cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Water-vapor climate feedback inferred from climate fluctuations, 2003-2008

[i] Between 2003 and 2008, the global-average surface temperature of the Earth varied by 0.6°C. We analyze here the response of tropospheric water vapor to these variations. Height-resolved measurements of specific humidity (q) and relative humidity (RH) are obtained from NASA's satellite-bome Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS). Over most of the troposphere, q increased with increasing global-average surface temperature, although some regions showed the opposite response. RH increased in some regions and decreased in others, with the global average remaining nearly constant at most altitudes. The water-vapor feedback implied by these observations is strongly positive, with an average magnitude of λ q = 2.04 W/m 2 /K, similar to that simulated by climate models. The magnitude is similar to that obtained if the atmosphere maintained constant RH everywhere.
Zr and Hf diffusion in rutile

Abstract Chemical diffusion of Zr and Hf under anhydrous conditions has been measured in synthetic and natural rutile. The sources of diffusant used were hafnon or zircon powders or a hafnon–rutile mixture. Experiments were run in crimped Pt capsules in air, or in sealed silica glass capsules with solid buffers (to buffer at NNO or QFM). Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS) was used to measure Zr and Hf diffusion profiles. From these measurements, the following Arrhenius relations were obtained: For Zr diffusion parallel to c, over the temperature range 750–1100 °C D Zr¦c = 9.8 × 10 − 15 exp(− 170 ± 30 kJ mol − 1 /RT) m 2 s − 1 For Hf diffusion parallel to c, over the temperature range 800–1000 °C D Hf¦c = 9.1 × 10 − 15 exp(− 169 ± 36 kJ mol − 1 /RT) m 2 s − 1 For Hf diffusion normal to c, over the temperature range 750–1050 °C D Hf⊥c = 2.5 × 10 − 12 exp(− 227 ± 62 kJ mol − 1 /RT) m 2 s − 1 Diffusivities for experiments buffered at QFM and NNO are similar to those run in air. Diffusivities in synthetic and natural rutile are likewise similar, indicating that these findings can be applied directly in determining Zr diffusivities in rutile in natural systems. These data indicate that rutile should be moderately retentive of Zr chemical signatures, with Zr diffusivities within an order of magnitude of those for Pb in rutile over most geologic conditions. When applied in evaluation of the relative robustness of the recently developed Zr-in-rutile geothermometer [T. Zack, R. Moraes, A. Kronz, Temperature dependence of Zr in rutile: empirical calibration of a rutile thermometer, Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 148 (2004) 471–488., E.B. Watson, D.A. Wark, J.B. Thomas, Crystallization thermometers for zircon and rutile, Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 151 (2006) 413–433.], these findings suggest that Zr concentrations in rutile will be somewhat more likely to be affected by later thermal disturbance than the geothermometer based on Zr concentrations in titanite [L. Hayden, E.B.Watson, D.A. Wark, A thermobarometer for sphene, Abstract, 16th V.M. Goldschmidt Conference (2006).], and much less resistant to diffusional alteration subsequent to crystallization than the Ti-in-zircon geothermometer [E.B. Watson, D.A. Wark, J.B. Thomas, Crystallization thermometers for zircon and rutile, Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 151 (2006) 413–433., E.B.Watson, T.M.Harrison, Zircon thermometer reveals minimum melting conditions on earliest Earth, Science 308 (2005) 841–844.].
AMPK in the brain: its roles in energy balance and neuroprotection

Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) senses metabolic stress and integrates diverse physiological signals to restore energy balance. Multiple functions are indicated for AMPK in the CNS. While all neurons sense their own energy status, some integrate neuro-humoral signals to assess organismal energy balance. A variety of disease states may involve AMPK, so determining the underlying mechanisms is important. We review the impact of altered AMPK activity under physiological (hunger, satiety) and pathophysiological (stroke) conditions, as well as therapeutic manipulations of AMPK that may improve energy balance.
Physician Care in Nursing Homes

Excerpt The costs and quality of care for the aged in nursing homes have become matters of great national concern. The concern for costs is understandable. Nearly 30% of the nation's health care bi...
Influence of confluent holding time on UV light mutagenesis in human diploid fibroblasts.

We have investigated the induction of mutants resistant to 6-thioguanine (6TG) following 254 nm ultraviolet light exposure of density-inhibited cultures of human diploid fibroblasts. Phenotypic expression of 6TG resistance was maximal within 9 days and remained stable through 19 days after irradiation. In reconstruction studies, complete recovery of 6TG-resistant mutants occurred at cell densities of up to 35 000 cells per 100-mm petri dish. The induced mutation frequency increased linearly with dose over the range of 3–9 J/m2; the D0 of the survival curve was 4.2 J/m2. Delaying subculture to low density for 1.5–24 h after irradiation produced unexpected alterations in induced mutation frequencies. An increase in UV-induced mutations of approximately 3-fold was observed in cultures maintained in confluence for 3 h. This trend was reversed with longer holding times: the mutation frequency declined sharply in cultures held for 6 h compared to the 3-h value, and thereafter showed a steady and gradual diminution to background levels. These data suggest that the repair of potentially mutagenic damage is a complex phenomenon which can lead to an increase or decrease in mutation frequency as a function of holding time. Although the decline in mutation frequency observed following longer holding intervals is consistent with the notion of an error-free process, we hypothesize that the increased mutation frequency produced by a short holding period reflects the existence of a cell-mediated process which enhances the mutagenic potential of at least some UV-induced DNA photoproducts.
The product of the consensus Rorschach in families of male schizophrenics.

