cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Evaluation of the Identification of Learning Disabled Students in Colorado

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the process whereby children are identified as learning disabled (LD) and the validity of subsequent educational placements: (a) a representative sample of 1,000 cases were analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively; (b) extensive questionnaires were administered to professionals involved in LD identification; (c) definitions and assessment procedures were evaluated. Only 28% of the LD cases met strict criteria for LD; another 15% showed weak signs of the handicap. The remaining 57% currently in1 LD programs were better described by other indicators such as non-English dominant (7%), other handicaps (10%), slow learners (11%), minor behavior problems (4%), etc. The costs of LD identification were found to be excessive; each year almost half of the resources available for LD pupils was spent on assessment and staffing. Policy implications are discussed.
Paul and social identity in 1 Corinthians

You belong to Christ: Paul and the formation of social identity in 1 Corinthians 1–4, by J. Brian Tucker, Eugene, Pickwick, 2010, 345 pp., £24.40 (paperback), ISBN 978-1-608-99676-6 Remain in your ...
How the honey bee regulates its body temperature

Honey bees are able to forage over a 30°C range of air temperature largely because they have behavioural and physiological mechanisms for regulating the temperature of their flight muscles. From very low to very high air temperatures, the successive mechanisms are shivering before flight and stopping flight for additional shivering, passive body temperature in a comfort range that is a function of work effort, and finally active heat dissipation by evaporative cooling from regurgitated honey sac contents. The body temperatures maintained differ depending on expected foraging rewards and on caste.
Quantitative differences in the immunomodulatory effects of Rebif and Avonex in IFN-β 1a treated multiple sclerosis patients

Interferon-β (IFN-β) is a current effective treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) and exerts its therapeutic effects by down-modulating the systemic immune response and cytokine signaling. In clinical practice there are several formulations of interferon including a low dose of IFN-β 1a formulation of 30 μg IM once weekly (Avonex) and a high dose formulation of 44 μg SC three times weekly (Rebif). Recent studies suggest that Rebif is more efficacious compared to Avonex in preventing relapses and decreasing MRI activity in relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) patients. This study examines whether there are quantitative gene expression changes in interferon-treated RRMS patients that can explain the difference in efficacy and side effects between Rebif and Avonex. Herein, RRMS patients were treated for three months with IFN-β 1a and the levels of plasma cytokines and gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were examined. Thirty-two normal subjects were compared to thirty-two RRMS patients, of which ten were treated with Rebif and ten with Avonex. Rebif and Avonex both significantly and equally suppressed plasma TNF-α and IL-6 levels. Rebif suppressed IL-13 significantly more than Avonex. Rebif also significantly suppressed the levels of the chemokines CCL17 and RANTES, the protease ADAM8, and COX-2 at a higher degree compared to Avonex. The STAT1-inducible genes IP-10 and caspase 1 were significantly increased with Rebif compared to Avonex. In conclusion, the higher dosed, more frequently administered IFN-β 1a Rebif when compared to IFN-β 1a Avonex has more potent immunomodulatory effects. These quantitative results might relate to efficacy and side-effect profile of the two IFN-β 1a formulations and provide prospective practical clinical tools to monitor treatment and adjust dosage.
Thromboangiitis Obliterans (Buerger Disease)

A healthy 44-year-old woman presented with a 1month history of diffuse arthralgias followed by skin discoloration of the fingers of both hands that progressed during a 1-week period and was accompanied by resting finger pain exacerbated by exposure to cold. She had a 25-pack-year history of cigarette smoking but no history of illicit drug use. Results of an Allen test were abnormal. Angiography revealed normal vessels interspersed with severe occlusive disease. Work-up with echocardiography and serologic testing for autoimmune antibodies, thrombophilia, and vasculitides, including anticentromere and anti-Scl-70 antibodies, yielded negative results. Thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger disease) was diagnosed. Thromboangiitis obliterans is a nonatherosclerotic inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology that affects small and medium-sized vessels of the extremities and has a strong association with smoking. Angiographic findings may mimic those of conditions such as scleroderma (CREST syndrome) or prothrombotic disorders. Cessation of cigarette smoking is the only known effective therapy. This patient quit smoking and was treated with aspirin, dalteparin, and daily arterial flow pump therapy, which produced symptomatic improvement.
Kelley receives 2011 Hisashi Kuno Award: Response

Katherine Kelley received the Hisashi Kuno Award at the 2011 AGU Fall Meeting, held 5–9 December in San Francisco, Calif. The award recognizes “accomplishments of junior scientists who make outstanding contributions to the fields of volcanology, geochemistry, and petrology.”
Stability of phenylacetic acid in liquid media

