cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Short and long-term changes in social odor recognition and plasma cytokine levels following oxygen ( 16 o) ion radiation exposure

Future long-duration space missions will involve travel outside of the Earth’s magnetosphere protection and will result in astronauts being exposed to high energy and charge (HZE) ions and protons. Exposure to this type of radiation can result in damage to the central nervous system and deficits in numerous cognitive domains that can jeopardize mission success. Social processing is a cognitive domain that is important for people living and working in groups, such as astronauts, but it has received little attention in terms of HZE ion exposure. In the current study, we assessed the effects of whole-body oxygen ion (16O; 1000 MeV/n) exposure (1 or 10 cGy) on social odor recognition memory in male Long-Evans rats at one and six months following exposure. Radiation exposure did not affect rats’ preferences for a novel social odor experienced during Habituation at either time point. However, rats exposed to 10 cGy displayed short and long-term deficits in 24-h social recognition. In contrast, rats exposed to 1 cGy only displayed long-term deficits in 24-h social recognition. While an age-related decrease in Ki67+ staining (a marker of cell proliferation) was found in the subventricular zone, it was unaffected by radiation exposure. At one month following exposure, plasma KC/GRO (CXCL1) levels were elevated in the 1 cGy rats, but not in the 10 cGy rats, suggesting that peripheral levels of this cytokine could be associated with intact social recognition at earlier time points following radiation exposure. These results have important implications for long-duration missions and demonstrate that behaviors related to social processing could be negatively affected by HZE ion exposure.
Transcriptional profiles of cytokines and chemokines reveal important pro-inflammatory response from endothelial cells during Orientia tsutsugamushi infection.

Abstract Endothelial cells (EC) are key targets during Orientia tsutsugamushi infection. Knowledge of the pro-inflammatory response against O. tsutsugamushi by ECs is limited. The aim of the present study was to characterize the pro-inflammatory transcriptional response during the first 24 h of infection of the human dermal microvascular endothelial cell line with O. tsutsugamushi Karp by examining five-time points. The transcriptional profiles of 84 genes including cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and TNF receptor superfamily genes were studied using a RT-PCR array. We identified 40 of the 84 genes that were up or down modulated during the early O. tsutsugamushi infection that differed remarkably from genes of non-infected cells. The modulated genes included: the interleukins (IL-1α/β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-7, IL-10, IL-11, IL-18, and IL-24), chemokines (CXCL8, CCL2/MCP1, CCL5/RANTES, and CCL17), growth factors (NODAL, CNTF, and CSF2/GM-CSF), and TNFSF13B. IL-1β, IL-4, and IL-11 were highly induced at one hour post infection, whereas, CCL17 was profoundly up-regulated and IFNα2 was greatly down-regulated during the entire 24-hour time course. These results provide insight into the early pro-inflammatory response of endothelial cells to O. tsutsugamushi infection and indicate their potential role in the pathophysiology of the host's initial response to O. tsutsugamushi infection.
The Local Convexity of Solving Systems of Quadratic Equations

This paper considers the recovery of a rank r positive semidefinite matrix \({X X^T \in \mathbb{R}^{n\times n}}\) from m scalar measurements of the form \({y_i := a_i^T X X^T a_i}\) (i.e., quadratic measurements of X). Such problems arise in a variety of applications, including covariance sketching of high-dimensional data streams, quadratic regression, quantum state tomography, among others. A natural approach to this problem is to minimize the loss function \({f(U) = \sum_i (y_i - a_{i}^{T}UU^{T}a_i)^2}\) which has an entire manifold of solutions given by \({\{XO\}_{O\in\mathcal{O}_r}}\) where \({\mathcal{O}_r}\) is the orthogonal group of \({r\times r}\) orthogonal matrices; this is non-convex in the \({n\times r}\) matrix U, but methods like gradient descent are simple and easy to implement (as compared to semidefinite relaxation approaches). In this paper we show that once we have \({m \geq Cnr\,{\rm log}^2(n)}\) samples from isotropic gaussian \({a_i}\), with high probability (a) this function admits a dimension-independent region of local strong convexity on lines perpendicular to the solution manifold, and (b) with an additional polynomial factor of r samples, a simple spectral initialization will land within the region of convexity with high probability. Together, this implies that gradient descent with initialization (but no re-sampling) will converge linearly to the correct X, up to an orthogonal transformation. We believe that this general technique (local convexity reachable by spectral initialization) should prove applicable to a broader class of nonconvex optimization problems.
Tax Evasion and Illicit Cigarettes in California: Part IV— Smokers’ Behavioral and Market Responses to a Tax Increase