A consensus Rorschach was given to the families of 36 male schizophrenics, 13 psychiatrically hospitalized nonschizophrenic controls, and 38 normal controls with the goal of discriminating the families of schizophrenics from the other two groups of families. After the family agreed on a response, each member was asked to write the response on a separate sheet of paper. This study focused on these written responses, the product of the interaction, rather than on the process of reaching agreement. A system was developed to score the responses based on the degree of shared meaning achieved by the family. Adequate interscorer reliability was obtained. The scores significantly differentiated the three groups. More families of schizophrenics had low scores indicating lack of shared meaning than families of hospitalized and normal controls. In the normal control group, more upper-class families had high scores than lower-class families, wheras in the schizophrenic group there was a trend in the opposite direction. Language: en
A Bayesian Statistical Approach for Inference on Static Origin–Destination Matrices in Transportation Studies

We address the problem of static origin–destination matrix reconstruction for transportation systems. This problem is similar to missing data estimation in contingency tables where the observed data, the table margins, give little information to drive the inference. Here we incorporate other sources of data that are common in transportation studies—seed matrices and trip cost distributions—to develop a novel class of hierarchical Bayesian models that provide better estimators. Moreover, classical solutions from growth factor, gravity, and maximum entropy models are identified as specific estimators under the proposed models. We show, however, that each of these solutions account for a small fraction of the posterior probability mass in the ensemble and so we contend that the uncertainty in the inference should be propagated to later analyses or next-stage models. We devise Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling schemes to obtain more robust estimators and perform other types of inferences. We present a synthet...
Exploiting immune surveillance mechanisms in mucosal vaccine development.

Historically, immune responsiveness was regarded by many as an ability to discriminate self from non-self, but this definition has recently been revised to be a distinction between threatening infectious organisms versus innocuous molecules from autologous tissues. Such distinctions can be made in the context of adjuvant effects from triggering of ‘pattern recognition receptors’ by pathogen-associated molecules. Mucosal sites such as airway and intestinal passages present a particularly interesting challenge to this system, as distinctions must be effectively made between innocuous non-self molecules associated with food and commensal bacteria versus pathogenic viruses and bacteria. Given the simultaneous presence of all these molecular types at mucosal lymphoid sites, immunological discrimination mechanisms must be especially precise, as immune responses must be directed only at pathogen-associated targets. Ongoing research is identifying genes that may be critical to triggering mucosal immunity; an unde...
Behavior-based and outcome-based salesforce control systems

The authors develop a conceptual model depicting relationships between salesforce control systems, characteristics, performance, and sales organization effectiveness as a framework for testing the ...
Intelligence, classroom behavior, and academic achievement in children at high and low risk for psychopathology: A structural equation analysis

The intelligence, academic achievement, and classroom behavior of 158 children were assessed in a sample that is being followed longitudinally. The sample included children at high risk for mental disorder by virtue of having a parent with a psychiatric diagnosis of schizophrenia or affective disorder, children at moderate risk, and children at low risk, A series of path analyses indicated that in this sample (1) classroom behavior was more likely an affect than a cause of academic achievement, and (2) the influence of parental psychopathology on classroom behavior was mediated by a child's intelligence and academic achievement. We were unable to substantiate an unmediated causal link between parental psychopathology and children's academic achievement or classroom behavior.
Block Alliances in Formal Standard Setting Environments

This paper extends the examination of block alliances in standard setting from market-driven to formal or committee-based processes in the information and communications industry. Formal process block alliances are argued to emerge in anticipation of institutional failure, that is, from the prospect that formal standardization will not yield a timely or correct solution. These block alliances organize around particular or more general technology streams and have distinctive characteristics. These include a clear articulation and separation of marketing and technical specification roles. Finally, block alliances in formal standard setting exhibit a governance form corporate in nature and distinct from the star or clique forms exhibited in market-based alliances. Some potential causes of this are examined.
Daily Exercise Reduces Fat, Protein and Body Mass in Male but not Female Rats

This study was designed to compare the estimated energy balance, linear growth (body and bone lengths) and body composition (all components including body mass, total body water, fat, protein and ash) response to daily spontaneous running (DSR) in young male and female rats. We tested the hypothesis that due to gender differences in energy efficiency, DSR would reduce linear growth and body composition more in male rats. Fourteen male and sixteen female weanling Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to either a sedentary (SED) control (male 7, female 8) or DSR (male 7, female 8) group. The DSR rats were allowed to run spontaneously in running wheels while SED rats remained in standard rat cages for 9 weeks. Body mass, running distance and food intake were measured over the nine week period. Subsequently, chemical analysis was performed to measure carcass content of water, protein, fat and ash. Linear growth was assessed by measures of body and bone lengths. The estimated energy balance of the DSR rats was computed and compared between genders. Estimated energy balance was significantly more negative in females than males due to significantly greater DSR distance. Body and bone lengths were similar among the SED and DSR female and SED and DSR male rats. However, whole body mass, fat mass and protein mass were significantly lower only in DSR males. These results demonstrate that DSR reduced body mass, body fat and protein mass in male rats but not in female rats despite a more negative estimated energy balance in female rats. These findings suggest that females are better protected from an energy deficit due to DSR. Possible mechanisms include gender-specific hormonal responses.
MAE: a syntactic analysis environment

