cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bilateral Trade and `Small-World' Networks

Trade requires search, negotiation, and exchange, which are activities that absorb resources. This paper investigates how different trade networks attend to these activities. An artificial market is constructed in which autonomous agents endowed with a stock of goods seek out partners, negotiate a price, and then trade with the agent offering the best deal. Different trade networks are imposed on the system by restricting the set of individuals with whom an agent can communicate. We then compare the path to the eventual equilibrium as well as the equilibrium characteristics of each trade network to see how each system dealt with the tasks of search, negotiation, and exchange. Initially, all agents are free to trade with any individual in the global market. In such a world, global resources are optimally allocated with few trades, but only after a tremendous amount of search and negotiation. If trade is restricted within disjoint local boundaries, search is simple but global efficiency elusive. However, a hybrid model in which most agents trade locally but a few agents trade globally results in an economy that quickly reaches a Pareto optimal equilibrium with significantly lower search and negotiation costs. Such `small-world' networks occur in nature and may help explain the ease with which most of us acquire goods from around the world. We also show that there are private incentives for such a system to arise.
Sirolimus enhances the magnitude and quality of viral-specific CD8+ T cell responses to vaccinia virus vaccination in rhesus macaques

Sirolimus is a potent antiproliferative agent used clinically to prevent renal allograft rejection. However, little is known about the effects of maintenance immunosuppressive agents on the immune response to potentially protective vaccines. Here we show that sirolimus paradoxically increases the magnitude and quality of the CD8+ T-cell response to vaccinia vaccination in nonhuman primates, fostering more robust recall responses compared to untreated and tacrolimus-treated controls. Enhancement of both the central and effector memory compartments of the vaccinia-specific CD8+ T-cell response was observed. These data elucidate new mechanistic characteristics of sirolimus and suggest immune applications extending beyond its role as an immunosuppressant.
Bipartite Edge Prediction via Transductive Learning over Product Graphs

This paper addresses the problem of predicting the missing edges of a bipartite graph where each side of the vertices has its own intrinsic structure. We propose a new optimization framework to map the two sides of the intrinsic structures onto the manifold structure of the edges via a graph product, and to reduce the original problem to vertex label propagation over the product graph. This framework enjoys flexible choices in the formulation of graph products, and supports a rich family of graph transduction schemes with scalable inference. Experiments on benchmark datasets for collaborative filtering, citation network analysis and prerequisite prediction of online courses show advantageous performance of the proposed approach over other state-of-the-art methods.
Maternal inflammation during late pregnancy is lower in physically active compared with inactive obese women.

The primary purpose of this study was to compare maternal plasma inflammation between physically active and inactive obese women during late pregnancy. The secondary purpose was to examine the relationships between maternal plasma inflammation and lipid metabolism and maternal and neonatal metabolic health in these women. A cross-sectional, observational study design was performed in 16 obese-inactive (OBI; means ± SD; age, 25.0 ± 4.8 years; prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), 36.3 ± 4.3 kg/m2; body fat percentage in late gestation, 37.7% ± 3.5%) and 16 obese-active (OBA; age, 28.9 ± 4.8 years; prepregnancy BMI, 34.0 ± 3.7 kg/m2; body fat in late gestation, 36.6% ± 3.8%) women during the third trimester of pregnancy. Maternal plasma inflammation (C -reactive protein (CRP)) and insulin resistance (Homeostatic Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance) were measured at rest. Plasma lipid concentration and metabolism (lipid oxidation and lipolysis) were measured at rest, during a 30-min bout of low-intensity (40% ...
A switched capacitor array as an analog pipeline for the CMS forward muon chamber readout

A switched capacitor array (SCA) application specific integrated circuit is being developed for the front-end readout of the forward muon chambers for the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment at the Large Hadron Collider. The SCA design requires full analog wave sampling with 10-bit accuracy over a one volt range. The present SCA circuit was designed and simulated to approach these requirements. Several iterations of a prototype have been fabricated in the CMOS HP 1.2 /spl mu/m process. Test results are provided and major concerns related to SCA operation are discussed in detail. Suggested modifications for the next ASIC iteration are discussed.
Discovery of a β-d-2'-deoxy-2'-α-fluoro-2'-β-C-methyluridine nucleotide prodrug (PSI-7977) for the treatment of hepatitis C virus.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global health problem requiring novel approaches for effective treatment of this disease. The HCV NS5B polymerase has been demonstrated to be a viable target for the development of HCV therapies. β-d-2′-Deoxy-2′-α-fluoro-2′-β-C-methyl nucleosides are selective inhibitors of the HCV NS5B polymerase and have demonstrated potent activity in the clinic. Phosphoramidate prodrugs of the 5′-phosphate derivative of the β-d-2′-deoxy-2′-α-fluoro-2′-β-C-methyluridine nucleoside were prepared and showed significant potency in the HCV subgenomic replicon assay (<1 μM) and produced high levels of triphosphate 6 in primary hepatocytes and in the livers of rats, dogs, and monkeys when administered in vivo. The single diastereomer 51 of diastereomeric mixture 14 was crystallized, and an X-ray structure was determined establishing the phosphoramidate stereochemistry as Sp, thus correlating for the first time the stereochemistry of a phosphoramidate prodrug with biological activity. 51 (PSI-7977...
Iterative solutions to the nuclear reaction problem