Appendix is available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3322092 We examine recent survey data from California to investigate smokers’ responses to an increase in cigarette excise-tax rates. We estimate how tax avoidance and the economic crimes of tax evasion and illicit trade in tobacco products (ITTP) changed from 2017 to 2018, during which time the tax rose by $2/pack. The prevalence of each suspicious outcome or illicit activity examined rose markedly after the tax increase—by anywhere from 11% to 331%. We examine how such behaviors correlate with demographic, economic, and attitudinal factors. Some 63% of those still smoking in 2018 acted in ways that undermine, at least partially, the public health rationale for raising tobacco taxes. On the other hand, 66% say they reduced their nicotine use or substituted the use of less harmful delivery systems for cigarette smoking. About 44% of smokers engaged in some legal tax-avoiding behavior in the previous year, 15% evaded taxes through cross-border purchases, and 27% bought untaxed cigarettes in the state in the past month. (These behaviors overlapped substantially.) There is a much lower incidence of counterfeit product and sales of single cigarettes. Smokers who roll their own cigarettes, e-cigarette users, younger smokers, and those with more income and education are all more likely to engage in at least some of the suspect market behaviors examined. The driving time to the nearest cross-border retail locations is significantly associated with tax avoidance and evasion. However, respondents’ attitudes and moral sentiments appear to be more important predictors of suspect and illicit behavior. The results suggest that the tax increase led to significant amounts of adaptive behavior by smokers that likely reduced the intended health benefits of that policy change.
A-site cation influences on performance, structure and conductivity of a lanthanide-based perovskite electrode for symmetrical solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract The two Alkaline Earth Metals (Aem) of Barium and Calcium are doped in a perovskite A site (such as La0.7Aem0.3Ti0.5Mn0.4Ni0.1O3) to be applied as Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) electrodes to study the cation size implications in the resultant phase/s, electrochemical performances (as anode, cathode and in a symmetrical cell) and conductivities. Despite having a theoretically closer dopant-host cation size match, Calcium doped perovskite (LCTMN) reveals lower phase purity, however, higher performances (of 97.4 vs 28 mW cm−2) are obtained in symmetrical cells. This fact is later majorly attributed to its superior anodic efficiency (of 115.8 vs 49 mW cm−2) obtained when both materials are assembled with the reference cathode of BSCF (Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3). Further support is found in the analysis of the total impedances of the cells as well as the conductivities under oxidizing and reducing atmospheres. The chemical composition proximity of the chosen perovskites with the benchmark cathode La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSM) supports the limiting factor of the anodic behavior. The identification of two thermal regimes in the conductivity (in hydrogen) together with the specimen average performance and conductivity differences lead to formulate a model to directly estimate a relationship between these two variables (with errors of 5.3 and 6%).
Research on Test Method for Flexible HVDC Valve Base Controller Based on RTLAB

With the sustained development of flexible HVDC technology, the reliability of Valve Base Controller becomes very important. In view of the shortcomings of the existing VBC test system, this paper builds a test system which can access full-scale VBC based on RTLAB simulation platform. This paper presents a comprehensive VBC test method. The test system and test method proposed in this paper can effectively improve the comprehensiveness and accuracy of VBC test. The test system has been applied in the delivery test of VBC in Zhangbei HVDC grid project. It can also provide reference for the test of VBC in other flexible HVDC projects.
Dietary impact of a plant-derived microRNA on the gut microbiome

Global estimations of 4 billion people living on plant-based diets signify tremendous diversity in plant consumption and their assorted miRNAs, which presents a challenging model to experimentally address how plant-based miRNAs impact the microbiome. Here we establish baseline gut microbiome composition for a mouse model deficient in the specific mammalian miR-146a shown to alter gut microbiomes. We then asses the effect on the gut microbiome when miR-146a-deficient mice are fed a transgenic plant-based diet expressing the murine-derived miR-146a. Mice deficient in miR-146a were maintained either on a baseline diet until 7 weeks of age (day 0) and then fed either vector or miR-146a-expressing plant-based diets for 21 days. The gut microbiomes of mice were examined by comparing the V4 region of 16S rRNA gene sequences of DNA isolated from fecal samples at days 0 (baseline diet) and 21 (vector or miR-146a expressing plant-based diets). Beta-diversity analysis demonstrated that the transition from baseline chow to a plant-based diet resulted in significant longitudinal shifts in microbial community structure attributable to increased fiber intake. Bipartite network analysis suggests that miR-146a-deficient mice fed a plant diet rich in miR-146a have a microbiome population modestly different than mice fed an isogenic control plant diet deficient in miR-146a. A mouse diet composed of a transgenic plant expressing a mouse miR-146a may fine tune microbial communities but does not appear to have global effects on microbiome structure and composition.
The effect of adding a magnetic oxide in the grain boundaries of HAMR media

Grain-to-grain Curie temperature (Tc) variation in media reduces the signal-to-noise ratio due to its contribution to the transition jitter noise, especially when the average grain size is decreased to increase the area storage capacity. Thermally insulating magnetic grain boundaries may suppress such grain-to-grain Tc variation, especially at small grain sizes. In this paper, we discuss the effect of adding a thermally insulating magnetic oxide, in particular, BaFexOy, to the grain boundaries of granular FePt-C heat-assisted magnetic recording media. It is found that BaFexOy is chemically inert with respect to FePt and the chemical ordering of FePt-BaFexOy-C media is similar to that of FePt-C media. By tuning the volume fraction of BaFexOy and C, well-separated FePt grains (average grain size = 6.8 nm) surrounded by BaFexOy shells enable the attainment of perpendicular Hc greater than 35 kOe. Chemical mapping by transition electron microscopy shows that the magnetic oxide appears to be crystalline and completely surrounds the FePt grains. Temperature-dependent magnetization measurements indicate an effective increase in the magnetic grain size at temperatures below the FePt Curie temperature. The pulsed laser pump-probe measurement indicates a measurable reduction of the Curie temperature variation for the FePt-BaFexOy-C media compared to the reference FePt-C media.
In situ synchrotron X-ray imaging and mechanical properties characterization of additively manufactured high-entropy alloy composites