Abstract A metric analysis environment for the COBOL programming language is presented that, through the use of a commercial data base management system (DBMS), accesses a set of files produced by a static analysis tool. The query language of the host DBMS can then be used to easily implement various metric mappings. Such an approach provides an amazingly flexible source of data for software metric analysis.
Geochemical Evidence for a Brooks Range Mineral Belt, Alaska

ABSTRACT Marsh, S.P. and Cathrall, J.B., 1981. Geochemical evidence for a Brooks Range mineral belt, Alaska. In: A.W. Rose and H. Gundlach (Editors), Geochemical Exploration 1980. J. Geochem. Explor., 15: 367–380. Geochemical studies in the central Brooks Range, Alaska, delineate a regional, structurally controlled mineral belt in east—west-trending metamorphic rocks and adjacent metasedimentary rocks. The mineral belt extends eastward from the Ambler River quadrangle to the Chandalar and Philip Smith quadrangles, Alaska, from 147° to 156°W. longitude, a distance of more than 375 km, and spans a width from 67° to 69°N. latitude, a distance of more than 222 km. Within this belt are several occurrences of copper and molybdenum mineralization associated with meta-igneous, metasedimentary, and metavolcanic rocks; the geochemical study delineates target areas for additional occurrences. A total of 4677 stream-sediment and 2286 panned-concentrate samples were collected in the central Brooks Range, Alaska, from 1975 to 1979. The —80 mesh ( 2.86) nonmagnetic fraction of the panned concentrates from stream sediment were analyzed by semiquantitative spectrographic methods. Two geochemical suites were recognized in this investigation; a base-metal suite of copper-lead-zinc and a molybdenum suite of molybdenum-tin-tungsten. These suites suggest several types of mineralization within the metamorphic belt. Anomalies in molybdenum with associated Cu and W suggest a potential porphyry molybdenum system associated with meta-igneous rocks. This regional study indicates that areas of metaigneous rocks in the central metamorphic belt are target areas for potential mineralized porphyry systems and that areas of metavolcanic rocks are target areas for potential massive sulfide mineralization.
Personnel aptitude test scores as a function of age, education and job type

A battery of personnel aptitude tests were administered and correlated with age for individuals working in skilled and unskilled jobs at a surface coal mining operation. Relationships between age and several measures of cognitive ability were significantly different when computed for skilled versus unskilled employees. Specifically, decreases in cognitive test performance with increasing age were more pronounced for unskilled workers. The partialling out of education had relatively little impact on relationships found between age and cognitive test performance for both skilled and unskilled workers.
Contested Issues in the Evaluation of Child Sexual Abuse Allegations: Why Consensus on Best Practice Remains Elusive

This is an introductory article to a special issue of the Journal of Childhood Sexual Abuse that responds to challenges to current forensic evaluation practice found in Kuehnle and Connell's edited volume The Evaluation of Child Sexual Abuse Allegations: A Comprehensive Guide to Assessment and Testimony (2009). This article describes the topics that will be addressed in this issue, summarizes the contents of the Kuehnle and Connell book, and provides a hypothetical case to illustrate potential problems in applying certain perspectives and guidelines offered in the book to actual forensic practice.
In situ X-ray studies of CuOAl2O3 sorbents reacting with coal flue gas

Abstract X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy was used to study the local structure around the Cu ion in CuO Al 2 O 3 sorbents in situ. The measurements were performed between room temperature and 400 °C in a reaction cell with and without coal flue gas flow. Similar measurements were carried out using standard copper compounds. No significant changes were observed in the XAFS spectra of the sorbents when the measurements were performed in the presence of nitrogen. In contrast, new near-edge features appeared in the spectra of the sorbents in the presence of flue gas. A strong peak appeared at an energy characteristic of monovalent copper. No significant changes were detected in the Cu-O nearest-neighbour distance for any of the samples. The near-edge spectra were analysed to obtain the partial ratios of monovalent to divalent copper as a function of temperature and metal loading of the sorbents. The standard compounds showed no evidence of a reaction with the flue gas that might suggest the presence of monovalent copper. The present results indicate the complex nature of the reactions taking place on the Cu ion site during removal of SO2. The dominant phase after reaction gives the characteristic parameters of copper sulfates.
Requirement for p38α in Erythropoietin Expression