The stability of phenylacetic acid (PAA) in H2O and B5 and MS culture media was determined by HPLC. There was no loss of PAA when a nonsterile 10 mM stock solution was held at 5°C for 2 months. PAA was stable to autoclaving in full-strength MS and B5 media. After storage at 5°C or after agitation at 125 rpm at room temperature for 28 days, 100% of the PAA remained in B5 medium. Under comparable conditions, up to 15% of the PAA was lost in MS medium.
Antitumour and cytotoxic xanthones of Psorospermum febrifugum

Abstract Activity-directed fractionation of the ethanolic extract of Psorospermum febrifugum has led to the isolation and structural elucidation of eight new dihydrofuranoxanthones. Six compounds were found to exhibit significant in vitro cytotoxic activity against 9PS cells in culture. A new dihydrofuranoxanthone epoxide, related to psorospermin exhibited activity both in vitro and in vivo .
Conformation of Mixed Liganded Hybrids as Detected by their Interaction with Hb CHarlem

THE sigmoid curve which represents the binding of oxygen by haemoglobin (Hb)1 has defied unequivocal explanation so far. Several models can account for many of the observed properties of Hb-ligand interaction2–4, but many questions exist concerning the details of the conformation changes in the haemoglobin tetramer which underlie the cooperativity displayed by the four haem groups. Any explanation of this behaviour must describe the conformation and properties of Hb molecules which are partially liganded. Several investigators have studied the behaviour of models of such intermediate ligand states, viz. artificially prepared mixed ligand hybrids5 in which either the α chains or the β chains are fixed in the liganded state while the partner chains can reversibly bind ligand and M haemoglobins6 in which the two haems of the mutant globin chains (α or β) are in the ferric state. While Perutz7 demonstrated the occurrence of two end states with specific quaternary conformation, the conformation of Hb in intermediate liganded states is not known.
Comparison of neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment in neonatal mice exposed to propofol or isoflurane.

Background While previous studies have demonstrated neuronal apoptosis and associated cognitive impairment after isoflurane or propofol exposure in neonatal rodents, the effects of these two anesthetics have not been directly compared. Here, we compare and contrast the effectiveness of isoflurane and propofol to cause neurodegeneration in the developing brain and associated cognitive dysfunction.
Enzymatic oxidation of mercury vapor by erythrocytes.

Abstract The formation of glutathione radicals, the evolution of nascent oxygen or the peroxidatic reaction with catalase complex I are considered as possible mechanisms for the oxidation of mercury vapor by red blood cells. To select among these, the uptake of atomic mercury by erythrocytes from different species was studied and related to their various activities of catalase (hydrogen-peroxide : hydrogen-peroxide oxidoreductase, EC 1.11.1.6) and glutathione peroxidase (glutathione : hydrogen-peroxide oxidoreductase, EC 1.11.1.9). A slow and continuous infusion of diluted H2O2 was used to maintain steady concentrations of complex I. 1% red cell suspensions were found most suitable showing high rates of Hg uptake and yielding still enough cells for subsequent determinations. The results indicate that the oxidation of mercury depends upon the H2O2-generation rate and upon the specific acticity of red-cell catalase. The oxidation occurred in a range of the catalase-H2O2 reaction where the evolution of oxygen could be excluded. Compounds reacting with complex I were shown to be effective inhibitors of the mercury uptake. GSH-peroxidase did not participate in the oxidation but rather, was found to inhibit it by competing with catalase for hydrogen peroxide. These findings support the view that elemental mercury is oxidized in erythrocytes by a peroxidatic reaction with complex I only.
Modeling Infiltration with Approximate Solutions to Richard’s Equation

Using approximate analytical solutions of the nonlinear Richards equation, simple models for the simulation of water content, pressure head, hydraulic head, and infiltration rate profiles, subject ...
The Ecological Life History of the Cherryfin Shiner, Notropis roseipinnis

Abstract Notropis roseipinnis is a small southern minnow inhabiting small tributary streams in the Gulf Coastal Plain typified by rapidly fluctuating environmental conditions. The reproductive season extends from late March into August or early September in the Jourdan River system, Hancock County, Mississippi. The sex ratio was not different from 1:1 and the mean sizes of males and females were similar. Most fish were mature by about 30 mm standard length (SL). The number of mature ova was correlated with the size of the female, ranging from 50 to 293 for females 29.6-46.6 mm SL. There were significant differences in the number of mature ova with time. Two peaks were indicated, one at the beginning of the reproductive season and one in the latter half. The mean diameter of mature ova (0.65-0.85 mm, mean 0.77) was not significantly correlated with fish length.
A model for the stoichiometric regulation of blood coagulation.