Abstract Laser beam directed energy deposition has become an increasingly popular advanced manufacturing technique for materials discovery as a result of the in situ alloying capability. In this study, we leverage an additive manufacturing enabled high throughput materials discovery approach to explore the composition space of a graded Wx(CoCrFeMnNi)100−x sample spanning 0 ≤ x ≤ 21 at%. In addition to microstructural and mechanical characterization, synchrotron high speed x-ray computer aided tomography was conducted on a W20(CoCrFeMnNi)80 composition to visualize melting dynamics, powder-laser interactions, and remelting effects of previously consolidated material. Results reveal the formation of the Fe7W6 intermetallic phase at W concentrations> 6 at%, despite the high configurational entropy. Unincorporated W particles also occurred at W concentrations> 10 at% accompanied by a dissolution band of Fe7W6 at the W/matrix interface and hardness values greater than 400 HV. The primary strengthening mechanism is attributed to the reinforcement of the Fe7W6 and W phases as a metal matrix composite. The in situ high speed x-ray imaging during remelting showed that an additional laser pass did not promote further mixing of the Fe7W6 or W phases suggesting that, despite the dissolution of the W into the Fe7W6 phase being thermodynamically favored, it is kinetically limited by the thickness/diffusivity of the intermetallic phase, and the rapid solidification of the laser-based process.
Lodgepole pine bole wood density and decay rate 1, 11, and 22 years after felling in Central Montana, United States

Estimates of large dead and down woody material biomass are needed for ecological applications, such as nutrient cycling, wildlife habitat assessment and fire effects, and for climate change science (carbon). Many methods are used to assess the volume of woody material: however, estimates of wood density are required to convert volume to biomass. To assess initial wood density and decomposition rate, this study examined in situ wood density of lodgepole pine logs at the Tenderfoot Creek Experimental Forest, central Montana, USA, 1, 11 and 22 years after felling. Mean wood density decreased from 0.39 g cm-3 to 0.27 g cm-3 over 22 years and the single exponential decay rate was k = 0.012 yr-1 1 and 11-years post-felling and 0.022 yr-1 11 and 22 years post-felling. A common 5-category decay classiﬁcation system was evaluated for estimating wood density by decay class, which identified significant difference in three of four observed classes.
Analysis of the (0,0) band of the new [15.3]Ω=3/2 – X 2Π3/2 electronic transition of PtF using intracavity laser spectroscopy

Abstract A rotational analysis of the electronic transition of PtF occurring at 15,252 cm−1 was recorded and analyzed. This transition is identified as the (0,0) band of the [15.3]Ω=3/2 – X 2Π3/2 electronic transition. The PtF molecules were produced in a current regulated RF-pulsed DC discharge operating with 0.80 A applied to a Pt-lined copper hollow cathode in 0.50–1.25 Torr of 1–5% SF6 in an Ar/He sputter gas mixture. The hollow cathode was placed within in the resonator cavity of a tunable DCM dye laser operating over the 14,500–16,500 cm−1 range, and path lengths of 0.2–2.0 km were utilized with the intracavity laser spectroscopy (ILS) method. The data were fit in PGOPHER using a polynomial energy level expression. Molecular constants for the excited state are presented. The nature of the new [15.3]Ω = 3/2 state is discussed.
Evidence of UFO & Potential Implication for Humanity

With strong evidence of the existence of UFOs on hand, this paper examines what aliens might be trying to teach us. To begin with, scientists may have unraveled the mystery of the beginning of the universe, concluding that the universe came out of nothing, a void, and that the nature of nothingness is undifferentiated consciousness. That is, a conscious desire of the void coupled with an incredible amount of energy created the universe. This hypothesis can be tested as we all have consciousness. Albert Einstein’s mass equal to energy equation may facilitates the path forward for progress. Several plausible examples of transformation of e into m and m into e form are presented as evidence of human creativity. The phenomena of energy into matter and matter into energy transformation leads to a hypothesis that may explain the incredible capabilities of UFOs to travel astronomical distances at very high speeds even through earth’s atmosphere. Using the examples of transformation presented, this paper explains how the route to achieve such extraordinary capabilities is necessarily through internal/emotional excellence and that a scientific approach to enhance internal/emotional excellence is available, complete with a measurement device for emotions, so progress can be audited. The paper concludes by speculating that maybe aliens are trying to prod humanity to evolve further, that is, to rise in internal excellence, and we know that doing so will accrue a myriad of benefits for humanity.
Primer of Field Theory