Abstract Activity of the p38α MAP kinase is stimulated by various stresses and hematopoietic growth factors. A role for p38α in mouse development and physiology was investigated by targeted disruption of the p38α locus. Whereas some p38α −/− embryos die between embryonic days 11.5 and 12.5, those that develop past this stage have normal morphology but are anemic owing to failed definitive erythropoiesis, caused by diminished erythropoietin (Epo) gene expression. As p38α-deficient hematopoietic stem cells reconstitute lethally irradiated hosts, p38α function is not required downstream of Epo receptor. Inhibition of p38 activity also interferes with stabilization of Epo mRNA in human hepatoma cells undergoing hypoxic stress. The p38α MAP kinase plays a critical role linking developmental and stress-induced erythropoiesis through regulation of Epo expression.
Specific heat of CeRhIn5: the pressure-driven transition from antiferromagnetism to heavy-fermion superconductivity

CeRhIn5 has an unusual transition at a critical pressure of ~15 kbar. Specific-heat data show a gradual change in the zero-field 'magnetic' anomaly from one typical of antiferromagnetic (AF) ordering at ambient pressure to one that is more characteristic of a Kondo-singlet ground state at 21 kbar. However, at 15 kbar there is a discontinuous change from an AF ground state to a superconducting ground state, with evidence of a weak thermodynamic first-order transition. For pressures near 12 kbar, there is a pressure-dependent, second-order transition. The low-energy excitations above 15 kbar are characteristic of superconductivity with line nodes in the energy gap, and with extended gapless behaviour at intermediate pressures less than 21 kbar.
Power company fuel supply — Problems and solutions

Abstract A power company in the business of supplying electricity to its customers faces numerous problems associated with power production. One of its major problems is to supply its power plants with fuel and to use that fuel as economically as possible. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the difficulties that a power company has in supplying itself with fuel and to propose a technique that will produce a more prudent and economical use of fuel. The technique utilizes a multistage computer algorithm, which takes into consideration the power company's complete fuel supply process from coal mine to busbar. It requires a mathematical modeling of this process and allows for as much modeling flexibility as possible.
Metallography of fatigue crack initiation in coarse-grained Astroloy at 20°C

Abstract Fatigue crack initiation in coarse-grained Astroloy was studied by initiating cracks under bending loads. The specimen was not replicated in order to preserve any debris or extrusions associated with the cracks. Cracks were found to have initiated at pores and along slip lines. Debris and tonguelike extrusions were found coming from some cracks, but not all of them. Illustrations are given of the five different crack extrusion-related phenomena that were observed. It is concluded that the extrusion of material in the form of tonguelike or other debris may accompany the initiation of fatigue cracks, but that it is not a requisite part of the processes causing the crack.
Chemokines and the microenvironment in neuroectodermal tumor-host interaction

Chemokines and chemokine receptors play an important role in immune homeostasis and surveillance. Altered or defective expression of chemokines and/or chemokine receptors could lead to a disease state including autoimmune disorder or cancer. Tumors from glioblastoma, melanoma, and neuroblastoma secrete high levels of chemokines that can promote tumor growth and progression or induce stromal cells present in the tumor microenvironment to produce cytokines or chemokines which, in turn, can regulate angiogenesis, tumor growth, and metastasis. On the other hand, chemokines secreted by tumor or stromal cells can also attract leukocytes such as dendritic cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and lymphocytes which may downmodulate tumor growth. New therapies that are aimed at limiting tumor growth and progression by attracting immune effector cells to the tumor site with chemokines may hold the key to the successful treatment of cancer, although this approach may be hampered by possible tumor growth-stimulating effects of chemokines.
Sestrins orchestrate cellular metabolism to attenuate aging

The Sestrins constitute a family of evolutionarily conserved stress-inducible proteins that suppress oxidative stress and regulate AMP-dependent protein kinase (AMPK)-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling. By virtue of these activities, the Sestrins serve as important regulators of metabolic homeostasis. Accordingly, inactivation of Sestrin genes in invertebrates resulted in diverse metabolic pathologies, including oxidative damage, fat accumulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and muscle degeneration, that resemble accelerated tissue aging. Likewise, Sestrin deficiencies in mice led to accelerated diabetic progression upon obesity. Further investigation of Sestrin function and regulation should provide new insights into age-associated metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, myopathies, and cancer.
Modern and Paleolimnological Evidence for Accelerated Leaching and Metal Accumulation in Soils in New England, Caused by Atmospheric Deposition

Empirical field evidence for changing chemical processes in soils caused by atmospheric deposition of pollutants consists of: (1) Long-term water quality data including total dissolved solids, concentrations of specific metals (e.g. Ca), and conductivity; (2) Cation exchange capacity and base saturation values for soils located on precipitation pH gradients; (3) Lysimeter studies; and (4) Chemical analysis of organic soils on precipitation pH and metal gradients. For well-drained organic soils, as precipitation pH decreases, metals are differentially leached at an accelerated rate (Mn > Ca > Mg ≥ Zn > Cd and Na > Al). Experimental field and laboratory lysimeter studies on soil columns yield similar results, with increases in leaching rates for soil solutions with pH = 3 up to 100 × values for soil solutions with pH = 5. Nearly 100% of the Pb from precipitation is accumulating in the organic soil layer or sediments. Zn is accumulating in soils and sediments where the pH’s of precipitation, soil solutions, and surface waters are generally above 5 to 5.5. At lower pH values Zn and other chemically similar elements are desorbed/leached (net) at an accelerated rate.
Excitatory effects of dopamine on subthalamic nucleus neurons: in vitro study of rats pretreated with 6-hydroxydopamine and levodopa.

