cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of the intoxicated personality scale.

OBJECTIVE: To develop the Intoxicated Personality Scale (IPS). METHODS: Data were collected from 436 college students via an online survey. Through an iterative measurement development process, the resulting IPS was created. RESULTS: The 5 subscales (Good Time, Risky Choices, Risky Sex, Emotional, and Introvert) of the IPS positively related to alcohol consumption, alcohol problems, drinking motives, alcohol expectancies, and personality. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the Intoxicated Personality Scale may be a useful tool for predicting problematic alcohol consumption, alcohol expectancies, and drinking motives. Language: en
Simple garbage-collector-safety

A conservative garbage collector can typically be used with conventionally compiled programs written in C or C++. But two safety issues must be considered. First, the source code must not hide pointers from the garbage collector. This primarily requires stricter adherence to existing restrictions in the language definition. Second, we must ensure that the compiler will not perform transformations that invalidate this requirement.We argue that the same technique can be used to address both issues. We present an algorithm for annotating source or intermediate code to either check the validity of pointer arithmetic in the source, or to guarantee that under minimal, clearly defined assumptions about the compiler, the optimizer cannot "disguise" pointers. We discuss an implementation based on a preprocessor for the GNU C compiler (gcc), and give some measurements of program slow down.
Lobular neoplasia: Long term risk of breast cancer and relation to other factors

BACKGROUND Lobular neoplasia (LN), also known as lobular carcinoma in situ, is an incidental histologic finding in tissue removed at breast surgery. Patients with LN are known to be predisposed to develop invasive or intraductal carcinoma (CA). This study investigates factors that influence the cancer risk in LN patients. METHODS Analysis of data concerning long term follow-up (median: 18 yrs) of 236 patients with LN identified in a pathologic review of more than 2000 biopsy specimens with benign epithelial proliferative breast disease. RESULTS The probability of CA developing in either breast in long term survivors after a biopsy that contained LN was approximately 1/3, which is 5.4 times (95% CI: 4.2–7.0) the rate in the general population. The relative risk (RR) tended to decrease with increasing age at diagnosis, but was approximately doubled (RR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.1–3.2) for patients with benign epithelial breast disease preceding their initial diagnosis of LN. CA risk remained markedly elevated for at least 20 years, and increased substantially if there was a second operation showing LN—from 4.9 (95% CI: 3.7–6.4) after a single operation with LN to 16.1 (95% CI: 6.9–31.8) after a second such operation. CONCLUSIONS LN is a marker of increased CA risk that is further exacerbated by episodes of preexisting benign breast epithelial proliferative changes, and that remains substantially elevated for many years. Cancer 1996;78:1024-34.
Addressing IQ mismatch in Spatial Interference Suppression systems

Second order statistic based Spatial Interference Suppression has been shown effective in suppressing strong interference from jammers or concurrent transmissions. However, hardware impairments in the RF front end can be a major impediment to the design of such systems since the interference can be several orders of magnitude stronger than the signal. IQ mismatch is found to limit the interference suppression ability due to the creation of additional interference eigen modes from the image band of the interference source. We show how the concept of expanding the received signal sub-space can be used to mitigate this effect, and present an architecture for interference suppression in the presence of IQ mismatch. Simulation results indicate 12 dB more interference suppression when using the proposed architecture to compensate for IQ mismatch in indoor environments.
Cross-Linked Lyotropic Liquid Crystal−Butyl Rubber Composites: Promising “Breathable” Barrier Materials for Chemical Protection Applications

A lyotropic liquid crystal (LLC) monomer was successfully blended and cross-linked with commercial butyl rubber (BR) to afford ordered, nanoporous polymer composites. These materials retain much of the excellent chemical resistance of BR but also provide a measure of water vapor permeability, which is lacking in pure BR materials but essential for protective garment applications.
Several synthetic chemicals inhibit progesterone receptor-mediated transactivation in yeast

Abstract The human progesterone receptor (hPR) B-form and a progesterone-sensitive reporter were expressed in yeast and used to screen a library of synthetic chemicals for their ability to function as agonists or antagonists of hPR. The transcriptional activity of hPR was not increased in the presence of over 40 individual chemicals. Seven chemicals decreased progesterone-dependent activity in yeast. The most effective chemicals were 6-hydroxychrysene, 1-hydroxypyrene, 4-hydroxy, 2′,4′,6′-trichloro biphenyl, and 4-hydroxy, 2′,3′,4′,5′-tetrachloro biphenyl. The decrease of progesterone-mediated transactivation strongly correlated with their displacement of [3H]progesterone from hPR. The absence of the hydroxyl group on the above chemicals completely abolished their inhibitory activity. The other chemicals which decreased progesterone activity were endosulfan II, endosulfan sulfate, and lindane. These chemicals did not inhibit [3H]progesterone binding, suggesting that they inhibit progesterone action by interacting with a region of hPR distinct from binding [3H]progesterone or by a mechanism independent of hPR. These results highlight the utility of yeast for screening hormonally-active chemicals. In addition, hydroxylation appears to be essential for the interaction of some chemicals with hPR.
A hypothesis that explains the heterogeneity of drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia

To the editor: A new hypothesis is presented here to explain recent observations about drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia (DIT).[1][1] Characterization of quinine-dependent autoantibodies has led to the current paradigm that quinine associates noncovalently with a target platelet receptor and
Characterization of the potential energy surfaces of two small but challenging noncovalent dimers: (P2 )2 and (PCCP)2.