Abstract We have developed a model of the extrinsic blood coagulation system that includes the stoichiometric anticoagulants. The model accounts for the formation, expression, and propagation of the vitamin K-dependent procoagulant complexes and extends our previous model by including: (a) the tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI)-mediated inactivation of tissue factor (TF)·VIIa and its product complexes; (b) the antithrombin-III (AT-III)-mediated inactivation of IIa, mIIa, factor VIIa, factor IXa, and factor Xa; (c) the initial activation of factor V and factor VIII by thrombin generated by factor Xa-membrane; (d) factor VIIIa dissociation/activity loss; (e) the binding competition and kinetic activation steps that exist between TF and factors VII and VIIa; and (f) the activation of factor VII by IIa, factor Xa, and factor IXa. These additions to our earlier model generate a model consisting of 34 differential equations with 42 rate constants that together describe the 27 independent equilibrium expressions, which describe the fates of 34 species. Simulations are initiated by “exposing” picomolar concentrations of TF to an electronic milieu consisting of factors II, IX, X, VII, VIIa, V, and VIIII, and the anticoagulants TFPI and AT-III at concentrations found in normal plasma or associated with coagulation pathology. The reaction followed in terms of thrombin generation, proceeds through phases that can be operationally defined as initiation, propagation, and termination. The generation of thrombin displays a nonlinear dependence upon TF, AT-III, and TFPI and the combination of these latter inhibitors displays kinetic thresholds. At subthreshold TF, thrombin production/expression is suppressed by the combination of TFPI and AT-III; for concentrations above the TF threshold, the bolus of thrombin produced is quantitatively equivalent. A comparison of the model with empirical laboratory data illustrates that most experimentally observable parameters are captured, and the pathology that results in enhanced or deficient thrombin generation is accurately described.
Values as constraints on affordances: Perceiving and acting properly

At the bottom of all human activities are “values,” the conviction that some things “ought to be” and others not. Science, however, with its immense interest in mere facts seems to lack all understanding of such‘requiredness.’… A science … which would seriously admit nothing but indifferent facts … could not fail to destroy itself. (Kohler, 1938/1966, p. 38-39)
Attachment of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) onto thin-film composite (TFC) membranes through covalent bonding to reduce membrane biofouling

Abstract Membrane biofouling has a negative impact on the membrane treatment performance. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are well-known antimicrobial agent. Herein, AgNPs with approximately 15 nm in diameter were effectively attached to the surface of polyamide (PA) thin-film composite (TFC) membrane via covalent bonding, with cysteamine as a bridging agent. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies all showed the immobilization of AgNPs. Compared with the pristine TFC membrane, thiol-terminated membrane (TFC–SH) and AgNPs grafted membrane (TFC-S–AgNPs) both showed a higher water flux with slightly lower salt rejection. At a constant transmenbrane pressure of 300 psi, the water permeability of TFC–SH, TFC-S–AgNPs, and control TFC membranes was 70.6±0.5, 69.4±0.3, and 49.8±1.7 L/m 2 h, respectively, while NaCl rejection was 93.4±0.1%, 93.6±0.2%, and 95.9±0.6%, respectively. TFC-S–AgNPs had an improved antibacterial ability to inhibit E. coli growth. The silver leaching from the TFC-S–AgNPs membrane surfaces was minimal, as tested by both batch and flow-through methods. The results successfully demonstrated that AgNPs could be grafted onto TFC via chemical bonding, leading towards the development of an advanced functional TFC membrane with anti-biofouling properties.
Circulating Osteogenic Precursor Cells

Circulating osteogenic precursor (COP) cells are blood-borne cells that express a variety of osteoblastic markers and are able to form bone in vivo. Strong evidence suggests that COP cells are derived from bone marrow and are of hematopoietic origin. The study of COP cells has been limited by several factors, including the difficulty in establishing long-term cultures and lack of a standardized protocol for their isolation and identification. However, experimental evidence supports that COP cells seed sites of injury and inflammation in response to homing signals and are involved in processes of pubertal growth, fracture, and diverse conditions of heterotopic bone formation. The role of COP cells in physiologic and pathophysiologic conditions of de novo bone formation suggests that they may serve as future targets for diagnostic measurements and therapeutic interventions.
The process of breast augmentation: four sequential steps for optimizing outcomes for patients

Background Breast augmentation has been an integral part of plastic surgeons' practices for over 40 years. Although devices have evolved, patient outcomes are still not ideal, as documented in multiple premarket approval clinical trials. Unlike many other areas of surgery, the practice of breast augmentation has suffered from the lack of a defined process for patient management. The purpose of this study was to clinically define and evaluate the process of breast augmentation and analyze patient outcomes using these practices compared with existing premarket approval trial data. Methods Three hundred consecutive primary breast augmentations from 2001 to 2005 were followed prospectively. Each patient underwent a defined process of breast augmentation including structured patient education and informed consent; tissue-based preoperative planning consultation; refined surgical technique; and structured postoperative instructions, management, and follow-up. Results The mean follow-up was 2.1 years. The most common complications were rippling and palpability, soft-tissue stretch, and hypersensitivity. The overall reoperation rate was 3.7 percent for the entire group and 4.7 percent and 2.9 percent for saline and form-stable cohesive gel implants, respectively. Conclusions Optimizing patient outcomes in breast augmentation requires defining the overall process to allow for enhanced patient outcomes. This is the first report that defines and integrates the entire process comprehensively that is validated by outcomes data. This process is transferable to other surgeons and, using this algorithm, patient outcomes in this study were superior to premarket approval clinical trial data. In summary, approaching this procedure with a global process produces superior patient outcomes in breast augmentation.
What the Building Boom Says about Campus Values.