Increased output from the subthalamic nucleus (STN) following chronic dopamine depletion has been linked to the rigidity and tremor seen in Parkinson's disease (PD). We used extracellular microelectrode recordings from rat brain slices to investigate effects of dopamine on STN neurons. In brain slices prepared from rats that received unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) treatment, the spontaneous firing rate of STN neurons was reduced by 63%, and the firing pattern was more irregular, compared to STN neurons from normal rats. However, treatment with levodopa (50 mg/kg, i.p., daily) for 4 weeks normalized the firing rate and pattern of STN neurons in the 6-OHDA-treated rats. Dopamine (3-300 microM), added to the superfusate, significantly increased the firing rates of STN neurons in a concentration-dependent fashion, and also produced a more regular firing pattern in 6-OHDA-lesioned tissue. This excitatory effect of dopamine was mimicked by a D2 receptor agonist (quinpirole), and was reduced by the D2 antagonists haloperidol, clozapine and sulpiride. Antagonists of the D1 receptor (SCH-23390) and ionotropic glutamatergic receptors (CNQX and AP5) could not block the effect of dopamine on firing rate. These results suggest that dopamine exerts a direct excitatory influence on STN neurons via the activation of D2-like receptors.
PGI4: HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE (HRQOL) DATA REVEAL DIFFERENCES AMONG CLINICAL “RESPONDERS”

OBJECTIVES: Treatment effects are often evaluated by comparing groups in terms of the proportion of “responders”, i.e., patients who achieve some prospectively defined outcome. In the absence of additional data, it is assumed that responders in different treatment groups achieve comparable benefits and therefore that the treatment benefit is fully described by the responder rates. This study compared the HRQOL changes of responders in two treatment groups. METHODS: In two identical randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies (S3BA3001; S3BA3002) in women evaluating 12 weeks of treatment with alosetron 1mg BID, patients completed the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Quality of Life Questionnaire (IBSQOL) at baseline and at the final treatment visit. A patient was classified as a responder if she achieved adequate relief of IBS pain and discomfort on at least 2 of 4 weeks for all 3 months. This post-hoc analysis compared responders from the two treatment groups in terms of IBSQOL change from baseline scores at the final visit using analysis of covariance. The analysis focused on patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS. RESULTS: Our analyses included 154 patients (96 alosetron and 58 placebo) in S3BA3001 and 172 (110 alosetron and 62 placebo) in S3BA3002. Compared with placebo responders, those in the alosetron group had significantly higher (p < .05) scores on 5 of 9 IBSQOL scales (sleep; energy; physical functioning, food and role-physical) in S3BA3001 and on 4 scales (sleep, energy, food and social functioning) in S3BA3002. CONCLUSIONS: Adequate relief responders in the alosetron group experienced significantly greater HRQOL improvements relative to placebo group responders. This suggests that treatment benefits may be underestimated when described only in terms of the additional proportion of responders. Reporting HRQOL differences between responders in the treatment groups provides a more comprehensive characterization of the treatment effect.
Immunogenic Dendritic Cells Primed by Social Defeat Enhance Adaptive Immunity to Influenza A Virus

Dendritic cells (DCs) sample their surrounding microenvironment and consequently send immunogenic or regulatory signals to T cells during DC/T cell interactions, shaping the primary adaptive immune response to infection. The microenvironment resulting from repeated social defeat increases DC co-stimulatory molecule expression and primes DCs for enhanced cytokine responses in vitro. In this study, we show that social disruption stress (SDR) results in the generation of immunogenic DCs, capable of conferring enhanced adaptive immunity to influenza A/PR/8/34 infection. Mice infected with influenza A/PR/8/34 virus 24 h after the adoptive transfer of DCs from SDR mice had significantly increased numbers of D(b)NP(366-74)CD8(+) T cells, increased IFN-γ and IFN-α mRNA, and decreased influenza M1 mRNA expression in the lung during the peak primary response (9 days post-infection), compared to mice that received DCs from naive mice. These data demonstrate that repeated social defeat is a significant environmental influence on immunogenic DC activation and function.
It's under control: top-down search strategies can override attentional capture.

Bacon and Egeth (1994) proposed that observed instances of attentional capture by feature singletons (e.g., color) were the result of a salience-based strategy adopted by subjects (singleton detection mode) and, thus, were not automatic. They showed that subjects could override capture by adopting strategies based on searching for specific target features (feature search mode). However, Theeuwes (2004) has recently argued that Bacon and Egeth’s results arose from experimental confounds. He elaborated a model in which attentional capture must be expected when salient distractors fall within a spatialwindow of attention. According to Theeuwes’s (2004) model, there exist two essential criteria for examining stimulus-driven capture. First, search latencies cannot increase with display size, since the search must be parallel; second, the salience of the irrelevant distractor must not be compromised by characteristics of the search display. Contrary to the predictions of Theeuwes’s (2004) model, we provide evidence that involuntary capture can be overridden when both of these criteria are met. Our results are consistent with Bacon and Egeth’s proposal.
Developmental changes in the effects of serotonin on neurons in the region of the pedunculopontine nucleus.