The purpose of this chapter is to present a very concise introduction to the basic concepts and terminology of field theory which will be encountered in the rest of the book. We shall begin in §1.1 with a discussion of classical mechanics in view of a variational formulation and then consider the Schrodinger equation in quantum mechanics. In §1.2 we present special relativity and relativistic wave equations. In particular, we derive the Maxwell equations for electromagnetism. In §1.3 we study the role of continuous symmetry in field theory and prove Noether’s theorem. In particular, we consolidate the notion of energy and momenta and introduce the concept of conserved charges and currents. In §1.4 we present the Abelian gauge field theory and related concepts such as symmetry-breaking and the Higgs mechanism. In §1.5 we discuss in general the non-Abelian gauge field theory. In §1.6 we establish Einstein’s equations of gravitation and discuss some simplest consequences in cosmology.
Picosecond Time-Resolved Photoacoustic Spectroscopy

In this paper we report the development and application of photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) for the detection and characterization of transient intermediates with lifetimes on the picosecond timescale [1].
Average Case Approximation: Convergence and Tractability of Gaussian Kernels

We study the problem of approximating functions of d variables in the average case setting for a separable Banach space \({\mathcal{F}}_{d}\) equipped with a zero-mean Gaussian measure. The covariance kernel of this Gaussian measure takes the form of a Gaussian that depends on shape parameters \({\gamma }_{\mathcal{l}}\). We stress that d can be arbitrarily large. Our approximation error is defined in the \({\mathcal{L}}_{2}\) norm, and we study the minimal average case error \({e}_{d}^{\mathrm{avg}}(n)\) of algorithms that use at most n linear functionals or function values. For \({\gamma }_{\mathcal{l}} = {\mathcal{l}}^{-\alpha }\) with \(\alpha \geq 0\), we prove that \({e}_{d}^{\mathrm{avg}}(n)\) has a polynomial bound of roughly order \({n}^{-(\alpha -1/2)}\) independent of d iff \(\alpha \,\,>\,\,1/2\). This property is equivalent to strong polynomial tractability and says that the minimal number of linear functionals or function values needed to achieve an average case error \(\epsilon \) has a bound independent of d proportional roughly to \({\epsilon }^{-1/(\alpha -1/2)}\). In the case of algorithms that use only function values the proof is non-constructive. In order to compare the average case with the worst case studied in our earlier paper we specialize the function space \({\mathcal{F}}_{d}\) to a reproducing kernel Hilbert space whose kernel is a Gaussian kernel with shape parameters \({\gamma }_{\mathcal{l}}^{\,\mathrm{rep}}\). To allow for a fair comparison we further equip this space with a zero-mean Gaussian measure whose covariance operator has eigenvalues that depend on a positive parameter q. We prove that the average cases for the whole space and for the unit ball of \({\mathcal{F}}_{d}\) are roughly the same provided the \({\gamma }_{\mathcal{l}}^{\,\mathrm{rep}}\) decay quickly enough. Furthermore, for a particular choice of q the dimension-independent convergence for the worst and average case settings are essentially the same.
Poverty, Inequality and Development: Micro-Macro Perspectives and Linkages

This collection of essays honors a remarkable man and his work. Erik Thorbecke has made significant contributions to the microeconomic and the macroeconomic analysis of poverty, inequality and development, ranging from theory to empirics and policy. The essays in this volume display the same range. As a collection they make the fundamental point that deep understanding of these phenomena requires both the micro and the macro perspectives together, utilizing the strengths of each but also the special insights that come when the two are linked together. After an overview section which contains this introductory chapter and a chapter examining the historical roots of Erik Thorbecke’s motivations, the essays in this volume are grouped into four parts, each part identifying a major strand of Erik’s work—Measurement of Poverty and Inequality, Micro Behavior and Market Failure, SAMs and CGEs, and Institutions and Development. The range of topics covered in the essays, written by leading authorities in their own areas, highlight the extraordinary depth and breadth of Erik Thorbecke’s influence in research and policy on poverty, inequality and development.
VECTOR TO TENSOR POLARIZATION TRANSFER IN PROTON-DEUTERON ELASTIC SCATTERING

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses an experiment to study the paper measurements of the second-rank polarization of the deuterons that recoil from proton–deuteron elastic scattering in cases where the incident protons were polarized. The polarization of the recoil deuterons was described in laboratory helicity frame to form a right-handed coordinate system. Ratios between the counts observed in each detector with a polarized beam to the counts observed with an unpolarized beam were obtained. The unpolarized beam was typically ∼ 20 times more intense than the available polarized beam. The results were consistent with zero, in view of the errors, but the effects of the order of ∼ 0.05 cannot be ruled out.
Paths of carbon in gluconeogenesis and lipogenesis. VII. The synthesis of precursors for gluconeogenesis from pyruvate and bicarbonate by rat kidney mitochondria.