Abstract An iterative technique is probably the most efficient and practical way to solve the large sets of integro-differential equations resulting from a CRC analysis of the nuclear reaction problem. In this paper we present the theoretical and practical convergence properties of a new and different type of iterative technique, namely the method of moments. In order to show the power of this method we present a comparison with three other well known iterative methods: the Sasakawa method, the Austern-Sasakawa method, and the method of successive approximation. The dependence of the practical convergence on coupling strength and angular momentum is discussed for the case of inelastic scattering. The method of moments emerges as clearly superior according to both the theoretical and practical convergence criteria. Non-local potentials are shown to introduce very little additional computational difficulty when the iterative technique is used within the framework of the plane-wave expansion method. The method of moments was the only technique capable of guaranteeing convergence when non-local interactions were involved. One merely requires a Hilbert-Schmidt kernel in a finite region of space to guarantee convergence at a rate faster than that of any geometric progression.
A Design Based Materials Study for a Wearable Muscle Stretching Device Aimed at Patients With Spasticity

The efficacy of robotic systems in rehabilitation is well established. Many of these systems are fixed equipment that requires the user to visit a facility for treatment. Furthermore, current treatment options for pediatric patients with spastic dyplagia include manual stretching of the muscle groups and serial casting in conjunction with Botox injections. The goal of this work is to develop a dynamic orthotic to stretch the muscles of the lower calf. A subsystem of this project is the development of wearable sensor system to detect spasticity and control the system actuators. A system of thin film sensors embedded into a novel composite structure is proposed. In order to develop a dynamic orthotic to stretch the muscles of the lower calf, a subsystem of this project is the development of wearable sensor system embedded into a novel composite structure [1, 2, 3].Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Fitting scattered data on sphere-like surfaces using spherical splines

Abstract Spaces of polynomial splines defined on planar traingulations are very useful tools for fitting scattered data in the plane. Recently, [4, 5], using homogeneous polynomials, we have developed analogous spline spaces defined on triangulations on the sphere and on sphere-like surfaces. Using these spaces, it is possible to construct analogs of many of the classical interpolation and fitting methods. Here we examine some of the more interesting ones is detail. For interpolation, we discuss macro-element and minimal energy splines, and for fitting, we consider discrete least squares and penalized least squares.
A review of quality of life measures in dry eye questionnaires.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a common ocular disease characterized by eye pain, burning, foreign body sensation, and ocular surface irritation.1,2 This disease affects 5% to 17% of the US population, and the evidence that DED can greatly diminish quality of life (QOL) in the affected population is steadily increasing.2–6 Recent QOL studies of DED show that moderate-to-severe dry eye can cause a decrease in the QOL comparable with that in dialysis, severe angina, and disabling hip fractures.6,7 Several clinical dry eye tests are readily available to help monitor the severity of DED, including fluorescein staining, tear break-up time, lissamine green staining, Schirmer test type 1, Schirmer test type 2, and many other clinical measures.2,8,9 Unfortunately, these tests correlate poorly with patient symptoms and QOL measures in patients with dry eyes.2 Nevertheless, these objective tests, including a novel test for measuring tear film osmolarity, are vitally important in the screening and diagnosis of DED because multiple studies have shown that many patients with DED are largely asymptomatic and would not be diagnosed by a symptom-based screening method alone.10,11 At the same time, the limited correlation between signs and symptoms makes assessing QOL of DED patients through patient-reported questionnaires an important component of DED monitoring and management because many patients are more symptomatic and have a worse QOL than their clinical signs alone may suggest.1,12 In addition, the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has increased their emphasis on properly developing and using patient-reported outcomes (PROs), such as QOL measures, in clinical drug trials to determine treatment efficacy.13 As a result of this increased emphasis on proper PRO development and the weak correlation of clinical tests to patient-reported symptoms in DED, it is essential that ophthalmologists be aware of PRO questionnaires currently available for assessing QOL in patients with dry eyes. The International Dry Eye Workshop highlighted several of these questionnaires in its 2007 epidemiology report on DED; however, it only provided brief descriptions of the questionnaires available for assessing QOL in patients with dry eyes.8 Subsequently, in 2010, Alcon, inc. (Ft. Worth, TX) funded and coordinated a systematic review of PRO instruments available for use in clinical trials involving DED. The authors based their review on the 2007 Dry Eye Workshop report and their own 2010 literature search. This 2010 review highlights several dry eye questionnaires that assess QOL and provide detailed descriptions of and recommendations for these PRO instruments.12 Yet, no other systematic reviews have been performed since that time to confirm the results of this study even though more work on dry eye questionnaires has been published since their literature review.4,14,15 Therefore, the current review article seeks to provide clinicians and researchers with an update on the dry eye questionnaires currently available to assess QOL in patients with DED.
Macroautophagy in T Lymphocyte Development and Function

