cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Standing in Two Worlds Looking at an Art Exhibition: Sense-Making in the Millennial Generation

Reported is a study that focused on the Millennial Generation and potential differences in viewing an exhibition in person versus online. The exhibition featured the artwork of Paul-Henri Bourguignon, whose extensive body of work includes a variety of paintings and drawings that employ a wide range of styles. Some viewers traveled to the physical space of a museum gallery, while others viewed reproductions of the same works on the Internet. Informants engaged in reflexive self-interviews using Dervin's Sense-Making Methodology. The authors compare viewers’ responses to works experienced in person versus online and discuss implications.
Orientation of Peptides in Aqueous Monolayer Films. Infrared Reflection−Absorption Spectroscopy Studies of a Synthetic Amphipathic β-Sheet

Infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS) intensities of the Amide I vibration are used to develop a quantitative approach for determining the Euler angles that describe the orientation of protein beta-sheets in aqueous monolayer films. A synthetic amphipathic peptide, Val-Glu-Val-Orn-Val-Glu-Val-Orn-Val-Glu-Val-Orn-Val-OH is used as a test case. The pattern of Amide I frequencies suggests that the molecule is organized as an antiparallel beta-sheet at the air/water interface. The model used to simulate the Amide I intensities reveals that the beta-sheet has a slight preferential alignment parallel to the direction of compression; i.e., deviation from uniaxial symmetry is observed. In addition, the sheet is found to lie flat on the aqueous surface, with (presumably) the polar side chains interacting with the aqueous subphase. Limitations and advantages of the theoretical approach are discussed.
On the Assumption of “Rational Conduct” in Economic Science

The assumption of "rational" conduct on the part of individuals is one of the primary or general assumptions of economic theory. When, however, the economist speaks of rationality of human conduct (or, as it is sometimes called, the "economic motive") he is not using "rational" in the same sense as do the philosophers who define man as a rational animal. He is using it in a very technical sense. By rational conduct he means conduct that follows a uniform and constant pattern. And that pattern consists of seeking the highest returns or the maxi? mum satisfaction of wants from the use of any given quantity of scarce resources.
USDOE remediation site case study

Abstract The uranium concentration ranges of important pathway matrices for the United States are compared with off- and on-site ranges at the Fernald Environmental Management Project (FEMP). Empirically established uranium uptake factors for humans are linked with the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) recommendations on limits for exposure of the public to ionizing radiation. The maximum effective dose equivalent (EDE) to the local population is derived from the USDOE interim drinking water guideline and consideration of the inhalation and ingestion pathways for diet and local soils. The maximum effective dose equivalent estimates calculated for the inhalation and ingestion of uranium from local sources in the environs of the FEMP would be considered negligible under the individual risk level (NIRL) concept developed by the NCRP. However, empirical site data and risk modeling based on these data are necessary to meet USDOE mission objectives at FEMP and other remediation sites.
New components of the spliced leader RNP required for nematode trans-splicing.

Pre-messenger-RNA maturation in nematodes and in several other lower eukaryotic phyla involves spliced leader (SL) addition trans-splicing1,2. In this unusual RNA processing reaction, a short common 5′ exon, the SL, is affixed to the 5′-most exon of multiple pre-mRNAs. The nematode SL is derived from a trans-splicing-specific ∼100-nucleotide RNA (SL RNA) that bears striking similarities to the cis-spliceosomal U small nuclear RNAs U1, U2, U4 and U5 (refs 3, 4); for example, the SL RNA functions only if it is assembled into an Sm small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP)5. Here we have purified and characterized the SL RNP and show that it contains two proteins (relative molecular masses 175,000 and 30,000 (Mr 175K and 30K)) in addition to core Sm proteins. Immunodepletion and reconstitution with recombinant proteins demonstrates that both proteins are essential for SL trans-splicing; however, neither protein is required either for conventional cis-splicing or for bimolecular (trans-) splicing of fragmented cis constructs. The Mr 175K and 30K SL RNP proteins are the first factors identified that are involved uniquely in SL trans-splicing. Several lines of evidence indicate that the SL RNP proteins function by participating in a trans-splicing specific network of protein–protein interactions analogous to the U1 snRNP–SF1/BBP–U2AF complex that comprises the cross-intron bridge in cis-splicing.
Special physical examination tests for superior labrum anterior-posterior shoulder tears: an examination of clinical usefulness.

