon dioxide. The original isotopic composition of both carbon and oxygen is preserved and determined by analysis with an isotope-ratio mass spectrometer. The problems associated with isotopic analysis of these samples is discussed.
Viability of Spermatozoa of the Chicken Under Various Environmental Conditions

Abstract HOW to increase the reproductive capacity of the most desirable males is an important problem in poultry husbandry. The process of artificial insemination is being attempted as a possible solution of the problem but the success of the process is dependent on the preservation of the viability of sperm over long periods of time. Optimum environmental conditions for the preservation of the viability of spermatozoa in vitro have not been established to date and it seemed possible that a study of various treatments might contribute to this end. From prior experimental reports at least three procedures were suggested, as follows: (1) temperature variation, (2) variation of chemical composition of the suspension media, (3) reduction of activity of sperm. Early reports indicated that the normal body temperature of the fowl was an optimum condition but more recent reports suggest that the sperm react as cold blooded animals in that they survive . . .
Phase transformations in ion‐irradiated silicides

The present investigation has three objectives. The first is concerned with the phase transformation of CoSi2 under ion implantation and the subsequent crystallization characteristics during annealing, taking into account epitaxial and nonepitaxial recrystallization behavior. The second objective is related to a study of the general trend of implantation-induced damage and crystallization behavior for a number of commonly used silicides. The last objective involves a comparison of the recrystallization behavior of cosputtered refractory silicides with that of the ion-implanted silicides. It was found that epitaxial regrowth of ion-irradiated CoSi2 occurred for samples with an epitaxial seed left at the Si/CoSi2 interface. A structural investigation of CoSi2 involving transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that after high-dose implantation CoSi2 is amorphous.
Ethics of Tomorrow's Business Managers the Influence of Personal Beliefs and Values, Individual Characteristics, and Situational Factors

Abstract Cheating is a common problem on today's college campuses. This study examined the determinants of college students' attitudes toward various forms of cheating. Multiple regression analysis revealed that students who are idealists, older, economics majors, or middle children tend to behave more ethically than do other students. Students who are male, tolerant, relativistic, and opportunistic tend to behave less ethically than other students. The opportunity to cheat is able to explain cheating more than any of the other determinants.
The voices of youth in foster care: A participant action research study

Utilizing participant action research methodology, five youth in foster care participated in the design and implementation of a pilot research study to collect data from 16 participants in foster care, highlighting their perspective of their strengths and experiences within the American foster care system. Participant action research (PAR) provides a pathway for youth in foster care to share their voice with those that influence policy and implement change in the very system that governs their lives. The participant researchers remained committed to the project for a year, creatively designed the research methodology, and contributed to the interpretation of the findings. Despite some potential validity and reliability issues, PAR methodology provided a positive framework for the voices of the participant researchers to be heard and for the voices of the participants to be interpreted by other youth in foster care.
Association of Sleep-Disordered Breathing With Cognitive Dysfunction in CKD Stages 4-5

Background Sleep-disordered breathing and cognitive impairment are common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Sleep-disordered breathing is known to be a risk factor for cognitive dysfunction in the general population, but this association has not been studied in patients with CKD. Study Design Cross-sectional study. Settings & Participants A cohort of 169 patients with CKD stages 4-5. Predictors Sleep-disordered breathing; covariates included demographics, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression, and dialysis modality. Outcomes Cognitive impairment, generally defined as a score 1.5 standard deviations or more from the age- and education level–adjusted normative cognitive test score. Measurements Standardized health interview, neurocognitive assessment, sleep-related questionnaires, and polysomnography. Results Sleep-disordered breathing (apnea-hypopnea index >15) was diagnosed in 83 (49.1%) individuals. This group had a significantly higher prevalence of nocturnal hypoxemia (65.8% vs 26.8%; P P = 0.01). In addition, this group had significantly lower scores in tests measuring verbal memory, working memory, attention, and psychomotor speed. Sleep-disordered breathing was associated with higher risk of immediate verbal memory impairment after adjustment for known confounders (adjusted OR, 2.67; 95% CI, 1.17-6.08). However, in a subgroup analysis of older adults (aged >60 years), there were no significant differences in cognitive testing between the groups with and without sleep-disordered breathing. Limitations Cross-sectional design, limited sample size. Conclusions Sleep-disordered breathing is associated with cognitive impairments, especially impaired verbal memory, in patients with advanced CKD. However, the impact appeared limited in older adults. Early evaluation and management of sleep-disordered breathing in patients with CKD may provide an opportunity to improve cognitive function.
A Validation of Program Quality Indicators in Educational Services for Students with Severe Disabilities

References to “most promising practices” in educational programs for students with severe disabilities reflect a mix of social values as well as empirically validated instructional strategies. A li...
Ion exchange and transport of neurotransmitters in nation films on conventional and microelectrode surfaces

Abstract Very small Nafion-coated voltammetric electrodes are very advantageous for in vivo detection of catecholamine neurotransmitters. In this study their quantitative characteristics with regard to partitioning of the catecholamines into the Nafion film have been studied. The properties of these electrodes have been compared with larger graphite electrodes covered with Nafion film.
What determines how bosonic a cooper pair is? Entanglement

By studying the algebra of creation and annihilation operators, we obtain theoretical evidence that emphasizes the role of entanglement in determining how ``bosonic
Motion Induced Clutter Leakage In An AC-coupled Sensor

A theoretical analysis has been done to estimate background clutter leakage noises due to vibrational motion in an AC-coupled mosaic sensor. The motion is separated into uniform drift-dominant and jitter-dominant cases. For the former case, a mathematical expression is obtained to give mean square clutter leakage in a summation form which includes the effects of background scene spatial variations, optical transfer function, footprint size, drift velocity and a smear function. The summation expression is simplified to obtain closed forms for equally spaced fill and spill samples and also for samplings at the end of a frame tine. In the jitter-dominant case, the leakage estimate is shown to depend upon both vibrational frequency and the statistics of the jitter motion.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Achieving plane‐wise uniform B1 amplitude in a 3D volume for high‐field MRI: A computer simulation study

Purpose: To demonstrate the possibility of achieving plane-wise uniform B1 field amplitude for human head imaging with an array coil configuration by using computer simulations. Materials and Methods: We considered the use of an excitation array coil that employed composite excitation elements. Each composite excitation element consisted of three small current loops centered close to each other with axes along the x, y, and z directions, respectively. The excitation elements were distributed to surround a model human head. The vector B1 field from each current loop was calculated using the FDTD numerical method at 170 MHz. Analytical target RF field patterns with plane-wise uniform B1 field amplitude were derived and approximately constructed from the fields of individual current loops through a least-squares procedure. Results: The RF field patterns generated by the computer simulations closely followed the target field patterns. Highly uniform B1 field amplitude was obtained within parallel sagittal planes or parallel axial-to-coronal oblique planes in the brain with the expected plane-to-plane variations.
Comparison of Infrastructure and In-Vehicle Driver Interfaces for Left-Turn Warnings

To examine the feasibility of driver—infrastructure interface (DII) and driver-vehicle interface (DVI) in the context of a left-turn assistance system, 20 test participants drove through a test-track intersection with oncoming traffic. Participants decided, both with and without the aid of a real-time warning, whether there was enough time to turn in front of oncoming traffic. This study examined both the effects of warning location (DII versus DVI) and the timeliness of the warning onset, while controlling for vehicle arrivals to the intersection as measured by an algorithm that predicted the spare time (trailing buffer) if the participant decided to turn in front of an oncoming vehicle. Lag (gap) acceptance increased as the predicted trailing buffer increased, with almost all lags with a predicted spare time greater than 1 s accepted and almost all lags with a predicted spare time fewer than -1.5 s rejected. The presence of warnings in either location resulted in a reduction in the turning rate, but the...
Reversal learning Improvement in the fish Astronotus ocellatus (Oscar)

Two Oscars were given over 140 sessions of a simultaneous visual discrimination. Contrary to most reversal studies with fish, between-reversals improvement occurred for both Ss. Species and methodological differences may account for this difference in results.
The thrH Gene Product of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Is a Dual Activity Enzyme with a Novel Phosphoserine:Homoserine Phosphotransferase Activity

The thrH gene product of Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been shown to complement both homoserine kinase (thrB gene product) and phosphoserine phosphatase (serB gene product) activities in vivo. Sequence comparison has revealed that ThrH is related to phosphoserine phosphatases (PSP, EC 3.1.3.3) and belongs to the l-2-haloacid dehalogenase-like protein superfamily. We have solved the crystal structures of ThrH in the apoform and in complex with a bound product phosphate. The structure confirms an overall fold similar to that of PSP. Most of the catalytic residues of PSP are also conserved in ThrH, suggesting that similar catalytic mechanisms are used by both enzymes. Spectrophotometry-based in vitro assays show that ThrH is indeed a phosphoserine phosphatase with a K(m) of 0.207 mm and k(cat) of 13.4 min(-1), comparable with those of other PSPs. More interestingly, using high pressure liquid chromatography-based assays, we have demonstrated that ThrH is able to further transfer the phosphoryl group to homoserine using phosphoserine as the phosphoryl group donor, indicating that ThrH has a novel phosphoserine:homoserine phosphotransferase activity.