This work characterizes eight stationary points of the P2 dimer and six stationary points of the PCCP dimer, including a newly identified minimum on both potential energy surfaces. Full geometry optimizations and corresponding harmonic vibrational frequencies were computed with the second-order Moller-Plesset (MP2) electronic structure method and six different basis sets: aug-cc-pVXZ, aug-cc-pV(X+d)Z, and aug-cc-pCVXZ where X = T, Q. A new L-shaped structure with C2 symmetry is the only minimum for the P2 dimer at the MP2 level of theory with these basis sets. The previously reported parallel-slipped structure with C2 h symmetry and a newly identified cross configuration with D2 symmetry are the only minima for the PCCP dimer. Single point energies were also computed using the canonical MP2 and CCSD(T) methods as well as the explicitly correlated MP2-F12 and CCSD(T)-F12 methods and the aug-cc-pVXZ (X = D, T, Q, 5) basis sets. The energetics obtained with the explicitly correlated methods were very similar to the canonical results for the larger basis sets. Extrapolations were performed to estimate the complete basis set (CBS) limit MP2 and CCSD(T) binding energies. MP2 and MP2-F12 significantly overbind the P2 and PCCP dimers relative to the CCSD(T) and CCSD(T)-F12 binding energies by as much as 1.5 kcal mol(-1) for the former and 5.0 kcal mol(-1) for the latter at the CBS limit. The dominant attractive component of the interaction energy for each dimer configuration was dispersion according to several symmetry-adapted perturbation theory analyses.
Targeting voltage-gated calcium channels for the treatment of neuropathic pain: a review of drug development

Introduction: Pain is a major burden for affected individuals and society, and controlling neuropathic pain is especially challenging. The number of drugs available is limited and treatments are often marginally effective and burdened by side effects. Voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCC) play a major role in the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain and are thus prime targets for its treatment. Areas covered: Currently available drugs that target the calcium channel include ziconotide, gabapentin and pregabalin. While there are no VGCC blockers currently in clinical trials, there are many in development. Recently, orally available, use-dependent compounds have been reported. We will review, in detail, compounds currently in development and include a brief review of VGCC and the drugs currently in use. Expert opinion: There is real hope that new drugs targeting calcium channels will soon be available. This hope is based on advancing technologies for peptide synthesis, more efficient drug screeni...
Steered molecular dynamics simulation of conformational changes of immunoglobulin domain I27 interprete atomic force microscopy observations

Atomic force microscopy and steered molecular dynamics investigations of the response of so-called mechanical proteins like titin, tenascin or their individual immunoglobulin and fibronectin type III domains have lead to qualitative insights about the relationship between the β sandwich domain architecture and the function of this class of proteins. The proteins, linear segments of up to hundreds of domains, through strain induced shape changes, unfolding and refolding, maintain order and elasticity in cellular systems over a nearly tenfold length scale. In this paper we develop a steered molecular dynamics description of the response of the titin immunoglobulin domain I27 at the onset of domain unfolding in quantitative agreement with AFM observations. We show that if forces stronger than 50 pN are applied to the terminal ends the two hydrogen bonds between the antiparallel A and B β strands break with a concomitant 6–7 A elongation of the protein. If forces strong enough to unfold the domain are applied, the protein is halted in this initial extension until the set of all six hydrogen bonds connecting strands A′ and G break simultaneously. This behavior is accounted for by a barrier separating folded and unfolded states, the shape of which is consistent with AFM and chemical denaturation data. We also demonstrate that steered molecular dynamics simulations which induce unfolding through slow pulling (speed 0.1 A/ps) predict unfolding forces that are within a factor of two within force values extrapolated from AFM observations.
Bidder's organs: Bufonid by-products of the evolutionary loss of hyperfecundity

Bidder's organs in both male and female bufonids are hypothesized to represent a transitory state in an evolutionary transformation from extensive, hyperfecund ovaries to smaller, less fecund ones-a transformation that other families of anurans experienced in forms now long extinct. Some members of the genus Bufo retain considerable hyperfecundity, but in derived species of Bufo and genera of Bufonidae a spectrum of ovarian reduction exists. In those groups, Bidder's organs normally persist, always in males and often in females, as an undifferentiated ovaroid or ovary in a non-functional transition between the ancestral state and modification as part of the fat body. The organs are gynomorphs in males and highly variable as vestigial structures, but may well have endocrinogenic functions in both sexes although gametogenic functions in nature have been lost in males. Presence of Bidder's organs is a derived condition in the context of anurans as a whole, but primitive within the family Bufonidae.
Role of the pineal gland in ocular development of the chick in normal and constant light conditions.