Critics claim that well-appointed residence halls and fully loaded recreation centers are sending the wrong message to students about what college is for. The author argues that welcoming communal spaces are an important educational tradition
SyZyGy: A straight interferometric spacecraft system for gravity wave observations

We consider a spaceborne gravitational wave (GW) detector formed by three spacecraft in a linear array, coherently exchanging laser beams and using the data combinations of time-delay interferometry (TDI). We previously showed how the measured time series of Doppler shifts in the six one-way laser links between spacecraft pairs in a general unequal-arm triangular configuration can be combined, using TDI, to exactly cancel the otherwise overwhelming phase noise of the lasers while retaining sensitivity to GWs. Here we apply TDI, unfolding the general triangular configuration, to the special case of a linear array of three spacecraft. We show that such an array (``SyZyGy'') has, compared with an equilateral triangle GW detector of the same scale, a degraded (but non-zero) sensitivity at low frequencies $[f\ensuremath{\ll}c/(\mathrm{array}\mathrm{}\mathrm{size})]$ but similar peak and high-frequency sensitivities to GWs. We develop the GW and noise responses, noting that in this geometrical case only one TDI combination is GW sensitive showing a relatively simple 6-pulse response to an incident GW burst. Sensitivity curves are presented for SyZyGys having various arm lengths. A number of technical simplifications result from the linear configuration. These include only one faceted (e.g. cubical) proof mass per spacecraft, intraspacecraft laser metrology needed only at the central spacecraft, placement in an appropriate orbit can reduce Doppler drifts so that no laser beam modulation is required for ultrastable oscillator noise calibration, and little or no time-dependent articulation of the telescopes to maintain pointing. Because SyZyGy's sensitivity falls off more sharply at low frequency than that of an equilateral triangular array, it may be most useful for GW observations in the band between those of ground-based interferometers $(\ensuremath{\sim}10\char21{}2000\mathrm{Hz})$ and the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna $(\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}\char21{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}1}\mathrm{Hz}).$ SyZyGy with $\ensuremath{\sim}1$ light-second scale could, for the same instrumental assumptions as LISA, make observations in this intermediate frequency GW band with $5\ensuremath{\sigma}$ sensitivity to sinusoidal waves $\ensuremath{\simeq}2.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}23}$ in a year's integration.
Impact of changes in rainfall amounts predicted by climate-change models on decomposition in a deciduous forest

Abstract Climate-change models predict a more intense hydrological cycle, with both increased and decreased amounts of rainfall in areas covered with temperate deciduous forests. These changes could alter rates of litter decomposition, with consequences for rates of nutrient cycling in the forest ecosystem. To examine impacts of predicted changes in precipitation on the rate of decay of canopy leaves, we placed litterbags in replicated, fenced 14 m2 low-rainfall and high-rainfall plots located under individual rainout shelters. Unfenced, open plots served as an ambient treatment. Litter in the high-rainfall and ambient plots decayed 50% and 78% faster, respectively, than litter in the low-rainfall plots. Litter in the ambient plots disappeared 20% faster than in the high-rainfall treatment, perhaps via greater leaching during heavy rainfall events. Ambient rainfall during the experiment was similar in total amount to the high-rainfall treatment, but was more variable in intensity and timing. We used litterbags of different mesh sizes to examine whether changes in rainfall might alter the impacts of major categories of the fauna on litter decay. However, we found no consistent evidence that excluding arthropods of different sizes affected litter decay rate within any of the three rainfall treatments. This research reveals that changes in rainfall predicted to occur with global climate change will likely strongly alter rates of litter decay in deciduous forests.
The Cytotoxic Enterotoxin of Aeromonas hydrophila Induces Proinflammatory Cytokine Production and Activates Arachidonic Acid Metabolism in Macrophages