Macroautophagy (referred to as autophagy) is a fundamental intracellular process characterized by the sequestration of cytoplasmic compartments through double-membrane vesicles, termed autophagosomes. Recent studies have established important roles of autophagy in regulating T lymphocyte development and function. Resting T lymphocytes have basal levels of autophagy that is upregulated by T cell receptor stimulation. Several specific knockout or transgenic models have been developed during the past few years, and it has been revealed that autophagy plays an essential role in regulating thymocyte selection, peripheral T cell survival, and proliferation. The regulation of T cell development and function by autophagy is mediated through its role in regulating self-antigen presentation, intracellular organelle homeostasis, and energy production. Here we will review the current findings concerning how autophagy regulates T cell function, as well as compare different models in studying autophagy in T lymphocytes.
Serotonergic and dopaminergic aspects of neuroleptic-induced extrapyramidal syndromes in nonhuman primates.

Neuroleptic drug-induced acute extrapyramidal syndromes are one of the major reasons why patients discontinue their antipsychotic medicines. The typical (e.g., haloperidol) neuroleptic drug produces acute extrapyramidal symptoms in the majority of patients, whereas the atypical (clozapine) neuroleptic produces only minimal motor system side effects. Serotonin S2 antagonists often reduce or prevent catalepsy in rodents, but the limited number of studies in nonhuman primates have produced conflicting results. The hypothesis of a high serotonin S2/dopamine D2 antagonism ratio as a mechanism underlying atypical neuroleptic effects in preventing acute extrapyramidal syndromes deserves further evaluation in nonhuman primate models because extrapyramidal symptoms in monkeys closely resemble those in patients. Cebus monkeys (22–28 years old) were tested with compounds that ranged from low to high S2/D2 antagonism ratios. These were haloperidol, fluphenazine, clopenthixol, melperone, tefludazine, setoperone, risperidone, and clozapine. A saline control was included with a wide dose range of each of these drugs that was tested in a once-weekly, blindly-scored random drug administration schedule. Dystonia was scored on four different symptoms by an experienced rater who was blind to drug dosage. All the compounds, with the exception of clozapine, produced clinically indistinguishable dose-related dystonia. The only difference was the dose at which dystonia appeared. In contrast to rodent studies, these nonhuman primate investigations with drugs, spanning a wide range of S2/D2 antagonism ratios, produced clinically similar extrapyramidal symptoms. Thus, adding an S2 antagonism component to neuroleptics does not appear to provide an explanation for the motor side effect profile of atypical neuroleptics, or a method for designing neuroleptic drugs that will be free of extrapyramidal symptoms.
Palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes of unsaturated tertiary phosphines

Abstract A series of square planar Pd II and Pt II complexes of the type MX 2 (L) [X = Cl, Br, I and L = Ph n P(CH 2 CH 2 CHCH 2 ) 3 − n ; n = 0–2] have been prepared and studied by 1 H and 31 P magnetic resonance, and infrared and Raman spectroscopy. The strength of the metalolefin bond is found to be in the order Pt > Pd. When L = PhP(CH 2 CH 2 CHCH 2 ) 2 or P(CH 2 CH 2 CHCH 2 ) 3 , IR and Raman data indicate only one olefin is coordinated in both the solid state and solution. On the PMR timescale, the olefins undergo rapid intramolecular exchange, offering a system in which one observes average HH and PtH coupling.
Evolution of meal patterns and food choices of Japanese-American females born in the United States

Evolution of meal patterns and food choices of Japanese-American females born in the United States
Aging affects the retrobulbar circulation differently in Women and men

Background While aging clearly has protean biological effects on every organ system, the differential effects of aging in women and men in the retrobulbar vasculature, to our knowledge, have never been investigated. Because glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration are closely linked to advanced age, we performed a cross-sectional study using color Doppler imaging of 4 retrobulbar vessels in both healthy women and men. Objective To define the influence of aging per se on ocular hemodynamics. Methods Women (n = 73) and men (n = 55), aged from 20 to 90 years, free of ocular and systemic disease, and with normal intraocular pressure, were recruited for this study. Postmenopausal women who were not receiving estrogen replacement therapy were also recruited. Studies involved color Doppler imaging analysis of the ophthalmic, central retinal, and nasal and temporal posterior ciliary arteries. Ophthalmic arterial peak systolic and end-diastolic velocities and a Pourcelot resistance index were determined for each vessel. Results In both sexes, ophthalmic arterial end-diastolic velocity decreased and the Pourcelot resistance index rose with advancing age (each P P P Conclusion In healthy women and men, aging-induced changes in retrobulbar hemodynamics are comparable to alterations seen in patients with glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration, suggesting that vascular changes with senescence may contribute to increased risk for these diseases in older age.
Structure and magnetic properties of Nd-Fe-B fine particles produced by spark erosion