Purpose To evaluate the role of the pineal gland in development of the chick eye in normal and constant light (CL) conditions. Methods Chicks (Gallus gallus) were raised in either a 12-hour light-dark cycle (12L/12D) or in CL, with or without opaque, removable hoods that covered the top of the head for 12 hours each day. An additional group was raised with opaque eye occluders over the right eye for 12 hours daily. Half of the chicks in each group had their pineal glands surgically removed at 3 to 6 days after hatching. Corneal curvature was measured with keratometry, anterior chamber depth with ultrasound, and refraction with infrared photoretinoscopy. Results Pinealectomy does not affect the development of the chick eyes either in 12L/12D or CL. Covering the right eyes provided the same amount protection against CL's effects on the corneal curvature of both eyes, with or without pinealectomy. Pinealectomized chicks were not protected from CL's effects by 12L/12D head covers. A similar pattern of responses was obtained for refraction and anterior chamber depth. Conclusions Although 12L/12D covering of the pineal gland can protect chick eyes from CL's effects (corneal flattening, shallowing of the anterior chamber, and hyperopia), the pineal gland does not appear to be necessary for normal growth in 12L/12D conditions, and its absence does not affect eye growth in CL conditions, with or without hoods or occluders. Pinealectomy does not influence the protection of an eye exposed to CL that is afforded by covering the other eye in a 12L/12D cycle.
First-principles studies on structural properties of β-cristobalite

The structure of \ensuremath{\beta}-cristobalite has been studied though a first-principles total-energy minimization in the local-density approximation using a Car--Parrinello-type algorithm combined with the Vanderbilt ultrasoft pseudopotential scheme. It was found that the hypothetical ordered structure proposed by Wright and Leadbetter is favored and the resulting structural parameters agree very well with experiment. Also, correlated relaxation of Si and O atoms toward \ensuremath{\alpha}-cristobalite positions in the vicinity of domain boundaries is indicated.
Thermally induced natural-frequency variations in a thin disk

A number of studies has shown that natural frequencies and, accordingly, the minimum critical speed for the formation of a standing wave in thin, rotating, circular disks can be beneficially altered by purposely induced initial membrane stresses. The possibility of controlling natural frequencies by induced thermal membrane stresses, rather than initial stresses, has received some previous theoretical attention and is experimentally examined here for a stationary, constant-thickness, centrally clamped, circular disk. The primary advantages of thermal membrane stresses are manifested in the inherent flexibility in adjustment of the thermal as opposed to the initial stresses. Increases in the minimum critical speed, which is proportional here to the zero nodal circle—two nodal-diameter natural frequency, of 20 percent were determined with moderate heating. This can be considered a relatively small critical-speed increase when compared with variations expected in many common rotating disk environments. A thermal model, which utilizes as input the peripheral disk heat flux and the controlled disk temperature at some known radius, is shown to predict the temperature distribution and natural frequencies with reasonable accuracy. The applicability of this model enhances the potential practicality of the induced thermal-membrane-stress method of natural frequency and/or critical speed control.
Abstract A40: MicroRNA expression patterns as potential biomarkers of responsiveness to the MEK1/2 inhibitor, AZD6244, in colorectal cancer cell lines

Background: miRNAs are small, ∼22 oligonucleotides which typically act as negative regulators of gene expression. Recent data have demonstrated that aberrant expression of miRNAs may play a key role in the development of certain cancers and may also be involved in resistance to anticancer therapies. In this study, we tested whether miRNA expression patterns in AZD6244‐sensitive (S) or ‐resistant (R) CRC cell lines could be used as potential biomarkers of responsiveness to this agent. Methods: Responsiveness to AZD6244 (ARRY‐142886) was assessed by exposing 24 CRC cell lines to increasing concentrations of the drug and measuring proliferation using the sulforhodamine B method. Sensitivity and resistance to AZD6244 was defined as: S, IC50 Results: Out of 24 CRC cell lines analyzed, 7 S and 17 R lines were identified. Six miRNAs were over‐expressed in the R cell lines with at least four‐fold change vs. S and with a false‐discovery rate (FDR) Conclusions: In this study, we determined that AZD6244 S and R CRC cell lines exhibit differential expression patterns of miRNAs, which may have potential utility as a predictive biomarker for sensitivity to this drug. Furthermore, we found that overexpression of specific miRNAs in AZD6244 R cell lines correlates with down regulation of genes involved in the MAPK pathway, which may confer resistance to AZD6244. Suppression of these candidate miRNAs may induce sensitivity to AZD6244 in resistant CRC cell lines and therefore may have clinical application in the targeted therapy of patients with advanced CRC. Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2009;8(12 Suppl):A40.
Effect of cortisone acetate on aspartic-glutamic transaminase activity of mouse tissues.

SummaryCortisone acetate produces in the mouse after 7 days a decrease in the aspartic-glutamic transaminase activity of the liver but an increase in that of the kidney and heart.
Mapping Quantitative Trait Loci for Expression Abundance

Mendelian loci that control the expression levels of transcripts are called expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL). When mapping eQTL, we often deal with thousands of expression traits simultaneously, which complicates the statistical model and data analysis. Two simple approaches may be taken in eQTL analysis: (1) individual transcript analysis in which a single expression trait is mapped at a time and the entire eQTL mapping involves separate analysis of thousands of traits and (2) individual marker analysis where differentially expressed transcripts are detected on the basis of their association with the segregation pattern of an individual marker and the entire analysis requires scanning markers of the entire genome. Neither approach is optimal because data are not analyzed jointly. We develop a Bayesian clustering method that analyzes all expressed transcripts and markers jointly in a single model. A transcript may be simultaneously associated with multiple markers. Additionally, a marker may simultaneously alter the expression of multiple transcripts. This is a model-based method that combines a Gaussian mixture of expression data with segregation of multiple linked marker loci. Parameter estimation for each variable is obtained via the posterior mean drawn from a Markov chain Monte Carlo sample. The method allows a regular quantitative trait to be included as an expression trait and subject to the same clustering assignment. If an expression trait links to a locus where a quantitative trait also links, the expressed transcript is considered to be associated with the quantitative trait. The method is applied to a microarray experiment with 60 F 2 mice measured for 25 different obesity-related quantitative traits. In the experiment, ∼40,000 transcripts and 145 codominant markers are investigated for their associations. A program written in SAS/IML is available from the authors on request.
The role of perinatal problems in risk of co-morbid psychiatric and medical disorders in adulthood

BackgroundPerinatal problems may be associated with an increased risk for psychological and physical health problems in adulthood, although it is unclear which perinatal problems (low birthweight, preterm birth, low Apgar scores, and small head circumference), or what clusters of problems, are more likely to be associated with later health problems. It is also not known whether perinatal problems (singly or together) are associated with co-morbidity between psychological and physical health problems.MethodA regional random sample (from Baltimore) of mothers and their children (n=1525) was followed from birth to adulthood (mean age 29 years). Perinatal conditions were measured at delivery. Psychological problems (depression and suicidal ideation) were measured with the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) and physical problems (asthma and hypertension) with the RAND-36 Health Status Inventory.ResultsChildren with perinatal problems were generally at increased risk for depression, suicidal ideation and hypertension, and co-morbid depression and hypertension even after controlling for confounders. One possible underlying condition, preterm low birthweight (LBW), extracted by cluster analysis, considering all of the four perinatal problems, was associated with increased risk for psychological and physical health outcomes as well as co-morbidity of the two.ConclusionsLBW, preterm birth and small head circumference singly increased the risk for both psychological and physical health problems, as well as co-morbid depression and hypertension, while low Apgar scores were only associated with psychological problems. Delineating different etiological processes, such as preterm LBW, considering various perinatal problems simultaneously, might be of benefit to understanding the fetal origin of adult illness and co-morbidity.
Detection of Anionic Antimicrobial Peptides in Ovine Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid and Respiratory Epithelium

Three small antimicrobial anionic peptides (AP) were originally isolated from an ovine pulmonary surfactant. However, their presence in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and tissues of the respiratory tract is unknown. In this study, we made affinity-purified rabbit polyclonal and mouse monoclonal antibodies to synthetic H-DDDDDDD-OH. Antibody specificity was assessed by a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the exact epitope binding sites were determined with analog peptides synthesized on derivatized cellulose. These antibodies were used to detect AP in BAL fluid by ELISA and in respiratory tissues by Western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry. BAL fluid from 25 sheep contained 0.83 ± 0.33 mM AP (mean ± standard deviation; range, 0.10 to 1.59 mM) and was antimicrobial. The presence of AP in BAL fluid was confirmed by reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography fractionation followed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry on those fractions which were positive by competitive ELISA and demonstrated antimicrobial activity. In Western blots, polyclonal antibody PAB96-1 and monoclonal antibody 1G9-1C2 (5.0 μg/ml) detected four bands in solubilized turbinate and tracheal epithelial cells (53.7, 31.2, 28.0, and 25.7 kDa) and five bands in lung homogenates (53.5, 37.1, 31.2, 28.0, and 25.7 kDa). Only a single band was seen in solubilized liver and small-intestine homogenates, and no bands were seen in blots containing BAL fluid, albumin, or kidney or spleen homogenates. In pulmonary-tissue sections, both antibodies PAB96-1 and 1G9-1C2 identified accumulated protein in the apical cytoplasm of the bronchial and bronchiolar epithelia, in the cytoplasm of pulmonary endothelial cells, and in an occasional alveolar macrophage. As a first step in identifying a candidate AP precursor gene(s), degenerate oligonucleotides representing all possible coding combinations for H-GADDDDD-OH and H-DDDDDDD-OH were synthesized and used to probe Southern blots of sheep genomic DNA. Following low-stringency washes and a 2-day exposure, strongly hybridizing bands could be identified. One degenerate oligonucleotide, SH87, was used as a hybridization probe to screen a sheep phage genomic library. Two independent phage contained the H-GADDDDD-OH coding sequence as part of a larger predicted protein. AP may originate as part of an intracellular precursor protein, with multistep processing leading to the release of the heptapeptide into mucosal secretions. There it may interact with other innate pulmonary defenses to prevent microbial infection.
THE EXCRETION OF CARBON DIOXIDE BY RELAXED AND CONTRACTED SEA ANEMONES

1. The metabolism of the sea anemone Metridium marginatum Edw. was measured in four states, relaxed, relaxing, contracted, and contracting, by means of an Osterhout respiratory apparatus. The basis of measurement was the number of hundred-thousandths of a milligram of carbon dioxide excreted per second by a gram of living sea anemone. 2. In the relaxed state this varied from 6.1 to 4.4+ and averaged 5.43–. 3. In a comparison of the relaxed and contracted states the amount of carbon dioxide excreted was found to beabout the same; in one instance in relaxation 4.2 and in contraction 4.1+; in another in relaxation 7.8+ and 7.9– and in contraction 8.1–. 4. In a comparison of the three states relaxed, relaxing, and contracting, the first two were found to average about the same, 4.8+ and 4.6– respectively and the last proved to be appreciably higher 7.1–. 5. It is, therefore, concluded that the process of relaxing and the states of relaxation and of contraction are accompanied by no unusual metabolism, but that in the operation of contracting the metabolism becomes about half again as intense as that characteristic of the other states. 6. The maintenance of the contracted state in Metridium for days at a time without an increase of metabolism indicates that its musculature is of the type known as tonus muscle. 7. In tonus muscle, contraction is accomplished by an active shortening of the myofibrils, extension by a passive drawing out of these fibrils through the distension of the adjacent cavities, etc., and the continued maintenance of any particular state of shortening by some form of catch mechanism in the muscle, such, possibly, as the gelation of its sarcoplasm.
A Novel Way to Go Whole Cell in Patch-Clamp Experiments

With a conventional patch-clamp electrode, an Ag/AgCl wire sits stationary inside the pipette. To move from the gigaseal cell-attached configuration to whole-cell recording, suction is applied inside the pipette. We have designed and developed a novel “Pushpen patch-clamp electrode,” in which a W wire insulated and wound with Ag/AgCl wire can move linearly inside the pipette. The W wire has a conical tip, which can protrude from the pipette tip like a push pen, a procedure we call the “Pushpen Operation.” We use the Pushpen operation to impale the cell membrane in cell-attached configuration to go whole cell without disruption of the gigaseal. We successfully recorded whole-cell currents from Chinese hamster ovarian cells expressing influenza A virus protein A/M2, after obtaining whole-cell configuration with the Pushpen operation. This novel method of achieving whole-cell configuration may have a higher success rate than the conventional patch-clamp technique.
“THE TIME OF CHAOS WAS THE BEST” Feminist Mobilization and Demobilization in East Germany

The women's movement in East Germany went through three phases—emergence, white-hot mobilization, and demobilization—in rapid succession. These stages are analyzed with regard to the resources, political opportunities, and personal meanings of feminism that activists had available. The postunification crisis of the movement is used to examine issues of collective identity between East and West, and to highlight challenges to dichotomies between public and private, capitalism and socialism posed by the movement.
Komine and Tanga: A note on writing the history of German New Guinea ∗

(1987). Komine and Tanga: A note on writing the history of German New Guinea. The Journal of Pacific History: Vol. 22, No. 1, pp. 56-64.
Transurethral enzymatic ablation of the prostate: canine model.

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the toxicity and potential usefulness of transurethral prostatic injection of a collagenase-based solution in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia in dogs. Methods The injected solution contained collagenase, hyaluronidase, Triton X-100 and gentamicin. Twenty-one dogs were randomly divided into three groups for transurethral prostatic needle injection: two treatment groups were observed for 6 and 12 weeks and a control group was observed for 12 weeks. Laboratory studies, clinical monitoring and complete postmortem examination were performed in all animals. Results Gross hematuria was noted in all dogs for a mean of 4 days after injection. No significant postoperative morbidity was noted. There were no significant differences in the values of laboratory tests among the three groups except for a mean increase in serum level of aspartate transaminase for treatment groups on postoperative day 1 ; this resolved by postoperative day 7. Histologically, all treated prostates had stromal atrophy and cystic acinar dilatation involving about 30% of the gland without extraprostatic extension of these changes. The urethra, bladder, rectum, testicles, kidney, liver and lungs were normal and intact in all animals. Conclusions Transurethral injection of this enzyme solution creates a predictable, favorable histologic response in the canine prostate. The procedure appears safe and warrants further investigation for treatment of human benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Getting It Wrong: Comment on Moore's "Behaviorism and the Stages of Scientific Activity".

I was sorry to see that Moore's (2010) illogical attack on the matching law was published by The Behavior Analyst. Moore begins by attacking the psychophysical power law because he claims it is based on mentalism. One may argue about theory, but one cannot argue with data. Whatever theories S. S. Stevens and others may have proposed to explain the power law, the procedures (e.g., magnitude estimation and production) produce reliable data that conform to the power function. The finding has been replicated in many laboratories all over the world. Moreover, the exponent (slope in logarithmic coordinates) is reliably different for different sense modalities. To dismiss these robust uniformities because someone proposed a theory about them that was erroneous or untestable is throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Moore's attack on the generalized matching law is similarly problematic. The illogic of his argument should be obvious. He begins with the premise: 1. The psychophysical power law was based on mentalism. Therefore: 2. Some power laws are based on mentalism. He then proceeds (illogically): 3. The generalized matching law is a power law. Therefore: 4. The generalized matching law is based on mentalism. If Premise 2 stated “all” instead of “some,” Conclusion 4 would be warranted, but the “some” makes the conclusion invalid. Equally obvious, the generalized matching law is in no way based on mentalism. You will find no mentalism in Herrnstein's (1961) original report nor in my papers laying out the generalized form. It is a robust finding, replicated in many laboratories and in many species. Moreover, the exponent (slope in logarithmic terms)—sensitivity—varies systematically with a number of factors, most notably changeover requirements. Again, to dismiss a well-replicated finding because someone may have proposed a theory about it that is erroneous or untestable makes no sense. Whether the matching law fits into Stage 2 or Stage 3 of scientific progress is a matter of little interest, because the distinction has little validity in practice. Some researchers, such as Rachlin (1971) and McDowell (2005), for different reasons, have proposed that matching might be conceived as a theory of behavior. Others see the matching law as descriptive (Baum, 1979; Jensen & Neuringer, 2009; McSweeney, Farmer, Dougan, & Whipple, 1986). Which view prevails will only become clear with more experimental and theoretical work. It is clear, however, that any comprehensive theory of behavior will have to explain why matching occurs. Moore received this feedback when he submitted a version of this paper to another journal. Even though it was rejected there, he went on repeat the errors in the present paper.
Fine scale temporal variations of surface moisture in topographically controlled Muhly grass seeps

Groundwater seeps are characteristic hydrological and ecological features of many landscapes, yet their hydrology remains poorly understood. Here, we provide the first detailed measurements of near-surface soil moisture dynamics in a Muhly grass (Muhlenbergia riverchonii) seep system developed in soils over interbedded limestone and marl. These features are characteristic of, and prevalent within, the North Central Texas Grand Prairie Ecoregion. The data were collected during the most severe drought in Texas history. We quantify the spatial-temporal variability of volumetric soil moisture (θv) and matric potential (ψm) along a slope containing a seep upslope, with a view to assessing whether the seep qualifies as an isolated wetland under the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed changes to Section 404 legislation for wetland determination. We found the Muhly seep to consistently be the wettest portion of the hillslope, with a statistically distinguishable drying trend downslope into a barrens environment with the thinnest soils. ψm within the seep remained at or above field capacity (θfc) 37% of the time during pre-drought conditions and was at all times wetter than lower sections of the slope between the seep and barrens. The seep responded rapidly to rainfall and remained at or close to saturation for 5 to 7 days following storm events. Saturation is controlled by fractured limestone sitting on top of a subsurface marl layer, resulting in water easily percolating through the limestone, ponding, and then moving laterally as interflow above the marl. Although the wetland characteristics of Muhly seeps could not be conclusively assessed because of extreme drought conditions, our data suggest that under normal rainfall conditions, these systems might likely qualify as isolated wetlands. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Complications: a critical component of patient outcome.

COMMENTARY ON Mannion AF, Fekete TF, O'Riordan D, et al. The assessment of complications after spine surgery: time for a paradigm shift? Spine J 2013;13:615–24 ( in this issue ).
Mutations in the C-Terminal Loop of the Nucleocapsid Protein Affect Vesicular Stomatitis Virus RNA Replication and Transcription Differentially

The 2.9-A structure of the vesicular stomatitis virus nucleocapsid (N) protein bound to RNA shows the RNA to be tightly sequestered between the two lobes of the N protein. Domain movement of the lobes of the N protein has been postulated to facilitate polymerase access to the RNA template. We investigated the roles of individual amino acid residues in the C-terminal loop, involved in long-range interactions between N protein monomers, in forming functional ribonucleoprotein (RNP) templates. The effects of specific N protein mutations on its expression, interaction with the phosphoprotein, and formation of RNP templates that supported viral RNA replication and transcription were examined. Mutations introduced into the C-terminal loop, predicted to break contact with other residues in the loop, caused up to 10-fold increases in RNA replication without an equivalent stimulation of transcription. Mutation F348A, predicted to break contact between the C-terminal loop and the N-terminal arm, formed templates that supported wild-type levels of RNA replication but almost no transcription. These data show that mutations in the C-terminal loop of the N protein can disparately affect RNA replication and transcription, indicating that the N protein plays a role in modulating RNP template function beyond its structural role in RNA encapsidation.
Decoupled parallel algorithm for robot inertia matrix computation