An aerolysin-related cytotoxic enterotoxin (Act) of Aeromonas hydrophila possesses multiple biological activities, which include its ability to lyse red blood cells, destroy tissue culture cell lines, evoke a fluid secretory response in ligated intestinal loop models, and induce lethality in mice. The role of Act in the virulence of the organism has been demonstrated. In this study, we evaluated the potential of Act to induce production of proinflammatory cytokines associated with Act-induced tissue injury and Act's capacity to activate in macrophages arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism that leads to production of eicosanoids (e.g., prostaglandin E(2) [PGE(2)]). Our data indicated that Act stimulated the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha and upregulated the expression of genes encoding interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and IL-6 in the murine macrophage cell line RAW264.7. Act also activated transcription of the gene encoding inducible nitric oxide synthase. Act evoked the production of PGE(2) coupled to the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) pathway. AA is a substrate for PGE(2), and Act produced AA from phospholipids by inducing group V secretory phospholipase A(2). We also demonstrated that Act increased cyclic AMP (cAMP) production in macrophages. cAMP, along with PGE(2), could potentiate fluid secretion in animal models because of infiltration and activation of macrophages resulting from Act-induced tissue injury. After Act treatment of RAW cells, we detected an increased translocation of NF-kappaB and cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB) to the nucleus using gel shift assays. Act also upregulated production of antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 in macrophages, suggesting a protective role for Bcl-2 against cell death induced by proinflammatory cytokines. The increased expression of genes encoding the proinflammatory cytokines, COX-2, and Bcl-2 appeared correlated with the activation of NF-kappaB and CREB. This is the first report of the detailed mechanisms of action of Act from A. hydrophila.
Patterns of elite faunal utilization at Moundville, Alabama

In recent years, zooarchaeological research has begun to examine the roles of animals as part of the suite of symbols employed in the ongoing social, ceremonial, and political dynamics of prehistoric cultural systems. In the southeastern United States, studies of late prehistoric Mississippian chiefdoms have documented differences in species composition and meat cuts associated with particular social contexts of consumption—for instance, ceremonial feasting vs. private meals—and also with gross distinctions in social rank—elite vs. commoner. Differences in the latter reflect elite control of procurement as well as cultural rules that assign meanings to certain species, which in so doing regulates access to their consumption. Faunal samples collected by recent mound excavations at the Moundville site in west-central Alabama provide the basis for an examination of more subtle differences in the consumption patterns of elite residents. Zooarchaeological samples produced by two elite households, although generally similar and fitting expectations for elite consumption well, are distinguished by differences in the distribution of rare species, the role of fish, and possibly by evidence of differences in food waste, distinctions that can be associated with interpretations of these households' relative status in Moundville society drawn from other classes of archaeological data.
Magnetic fields above the surface of a superconductor with internal magnetism

The author presents a method for calculating the magnetic fields near a planar surface of a superconductor with a given intrinsic magnetization in the London limit. He computes solutions for various magnetic domain boundary configurations and derives relations between the spectral densities of the magnetization and the resulting field in the vacuum half space, which are useful if the magnetization can be considered as a statistical quantity and its features are too small to be resolved individually. The results are useful for analyzing and designing magnetic scanning experiments. Application to existing data from such experiments on Sr{sub 2}RuO{sub 4} show that a domain wall would have been detectable, but the magnetic field of randomly oriented small domains and small defects may have been smaller than the experimental noise level.
A method for restricting stimuli to the frontal or lateral visual field of each eye separately in pigeon

This report describes a method of restricting visual stimuli either to the frontal or to the lateral visual field in pigeons, using, goggles and colored filters. This technique permits the sequential or simultaneous presentation of discriminative stimuli to each eye separately for the study of inter-hemispheric transfer of visual information. Behavioral data are presented to demonstrate the adequacy of the method.
Thermal modeling of transferred VCSELs

Vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) are an important light source for applications in communication and appliances consumer use. However, the types of III-V semiconductor materials that can be used to manufacture monolithic VCSELs are limited to only few choices. Moreover, limitations of the device materials will also limit the functionality of VCSELs incorporated into microsystems. Various heterogeneous integration approaches have been developed to overcome this limits [1, 2]. We previously demonstrated a bonding approach onto foreign substrates which incorporates fully fabricated VCSEL arrays which do not require additional processing after bonding and optical characteristics are maintained after the bonding process [3]. In this work we report VCSEL thermal modeling using COMSOL simulations to investigate the relation between laser performance and temperature. Good agreement is obtained between simulation and experiments for VCSEL lasing wavelength with varying oxide aperture and mesa size under operation near maximum output power. Using this model, the thermal rollover at peak output power of VCSELs on different substrates is discussed.
How Many Users should be Turned On in a Multi-Antenna Broadcast Channel

This paper considers broadcast channels with L antennas at the base station and m single-antenna users, where each user has perfect channel knowledge and the base station obtains channel information through a finite rate feedback. The key observation of this paper is that the optimal number of on-users (users turned on), say s, is a function of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and other system parameters. Towards this observation, we use asymptotic analysis to guide the design of feedback and transmission strategies. As L, m and the feedback rates approach infinity linearly, we derive the asymptotic optimal feedback strategy and a realistic criterion to decide which users should be turned on. Define the corresponding asymptotic throughput per antenna as the spatial efficiency. It is a function of the number of on-users s, and therefore, s should be appropriately chosen. Based on the above asymptotic results, we also develop a scheme for a system with finite many antennas and users. Compared with other works where s is presumed constant, our scheme achieves a significant gain by choosing the appropriate s. Furthermore, our analysis and scheme is valid for heterogeneous systems where different users may have different path loss coefficients and feedback rates.
Something it takes to be an emotion : The interesting case of disgust

We advance the thesis that emotions require abstract elicitors and flexible responses. Elements of our psychology that in other ways would qualify as an emotion are disqualified if all of their elicitors and responses are too concrete. Having advanced this thesis, we examine disgust. Disgust is an interesting case of a motivational pattern that seems too concrete on both ends to count as a real emotion. Notwithstanding, it is often included on lists of basic emotions (e.g., Ekman, 1992). We argue, however, that the theorists interested in promoting disgust's candidacy for the college of emotions have also argued that disgust is not as concrete as it looks. We suggest that they have done so in the face of the facts to advance disgust's candidacy, thus supporting our view.
MARIHUANA AND TOBACCO USE IN PREGNANCY

Marihuana and tobacco are two of the most commonly abused illicit and licit substances in the United States. The two agents share several similar characteristics. They are both smoked and absorbed via the lungs into the blood stream in a rapid fashion, and they are both composed of a multitude of constituents that are virtually impossible to study systematically because of confounding contributions of each component. Because these agents are not typically considered "hard" drugs, the seriousness of their contributions to current health problems has been overshadowed in the lay press by the focus on "street" drugs. Despite some complacency in caring for patients who use these drugs, they are associated with alarming adverse health effects that deserve serious consideration.
Adaptive habit persistence in a system of demand equations

Abstract The LES has desirable properties as a tool to analyze consumer expenditure patterns. It is a system to equations permitting the researcher to deal with expenditure categories. The model is based upon the habit persistence of consumers. This model has its analytical foundation in the theory of consumer behavior, and it provides an excellent fit to the consumption data. Two modifications of the LES were combined and incorporated into the model. Previous studies treated these modifications separately. The modifications allow for systematic changes over time in the status quo expenditures and the allocation proportions. Estimations of the model utilized a generalized least squares iteration procedure. The results were consistent with theoretical considerations and provided estimates of consumer sensitivity to income and price changes in all expenditure categories considered. Clothing and shoes have the highest habit persistence proportion followed by housing and durables of surplus funds were identified. These changes in consumer behavior indicate a growing share of funds being allocated to durables. Food and beverage, clothing and shoes, and transportation have experienced declines in their allocation proportions. No significant change in housing is observed.
Infectious complications of percutaneous vascular closure devices.

OBJECTIVE To describe the infectious complications of percutaneous vascular closure devices (PVCDs) on the basis of our institutional experience with PVCDs and the published medical literature. PATIENTS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed all cases of PVCD-related infection seen at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn, between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2003, and searched the English language medical literature for all previously published reports. RESULTS We identified 46 cases in the medical literature and 6 cases from our institutional database. The median age of patients was 63 years (range, 40-79 years). Diabetes mellitus and obesity were the most common comorbidities. The median incubation period from device insertion to presentation with access-site infection was 8 days (range, 2-29 days). The most common presenting symptoms were pain, erythema, fever, swelling, and purulent drainage at the access site. Mycotic pseudoaneurysm (22 cases) was the most common complication. Staphylococcus aureus was responsible for most (75%) of the infections. All patients underwent surgical debridement, and 54% required reconstructive procedures. The median duration of antibiotic treatment was 28 days (range, 7-42 days). The mortality rate was 6% (3 patients). CONCLUSIONS Infection associated with PVCD placement is uncommon but is an extremely serious complication. Morbidity is high, and aggressive medical and surgical interventions are required to achieve cure.
Semiparametric inference in a model for association in bivanate survival data

SUMMARY Clayton's (1978) model for association in bivariate survival data is both of intrinsic importance and an interesting example of a semiparametric estimation problem, that is a problem where inference about a parameter is required in the presence of nuisance functions. We derive the asymptotic variance of Clayton's estimator, obtaining a simple explicit formula for uncensored data and indicating the modification required when the survival times are subject to arbitrary random censorship. Some comparisons are made with results derived by Oakes (1982) for other estimators within this model. In the absence of censoring the exact null variance of the score statistic corresponding to Clayton's estimator is derived and compared with that of the locally most powerful rank test given by Cuzick (1982).
How Much Woe When We Go: A Quantitative Method for Predicting Culture Shock

Culture shock is defined as the confusion and discomfort caused by the conflict in perceived motives and expected behaviors between the home culture and the foreign culture. Several quantitative and graphical methods employing techniques of cluster analysis and similarity mapping are offered for predicting the magnitude of culture shock between pairs of countries using data extracted from Hofstede's 1980–83 studies of national cultural values. Implications for business, politics, and personal stress management are discussed.
Bactericidal effect of oleic acid on group A streptococci: mechanism of action.

In contrast to Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci, group A streptococci are infrequently present on normal human skin, except in certain populations with endemic impetigo. This has been attributed to differences in susceptibility to the bactericidal effect of skin surface lipids, particularly unsaturated fatty acids. When an M type 6 strain group A streptococcus was exposed to 500 μg of oleic acid per ml, viable counts decreased by 4 logs in 5 min. The rank order of killing was 35 > 20 > 4°C. Oleic acid did not kill a strain of S. aureus, a strain of coagulase-negative staphylococcus, or a strain of Escherichia coli, but bound rapidly to these bacteria as well as to the group A streptococcus. The loss of [3H]uridine from labeled oleic acid-treated group A streptococcal cells was greater than 100 times that of controls. There was no loss of [3H]-thymidine from group A streptococci or of [3H]uridine or [3H]thymidine from identically exposed coagulase-negative staphylococci. When [3H]uridine was added to group A streptococci during mid-log-phase growth, cessation of uptake occurred within 5 min of addition of 50 μg of oleic acid per ml. Electron microscopic changes seen within 5 min included condensation of the nucleoid and distortion of the streptococcal surface by numerous clumps and blebs. Coagulase-negative staphylococci, S. aureus, and E. coli similarly exposed showed no comparable electron microscopic changes. We propose that oleic acid kills group A streptococci by altering the integrity of the cell membrane with resulting loss of ribonucleic acid but not deoxyribonucleic acid.
Immunologic aspects of alcoholic liver disease.

Abstract Continuing hepatic injury despite cessation of ethanol intake has suggested a potential role for altered humoral and cellular immunity in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease. Variation of cell-mediated response has been observed most commonly in patients with alcoholic hepatitis. These alterations include decreased mitogen response in vitro, reduction of circulating T-cell numbers with a corresponding increase of intrahepatic T-cells, lymphokine production in vitro in response to isolated alcoholic hyalin (Mallory bodies), and in vitro evidence of increased spontaneous cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Fewer immunologic alterations are detected in patients with alcoholic fatty liver or cirrhosis. At present, these observations have not established a definite causal relationship between ethanol-induced liver injury and immunologic mechanisms. Studies utilizing in vitro correlates of cellular immunity in alcoholics are carried out after development of hepatic injury. To establish the role of humoral and cellular immune events in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver injury will require development of a suitable animal model.
A media maniac's answer to where storage will be in 2000

This paper is intended to help buyers invest in system components today even though they are faced with the absolute fact that many of these components will be outdated by 2000. A basic question is how many generations of drives and media will come to market in that period of time, and whether or not today's decision will be tomorrow's regret. Most people in the information technology industry recognize that data recorders and media change every 18 to 24 months. This impacts the user community because system upgradeability is a reality and has long been a major concern. One precaution a user can take is to have vendor assurance that as drive technologies change, the new systems will be able to read back at least two generations of media. Future generations of recording devices and media are in the laboratories today. If a user can project what kind of storage requirements he will have in the future, he should develop a business strategy centered on an awareness of the autoloader market, the future of recording technology, and the projected improvements in media capacity. This paper will focus on viable system components that should still be in place in 2000.
Effect of cimetidine and antacids on gastrointestinal absorption of tetracycline

In a randomized crossover study, five normal subjects were given 250-mg capsules of tetracycline at weekly intervals with cimetidine 300 mg. sodium bicarbonate 2 gm in water, magnesium-aluminum hydroxide gel 30 ml, or water alone. Gastric pH was monitored by radiotelemetry. Antibiotic bioavailability as measured by area under the serum level-time curve, peak serum level, and urinary elimination was not affected by cimetidine or sodium bicarbonate. Magnesium-aluminum hydroxide gel reduced bioavailability by 90%. The data show that gastric pH does not affect absorption of oral tetracycline and that cimetidine can be used in place of antacids to control gastric acid in patients using tetracycline.
Large‐Scale Perturbations: Opportunities for Innovation

Several approaches are discussed for statistical analysis of large—scale (and possibly unreplicated) ecological experiments. These include intervention analyses and comparisons of alternative models using Bayes' formula. Such techniques are unfamiliar to many ecologists and are not typically included in graduate curricula in ecology. I argue for increased training in these areas and for collaborations between statisticians and ecologists to develop innovative approaches to the analysis of large—scale perturbations. See full-text article at JSTOR
Front-end feature transforms with context filtering for speaker adaptation

Feature-space transforms such as feature-space maximum likelihood linear regression (FMLLR) are very effective speaker adaptation technique, especially on mismatched test data. In this study, we extend the full-rank square matrix of FMLLR to a non-square matrix that uses neighboring feature vectors in estimating the adapted central feature vector. Through optimizing an appropriate objective function we aim to filter out and transform features through the correlation of the feature context. We compare to FMLLR that just consider the current feature vector only. Our experiments are conducted on the automobile data with different speed conditions. Results show that context filtering improves 23% on word error rate over conventional FMLLR on noisy 60mph data with adapted ML model, and 7%/9% improvement over the discriminatively trained FMMI/BMMI models.
Considering fault removal efficiency in software reliability assessment

Software reliability growth models (SRGMs) have been developed to estimate software reliability measures such as the number of remaining faults, software failure rate, and software reliability. Issues such as imperfect debugging and the learning phenomenon of developers have been considered in these models. However, most SRGMs assume that faults detected during tests will eventually be removed. Consideration of fault removal efficiency in the existing models is limited. In practice, fault removal efficiency is usually imperfect. This paper aims to incorporate fault removal efficiency into software reliability assessment. Fault removal efficiency is a useful metric in software development practice and it helps developers to evaluate the debugging effectiveness and estimate the additional workload. In this paper, imperfect debugging is considered in the sense that new faults can be introduced into the software during debugging and the detected faults may not be removed completely. A model is proposed to integrate fault removal efficiency, failure rate, and fault introduction rate into software reliability assessment. In addition to traditional reliability measures, the proposed model can provide some useful metrics to help the development team make better decisions. Software testing data collected from real applications are utilized to illustrate the proposed model for both the descriptive and predictive power. The expected number of residual faults and software failure rate are also presented.
Coupling layers regularizes wave propagation in stochastic neural fields

We explore how layered architectures influence the dynamics of stochastic neural field models. Our main focus is how the propagation of waves of neural activity in each layer is affected by interlaminar coupling. Synaptic connectivities within and between each layer are determined by integral kernels of an integrodifferential equation describing the temporal evolution of neural activity. Excitatory neural fields, with purely positive connectivities, support traveling fronts in each layer, whose speeds are increased when coupling between layers is considered. Studying the effects of noise, we find coupling reduces the variance in the position of traveling fronts, as long as the noise sources to each layer are not completely correlated. Neural fields with asymmetric connectivity support traveling pulses whose speeds are decreased by interlaminar coupling. Again, coupling reduces the variance in traveling pulse position. Asymptotic analysis is performed using a small-noise expansion, assuming interlaminar connectivity scales similarly.
Phase I studies of porfiromycin (NSC--56410) in solid tumors.

Porfiromycin was given to a group of patients with a variety of solid tumors. Of 114 patients admitted to the study, 103 yielded evaluable data. The following dosage schedules were used to determine the toxicity of porfiromycin when given in multiple doses by intravenous injection: 0.2 mg/kg × 5 days, 0.3 mg/kg × 5 days, 0.35 mg/kg × 5 days, 0.4 mg/kg × 5 days, 0.24 mg/kg × 10 days and 0.6 mg/kg weekly. Toxic effects noted were mainly leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and, when injected paravenously, local tissue necrosis. Biological effects were noted at all dosage levels and were more severe at the higher dosages. The data suggest that profiromycin administered intravenously at a dose of 0.35 mg/kg daily for 5 days results in moderate hermatological toxicity and clinical evaluation in a Phase II study at this dosage level is indicated.
Offset-compensated switched-capacitor integrators

The performance of several switched-capacitor (SC) integrators is compared, and a description representation is introduced. Offset-compensated circuits which reduce the capacitance spread in very large time-constant SC integrators are presented. The theoretical equations are derived for all SC circuits and are then confirmed by simulations. >
Biogenic Amines in Normal and Abnormal Behavioral States

Involvement of the biogenic amines—acetylcholine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, and γ-aminobutyric acid—in behavioral states through neurotransmission is appraised. An accessory role is favored for acetylcholine because its distribution and function in the brain are less specific than those of norepinephrine or serotonin, which are concerned with REM and deep sleep, while epinephrine is concerned with brain stem activity in wakeful and (or) aggressive arousal. Decreased brain metabolism of norepinephrine and serotonin has been correlated with conditions favoring aggression. Norepinephrine and acetylcholine are implicated in neurochemical coding which regulates food and water intake. γ-Aminobutyric acid and other amino acids can facilitate or inhibit neural transactions. The precursor to dopamine alleviates Parkinsonian tremor. Aberrant catecholamine metabolism and structural differences in related psychotomimetic substances are considered in the etiology of schizophrenia, depression, and similar affective disorders. Other states of impaired behavior are also linked with altered biogenic amine chemistry.