Reference/Citation: Calvert E, Chambers GK, Regan W, Hawkins RH, Leith JM. Special physical examination tests for superior labrum anterior-posterior shoulder injuries are clinically limited and inv...
Recasts, Language Anxiety, Modified Output, and L2 Learning

The study reported in this article investigated (a) whether classroom language anxiety affects learners’ ability to improve accuracy in their use of English articles when provided with corrective feedback in the form of recasts and (b) whether language anxiety influences the extent to which learners modify output following recasts. Four groups were formed based on their responses to a questionnaire measuring language anxiety: high-anxiety learners who received recasts (N = 13), low-anxiety learners who received recasts (N = 11), high-anxiety learners who received no recasts (N = 11), and low-anxiety learners who received no recasts (N = 10). For the two recast groups, two treatment sessions directed at article errors took place, which were audio-taped. Transcriptions were then coded for the frequency of recasts and modified output. All groups completed a pretest, and immediate and delayed posttests. Results show that in the speeded dictation and writing immediate posttests, the low-anxiety recast group outperformed the high-anxiety recast group and the low-anxiety control group, but there was no significant difference in the performance of both high-anxiety recast and control groups. Moreover, the less anxious learners who benefited from recasts were found to produce higher levels of modified output. In other words, recasts were most effective for low-anxiety learners who produced high levels of modified output. These findings suggest that language anxiety is a factor influencing not only whether recasts lead to modified output but also whether they promote learning.
Inhibition of Oral Lead Absorption in Rats by Phosphate-Containing Products

□ Recent studies indicate that elevated blood lead levels in children are largely a result of exposure to this metal via the oral route. A logical approach to decrease or prevent lead intoxication would be to reduce its absorption as soon as lead ingestion is known or suspected. Presently, however, there are no readily available products recommended to accomplish this goal. It was found that a phosphate-buffered, saline laxative reduced lead absorption over 50% in rats administered a single oral lead acetate dose, presumably by promoting the formation of less soluble lead salts. A popular phosphate-containing carbonated beverage also decreased lead absorption ~30% after oral lead acetate or lead-based paint doses, possibly by decreasing solubility, dissolution rate and/or GI motility. It is possible that these household products, and those with similar ingredients, may be safely used to reduce lead absorption in humans.
Are There Typical Age Curves in Political Behavior? The "Age Invariance" Hypothesis and Political Socialization

The acquisition and expression of political orientations are highly age-related; however, the nature of age-typical forms is rarely conceptualized in socialization research. The first part of this article examines the hypothesized nature of “age invariance” identified by criminologists in the study of deviant behavior and the inverted U-curve of voting behavior identified by political scientists. The second part uses survey data from German youth and young adults (n = 7,280, ages 13 to 30) to describe typical age patterns for various types of unconventional behavior. The more unconventional the behavior, the more the curve resembles what criminologists have long found for deviant behavior. Youth approval of the more disruptive forms of political behavior has a left-skewed age distribution that is also typical of deviant behavior. This suggests an unappealing combination of potential actionism and political ignorance occurring in late adolescence, a possibility that ought to be of consequence for the design of civic education and other interventions. From a research perspective, these age-typical patterns can be useful as a theory-building and theory-testing strategy by treating them as baselines against which individual and cultural variations can be measured.
Test of Six High Temperature Neutron Detectors to 650°C

Two neutron detectors (fission counters) from each of three manufacturers were tested at several temperatures between ambient and 650° C.. Parameters examined as a function of temperature were: leakage current, capacitance, noise vs. voltage, and pulse height distribution.
An evaluation of the variability in measurement of some body composition parameters.

SummaryThe variability in observation of some parameters of gross body composition was assessed by paired observations one week apart in 26 chronically ill subjects. The results of this study permit statistical evaluation of the significance of changes in these parameters observed in other subjects, using the same experimental techniques.
Quadratic resource allocation with generalized upper bounds

In this paper we present an algorithm for solving a quadratic resource allocation problem that includes a set of generalized upper bound (GUB) constraints. The problem involves minimizing a quadratic function over one linear constraint, a set of GUB constraints, and bounded variables. GUB constraints, when added to a standard resource allocation problem, can be used to set upper limits on the amount of a resource consumed by one or more subsets of the activities. To solve the problem, we present an efficient algorithm that solves a series of quadratic knapsack subproblems and box constrained quadratic subproblems. Computational results are reported for large-scale problems with as many as 100 000 variables and 1000 constraints. The computational results indicate that our algorithm is up to 4000 times faster than the general purpose nonlinear programming software LSGRG.
Primarily history: historians and the search for primary source materials

This paper describes the first phase of an international project that is exploring how historians locate primary resource materials in the digital age, what they are teaching their Ph.D. students about finding research materials, and what archivists are doing to facilitate access to these materials. Preliminary findings are presented from a survey of 300 historians studying American History from leading institutions of higher education in the U.S. Tentative conclusions indicate the need to provide multiple pathways of access to historical research materials including paper-based approaches and newer digital ones. The need for user education, especially in regard to electronic search methodologies is indicated.
Altered dopamine modulation of inhibition in the prefrontal cortex of cocaine-sensitized rats