The common characteristic of existing parallel algorithms for evaluation of the robot inertia matrix on multiprocessor architectures is strict synchronization of processors, which limit the degree of the inherent parallelism. Such algorithms can, in the best case, deliver a time complexity of O(N), even with O(N/sup 2/) processors. Consideration is given to an approximate method in which all processors are decoupled, i.e., the processor synchronization, which handles the proper values of the propagated variables, is completely abandoned. Such a scheme drops the time complexity to O(N) for O(N) processors, and to O(1) for O(N/sup 2/) processors. Experimentation on the KUMARAN2 multiprocessor system based on MC68030/68882 processors, has shown surprisingly small approximation errors, which on average are below 1%. An analytical study of the approximation error is presented. >
Autocrine Effects of Interleukin-6 Mediate Acute-Phase Proinflammatory and Tissue-Reparative Transcriptional Responses of Canine Bladder Mucosa

During early urinary tract infection (UTI) the interplay between invading bacteria and the urothelium elicits a mucosal response aimed at clearing infection. Unfortunately, the resultant inflammation and associated local tissue injury are responsible for patient symptoms. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a cytokine released during acute UTI, has both pro- and anti-inflammatory effects on other body systems. Within the urothelium, the IL-6 native-tissue origin, the target cell type(s), and ultimate effect of the cytokine on target cells are largely unknown. In the present study we modeled the UTI IL-6 response ex vivo using canine bladder mucosa mounted in Ussing chambers to determine the inflammatory and reparative role of IL-6. We demonstrated that uropathogenic Escherichia coli infection stimulates the synthesis of IL-6 by all urothelial cell layers, with the urothelial cells alone representing the only site of unequivocal IL-6 receptor expression. Autocrine effects of IL-6 were supported by the activation of urothelial STAT3 signaling and SOCS3 expression. Using exogenous IL-6, a microarray approach, and quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (q-RT-PCR), 5 target genes (tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1β, matrix metallopeptidase 2, heparan sulfate d-glucosaminyl 3-O-sulfotransferase 3A1, and hyaluronan synthase 2) that have direct or indirect roles in promoting a proinflammatory state were identified. Two of these genes, heparan sulfate d-glucosaminyl 3-O-sulfotransferase 3A1 and hyaluronan synthase 2, are also potentially important mediators of wound repair via the production of glycosaminoglycan components. These findings suggest that IL-6 secretion during acute UTI may serve a dual biological role by initiating the inflammatory response while also repairing urothelial defenses.
The Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway Is Required for the Development of Leukemia Stem Cells in AML

Leukemia stem cells (LSCs) are capable of limitless self-renewal and are responsible for the maintenance of leukemia. Because selective eradication of LSCs could offer substantial therapeutic benefit, there is interest in identifying the signaling pathways that control their development. We studied LSCs in mouse models of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) induced either by coexpression of the Hoxa9 and Meis1a oncogenes or by the fusion oncoprotein MLL-AF9. We show that the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway is required for self-renewal of LSCs that are derived from either hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) or more differentiated granulocyte-macrophage progenitors (GMP). Because the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway is normally active in HSCs but not in GMP, these results suggest that reactivation of beta-catenin signaling is required for the transformation of progenitor cells by certain oncogenes. beta-catenin is not absolutely required for self-renewal of adult HSCs; thus, targeting the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway may represent a new therapeutic opportunity in AML.
Logistics without storage

This paper discusses ways and means for reducing storage requirements in the logistic pipeline.
Microdialysis measurements of PGD2, TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1α in rat CA1 hippocampus during transient cerebral ischemia

Abstract We measured hippocampal CA1 concentrations of PGD 2 , TxB 2 and 6-keto-PGF 1α in 18 anesthetized rats with stereotaxically implanted microdialysis probes before, during and after 20 min of global cerebral ischemia. The insertion of the microdialysis probe did not appear to cause a continuous major disturbance of arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism because stable eicosanoid concentrations were obtained prior to ischemia. During reperfusion all three eicosanoids increased significantly reaching a peak after 30–60 min and then gradually declined to baseline levels over the next 2–3 h. The ratio of average peak concentrations for PGD 2 , TxB 2 and 6-keto-PGF 1α were approximately 80:2:1, respectively. The results extend previous work by demonstrating the time course of eicosanoid release in a distinct brain region and confirm the role of PGD 2 as the major PG metabolite in brain. We conclude that future studies employing microdialysis may be able to provide a more detailed understanding of the role of AA metabolites in ischemic brain.
Carrier localization impact on time-resolved dependence of the photoluminescence of CdSe/ ZnCdMgSe self-assembled quantum dots at different temperatures

We report on the effects of carrier localization at different temperatures on the integrated photoluminescence (PL) and time-resolved PL of CdSe/ ZnCdMgSe self-assembled quantum dots. Results explain the PL anomalous temperature behavior.
Context-aware communication for severely disabled users