Nd-Fe-B particles have been fabricated by spark erosion in different dielectric media, the best results have been obtained in liquid Ar, with the product consisting of crystalline 2:14:1 and amorphous Nd-Fe-B phases. The average particle size and volume percent of amorphous component are affected by power supply parameters, with higher discharge current pulses producing smaller average size and a higher ratio of amorphous component. Mixtures of soft and hard magnetic phases exists in as-made particles. The small particles (<5 {mu}m), which have the amorphous structure, are magnetically soft. To further obtain single domain particles of Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B, crystallization of submicron size particles is required. Since the crystallization temperature is about 600 C, it is crucial to prevent oxidation and sintering of such small particles during annealing. This latter work is in progress.
Biotransformation of 12-Hydroxyoctadecanoic Acid to 12-Hydroxyoctadecanamide by Bacillus cereus 50

A new microbial isolate (Bacillus cereus 50) transformed 12-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid to 12-hydroxyoctadecanamide when grown aerobically in 1% yeast extract medium at 30°C, shaken at 250 rpm for 2 to 5 d. The compound was purified by thin-layer chromatography and characterized by infrared, gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance. The yields of 12-hydroxyoctadecanamide were 9.1 and 21.5% after 2 and 5 d, respectively.
NVESD's battlefield simulation of unattended sensors and munitions

This paper describes the Comprehensive Munitions and Sensor Server (CMS2) simulation software, its representation of Unattended Ground Sensors (UGS), Intelligent Munition Systems (IMS) and mines, and its application to high visibility US Army programs. The Comprehensive Munitions and Sensor Server (CMS2) provides a high-fidelity representation of mines, Intelligent Munitions Systems (IMS), and Unattended Ground Sensors (UGS) to support a broad range of engineering and operational simulation applications. Mine types modeled by CMS2 include conventional anti-personnel and anti-tank, side attack, command activated and individual and networked smart munitions. Sensor technologies modeled include, but are not limited to, imaging IR, acoustic, seismic, and magnetic. Since the CMS2 software is predominantly implemented as parametric models and plug-in libraries, the sensors, munitions, mines and their components can be configured or even added at run time. CMS2 interfaces with an imaging sensor simulation and a Human-In-The-Loop (HITL) controller application that allows for the control of IMS and UGS systems simulated by CMS2. The controller, in conjunction with the imaging sensor simulation, provides static visible and infrared (IR) images of the target area of interest to the operator. CMS2 typically complements the OneSAF Testbed within force-on-force simulations. Because of its modularity and software reuse, the CMS2 simulation is utilized extensively to support programs such as TRADOC’s Unit of Action experimentation, Intelligent Munitions System (IMS), Tactical Unattended Ground Sensor (T-UGS), Networked Sensors for the Future Force (NSFF) program and the Future Combat Systems (FCS). This paper will describe how some of these programs are using CMS2 to support the development and acquisition of UGS and IMS technologies.
Effects of electrode geometry on transient plasma induced ignition

Achieving effective ignition of reacting mixtures using nanosecond pulsed discharge non-equilibrium transient plasma (TP), requires that the effects of several experimental parameters be quantified and understood. Among them are the electrode geometry, the discharge location especially in non-premixed systems, and the relative ignition performance by spark and TP under the same experimental conditions. In the present investigation, such issues were addressed experimentally using a cylindrical constant volume combustion chamber and a counterflow flame configuration coupled with optical shadowgraph that enables observation of how and where the ignition process starts. Results were obtained under atmospheric pressure and showed that the electrode geometry has a notable influence on ignition, with the needle-to-semicircle exhibiting the best ignition performance. Furthermore, it was determined that under non-premixed conditions discharging TP in the reactants mixing layer was most effective in achieving ignition. It was also determined that in the cases considered, the TP induced ignition initiates from the needle head where the electric field and electron densities are the highest. In the case of a spark, however, ignition was found to initiate always from the hot region between the two electrodes. Comparison of spark and TP discharges in only air (i.e. without fuel) and ignition phenomena induced by them also suggest that in the case of TP ignition is at least partly non-thermal and instead driven by the production of active species. Finally, it was determined that single pulsed TP discharges are sufficient to ignite both premixed and non-premixed flames of a variety of fuels ranging from hydrogen to heavy fuels including F-76 diesel and IFO380 bunker fuel even at room temperature.
Length of residence, social ties, and economic opportunities

This study examines length of residence for movers—that subsection of the population which accounts for the high mobility rates in the United States. The propensity for repeated migration is studied in relation to economic opportunities and previous familial and personal contacts. The results indicate no influence of economic opportunities on duration of residence. This finding is consistent with recent research that indicates economic conditions are not a general stimulus for out-migration, although they are for in-migration. On the other hand, length of residence is found to be longer where previous familial and personal contacts existed. Overall, the results provide additional evidence of the importance of social, as opposed to strictly economic, variables in the migration process.
The political consequences of alienation-based and indifference-based voter abstention: Applications to Presidential Elections