Abstract The percent of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep decreases dramatically between 10 and 30 days postnatally in the rat. The pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) is known to modulate waking and REM sleep. We recorded intracellularly from 127 neurons in the PPN in 12–21-day rat brainstem slices maintained in warmed, oxygenated artificial cerebrospinal fluid. We identified three types of PPN neurons based on intrinsic membrane properties, type I (LTS), type II (A) and type III (A+LTS), as previously described. The percent of type I neurons increased from 6% at 12 days to 17% by 21 days, while the percent of type III neurons decreased from 21% at 12–17 days, to 4% after 17 days. Thus, PPN neurons may differentiate into type I bursting neurons and type II slow-firing neurons across this critical stage in development. The 5-HT1 receptor agonist 5-carboxyamido-tryptamine (5-CT) was found to hyperpolarize 58% of 12–16-day PPN neurons, did not affect 25% and depolarized 17%. However, a higher percentage of 17–21-day PPN neurons were hyperpolarized (85%), and a lower percentage unaffected (10%) or depolarized (5%), suggesting that serotonergic responses switched from both excitatory and inhibitory before, to almost purely inhibitory after, 17 days. These findings indicate a reorganization of PPN intrinsic membrane properties and serotonergic responses occur across this stage, in keeping with the proposed presence of a REM sleep inhibitory process during development. We suggest that disturbances in this developmental process may lead to disorders marked by increased REM sleep drive.
Nonclassic Actions of Vitamin D

Context: Vitamin D receptors are found in most tissues, not just those participating in the classic actions of vitamin D such as bone, gut, and kidney. These nonclassic tissues are therefore potential targets for the active metabolite of vitamin D, 1,25(OH)2D. Furthermore, many of these tissues also contain the enzyme CYP27B1 capable of producing 1,25(OH)2D from the circulating form of vitamin D. This review was intended to highlight the actions of 1,25(OH)2D in several of these tissues but starts with a review of vitamin D production, metabolism, and molecular mechanism. Evidence Acquisition: Medline was searched for articles describing actions of 1,25(OH)2D on parathyroid hormone and insulin secretion, immune responses, keratinocytes, and cancer. Evidence Synthesis: Vitamin D production in the skin provides an efficient source of vitamin D. Subsequent metabolism to 1,25(OH)2D within nonrenal tissues differs from that in the kidney. Although vitamin D receptor mediates the actions of 1,25(OH)2D, regulati...
Taxation: a neglected aspect of production economics.

The economics of taxation as a major element of agricultural policy is seldom analyzed, although taxation can be and is an important part of the agricultural policies of many nations. This paper describes some of the ways taxation policy can be employed to achieve a variety of public policy objectives. Using a production economics framework, the discussion indicates some of the consequences of viewing policy primarily in a taxation (or factor) dimension as opposed to a product dimension. LA F1SCALITE: UN ASPECT NEGLIGE DE ĽECONOMIE DE LA PRODUCTION–Ľeconomie de la fiscalite en tant qu'element important de la politique agricole est rarement analysee, bien que les impots puissent etre et sont un element important de la politique agricole de beaucoup de nations. Le present memoire decrit certains des moyens par lesquels la politique fiscale peut etre employee pour atteindre divers objectifs ďordre public. Utilisant le cadre de ľeconomie de la production, la discussion indique certaines des consequences de considerer la politique surtout dans une dimension fiscale (ou elementaire) par opposition a une dimension de produit.
Information processing with spectral decomposition of ultrafast pulses in the time-domain

ABSTRACT We describe novel methods fo r waveform synthesis and det ection relying on longitudinal spectral decomposition of sub-picosecond optical pulses. Optical processing is performed in both all-fiber and mixed fiber/free-space systems. Demonstrated applications include ultrafast optical waveform synthesis, microwave spectrum analysis, and high-speed electrical arbitrary waveform generation. The techniques have the potential for time bandwidth products  10 4 due to exclusive reliance on time-domain processi ng. We introduce the principles of operation and subsequently support these with results from our experimental systems. Both theory and experiments suggest third order dispersion as the principle limitation to large time-bandwidth products. Chirped fiber Bragg gratings offer a route to increasing the number of resolvable spots for use in high speed signal processing applications. Keywords: ultrafast, pulse shaping, microwave phot onics, Fourier optics, time space duality
Belief in Pain