Abstract In the presence of ATP, Pi, and magnesium ions, rat kidney mitochondria converted pyruvate and bicarbonate mainly to malate, fumarate, and citrate. Pyruvate carboxylase activity was estimated by measuring the amounts of products formed and the radioactive bicarbonate retained. When glutamate was added to the system, radioactive aspartate was formed without changing the incorporation of radioactivity into malate and citrate. High concentrations of pyruvate, magnesium ions, or bicarbonate inhibited pyruvate carboxylation, as did the absence of added Pi. Addition of short chain fatty acids or of acylcarnitines of various chain lengths decreased pyruvate decarboxylation. In the presence of octanoate and hexanoate, the formation of malate and citrate and the incorporation of radioactive bicarbonate were slightly decreased. The addition of ammonium chloride led to formation of small amounts of aspartate, but otherwise did not alter product formation or bicarbonate incorporation. With liver mitochondria, addition of ammonium chloride permitted formation of aspartate and glutamate in large quantities and malate production was depressed. With kidney mitochondria, the addition of malate, succinate, α-ketoglutarate, or citrate led to large increases in bicarbonate incorporation into malate. Similar but smaller effects were observed with liver mitochondria. It is concluded that kidney pyruvate carboxylase is sufficiently active to permit this organ to contribute significantly to gluconeogenesis in the rat.
Role of Elongation Factors and the Effect of Aurintricarboxylic Acid on the Synthesis of Polyphenylalanine

Abstract The time course of polyphenylalanine synthesis at 37° is characterized by an initial period (the lag period) of accelerating rate of phenylalanine incorporation that precedes the linear phase of synthesis. We show that during this lag period an initial complex must form by the binding of poly(U) and then phenylalanyl transfer ribonucleic acid to the monomeric ribosome. The rate of phenylalanyl-tRNA binding but not the binding of poly(U) is dependent on elongation factor 1 concentration. Moreover, the concentration of elongation factor 1 required to produce half-maximum rate of phenylalanyl-tRNA binding to the poly(U)-ribosome complex is much greater than that required to produce half-maximum rate of phenylalanyl tRNA binding to an elongating monosome. Therefore, the rate of phenylalanine incorporation is initially controlled by the rate of entry of monomeric ribosomes into the pool of elongating monosomes. We have also shown that aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA), an inhibitor of natural factor-dependent initiation, also selectively inhibits synthesis of polyphenylalanine at 12 mm Mg2+ by preventing the binding of poly(U) and therefore of phenylalanyl-tRNA to the ribosome. ATA (10-5 m) dissociates the poly(U)-ribosome complex at 37°, but is without effect once phenylalanyl-tRNA has bound to this complex. ATA (10-4 m), but not 10-5 m ATA, inhibits elongation by disaggregating the 80 S ribosome.
The Brain Stem Reticular Core and Sensory Function

The sections in this article are: 1 Terminology 2 Historical Development of Concepts 3 Organization of Reticular Core 3.1 Cell Groups 3.2 Dendritic Patterns 3.3 Afferent Systems 3.4 Axonal Outflow: General Picture 3.5 Systems With Specific Chemical Signature 4 Thalamic Nonspecific System 4.1 Cell Groups 4.2 Dendritic Patterns 4.3 Afferent Systems 4.4 Axonal Outflow 4.5 Nucleus Reticularis Thalami 5 Overview
Chapter 5 Molecular Organic Light-Emitting Devices

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses present state of molecular organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) science and technology. The chapter describes the structural properties of these devices and their implications on device performance. The simple OLED configuration is the single organic layer device consisting of an electron transport layer (ETL) or hole transport organic layer (HTL) sandwiched between an anode and a cathode. Besides serving to transport carriers, the organic thin film also acts as the electroluminescent layer. The new device structures demonstrated during the past several years together with conventional OLEDs are building blocks for many different organic light emitters and full-color displays. The development of a transparent, thin film organic light-emitting device demonstrates a significant advantage of organic materials in realizing high definition, full-color, and head-up displays. The chapter also describes the fabrication, physics, and state of the technology of vacuum deposited molecular (i.e., nonpolymeric) OLEDs.
Protein status of the elderly as measured by dietary intake, hair tissue, and serum albumin

The nutritional status of 95 Medicare-age individuals was evaluated by dietary intake, physical condition, and components of urine, blood, and hair roots. Correlations between protein intake and five variables (serum albumin, red blood cell count, percentage of anagen hairs, protein content per anagen hair root, and anagen bulb diameter) selected as indicators of protein nutriture were studied. Deficient protein intake correlated positively with the protein content of anagenic hair roots. The protein content of anagenic hair roots correlated positively with the serum albumin levels. Protein intake did not correlate with serum albumin level. It is likely that with the relative depletion of protein stores there is impaired synthesis of hair root protein before a decrease in the synthesis of serum albumin which serves a more vital function.
Retroductive Analogy: How to and How Not to Make Claims of Good Reasons to Believe in Evolutionary and Anti-Evolutionary Hypotheses

This paper describes an argumentative fallacy we call ‘Retroductive Analogy.’ It occurs when the ability of a favored hypothesis to explain some phenomena, together with the fact that hypotheses of a similar sort are well supported, is taken to be sufficient evidence to accept the hypothesis. This fallacy derives from the retroductive or abductive form of reasoning described by Charles Sanders Peirce. According to Peirce’s account, retroduction can provide good reasons to pursue a hypothesis but does not, by itself, provide good reasons to believe the hypothesis. In successful applications of retroduction, pursuit leads to the accumulation of evidence. In retroductive analogy, comparison with other successful hypotheses is substituted for the genuine pursuit of evidence. We describe a case from ecological genetics in which retroduction plays a legitimate role as the initial phase of an ongoing research program that serves to accumulate genuine evidence for a hypothesis. We also examine two contexts in which the fallacy of retroductive analogy occurs: in defenses of Intelligent Design Theory and in defense of some hypotheses in Evolutionary Psychology.
Opportunistic Sampling of Bursty Signals by Level-Crossing - an Information Theoretical Approach

Level-crossing analog-to-digital converters (LC ADC) have been studied in the literature and have been shown to efficiently sample certain classes of signals, in this paper we first characterize a class of bursty source signals. We then provide an information theoretical formulation that studies the application of LC ADC in data transmission in conjunction with compression. It is shown that compared to uniform sampling, LC sampling enables the same amount of information to be transmitted at substantially lower rate.
Recent observations of cosmic gamma -ray bursts.