Even with assistive communication technology, interactive conversation is extremely difficult for users with severely limited mobility and loss of speech. Input to such devices is painfully slow and subject to high error rates with the resulting output not reliably reflecting the true intentions of the user. Conversational prediction has been incorporated into assistive systems to help speed up communication but could be further improved by considering the contextual interaction between the user and conversant. Contextual information applied to user profiles can greatly enhance conversational prediction and increase a severely disabled user's control over his or her complex world. We present a framework that integrates a rich profile of the user, a model of the user's environment, and actors on that environment. To test the validity of the framework, we develop a set of profiles and apply them in two different scenarios. Initial results show that the context-aware user profiles can increase both the accuracy and speed of the communication.
Chapter 11 – Metacognitive Processes

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses several different domains of human cognition in which metacognitive processes are of importance. First, the roles of metacognitions in problem solving, both with routine and insight problems, are outlined, as are some of the controversies within this area. The importance of metacognitions in steering people towards the correct solution in problem-solving situations is affirmed by the general problem solver (GPS) and by the SOAR model. Then, metacognitive judgments in learning and skills acquisition are discussed, an area of particular importance because such judgments contribute heavily to the choice of teaching techniques and of teachers; thus, errors in judgments may have far-reaching effects. Next, metacognitive judgments within human memory are described, and theories (along with relevant data) of prospective and retrospective judgments about the memories are reviewed. Finally, some of the results of metacognitive impairments found in frontal lobe patients are presented. These patient studies underscore the critical nature of metacognitive judgments and control processes: their breakdown has devastating consequences for human cognition.
Extent of Training and Mood Enhancement in Women Runners

Most research on the effects of exercise on mood and personality has been conducted with men. Increased women's participation, particularly in running, prompted this study of the reactions of 464 women to tunning. The findings supported the claim that vigorous but not exhaustive exercise is most beneficial for enhancement of mood. Females running an average of 24 miles a week had healthier profiles on McNair's Profile of Mood States than those running 52 or 15 miles a week.
Multiphoton Scanning Photoionization Imaging Microscopy for Single-Particle Studies of Plasmonic Metal Nanostructures

Photoionization studies of single Au and Ag metal nanostructures are presented, using a scanning multiphoton photoionization microscope (SPIM) with single-electron detection capability. Four-photon...
Localized Damage Effects on Building Robustness

Building robustness can be adversely affected by local damage conditions that may initiate a failure sequence leading to disproportionate damage and/or collapse. Local damage can be defined as a loss of the load-carrying capacity of structural components that are part of the whole structure. Several steel moment frames with different connection types were studied, and important results were obtained.
Venture capital's background,shareholding ratio and start-up firm's R&D input

Using data of GEM- listed firms,this paper studies the influence of venture capital's background and shareholding ratio on start- up firm's RD inputs. The study findings are as follows. The support of venture capital promotes firm's RD input,and venture capital with different background has distinct effect on firm's RD input. Government- backed venture capital has no effect on firm's RD input,whereas private- backed venture capital and foreign- backed venture capital exert positive influence on firm's RD input,among which foreign capital is the most effective investor. Venture capital's overall shareholding ratio fails to enhance firm's RD input; nevertheless,the shareholding ratio of foreign capital has a positive impact on firm's RD input. Further analysis shows that the syndication constituted by private- backed and foreign- backed venture capital promotes firm's RD input and that both venture capital's earlier entry and sufficient incubation boost firm's RD input.
Urinary Tract Infections

The urinary catheter is a fact of medical life. It is a valuable instrument when used for proper indications and when aseptic management is enforced. When improperly used, it is the major source of serious gram-negative infection in hospitalized patients. Male patients who require long-term drainage should be first tried on condom catheter drainage if there is no obstruction to flow or significant residual urine. Condom drainage, however, may lead to severe maceration of the penis if daily changing and cleansing is not done. Indwelling urethral catheters must be attached to a good system of closed drainage whether or not infection is present. Continuous bladder irrigation with neomycin-polymyxin solutions is a useful adjunct once closed drainage is established and working well. Suprapubic catheters are of special value for long-term use because they do not obstruct or irritate the urethra. The development of percutaneous methods of suprapubic drainage should improve and increase the use of this method.
Thumb Reconstruction with Arthrodesis to the Second Metacarpal following Sarcoma Excision

Primary sarcomas of the thumb metacarpal are rare malignant lesions. Surgical treatment involves amputation versus tumor resection with thumb reconstruction. If complete tumor resection is possible, thumb preservation may be considered, as the thumb is vital to hand function. Following tumor resection, previous reports have described graft reconstruction with fusion to the trapezium or scaphoid. We present two cases of sarcoma necessitating resection of the thumb metacarpal that were reconstructed with an arthrodesis of the proximal phalanx to the second metacarpal shaft. Arthrodesis to the second metacarpal allows robust bony contact for fusion as well as improved resting position of the thumb. At 2- and 4-year follow-up, both patients have a stable, pain-free thumb without evidence of local recurrence.