We present a unified model of turnout and vote choice that incorporates two distinct motivations for citizens to abstain from voting: alienation from the candidates, and indifference between the candidates. Empirically, we find that alienation and indifference each motivated significant amounts of voter abstention in the 1980–1988 U.S. presidential elections. Using model-based computer simulations—which permit us to manipulate factors affecting turnout—we show that distinguishing between alienation and indifference illuminates three controversies in elections research. First, we find that abstention because of either alienation or indifference benefited Republican candidates, but only very modestly. Second, presidential elections involving attractive candidates motivate higher turnout, but only to the extent that abstention stems from alienation rather than from indifference. Third, paradoxically, citizens’ individual-level tendencies to abstain because of alienation are strongly affected by their evaluations of the candidates’ policies, whereas aggregate turnout rates do not depend significantly on the candidates’ policy platforms.
Soft-error resilience of the IBM POWER6 processor

The error detection and correction capability of the IBM POWER6™ processor enables high tolerance to single-event upsets. The soft-error resilience was tested with proton beam- and neutron beam-induced fault injection. Additionally, statistical fault injection was performed on a hardware-emulated POWER6 processor simulation model. The error resiliency is described in terms of the proportion of latch upset events that result in vanished errors, corrected errors, checkstops, and incorrect architected states.
Cytotoxic and HIF-1α Inhibitory Compounds from Crossosoma bigelovii

Cytotoxicity-guided fractionation of an organic solvent extract of the plant Crossosoma bigelovii led to the discovery of a new strophanthidin glycoside (1) and two new 2-methylchromone glycosides (2 and 3). Also isolated were the known chromones eugenin and noreugenin, the indole alkaloid ajmalicine, the dibenzylbutane lignan secoisolariciresinol, the dibenzylbutyrolactone lignan matairesinol, and the furanone 5-tetradec-5-enyldihydrofuran-2-one. Further investigation into the biological properties of strophanthidin glycosides revealed a connection between inhibition of HIF-1 activation and the glycosylation of the genin. This work is the first published study of the bioactive phytochemicals of the family Crossosomataceae.
Approaching and leave-taking: Negotiating contact in computer-mediated communication

A major difference between face-to-face interaction and computer-mediated communication is how contact negotiation---the way in which people start and end conversations---is managed. Contact negotiation is especially problematic for distributed group members who are separated by distance and thus do not share many of the cues needed to help mediate interaction. An understanding of what resources and cues people use to negotiate making contact when face-to-face identifies ways to design support for contact negotiation in new technology to support remote collaboration. This perspective is used to analyze the design and use experiences with three communication prototypes: Desktop Conferencing Prototype, Montage, and Awarenex. These prototypes use text, video, and graphic indicators to share the cues needed to gracefully start and end conversations. Experiences with using these prototypes focused on how these designs support the interactional commitment of the participants---when they have to commit their attention to an interaction and how flexibly that can be negotiated. Reviewing what we learned from these research experiences identifies directions for future research in supporting contact negotiation in computer-mediated communication.
Neurokinin 2 receptor-mediated activation of protein kinase C modulates capsaicin responses in DRG neurons from adult rats.

Patch-clamp techniques and Ca 2+ imaging were used to examine the interaction between neurokinins (NK) and the capsaicin (CAPS)-evoked transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor 1 (TRPV1) responses in rat dorsal root ganglia neurons. Substance P (SP; 0.2-0.5 μM) prevented the reduction of Ca 2+ transients (tachyphylaxis) evoked by repeated brief applications of CAPS (0.5 μM). Currents elicited by CAPS were increased in amplitude and desensitized more slowly after administration of SP or a selective NK 2 agonist, [Ala 8 ]-neurokinin A (4-10) (NKA). Neither an NK 1 -selective agonist, [Sar 9 , Met 11 ]-SP, nor an NK 3 -selective agonist, [MePhe 7 ]-NKB, altered the CAPS currents. The effects of SP on CAPS currents were inhibited by a selective NK 2 antagonist, MEN 10,376, but were unaffected by the NK 3 antagonist, SB 235,375. Phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu), an activator of protein kinase C (PKC), also increased the amplitude and slowed the desensitization of CAPS responses. Phosphatase inhibitors, decamethrin and α-naphthyl acid phosphate (NAcPh), also enhanced the currents and slowed desensitization of CAPS currents. Facilitatory effects of SP, NKA and PDBu were reversed by bisindolylmaleimide, a PKC inhibitor, and gradually decreased in magnitude when the agents were administered at increasing intervals after CAPS application. The decrease was partially prevented by prior application of NAcPh. These data suggest that activation of NK 2 receptors in afferent neurons leads to PKC-induced phosphorylation of TRPV1, resulting in sensitization of CAPS-evoked currents and slower desensitization. Thus, activation of NK 2 autoreceptors by NKs released from the peripheral afferent terminals or by mast cells during inflammatory responses may be a mechanism that sensitizes TRPV1 channels and enhances afferent excitability.
The influence of prior knowledge on viewing and interpreting graphics with macroscopic and molecular representations