The paper summarizes current knowledge of cosmic gamma ray bursts obtained from recent spaceborne observations. Three facts lie at the basis of interpreting gamma ray burst observations: (1) all measured event differential energy spectra appear to be alike, (2) there is no evidence that the event integral size spectrum departs from a -1.5 power law, and (3) the temporal structures of most events are consistent with a continuous flutter down to at least 30 msec throughout the event histories. Event-average spectra of 9 bursts observed with IMP-7 are presented, and the Vela size spectrum is compared with IMP-7 points, SAS-2 events, and balloon experiment limits.
Evaluation of pacing site in dogs with naturally occurring complete heart block.

Abstract Objective To compare left ventricular synchronization and systolic performance with transvenous pacing of the right ventricular apex (RVA), left ventricular free wall (LVF) or simultaneous pacing of the RVA and LVF (BiV). Animals, materials and methods Seven canine patients with complete heart block. Prospective study evaluating effect of pacing site. Twenty four hours following implantation of transvenous BiV pacing systems, electrocardiograms and echocardiograms were assessed during pacing from the: (1) Right Atrial Appendage/RVA (RAA/RVA), (2) RAA/LVF, and (3) RAA/BiV. Results QRS duration was significantly shorter with BiV pacing versus LVF pacing (p Conclusions Findings suggest that BiV pacing improves cardiac output and systolic performance versus RVA pacing. This improvement however, is not reflected in tissue Doppler indices of synchronization and systolic performance.
Radiofrequency ablation lesions in a pig liver model.

Background. Radiofrequency (RF) ablation has been reported as a means of liver tumor destruction. This study evaluates the use of ultrasound monitoring of radiofrequency lesion creation and describes the morphology, histologic characteristics, and vascular effects of radiofrequency ablations in a pig liver model. Materials and methods, Hemodynamic monitoring was established and laparotomies were performed in 50-kg pigs. Under ultrasound guidance, radiofrequency needle probes were placed in the liver at predetermined locations. Radiofrequency energy was applied over 15 min to generate lesions 3 cm in diameter. Eighty lesions were generated in 10 animals. At the completion of the experiment, the lesions were examined with ultrasound and then excised for CT, gross, and histologic examination. Results. There were no adverse systemic effects. Ultrasound imaging demonstrated the size, shape, and position of the lesions. Gross examination demonstrated a core of ablated tissue with a surrounding 1- to 2-mm hemorrhagic perimeter. Lesion volumes averaged 12.8 cc3 (range 5–34 cc3). Final lesion shape and size were frequently altered by the cooling effect of local blood flow. Histologic stains demonstrated microvascular thrombosis and coagulative necrosis within the lesions. There appeared to be 100% cellular destruction within the lesion by cytochemical staining. Conclusions. We demonstrated that RF ablation is capable of killing large volumes of normal liver tissue; however, local vasculature plays a significant a role in defining the ultimate size and shape of the lesion created. This may interfere with the utility of radiofrequency ablation as a modality for local tumor control.
On the Reasons We Want Teachers of Good Disposition and Moral Character

The point of this article is to make a case for teachers of moral disposition without regard for the moral development of students. The article concludes that there are multiple reasons for wanting teachers of good disposition and moral character; that teachers' dispositions are best conceived as modifiers to the methods that they employ; and that the crux of the dispositions debate is ultimately grounded in avoiding poor moral character. Implications of the article point teacher educators toward a conception of teacher education that focuses on preparing teachers of good disposition and moral character simply for the sake of teaching that accords with what is good, right, and virtuous. The analysis suggests that the scope of a teacher's dispositions should be broadened to include all matters of classroom life and teacher effectiveness.
Relapsing polychondritis in an adolescent.