Abstract There is a traditional view of pain as a conscious phenomenon which satisfies the following two principles at least: Pain is essentially a belief- or cognition-independent sensation, given for consciousness in an immediate way, and pain′s unitary physical base is responsible for both its phenomenal or felt qualities and it′s functional, causal features. These are "The Raw Feels Principle" (P) and "The Unity of Pain Principle" (Q). Each is shown to be implausible. Evidence comes from recent pain research in a number of dimensions. A further argument against The Unity of Pain Principle is constructed by analogy with facts about blindsight. The consequences of rejecting P or Q are examined in light of (i) the traditional epistemological role of pain as exemplar of sensations thought to be foundational for knowledge, (ii) the prospects of a modularity theory of the pain system, (iii) recent accounts of pain among contemporary philosophers, (iv) a naturalist and realist conception of pain, and (v) views about the status of Folk Psychology.
HIV-1 Matrix Binding to Model Membranes Investigated By Neutron Reflectivity: Electrostatics and Binding Orientation

The N-terminal Matrix (MA) domain of the HIV-1 Gag protein is responsible for binding the membrane during viral assembly. A basic patch of residues localized in the MA domain confers a strong electrostatic component to this binding interaction. Through mutagenesis the putative binding interface of MA has been mapped out, but not directly determined by experimental measurements. We present neutron reflectivity measurements that resolve the one dimensional scattering length density profile of MA bound to a lipid membrane. The model membrane system used maintained the anionic surface charge density of the native viral membrane. Molecular refinement using atomic structures of MA suggests an orientation of the protein on the membrane consistent with previous mutagenesis and electrostatic modeling studies. Remarkably the MA protein maintains this orientation without the presence of the post-translational myristate group. Furthermore MA is found to only peripherally penetrate the membrane headgroups by 4.8±1.2 A allowing only amino acid side chains to contact the lipid headgroups. Our results find that electrostatic interactions are sufficient to preserve the correct binding motif of MA with the viral membrane.
CONTINUOUS ACTION OF LIE GROUPS ON ℝn AND FRAMES

Wavelet and frames have become a widely used tool in mathematics, physics, and applied science during the last decade. In this paper we discuss the construction of frames for L2(ℝn) using the action of closed reductive subgroups H ⊆ GL(n,ℝ) such that H has an open orbit in ℝn under the action (h,ω) ↦ (h-1)T(ω). In particular, we show that if is an affine symmetric space, then there is a canonical way to construct frames.
From rule to response: neuronal processes in the premotor and prefrontal cortex.

The ability to use abstract rules or principles allows behavior to generalize from specific circumstances (e.g., rules learned in a specific restaurant can subsequently be applied to any dining exp...
Insulin-like growth factor-I is an osmoprotectant in human neuroblastoma cells

Abstract A role in neuronal homeostasis is suggested by the persistent expression of the insulin-like growth factors in the adult nervous system. SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells, a well-characterized in vitro model of human neurons, were used to investigate the effects of hyperosmotic stress on neurons. Neuronal DNA fragmentation was detected within 1 h and pyknotic nuclei were apparent in attached cells after 12 h of hyperosmotic stress. In parallel, flow cytometry measurements revealed a sudden increase in the rate of cells irreversibly undergoing programmed cell death after 12 h of hyperosmotic exposure. Insulin-like growth factor-I delayed the onset of a laddered DNA fragmentation pattern for 24 h and provided continuing protection against hyperosmotic exposure for 72 h. Amino acid uptake was decreased in hyperosmotic medium even in the presence of insulin-like growth factor-I; the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide neither prevented the induction of programmed cell death nor interfered with the ability of insulin-like growth factor-I to act as an osmoprotectant in hyperosmotic medium. Cysteine and serine protease inhibitors each prevented DNA fragmentation under hyperosmotic conditions, suggesting that the osmoprotectant activity of insulin-like growth factor-I involves the suppression of protease activity. Collectively, these results indicate that insulin-like growth factor-I limits the death of neurons under stressful environmental conditions, suggesting that it may provide a candidate therapy in the treatment of hyperosmolar coupled neurological injury.
Manifest Lorentz invariance sometimes requires non-linearity☆

Abstract Manifestly Lorentz-invariant actions for self-dual antisymmetric-tensor gauge fields are found by using cubic Lagrange-multiplier terms. The Lagrange-multiplier fields are not dynamical, and can be eliminated to obtain a quadratic light-cone action.
Effects of the anesthetic dibucaine on the kinetics of the gel-liquid crystalline transition of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine multilamellar vesicles

The effects of the anesthetic dibucaine on the relaxation kinetics of the gel-liquid crystalline transition of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DC16PC) multilamellar vesicles have been investigated using volume-perturbation calorimetry. The temperature and pressure responses to a periodic volume perturbation were measured in real time. Data collected in the time domain were subsequently converted into and analyzed in the frequency domain using Fourier series representations of the perturbation and response functions. The Laplace transform of the classical Kolmogorov-Avrami kinetic relation was employed to describe the relaxation dynamics in the frequency domain. The relaxation time of anesthetic-lipid mixtures, as a function of the fractional degree of melting, appears to be qualitatively similar to that of pure lipid systems, with a pronounced maximum, tau max, observed at a temperature corresponding to greater than 75% melting. The tau max decreases by a factor of approximately 2 as the nominal anesthetic/lipid mole ratio increases from 0 to 0.013 and exhibits no further change as the nominal anesthetic/lipid mole ratio is increased. However, the fractional dimensionality of the relaxation process decreases monotonically from slightly less than two to approximately one as the anesthetic/lipid mole ratio increases from 0 to 0.027. At higher ratios, the dimensionality appears to be less than one. These results are interpreted in terms of the classical kinetic theory and related to those obtained from Monte Carlo simulations. Specifically, low concentrations of dibucaine appear to reduce the average cluster size and cause the fluctuating lipid clusters to become more ramified. At the highest concentration of dibucaine, where n
HYPERFINE STRUCTURE AND OCTOPOLE INTERACTION IN STABLE BROMINE ISOTOPES

The atomic-beam magnetic-resonance method has been used to measure the hyperfine structure of the $^{2}P_{\frac{3}{2}}$ ground state of ${\mathrm{Br}}^{79}$ and ${\mathrm{Br}}^{81}$. The values obtained for the nuclear dipole, quadrupole, and octopole constants, uncorrected for second-order perturbations, are in cps: The positive value of the nuclear dipole moment has been confirmed.
Social skill imbalances in mood disorders and schizophrenia

Social skills traditionally have been conceptualized as a global construct with a linear relationship to clinical symptoms (i.e., more severe symptoms lead to greater social skill deficits). Using a multidimensional model of social skills, we define social skill imbalance as an extreme score (too high or too low) on any one or more dimensions in relation to the other social skill dimensions. We examined whether social skill imbalances, not simply deficits, may be important correlates of clinical symptoms. This study explored the relation between self-reported possession of social/communication skills and symptom severity in an outpatient sample (N = 72) at a community mental health center. Participants with social skill imbalances scored higher in self-reported symptom severity. Results suggest that social skill imbalances, not merely deficits, may be important indicators of clinical distress. Behavioral interventions that bring extreme skill dimensions into balance with other social skills may be an important addition to social skills training that focuses on improving overall social skill deficits. 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Cloning, sequencing and expression of a full-length rabbit fast skeletal troponin-C cDNA.

Abstract A full-length cDNA coding for troponin-C isolated from an adult rabbit fast skeletal muscle library has been sequenced and expressed in an E. coli host. The amino acid sequence derived from the coding region agrees with the published protein sequence except that the first two residues are reversed. The expressed protein was found to be identical to purified rabbit skeletal troponin-C based on electrophoretic mobilities in polyacrylamide gels containing either SDS or urea, and on immunoblotting. These results establish that our troponin-C cDNA clone is suitable for site-directed mutagenesis studies on the structure and function of troponin-C
The Relationship of Egg Cholesterol to Serum Cholesterol, Serum Calcium, Feed Consumption, and Dietary Cholecalciferol

Hy-Line W36 hens, 20 wk of age, were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments consisting of cholecalciferol at (0, 550, or 2,750 IU/kg of finished feed). Serum calcium and cholesterol, yolk cholesterol, and egg specific gravity were measured. Feed consumption, egg production, and egg weight measurements were also recorded. Feed consumption, egg production, and egg weights were initially reduced when cholecalciferol was omitted from the diet. These effects disappeared by the beginning of the fourth 28-d period. Egg cholesterol concentrations among treatments followed no consistent pattern. A positive correlation was noted between serum calcium and serum cholesterol.
Why did forecasters fail to predict the 1990 recession

Abstract This paper examines the forecasts that were prepared prior to and during the early stages of the recession that occurred in 1990 in the United States. It examines the characteristics of those forecasts, the data that were available and attempts to determine why the forecast errors occurred. Private sector and public sector predictions are compared and the possibility of rational forecast bias is investigated. We conclude that data problems might have contributed to the forecast errors and suggest that individuals might have been able to predict this recession.
Unexplained sudden amnesia.

Background In almost all cases of acute, sudden, persistent amnesia, the cause can be determined. Ischemic stroke, hypoglycemia, syncope, and seizure are the most likely causes. Patients and Methods In a clinical study, 2 elderly men are described in which sudden, permanent amnesia developed in the absence of a satisfactory explanation. In 1 case, a neuropathologic study disclosed Alzheimer disease; in the other, magnetic resonance imaging showed a temporal lobe abnormality bilaterally. Results A man aged 80 years suddenly lost his memory of the previous 60 years. Neuropathologic study 5 years later showed the changes of Alzheimer disease. In the second case a disabling amnesia developed overnight in a man aged 70 years. There was no progression of the disabling amnesia in the next 15 years. Magnetic resonance imaging 10 years from the onset showed abnormality of the medial temporal lobe bilaterally. Conclusions In neither case was the amnesia satisfactorily explained. It is likely that rare cases of amnesia occur as the result of an unrecognized pathophysiologic process.
Student demographic characteristics and how they relate to student achievement

Abstract In higher education, student performance in many classes still is not at the expected level. Numerous research has been conducted on how test scores and demographic characteristics correlate to academic performance. The purpose of this study is to determine what factors are predictors of success. Therefore the study will look at college COMPASS placement and exit scores, SAT scores, and high school GPA. A demographic inventory will be used to depict the background education of the students. The study will aim to establish correlations between the test scores, the demographic characteristics of the students, and end of semester grades. © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.