Previous research has indicated that the use of multiple representations with macroscopic and molecular features can improve conceptual understanding; however, the influence of prior knowledge of the domain cannot be overlooked. Using eye-tracking technology and sequential analysis, this study investigated how high school students (n = 54) with different levels of prior knowledge transitioned among the macroscopic and molecular representations of the selected cell transport graphics. The results indicated that high prior knowledge students transitioned more frequently between the molecular representations, whereas low prior knowledge students transitioned more frequently between the macroscopic representations. These findings suggest that students with high prior knowledge distributed their visual attention on conceptually relevant features, whereas low prior knowledge students focused on surface features. In addition, low prior knowledge students transitioned more frequently between macroscopic and molecular representations, suggesting that these students were experiencing more difficulty as they were coordinating the representations. Because these students were using surface features to create linkages between the representations, they were unable to understand the underlying themes. More research on the differences in the distribution of visual attention among learners can provide further insight as to the difficulties low prior knowledge students face when interpreting multiple representations. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed92:848–867, 2008
GALACTIC BULGE SOURCES, WHAT ARE THEY? (X‐RAY SOURCES IN GLOBULAR CLUSTERS AND BURST SOURCES)

Approximately 25 X-ray burst sources among the galactic bulge sources that lie within 30 deg of the direction of the galactic center are discussed in terms of soft spectra, variability, high luminosity and the absence of periodic pulsations and eclipses. Attention is given to the rapid burster MXB 1730-335 in addition, a sky map of Type-I burst sources is given, and a series of bursts from various sources is graphed which illustrate that bursts from one and the same source generally look similar. Burst intervals can be regular or irregular on time scales of hours to days, and a correlation between these intervals and the persistent X-ray emission was found in two burst sources. On the basis of spectral information and the success of the thermonuclear flash model, it is concluded that it is very likely that X-ray burst sources are neutron stars in low-mass binary systems.
Malformations in infants of diabetic mothers: Problems in study design

Infants of diabetic mothers have a two- to threefold increased risk of having congenital malformations. Primary prevention of these malformations may be possible if the teratogenic mechanisms in diabetes can be identified. The Diabetes in Early Pregnancy Study (DIEP) addresses the questions of high malformation rates and fetal losses using an innovative study design. Women are recruited prior to pregnancy, monitored to ensure prompt diagnosis of pregnancy, and followed carefully for diabetic problems or fetal losses. To date, 450 diabetic and 550 normal control prepregnant women have been recruited. A basal body temperature monitoring system has been successful in identifying pregnant women within 21 days of conception. Before initiating such a study, problems of feasibility, study design, and possible bias had to be solved. This report summarizes our experience in designing and conducting a prospective pregnancy study. The DIEP demonstrates that a truly prospective pregnancy study is feasible.
Human Interactive Landing Point Redesignation for Lunar Landing

In order to achieve safe and precise landings anywhere on the lunar surface without the heavy involvement of mission operations required during Apollo, an autonomous flight manager (AFM) is needed to assist the crew in managing the landing mission. An essential algorithm within the AFM is the landing point redesignation (LPR) function, which determines a prioritized list of safe and precise points in the landing region from which the crew can select a landing aimpoint. The LPR function described in this paper is flexible enough to support a variety of missions and situations by allowing an operator to reach-in and modify parameters prior to and throughout the landing.
The role of perturbation theory in sigma-models and Yang-Mills theories

Abstract Certain arguments regarding the validity of perturbative computations in σ-models and Yang-Mills theories are reviewed from a critical point of view. It is concluded that in the absence of any asymptotic estimates the role of perturbative computations in this class of theories remains unclear.
The relationship of alexithymia characteristics to dreaming

Abstract Objective : In two studies, we tested two hypotheses about the relationship of alexithymia to dreaming; that dreams of alexithymic people are barren and rarely recalled, and that the dreams are unregulated and nightmarish. Methods : Study 1 was a retrospective survey of dreaming among several hundred young adults, and Study 2 was a 1-week, prospective diary study of 153 young adults in which recall, content, and length of dreams were assessed. Results : Across both studies, the externally oriented thinking (EOT) facet of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS)-20 correlated with different dream characteristics than the difficulty identifying feelings (DIF) and difficulty describing feelings (DDF) facets, even after statistically controlling for the other facets. Greater EOT was related to an increased frequency of nights without dream recall, having shorter dreams, having dreams rated as boring and lacking vividness, and not believing in the importance of dreams. In contrast, greater DIF or DDF was related to an increased frequency of nights with disturbing dreams, and having dreams rated as bizarre and aggressive. Conclusion : We find support for both hypotheses, but different facets of the multidimensional alexithymia construct account for the two types of dream reports.
Global profile of genes regulated by securin

Securin is a proto-oncogene that plays a pivotal role in cell division, sister chromatids separation and pancreatic beta cell proliferation. Over-expression of securin in normal cells results in cellular transformation and development on tumor in nude mice. On the other hand, depletion of securin from cancer cells results in suppression of tumor and reversal of cancer phenotype in vitro and in vivo. In many cases securin acts as a transcription factor and regulates the expression of important target genes. However, only a few target genes have been identified. Therefore, we used a quantitative microarray assay to identify the genes that are regulated by securin in a human embryonic kidney cell line (HEK293) that do not express securin or express at a very low level. We infected HEK293 cells with empty adenovirus, adenovirus expressing GFP or adenovirus expressing securin. Infection of cells with adenovirus expressing securin for 48 h resulted in alterations in the levels of expression of genes that ranged in magnitude from 1.1- to 42-fold, with a total of 313 genes exhibiting a p value < 0.05 compared to control adenovirus or adenovirus expressing GFP protein. Infection of HEK293 with adenovirus expressing securin was found to affect the expression of a diverse range of genes, including oncogenes and those that encode transcription factors, ion channel proteins, and cytoskeletal proteins as well as other proteins that are involved in signal transduction, the cell cycle, cell proliferation and apoptosis. The altered expression of some of these genes that were found by microarray analysis to be regulated by securin was confirmed by semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The application of the microarray technique should prove to be a powerful tool for future analysis of the mechanisms by which securin regulates tumorigenesis.
Meet your new AJP-Renal Physiology editors.

first of all, i would like to thank Tom Kleyman for his service as Editor-in-Chief of AJP-Renal Physiology for the last six years. Tom has shown exemplary leadership during his tenure, and the journal has grown and increased in recognition as one of the leaders in publishing outstanding renal
Reclaiming the Moral in the Dispositions Debate.

This article addresses the current debates about the definition and assessment of dispositions in teacher education. Competing perspectives on the definitions and assessment of dispositions in teac...
Predictor relevance and extramarital affairs

We revisit Fair's (1978) ‘theory of extramarital affairs’ using robust nonparametric methods developed for the analysis of categorical data. We find evidence suggesting that the number of years married is not a relevant predictor of the propensity to engage in extramarital affairs having controlled for other factors. This finding runs counter to the prevailing wisdom gleaned from misspecified parametric models. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sex differences in self-confidence as a function of feedback and social cues.

Sex differences in self-confidence were assessed by measuring the discrepancy between 20 male and 20 female subjects' perceived and actual reaction times (RTs) in a matching task. Subjects judged w...
Application of time-varying analysis to diagnostic needle electromyography

Abstract Quantification in clinical, diagnostic electromyography (EMG) currently includes motor unit action potential (MUAP) analysis and interference pattern analysis. Early efforts to examine the frequency/power spectra of the interference pattern showed modest value but the technique was not developed further. This paper re-examines spectral analysis, extending it into the time-varying domain, which has never been studied in diagnostic needle EMG. Time–frequency and time-scale analysis employing wavelet and non-wavelet techniques were applied to short trains of MUAPs. The results show that time-varying analysis produces clear visual representations of the energy content of individual MUAPs within an interference pattern. The time frequency representations allow easy, qualitative distinction between normal and neurogenic MUAPs. Furthermore, the quantified MUAP energy correlates well with the current morphological standard and the quantification process is substantially faster. Time-varying analysis links classical power spectral analysis in the realm of interference patterns with quantitative MUAP analysis. In addition to morphological classification, MUAPs might also be classified by energy content, which more closely reflects the physical and physiological consequences of neuromuscular pathology on the motor unit.
Intravenously injected mesenchymal stem cells home to viable myocardium after coronary occlusion and preserve systolic function without altering infarct size.

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to determine whether murine mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are able to home to the viable myocardium when injected intravenously and attenuate cardiac dysfunction and ventricular remodeling associated with myocardial infarction. Methods and results Murine bone marrow cells were negatively selected for lineage markers and adherent MSC differentiated into adipocytes and osteocytes following treatment in culture. Two weeks after coronary occlusion that resulted in a permanent transmural infarct we observed a significant drop in LV systolic pressure, d P /d t max , d P /d t min , ESPVR and E max and a significant increase in end-diastolic volume in vivo. Femoral vein injection of MSC 1 h after occlusion attenuated the cardiac dysfunction without altering infarct size, or end-diastolic volume. Injected MSC pre-labeled with fluorescent paramagnetic microspheres were observed scattered in noninfarcted regions of the myocardium. Flow cytometry of whole heart digests after intravenous injection of MSC labeled with either fluorescent microspheres or fluorescent PKH26 dye demonstrated that infarcted hearts from mice that received MSC injections contained significantly more cells that integrated into the heart (20×) than those from uninfarcted controls. Conclusion We conclude that intravenously injected MSC were able to home to viable myocardium and preserve systolic function by 2 weeks following ligation. The preserved contractility is likely an MSC-mediated paracrine response since infarct morphology was unchanged and labeled cells observed at two weeks exhibited the same characteristics as the injected MSC. These data underscore the importance of using MSC as a potential therapeutic intervention in preserving cardiac function following infarction.
Electron detachment in negative-ion collisions. II. The dynamical complex potential

Early experiments on collisional detachment of electrons from negative ions were interpreted in terms of a ''local'' or ''static'' complex potential. In the preceding paper we developed a more general close-coupling framework for describing such collisions. In this theory, the amplitude for finding the electron in the bound state C/sub -/1(t) satisfies an integro-differential equation. We define an ''exact'' or ''dynamical'' complex potential scrE(t) such that C/sub -/1(t)equivalentexp(-i ..integral../sub t//sub 0//sup t/ scrE(t')dt'/h). An integral equation for scrE(t) is derived and solved. It is found that in slow collisions, the dynamical complex potential oscillates about the static complex potential. Approximate formulas for scrE(t) are given.
Economic Growth and Climate Change: A Cross-National Analysis of Territorial and Consumption-Based Carbon Emissions in High-Income Countries

An important question in the literature on climate change and sustainability is the relation between economic growth and greenhouse gas emissions. While the “green growth” paradigm dominates in the policy arena, a growing number of scholars in wealthy countries are questioning the feasibility of achieving required emissions reductions with continued economic growth. This paper explores the relationship between economic growth and carbon dioxide emissions over the period 1991–2008 with a balanced data set of 29 high-income countries. We present a variety of models, with particular attention to the difference between territorial emissions and consumption-based (or carbon footprint) emissions, which include the impact of international trade. The effect of economic growth is greater for consumption-based emissions than territorial emissions. We also find that over this period there is some evidence of decoupling between economic growth and territorial emissions, but no evidence of decoupling for consumption-based emissions.
Screening Potato Cultivars for new Sources of Resistance to Potato virus Y

Potato virus Y (PVY) strains have been defined based on genetic reactions in potato indicators expressing hypersensitive reaction (HR) response due to the presence of three different N genes, and also based on genomic information. Nine strains are known currently, with five PVY strains defined biologically, PVYO, PVYC, PVYZ, PVYN, and PVYE. The genetic background of the majority of North American potato cultivars has so far been poorly characterized for the presence of N genes inducing HR towards different PVY strains. Here, the HR response was studied in eight potato cultivars, elicited by five strains of PVY circulating in North America. These PVY isolates included representative isolates of PVYN-Wi, PVYNA-N, PVYO, PVYZ, and PVYN strains. Potato cultivars tested included Russet Burbank, Russet Norkotah, Shepody, Ranger Russet, Western Russet, Alturas, Rio Grande Russet, and Yukon Gem, grown in the U.S., and standard indicators Desiree and Maris Bard with the known genetic background. Three additional strains, PVYN:O, PVY-NE11, and PVYE, were tested on Yukon Gem. Virus-free potato plants were mechanically inoculated with PVY inoculum, and local and systemic foliar symptoms were observed for 8 weeks post-inoculation under different climate-controlled conditions. Virus status of the inoculated plants was tested starting at 3 weeks post-inoculation, by serotype-specific ELISA and RT-PCR, in order to monitor successful infections and confirm the identity of the inoculated PVY isolate. This systematic approach allowed us to identify Ny tbr and Nz tbr genes present in several North American cultivars. Two more new, putative N genes were postulated to be expressed in the cultivar Yukon Gem, and one additional putative N gene was postulated to be expressed in two cultivars, Yukon Gem and Rio Grande Russet. These N genes may represent valuable sources of resistance against multiple strains of PVY.
iMuse: interactive model-based use-case and storytelling environment

Requirements specification is an important problem in software engineering. Key challenges in Requirements Engineering (RE) include enabling different stakeholders to understand and validate the requirements, and enabling collaboration among different types of stakeholders with different skills and expertise and potentially conflicting needs and expectations. We contend that collaboration among both technical and non-technical stakeholders is improved by a requirements specification technique that provides both precision and usability - and a better balance of the two. We implement our specification technique in iMuse - Interactive Model-based Use-case and Storytelling Environment. In this demo, we show how iMuse can be used by stakeholders to express and view narrative functional requirements.
Self-archiving practice and the influence of publisher policies in the social sciences

Authors in different disciplines exhibit very different behaviours on the so-called ‘green’ road to open access, i.e. self-archiving. This study looks at the self-archiving behaviour of authors publishing in leading journals in six social science disciplines. It tests the hypothesis that authors are self-archiving according to the norms of their respective disciplines rather than following self-archiving policies of publishers, and that, as a result, they are self-archiving significant numbers of publisher PDF versions. It finds significant levels of self-archiving, as well as significant self-archiving of the publisher PDF version, in all the disciplines investigated. Publishers’ self-archiving policies have no influence on author self-archiving practice.