Abstract Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is an uncommon systemic disorder with a highly variable course. A 17-year-old woman recently presented with a 1-month history of depression, weight loss, chest wall tenderness, hoarseness, and dysphagia. Physical examination revealed cachexia, low-grade fever, pharyngeal erythema, and tenderness of the right auricle, anterior chest, cricothyroid cartilage, and both knees. Laboratory studies included a hematocrit of 34% and a sedimentation rate of 50 mm/hr. Initial improvement on oral corticosteroids was followed by respiratory distress, At that time calcified tracheal cartilage, subglottic stricture, and a saddle nose deformity were present. Despite therapy with steroids, dapsone, and pulse cyclophosphamide, the respiratory distress reoccurred, eventually necessitating tracheostomy. Tracheal cartilage biopsy confirmed the presumptive diagnosis of RP. Bilateral auricular chondritis developed after initial presentation, as did acute vertigo. Although seen in all age groups, less than 10% of cases of RP are seen in children and adolescents. Auricular chondritis (89% of all cases), inflammatory asymetric arthritis (81% of all cases), nasal chondritis (72% of all cases), respiratory tract chondritis (56% of all cases), and audiovestibular abnormalities (46% of all cases) were present in our patient. Relapsing polychondritis may follow a slowly evolving or rapidly progressive course. Appropriate diagnosis aud aggressive therapy are recommended to lessen the morbidity and mortality.
A comparison of small circular DNA molecules in psi+ and psi- strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Abstract The psi+ and psi− phenotypes, which affect the efficiency of ochre suppression in yeast, are inherited in a non-Mendelian fashion. There is no apparent difference in length or in length distribution of 2 μm circular DNA molecules between psi+ and psi− strains. It seems that the psi genetic determinant is probably not connected with the presence or absence of these small circular DNA molecules.
Application of the aerial image measurement system (AIMS)TM to the analysis of binary mask imaging and resolution enhancement techniques

L.Liebmann, A.Molless, D.Dovet, J.WeedIBM Microelectronics, Semiconductor Research and Development Center, Hopewell Junction, N Y 12533tIBM Research, T.J. Watson Research Center, Eastview, NY /0598ABSTRACTThe newly developed Aerial Image Measurement System (AIMSTM*) was used to quantify the lithographicbenefits of several resolution enhancement techniques as compared to standard binary mask imaging. This
A planar wideband 80-200 GHz subharmonic receiver

A wideband planar subharmonic mixer has been designed for millimeter-wave operation. The receiver consists of a back-to-back Schottky-diode pair integrated at the base of a wideband log-periodic antenna and placed on a silicon lens. The wideband planar receiver results in state-of-the art-performance at 90 GHz (and 182 GHz) with a double-sideband conversion loss and noise temperature of 6.7 dB (and 8.5 dB) and 1080 K (and 1820 K), respectively. These results are about 3 dB higher than the results for best tuned waveguide subharmonic mixers using planar diodes. The design is well suited for higher frequencies (up to 1 THz) and for the inclusion of biased back-to-back planar diodes to ease the LO power requirements. The planar subharmonic approach results in an inexpensive wideband receiver, and the design can be easily extended to receiver arrays. >
Pitchers and Catchers Mike Piazza and the Discourse of Gay Identity in the National Pastime

This essay identifies the recent discursive formation that has emerged about gay players in the “American game.” In particular, media reports speculating that New York Mets catcher Mike Piazza could be gay spotlight the tensions that historically have been part of baseball culture. The author's argument suggests that Piazza's on-field performances of gender shifted to rearticulate his identity in terms of hegemonic masculinity. In this specific case, Piazza as a catcher metaphorically embodied and resisted the receptivity and passivity often assigned to gay men. Piazza's behavior and the discourse surrounding gay identity in baseball call attention to the ways gender is used to mark bodies in sport, to perpetuate normative standards of masculinity, and to discipline those who do not adhere to these norms.
Macromolecule-small molecule interactions: Analytical and graphical reexamination☆

Abstract An analysis of multiple binding of small molecules by a macromolecule has been made in terms of probabilistic considerations instead of equilibrium ones. This leads to algebraic expressions which suggest alternative nonlinear graphical representations of binding data. One of these, a double-logarithmic presentation of moles bound versus free ligand has been analyzed in detail to show how the number of binding sites and the intrinsic affinity constant can be obtained from the graph.
Timing of surgery following spinal cord injury: the effect on non-neurological outcome

Methods: We reviewed our prospective SCI database for patients who underwent surgical treatment (spinal column stabilization 6 decompression) of their injuries. All patients were treated between August 1996 and October 1998 at the University of Louisville Hospital, Louisville, KY and were managed in conjunction with our SCI clinical pathway. Patients were separated into two groups based on the timing of their surgical intervention (treatment prior to or after PID 5). Data were analyzed using the Student’s t-test.
Bowel Considerations in Gynecologic Surgery

Every gynecologist must have a thorough understanding of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Problems of the GI tract will often present as gynecologic complaints. In addition, many gynecologic problems have related GI symptoms. Finally, the GI tract must be considered in the pre-, intra-, and postoperative management of most gynecologic operations. Many ofthe intraoperative and postoperative complications of gynecologic operations involve the GI tract. Awareness ofthe relationship ofthe bowel to gynecologic disorders and procedures, appropriate preoperative evaluation in order to establish the differential diagnosis, and diagnosis and management of complications involving the GI tract are crucial to the pelvic surgeon.
Oscillators entrained by food and the emergence of anticipatory timing behaviors