A functionally hypoactive prefrontal cortex (PFC) is thought to contribute to decreased cognitive inhibitory control over drug-seeking behavior in cocaine addicts. Alterations in PFC dopamine (DA) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transmission are involved in the development of behavioral sensitization to cocaine, and repeated exposure to cocaine decreases DA D2 receptor (D2R) function in the PFC. We used recordings in PFC slices from adult rats to investigate how repeated cocaine treatment followed by 2 weeks of withdrawal affects DA modulation of GABA transmission and interneuron firing. In agreement with previous results in drug-naive animals we found that in saline-treated control animals DA (20 μM) modulated evoked inhibitory post-synaptic currents (eIPSCs) in a biphasic, time- and receptor-dependent manner. Activation of D2Rs transiently reduced, whereas D1 receptor activation persistently increased the amplitude of eIPSCs. In cocaine-sensitized animals the D2R-dependent modulation of eIPSCs was abolished and the time course of DA effects was altered. In both saline- and cocaine-treated animals the effects of DA on eIPSCs were paralleled by distinct changes in spontaneous IPSCs (sIPSCs). In cocaine-treated animals the alterations in DA modulation of eIPSCs and sIPSCs correlated with a lack of D2R-specific reduction in action potential-independent GABA release, which might normally oppose D1-dependent increases in GABA transmission. Recordings from interneurons furthermore show that D2R activation can increase current-evoked spike firing in saline, but not in cocaine-treated animals. Altered DA regulation of inhibition during cocaine withdrawal could disturb normal cortical processing and contribute to a hypoactive PFC.
Coupling symbolic manipulation and numerical simulation for complex engineering designs

Abstract This paper describes the factors limiting the effective use of numerical simulation codes in real-world design environments and presents the results of a multi-year research effort addressing this issue. A prototype generic design shell called Engineous was developed which makes use of basic human design knowledge codified in symbolic form to drive numerical simulation codes to achieve design objectives. The basic approach, software system architecture, and applications to real-world commercial products are presented.
Two-Dimensional Model Simulation of Flow Field around Bridge Piers

Two-dimensional (2D) depth-averaged hydrodynamic model was applied to simulate flow field around a circular pier in clear water. A correction factor was included in the friction term to take account of the effect of streamline curvature due to flow separation and vortex shedding. In this study, 2D model simulates not only the vortex shedding in the turbulence wake but also bed shear stress distribution. The simulated bed shear stress contours were close to experimental measurements and three-dimensional (3D) modeling results. Since 2D model is much simpler and requires significantly less computational time than three-dimensional model, these results demonstrated that an improved 2D model is a capable tool of simulating bed shear stress distribution around bridge piers. Research in enhancing and applying 2D model to simulating the initiation and development of local scour is still a challenging topic for hydraulic engineers.
Moderators of physical activity and obesity during adolescence

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine possible moderators of the relation between physical activity and obesity in adolescence. Adolescents ( N = 168; mean age = 15.20 years; 52.4% girls; 76.8% African American) were recruited from low-income primary care medical facilities in a large southern city. Measures included Body Mass Index (BMI) percentile, physical activity, shared family physical activity, and self-efficacy for healthful eating. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to investigate a) independent contributions of physical activity, shared family activity, and self-efficacy for healthful eating to the prediction of adolescent BMI percentile; b) interactions between shared and individual physical activity in the prediction of BMI percentile; c) interactions between self-efficacy for healthful eating and physical activity in the prediction of BMI percentile; and d) interactions among all three variables. Findings revealed self-efficacy for healthful eating was a significant moderator of the adolescent physical activity and BMI percentile relation. Conclusions emphasize the interactive nature among obesity risk factors.
Management of Locally Recurrent Kidney Cancer

Locally recurrent kidney cancer is an uncommon but complicated problem. Due to the recognition of the importance of renal preservation and an increase in the use of nephron-sparing approaches via surgery or ablation, locally recurrent disease is being encountered with greater frequency. Treatments for locally recurrent kidney cancer include radical nephrectomy, repeat or salvage partial nephrectomy, de novo or repeat ablation, observation, or experimental systemic therapy. Each of these options has its own constellation of risks and benefits. When local recurrence is detected, the majority of renal units may be saved, but this often comes at the expense of higher perioperative complication rates, which rise with the number of previous interventions on the ipsilateral kidney. Extensive preoperative patient counseling is required to properly individualize therapy. Referral to a center of excellence should be considered before attempting repeat or salvage renal surgery.
Discriminative stimulus properties of cocaine, norcocaine, and N-allylnorcocaine.

Abstract A discriminative stimulus paradigm was employed to train eight male and female Wistar rats to discriminate 5.0 mg/kg cocaine HCl from 2.0 ml/kg saline. Subjects responded in a two bar operant chamber on an FR 30 schedule for food reinforcement. All sessions followed a 10 minute pretreatment with either saline, the training dose of cocaine, four probe doses of cocaine HCl (1.0, 2.5, 7.5, 10 mg/kg), four probe doses of norcocaine (1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 mg/kg) or four probe doses of N-allylnorcocaine (5.0, 7.5, 10, 20 mg/kg). All probe doses were tested using an extinction procedure. The three highest doses of cocaine generalized to cocaine while the 1.0 mg/kg dose of cocaine generalized to saline. The two highest doses of norcocaine generalized to cocaine while the 2.5 mg/kg dose of norcocaine resulted in 57% responding on the cocaine lever with the 1.0 mg/kg dose generalizing to saline. Only the highest dose of N-allylnorcocaine was found to generalize to cocaine with the intermediate doses resulting in an intermediate level of responding occurring on the cocaine lever. The 5.0 mg/kg dose of N-allylnorcocaine generalized to saline.
A computer program for tracing radioactivity in complex metabolic systems.

Abstract A program is described to determine the labeling pattern following addition to an unlabeled biochemical system of a labeled compound. Input for this program consists of a set of equations describing the unlabeled system, and a specifically labeled compound. A computation consists of a series of passes, in which all the input equations are executed in order, using all possible labeling combinations of the reacting substances. The output consists of all the new equations (i.e., equations containing new labeled compounds, or new types of equations forming labeled compounds already present resulting from each pass. The application of this program to the study of highly interconnected metabolic systems is discussed.
PERIOD, COHORT, AND AGING EFFECTS: S Study of Television Exposure in Presidential Election Campaigns, 1952-1980

This research investigated effects of audience generational composition, aging, and period on exposure to televised presidential campaign information from 1952 to 1980. A categorical regression cohort analysis, controlling for sex and education, revealed that cohort effects explained 40% of the variance in such television exposure. The hypothesis was supported that the cohort in midlife when television initially diffused used television in later life at a higher rate than did other cohorts. Period effects explained 36% of the variance. As hypothesized, the more closely contested the election campaign, the higher the audience's television exposure. Aging showed no significant relationship to campaign television exposure. Previous investigators may have mistakenly assumed that age differences observed in cross-sectional studies were maturational rather than generational.
Remediation of α-methylnaphthalene-contaminated sediments using peroxy acid

Laboratory experiments have been conducted to elucidate the degradation of alpha-methylnaphthalene in lake sediments using an advanced oxidation process (AOP) employing peroxy-acids as oxidizing agents. Abiotic degradation of alpha-methylnaphthalene was observed in sediment samples exposed to a 1:1:1 v/v/v mixture of water/organic acid/hydrogen peroxide solution. Sediment samples were collected from Lake Macatawa (Holland, MI) and ranged in total organic carbon content from 2.1% (sandy sediment sample III) to 12.8% (silty-clay sediment sample I) and surface area, which ranged from 3.2m(2)/g (sandy sediment sample III) to 22.0m(2)/g (silty-clay sediment sample I). Analytical measurements performed by gas chromatography revealed varied rates of degradation, depending on the type of acid and the characteristics of the sediment sample. Within 24h, alpha-methylnaphthalene was reduced to 70% and 100% of its original concentration when propionic acid and acetic acid were used as the organic acids, respectively. The formation of products was explored using a gas chromatograph equipped with a mass spectrometer and indicated mainly the formation of lower molecular weight compounds, such as alkyl chains. This AOP method of PAH degradation in sediment/liquid slurry was fast acting and products were most likely biodegradable.
Selenium and selenocysteine: roles in cancer, health, and development

The many biological and biomedical effects of selenium are relatively unknown outside the selenium field. This fascinating element, initially described as a toxin, was subsequently shown to be essential for health and development. By the mid-1990s selenium emerged as one of the most promising cancer chemopreventive agents, but subsequent human clinical trials yielded contradictory results. However, basic research on selenium continued to move at a rapid pace, elucidating its many roles in health, development, and in cancer prevention and promotion. Dietary selenium acts principally through selenoproteins, most of which are oxidoreductases involved in diverse cellular functions.
Race Blunts The Economic Effect? The 2008 Obama Forecast

The October 2008 issue of PS published a symposium of presidential and congressional forecasts made in the summer leading up to the election. This article is an assessment of the accuracy of their models. In summer 2008, our Jobs Model forecast a Democratic presidential candidate two-party popular vote share of 56.6%, which would deliver the incumbent party the biggest defeat of any post-World War II contest (Lewis-Beck and Tien 2008 ). However, we argued, from our analysis of different experimental and observational evidence, that this unprecedented victory would be prevented by racially intolerant voters. We estimated the net racial cost of being a black candidate and corrected our overall forecast downward to 50.1% for Barack Obama. The unparalleled economic crisis, initiated after the release of our summer forecasts, prompted a reconsideration; the unique shock to the economy was no ordinary campaign perturbation. We calculated that the ensuing boost to anti-incumbent economic voting would add approximately two percentage points to the opposition; therefore, we issued a public revision of our forecast to 52.0 % for Obama (Lewis-Beck 2008 ). We are pleased that this final forecast fell so close to the actual result of 53.5%. Nevertheless, we contend the actual result should have been much closer to our original forecast. Given the dismal state of the polity and the economy prior to the election, the Obama victory should have been much bigger, as we show below.
Efficiency of test for independence after Box--Cox transformation

We consider the efficiency and the power of the normal theory test for independence after a Box-Cox transformation. We obtain an expression for the correlation between the variates after a Box-Cox transformation in terms of the correlation on the normal scale. We discuss the efficiency of test of independence after a Box-Cox transformation and show that for the family considered it is always more efficient to conduct the test of independence based on Pearson correlation coefficient after transformation to normality. Power of test of independence before and after a Box-Cox transformation is studied for a finite sample size using Monte Carlo simulation. Our results show that we can increase the power of the normal-theory test for independence after estimating the transformation parameter from the data. The procedure has application for generating non-negative random variables with prescribed correlation.
Deception as a Narrative Function in the "Libro de los exenplos por a b c"

In order to assess the contents of a large body of material (Frederich Tubach's Index Exemplorum lists fifty-four hundred tales in the European sermonic tradition), some scheme for its classificati...
A Legislator's Dilemma

Drafting and passing federal laws aimed at curbing online copyright violations or discouraging hacking into private databases has proven difficult enough, but a greater challenge looms: top cybersecurity officials worry that major infrastructure elements such as financial, electrical, and water systems could be taken down if cybersecurity legislation continues to be deferred.
REDOR determination of the composition of shell cross-linked amphiphilic core-shell nanoparticles and the partitioning of sequestered fluorinated guests

Rotational-echo double-resonance (REDOR) 13C{19F} and 15N{19F} NMR spectra have been obtained for guest−host complexes of 6-fluorotryptophan and 4-(trifluoromethyl)benzophenone with polymeric amphiphilic nanoparticles, consisting of a polystyrene core covalently attached to a poly(acrylic acid)-co-[15N]polyacrylamide shell. The REDOR spectra were used both to determine the composition of the nanoparticles and to find the locations of the fluorinated guests. Each guest resides near the core−shell interface of the nanoparticle, with the hydrophobic 4-(trifluoromethyl)benzophenone within the core and the amphiphilic 6-fluorotryptophan within the shell.
1508 WEIGHT GAIN AND SERUM BILIRUBIN IN NEWBORNS WITH RDS TREATED WITH PANCURONIUM BROMIDE

In order to examine the effect of pancuronium bromide (PBr) on body weight and serum bilirubin, we retrospectively reviewed the charts of 100 infants with RDS treated with mechanical ventilation. PBr was ordered according to each physician's judgment and was used in 51 infants. Both groups were similar in gestational age, (30.5±3.5 (PBr) vs. 30.1±2.8wk), male/female distribution, and survival, but patients in the PBr group had higher birth weight (1680±80 Vs. 1400±50g. p<.05). Infants treated with PBr gained weight during the first three days and showed a larger Δ wt (daily - birth weight) than the control group during the first week (PBr, +42±14g vs. noPBr, -35±12g, p<0.01). Edema was present in 27 PBr treated infants and in 13 of those not treated with PBr (p<0, 05). In addition, hyperbilirubinemia was more severe and more prolonged in patients treated with PBr. The two groups had similar serum bilirubin on days 1 to 5 but serum bilirubin was significantly greater in the treated group on days 6 to 10 (d.6 PBr 10.5±0.6 vs. noPBr 8.6±0.4 mg/dl, p<.02). The use of PBr was associated with edema, excessive weight gain in the first week of life, and a higher, more prolonged peak of serum bilirubin. These findings remained valid when subgroups matched for severity of hypoxia on day one were examined in order to control for severity of underlying lung disease.
An evaluation of two methods of parental involvement in treating obese children

Parents of overweight children elected one of two procedures for structuring their involvement in their child's behavioral weight loss program. As in previous operationalizations of parental involvement, one choice allowed parents to engage in their own weight loss effort. These parents followed a program parallel to their child's. In addition, they monitored and earned rewards for the same behaviors. Alternatively, parents could choose a helper role. The parents' change efforts focused on improving their skills as a helper. Monitoring and contracting for rewards were based upon performance of helping behaviors. Both forms of parental involvement were equally successful in producing weight loss among children during treatment and were superior to a waiting list control. The two procedures also yielded equivalent results at year follow-up. Degree of parental and child weight loss during treatment were related, but follow-up findings were less clear. A relationship between age of the child and type of parental involvement was also suggested.
Combined serotonin (5-HT)1A agonism, 5-HT2A and dopamine D2 receptor antagonism reproduces atypical antipsychotic drug effects on phencyclidine-impaired novel object recognition in rats

Subchronic administration of an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist, e.g. phencyclidine (PCP), produces prolonged impairment of novel object recognition (NOR), suggesting they constitute a hypoglutamate-based model of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia (CIS). Acute administration of atypical, e.g. lurasidone, but not typical antipsychotic drugs (APDs), e.g. haloperidol, are able to restore NOR following PCP (acute reversal model). Furthermore, atypical APDs, when co-administered with PCP, have been shown to prevent development of NOR deficits (prevention model). Most atypical, but not typical APDs, are more potent 5-HT(2A) receptor inverse agonists than dopamine (DA) D2 antagonists, and have been shown to enhance cortical and hippocampal efflux and to be direct or indirect 5-HT(1A) agonists in vivo. To further clarify the importance of these actions to the restoration of NOR by atypical APDs, sub-effective or non-effective doses of combinations of the 5-HT(1A) partial agonist (tandospirone), the 5-HT(2A) inverse agonist (pimavanserin), or the D2 antagonist (haloperidol), as well as the combination of all three agents, were studied in the acute reversal and prevention PCP models of CIS. Only the combination of all three agents restored NOR and prevented the development of PCP-induced deficit. Thus, this triple combination of 5-HT(1A) agonism, 5-HT(2A) antagonism/inverse agonism, and D2 antagonism is able to mimic the ability of atypical APDs to prevent or ameliorate the PCP-induced NOR deficit, possibly by stimulating signaling cascades from D1 and 5-HT(1A) receptor stimulation, modulated by D2 and 5-HT(2A) receptor antagonism.
A Phonemic Analysis of Half-List Speech Discrimination Tests

The results of a phonemic analysis of the words in the W-22 test and PB test lists 7, 8, 9, and 10 are reported. The question asked was: what happens to phonetic balance when a 50-word test is spli...
In vivo characterization of a vertebrate ultraconserved enhancer

Genomic sequence comparisons among human, mouse, and pufferfish (Takifugu rubripes (Fugu)) have revealed a set of extremely conserved noncoding sequences. While this high degree of sequence conservation suggests severe evolutionary constraint and predicts a lack of tolerance to change to retain in vivo functionality, such elements have been minimally explored experimentally. In this study, we describe the in-depth characterization of an ancient conserved enhancer, Dc2, located near the dachshund gene, which displays a human-Fugu identity of 84% over 424 basepairs (bp). In addition to this large overall conservation, we find that Dc2 is characterized by the presence of a large block of sequence (144 bp) that is completely identical among human, mouse, chicken, zebrafish, and Fugu. Through the testing of reporter vector constructs in transgenic mice, we observed that the 424-bp Dc2-conserved element is necessary and sufficient for brain tissue enhancer activity. In vivo analyses also revealed that the 144-bp 100% conserved sequence is necessary, but not sufficient, to replicate Dc2 enhancer function. However, the introduction of two separate 16-bp insertions into the highly conserved enhancer core did not cause any detectable modification of its in vivo activity. Our observations indicate that the 144-bp 100% conserved element is tolerant of change at least at the resolution of this transgenic mouse assay and suggest that purifying selection on the Dc2 sequence might not be as strong as we predicted or that some unknown property also constrains this highly conserved enhancer sequence.
The use of the method of maximum likelihood in estimating continuous-modulated intelligence which has been corrupted by noise

A signal is received in the time interval (t ? T ? ? ? t). It is known that this signal is composed of noise plus intelligence a(t) which is statistical in nature and which has been modulated in some known way. Assuming that both intelligence and noise are Gaussian (although not necessarily stationary) time series, the analog of the classical maximum-likelihood estimate for ?(t) is derived. The advantage of this approach is that it can handle arbitrary types of modulation. For unmodulated stationary intelligence and stationary noise, the solution reduces to that of Zadeh and Ragazzini. In the general case, the optimum estimate is given as the solution of a pair of integral equations. The amplitude-modulated case is treated in some detail. The application of the maximum-likelihood technique to problems involving arbitrary modulation was first suggested, as far as the author is aware, by F. W. Lehan and R. J. Parks of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
CMEIAS JFrad: A Digital Computing Tool to Discriminate the Fractal Geometry of Landscape Architectures and Spatial Patterns of Individual Cells in Microbial Biofilms

Image analysis of fractal geometry can be used to gain deeper insights into complex ecophysiological patterns and processes occurring within natural microbial biofilm landscapes, including the scale-dependent heterogeneities of their spatial architecture, biomass, and cell-cell interactions, all driven by the colonization behavior of optimal spatial positioning of organisms to maximize their efficiency in utilization of allocated nutrient resources. Here, we introduce CMEIAS JFrad, a new computing technology that analyzes the fractal geometry of complex biofilm architectures in digital landscape images. The software uniquely features a data-mining opportunity based on a comprehensive collection of 11 different mathematical methods to compute fractal dimension that are implemented into a wizard design to maximize ease-of-use for semi-automatic analysis of single images or fully automatic analysis of multiple images in a batch process. As examples of application, quantitative analyses of fractal dimension were used to optimize the important variable settings of brightness threshold and minimum object size in order to discriminate the complex architecture of freshwater microbial biofilms at multiple spatial scales, and also to differentiate the spatial patterns of individual bacterial cells that influence their cooperative interactions, resource use, and apportionment in situ. Version 1.0 of JFrad is implemented into a software package containing the program files, user manual, and tutorial images that will be freely available at http://cme.msu.edu/cmeias/. This improvement in computational image informatics will strengthen microscopy-based approaches to analyze the dynamic landscape ecology of microbial biofilm populations and communities in situ at spatial resolutions that range from single cells to microcolonies.
Accomplishing masculinity through anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender homicide: a comparative case study approach

In the current study, we seek to understand the dynamic processes of fatal attacks against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals across different situational circumstances. A review of prior research and story line analyses of 121 anti-LGBT homicides led to the creation of a homicide typology based on offender mode of victim selection. Guided by symbolic interactionism and theories of masculinity and violence, five representative case studies are conducted based on various open-source materials. The purpose of the case studies is to examine the applicability of theories of masculinity and violence for explaining anti-LGBT homicides across different modes of victim selection. We conclude that interactionist and masculinity theories of violence can in part illuminate how and why offenders use violence to demonstrate masculinity in some anti-LGBT homicide scenarios. Language: en
Automated scalable test-suite augmentation for evolving software

A major challenge in software testing is adequately testing the effects of changes. The goal of my doctoral research is to provide a precise analysis of the effects of changes in software to effectively automate the testing of changes. In this proposal, I first describe my research problem and discuss related work. Then, I present my approach, research questions, work performed so far, and ongoing and future work. Finally, I list the expected contributions of my Thesis.
Physiological Costs of Mate Guarding in the Japanese Beetle (Popillia japonica Newman)

Males of many insects directly defend their mates from rival males (i.e. mate guard) as a way to avoid sperm competition and thus increase their reproductive success. However, mate guarding may have associated costs for these males. We examined costs of mate guarding in Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica), a pest species which exhibits post-copulatory mate guarding during which the guarding male cannot feed. In this species, food provides both energy and water for thermoregulation. Consequently, we focused on possible thermoregulatory and energetic costs of their mate guarding. In a field study, we found that guarding males had significantly higher thoracic temperatures than non-guarding males, indicating a difference in their ability and/or need to thermoregulate. Paired males had significantly lower water levels than single males in the morning and evening, but not in the afternoon. In the laboratory, we found that mate-guarding duration was significantly shorter at higher ambient temperature than at lower temperature, and males that had been starved guarded for less time than males that had not been starved. Our results suggest that because guarding males are unable to feed, they suffer energetic and thermoregulatory costs that appear to limit the amount of time that they can guard a female.
Detection of low intensity light sources

The detection of light from a very poor light source in a high electric field is considered. A design to detect such light emission from a reverse-biased silicon diode with both DC and pulsed inputs is presented. The experimental setup and results are given, and the receiver and the electric pickup are discussed. The gain of the detector circuit is 55 dB with a bandwidth of 14 kHz when a two-stage amplifier is used. If a third stage were added, the bandwidth and gain could easily be increased. A p-i-n photodiode is used in this experiment, but the efficiency could be increased if an avalanche photodiode were used instead. >
Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Following Apparent Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

The observation that Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) may progress to chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) has been well-documented among adult patients but reported only rarely in children. In this report, we describe a pediatric patient with atypical ALL, who subsequently went on to develop classical adult-type CML. This patient is unique and important because of the unusual clinical findings that she exhibited during the "ALL" phase, namely, extreme thrombocytosis, marrow fibrosis, and persistent splenomegaly, which heralded the onset of frank CML. It is suggested that the patient with presumed, but atypical, ALL be carefully evaluated for CML presenting in lymphoblastoid crisis, and that all patients with the morphologic diagnosis of ALL undergo complete cytogenetic and immunologic marker studies to confirm the diagnosis.
Role of the Coagulation System in ARDS

Chest N Hasegawa, A W Husari, W T Hart, T G Kandra and T A Raffin Role of the coagulation system in ARDS. http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/content/105/1/268.citation can be found online on the World Wide Web at: The online version of this article, along with updated information and services ) ISSN:0012-3692 http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/site/misc/reprints.xhtml ( without the prior written permission of the copyright holder. reserved. No part of this article or PDF may be reproduced or distributed Chest Physicians, 3300 Dundee Road, Northbrook, IL 60062. All rights of been published monthly since 1935. Copyright1994by the American College is the official journal of the American College of Chest Physicians. It has Chest
Mice lacking mPGES-1 are resistant to lithium-induced polyuria.

Cyclooxygenase-2 activity is required for the development of lithium-induced polyuria. However, the involvement of a specific, terminal prostaglandin (PG) isomerase has not been evaluated. The present study was undertaken to assess lithium-induced polyuria in mice deficient in microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1). A 2-wk administration of LiCl (4 mmol·kg−1·day−1 ip) in mPGES-1 +/+ mice led to a marked polyuria with hyposmotic urine. This was associated with elevated renal mPGES-1 protein expression and increased urine PGE2 excretion. In contrast, mPGES-1 −/− mice were largely resistant to lithium-induced polyuria and a urine concentrating defect, accompanied by nearly complete blockade of high urine PGE2 and cAMP output. Immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry, and quantitative (q) RT-PCR consistently detected a significant decrease in aquaporin-2 (AQP2) protein expression in both the renal cortex and medulla of lithium-treated +/+ mice. This decrease was significantly attenuated in the −/− mice. qRT-PCR detected similar patterns of changes in AQP2 mRNA in the medulla but not in the cortex. Similarly, the total protein abundance of the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter (NKCC2) in the medulla but not in the cortex of the +/+ mice was significantly reduced by lithium treatment. In contrast, the dowregulation of renal medullary NKCC2 expression was significantly attenuated in the −/− mice. We conclude that mPGES-1-derived PGE2 mediates lithium-induced polyuria likely via inhibition of AQP2 and NKCC2 expression.
Porcine endogenous retroviruses infect cells lacking cognate receptors by an alternative pathway: implications for retrovirus evolution and xenotransplantation

A PHQ motif near the amino termini of gammaretroviral envelope glycoprotein surface (SU) subunits is important for infectivity but not for incorporation into virions or binding to cognate receptors. The H residue of this motif is most critical, with all substitutions we tested being inactive. Interestingly, porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) of all three host-range groups, A, B, and C, lack full PHQ motifs, but most members have an H residue at position 10. H10A PERV mutants are noninfectious but were efficiently transactivated by adding to the assays a PHQ-containing SU or receptor-binding subdomain (RBD) derived from a gibbon ape leukemia virus (GALV). A requirement of this transactivation was a functional GALV receptor on the cells. In contrast to this heterologous transactivation, PERV RBDs and SUs were inactive in all tested cells, including porcine ST-IOWA cells. Surprisingly, transactivation by GALV RBD enabled wild-type or H10A mutant PERVs of all three host-range groups to efficiently infect cells from humans and rodents that lack functional PERV receptors and it substantially enhanced infectivities of wild-type PERVs, even for cells with PERV receptors. Thus, PERVs can suboptimally infect cells that contain cognate receptors or they can employ a transactivation pathway to more efficiently infect all cells. This ability to infect cells lacking cognate receptors was previously demonstrated only for nontransmissible variant gammaretroviruses with recombinant and mutant envelope glycoproteins. We conclude that some endogenously inherited mammalian retroviruses also have a receptor-independent means for overcoming host-range and interference barriers, implying a need for caution in xenotransplantation, especially of porcine tissues.
Gateways: a technique for adding event-driven behavior to compiled simulations

The gateway technique is a method for switching segments of code into and out of the instruction stream. When added to the straight-line code generated by a compiled simulator, gateways can be used to enhance the performance of the generated code by switching only those segments of code that actually need to be executed into the instruction stream. The convergence algorithm is an oblivious compiled code algorithm that can be used with many different types of circuits, including cyclic asynchronous circuits. In its oblivious form, the convergence algorithm provides only modest gains in performance over interpreted event-driven simulation, but with the addition of gateways, the performance of the algorithm increases significantly. Experimental data shows that with gateways, the convergence algorithm runs in about 1/5th the time required for an interpreted event-driven simulation. Additional work has been done to reduce the amount of code generated by the convergence algorithm, and to enhance the locality of the code to improve its performance on machines with caches. When used with a multi-delay algorithm, gateways allow simulations to be performed in 1/3 the time required by interpreted simulations. Gateways also allow zero-delay simulations to be more responsive to the activity rate of the circuit, and allow event driven simulations to outperform levelized compiled code when the activity rate of the circuit falls below 13%. >
Economic analysis of municipal power generation from gasification of urban green wastes: case study of Fultondale, Alabama, USA

The economic viability of heat and power generation from biomass gasification is strongly influenced by the supply radius due to the low energy density of biomass relative to fossil fuels. Consequently, localized production of heat and electricity from biomass gasification is expected to play an eminent role in the future. In this study, an economic analysis was performed on a micro-scale heat and power generation plant using urban waste from the city of Fultondale in Alabama, USA. The plant economics of heat and power production from urban biomass waste collected in Fultondale were analyzed by using a modular economic model with drying, chipping, gasification, power generation, and grid connection modules. Three gasification systems – fluidized bed, downdraft and updraft – and three power generation systems – internal combustion, steam turbine, and gas turbine – were assessed resulting in nine plant configuration scenarios. The fluidized bed gasifier and internal combustion engine plant configuration resulted in the lowest cost of electricity at ¢14/kWh for a micro-scale installed capacity of 100kWe for a plant operating at 85% capacity with an annual green waste processing capacity of 1811 tons. The equipment and installation costs made up the largest contribution to the total capital investment whereas the operating labor and plant overhead make the largest contribution to the total annual production cost. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the plant capacity factor and the rate of return of investment had the strongest effect on the levelized cost of electricity under the best configuration.