Circadian rhythms are adjusted to the external environment by the light–dark cycle via the suprachiasmatic nucleus, and to the internal environment of the body by multiple cues that derive from feeding/fasting. These cues determine the timing of sleep/wake cycles and all the activities associated with these states. We suggest that numerous sources of temporal information, including hormonal cues such as corticoids, insulin, and ghrelin, as well as conditioned learned responses determined by the temporal relationships between photic and feeding/fasting signals, can determine the timing of regularly recurring circadian responses. We further propose that these temporal signals can act additively to modulate the pattern of daily activity. Based on such reasoning, we describe the rationale and methodology for separating the influences of these diverse sources of temporal information. The evidence indicates that there are individual differences in sensitivity to internal and external signals that vary over circadian time, time since the previous meal, time until the next meal, or with duration of food deprivation. All of these cues are integrated in sites and circuits modulating physiology and behavior. Individuals detect changes in internal and external signals, interpret those changes as “hunger,” and adjust their physiological responses and activity levels accordingly.
The “trait” of ascribing traits: Individual differences in the tendency to trait ascription☆

Abstract People often use personality trait terms to describe themselves and others. But sometimes, instead, they will indicate that a person's behavior “depends on the situation.” The present study finds that some people ascribe traits more often, and indicate “depends on the situation” less often, than do others: The tendency to trait ascription is a reliable individual difference variable, not strongly dependent upon the stimulus person being described. Q-Sort personality correlates of this “trait of ascribing traits” indicate that it is associated with poor psychological adjustment, a finding consistent with its interpretation as an “extreme response style.” Other implications of this finding are discussed.
Modeling gradual diffusion changes in radiation belt electron phase space density for the March 2013 Van Allen Probes case study

March 2013 provided the first equinoctial period when all of the instruments on the Van Allen Probes spacecraft were fully operational. This interval was characterized by disturbances of outer zone electrons with two time scales of variation, diffusive and rapid dropout and restoration. A radial diffusion model was applied to the monthlong interval to confirm that electron phase space density is well described by radial diffusion for the whole month at low first invariant ≤ 400 MeV/G but peaks in phase space density observed by the Energetic Particle, Composition, and Thermal Plasma (ECT) instrument suite at higher first invariant are not reproduced by radial transport from a source at higher L. The model does well for much of the monthlong interval, capturing three of four enhancements in phase space density which emerge from the outer boundary, while the strong enhancement following dropout on 17–18 March requires local acceleration at higher first invariant (M=1000 MeV/G versus 200 MeV/G) not included in our model. We have incorporated phase space density from ECT measurement at the outer boundary and plasmapause determination from the Electric Field and Waves (EFW) instrument to separate hiss and chorus loss models.
A celebration of ignorance.

Congratulations to Science for shifting paradigms in the 125th Anniversary issue ([125 questions: what don't we know?, 1 July][1]), not only by focusing on what leading contemporary scientists “don't know,” but also by unabashedly labeling this collection of 125 important unanswered questions as a “survey of scientific ignorance.” Back in 1984, based on my mentor Lewis Thomas' whimsical suggestion ([1][2]), my late husband and I brought ignorance out of the closet by creating the University of Arizona's “Curriculum on Medical Ignorance” (featuring a Summer Institute, distinguished visiting “ignorami,” and ignorance logs and exercises) to teach medical and later undergraduate and K-12 students and science teachers how to recognize and deal with ignorance—“what we know we don't know, don't know we don't know, and think we know but don't”—about a wide range of medical and scientific topics ([2][3]). Our curriculum has resulted in various ignorance-based publications, presentations, media coverage, and products, earning me the dubious title of “Ignorama Mama,” mother of the global ignorance movement. Indeed, all learning and discovery do take place in the terrain of ignorance, not knowledge, and it is questions, questioning, and questioners that impel scientific advances. These mysteries and puzzles, not dry facts and pat answers, should also drive science education as well as the research enterprise. A Wall Street Journal editorial ([3][4]) paradoxically hailed our evolution from the Information Age to the “Age of Ignorance,” where we can recuse ourselves from excessive information, admit we don't know, and humbly “google” or grope our way through what we need to know. And newly minted Nobel physicist David Gross lauded “ignorance—the most important product of knowledge” as “lucky for science, scientists, and the Nobel Foundation” ([4][5]). 1. 1.[↵][6] 1. J. B. Wyngaarden, 2. L. H. Smith 1. L. Thomas , in Cecil Textbook of Medicine, J. B. Wyngaarden, L. H. Smith, Eds. (W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, PA, 1982), 16. p. xli, xliii. 2. 2.[↵][7] See [www.medicine.arizona.edu/ignorance][8] and . 3. 3.[↵][9] 1. H. Stein , “The age of ignorance,” Wall Street J. A10 (11 June 1993). 4. 4.[↵][10] 1. D. Gross , Science News 167((no. 4)), 59 (2005). [OpenUrl][11] [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.309.5731.75 [2]: #ref-1 [3]: #ref-2 [4]: #ref-3 [5]: #ref-4 [6]: #xref-ref-1-1 "View reference 1. in text" [7]: #xref-ref-2-1 "View reference 2. in text" [8]: http://www.medicine.arizona.edu/ignorance [9]: #xref-ref-3-1 "View reference 3. in text" [10]: #xref-ref-4-1 "View reference 4. in text" [11]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DScience%2BNews%26rft.volume%253D167%26rft.issue%253D%2528no.%2B4%2529%26rft.spage%253D59%26rft.atitle%253DSCIENCE%2BNEWS%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx