cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A VIBRATIONAL MODEL OF OPEN CELLED POLYURETHANE FOAM AUTOMOTIVE SEAT CUSHIONS

Abstract A mechanistic model of a seat cushion is developed. The work relates the kinematic motion of the seat to the geometric and constitutive properties of the cellular foam used in the seat. The model includes the influence of pneumatic damping caused by friction between the gas within the open-celled foam and matrix polymer. A continuous shape function is introduced to characterize the piecewise continuous stress–strain characteristic of flexible open–celled foam. After some simplification, a non-linear dynamic automotive seat cushion model is derived, which relies explicitly on the constitutive properties of polyurethane foams and on the geometry of the seat cushion. Experimental and analytical models of the two automotive seats are compared to verify the model. The comparisons indicate that the new model is able to predict the dynamic performance of an automotive seat cushion with fidelity.
Trichinella spiralis: phospholipase in sensitized mice after challenge.

Mice given three sensitizing infections with Trichinella spiralis and then challenged with 400 larvae showed greatly elevated phospholipase B levels in the small intestine from one through 20 days after challenge; by 25 days after challenge, the enzyme level approached that of the uninfected controls. The high enzyme levels were accompanied, after a lag in time, by greatly increased numbers of eosinophils in the bone marrow. Increases of eosinophils strikingly above those in uninfected controls were noted from 11 through 20 days after challenge. The enzyme and eosinophil increases were parallel to the time course of the intestinal inflammatory response described in a previous study of sensitized mice of about the same age challenged with the same number of larvae. The results are consistent with our hypothesis that inflammation, elevated enzyme levels, and increased production of eosinophils are causally related.
Conceptualization of a new stroke-specific outcome measure: the stroke impact scale

AbstractCurrent stroke outcome measures are unable to detect some consequences of stroke that affect patients, families, and providers. The objective of this study was to ensure the content validity of a new stroke outcome measure. This was a qualitative study using individual interviews with patients and focus group interviews with patients, caregivers, and health care professionals. Participants included 30 individuals with mild and moderate stroke, 23 caregivers, and 9 stroke experts. Qualitative analysis of the individual and focus group interviews generated a list of potential items. Consensus panels reviewed the potential items, established domains for the measure, developed item scales, and decided on mechanisms for administration and scoring. Although the participants with stroke appeared highly recovered based on scores from conventional stroke assessments (Barthel Index and NIH Stroke Scale), stroke survivors and their caregivers identified numerous persisting impairments, disabilities, and hand...
CD8 + T cells maintain tolerance to myelin basic protein by 'epitope theft'

Myelin basic protein-specific CD8(+) T cells can induce central nervous system autoimmunity; however, immune tolerance prevents these autoreactive cells from causing disease. To define the mechanisms that mediate tolerance, we developed two T cell receptor-transgenic mouse lines with different affinities for the H-2K(k)-restricted myelin basic protein epitope consisting of amino acids 79-87 (MBP(79-87)). We observed both thymic deletion and peripheral tolerance in the lower-affinity T cells. The higher-affinity T cells, however, showed no evidence of tolerance induction and were able to prevent tolerance of the lower-affinity T cells by removing H-2K(k)-MBP(79-87) complexes from antigen-presenting cells without proliferating. This form of immune regulation could limit responses of self-reactive T cells that escape other tolerance mechanisms.
Clutch production in the darter Etheostoma lynceum and its implications for life‐history study

We tested two hypotheses that describe previously untested assumptions about the appropriate stage(s) for use in determining clutch sizes in darters. Three sequential stages of clutch/ovarian development are recognized: mature oocyte/ovary, ripening oocytc/ovary, and ripe oocyte/ovary. Mean ratios of clutch size to female length (relative clutch size, RCS) were significantly smaller and variances of RCS were significantly greater in ripe females when compared to mature and ripening females. Correlation coefficients for the relationship between clutch size and standard length (S.L.) were significantly greater for mature and ripening females than for ripe females. Mean clutch size, adjusted for the S.L. covariate, was significantly greater in mature and ripening females than in ripe females. Thus, we conclude that counts of eggs from ripe females yield fecundity estimates that are lower and more variable than estimates from counts of oocytes from mature and ripening females collected at the same time. Based on this conclusion, we discuss methods for developing fecundity estimates in darters. Our results may be broadly applicable to other taxa of fishes with group-synchronous ovum development.
A simple pulsed field gradient circuit for high resolution NMR spectrometers

Abstract A circuit and minor spectrometer modifications to allow Y axis field gradient pulses to be produced via the Y shim current supply of a Bruker HFX-90 high resolution NMR spectrometer are described. The field gradients generated are suitable for homogeneity spoiling applications in measurements of the nuclear spin-lattice relaxation time T 1 by the inversion recovery, saturation recovery, and 90°-(homogeneity spoil)-90°- T pulse sequences. The formation of echoes through refocusing of the transverse magnetization by the field gradient pulse is discussed, and means for suppressing this echo formation are outlined.
Location-constrained survivable network virtualization

Network virtualization is regarded as a promising solution to the revolution of the current Internet. With virtualization, disruptive technologies can be easily deployed over the logic (service) network and transparently mapped to the physical network via the network embedding process. In this work, we address the survivability issue in the virtualization context via resolving the survivable network embedding problem. Particularly, we investigate the impact of the location-awareness and study the resulted problem, namely, location-constrained survivable network embedding (LSNE) problem. For the first time, we present an Integer Linear Programming (ILP) model to achieve joint optimal resource allocation for both the working and backup demand. For large-scale problems, we propose an efficient heuristic algorithm, which is shown to be close to the optimal results from the ILP.
Insect–Human Hybrid Eye (IHHE): an adaptive optofluidic lens combining the structural characteristics of insect and human eyes

Insect compound eyes and human camera eyes are two exquisite optical systems created by nature. The compound eye boasts an angle of view (AOV) up to 180° thanks to its hemispherical arrangement of hundreds of prime microscale lenses. The camera eye, on the other hand, can change shape to focus on objects at various depths, yet accepts light within a smaller AOV. Imitations of either imaging system have been abundant but with limited success. Here, we describe a reconfigurable polymeric optofluidic device that combines the architectural merits of both vision mechanisms, featuring a large AOV (up to 120°) with adaptive focusing capabilities (from 0 to 275 diopter (D)). This device consists of bi-layered microfluidics: an array of millimeter-sized fluidic lenses is integrated into the top layer and arranged on an elastomeric membrane embedded within the bottom layer. The membrane can be deformed from a planar surface into a series of dome-shaped geometries, rearranging individual fluidic lenses in desired curvilinear layouts. Meanwhile, each fluidic lens can vary its radius of curvature for a monocular depth sensation. Such a design presents a new perspective of tunable optofluidics for a broad range of applications, such as robotic vision and medical laparoendoscopy, where adaptive focalization with a large viewing angle is a clear advantage.
Adding robustness to linear planning models through simulation

Abstract The planning community concerned with subjective land evaluation criteria can benefit from an iterative simulation model based on a modification of the Kane Simulation language (KSIM). Within a linear planning model designed to protect prime agricultural lands, procedure implementation demonstrates promise for future applications. The interaction matrix is useful for refining factor selection and weighting and for incorporation of factor interactions within weights. Model temporality aids in determining proper planning strategies by allowing examination of future implications and permitting adjustments prior to policy implementation. To implement the model consistently and efficiently, further refinement is necessary. Some method of factor reduction prior to application of the cross-impact matrix is necessary to reduce model development time, to eliminate extensive explanations of the KSIM graphics, and to promote general model understanding.
Ammonia fixation by humic substances : a nitrogen-15 and carbon-13 NMR study

Abstract The process of ammonia fixation has been studied in three well characterized and structurally diverse fulvic and humic acid samples. The Suwannee River fulvic acid, and the IHSS peat and leonardite humic acids, were reacted with 15N-labelled ammonium hydroxide, and analyzed by liquid phase 15N NMR spectrometry. Elemental analyses and liquid phase 13C NMR spectra also were recorded on the samples before and after reaction with ammonium hydroxide. The largest increase in percent nitrogen occurred with the Suwannee River fulvic acid, which had a nitrogen content of 0.88% before fixation and 3.17% after fixation. The 15N NMR spectra revealed that ammonia reacted similarly with all three samples, indicating that the functional groups which react with ammonia exist in structural configurations common to all three samples. The majority of nitrogen incorporated into the samples appears to be in the form of indole and pyrrole nitrogen, followed by pyridine, pyrazine, amide and aminohydroquinone nitrogen. Chemical changes in the individual samples upon fixation could not be discerned from the 13C NMR spectra.
A 96-well filtration method for radioligand binding analysis of σ receptor ligands.

Abstract σ receptors represent a potential drug target for numerous therapeutic indications including cancer, depression, psychostimulant abuse, and stroke. Most published radioligand binding studies for σ receptors utilize a low throughput method employing a “cell harvester.” Higher throughput methods are required to facilitate efficient screening of large numbers of novel compounds. In this study, a series of reference compounds was analyzed with a new medium-throughput 96-well filtration method and the results were compared to those obtained using the conventional cell harvester-based method. The 96-well assay utilized rat liver membranes for the determination of both known σ receptor subtypes (σ 1 and σ 2 ) because this tissue contains high densities of both subtypes and fulfills criteria required for reliable use with the 96-well format. The new method gave comparable K i values for reference ligands analyzed in parallel with samples prepared in rat brain membranes and processed on the traditional cell harvester. For σ 1 receptors, equivalent affinity values were observed for both methods/tissues. For σ 2 receptors, approximately 2-fold higher affinities were observed for most compounds in liver, as compared to brain membranes, but excellent correlation with brain-derived values was maintained. To further demonstrate the utility of the new method it was used to screen a novel series of 2(3H)-benzothiazolone compounds, resulting in the identification of several analogues with nanomolar affinity and greater than 50-fold specificity for σ 1 versus σ 2 receptors.
Anomalous effective charges and far-IR optical absorption of Al2Ru from first principles.

For the orthorhombic intermetallic semiconductor Al{sub 2}Ru, the band structure, valence charge density, zone-center optical-phonon frequencies, and Born effective-charge and electronic dielectric tensors are calculated using variational density-functional perturbation theory with {ital ab} {ital initio} pseudopotentials and a plane-wave basis set. Good agreement is obtained with recent measurements on polycrystalline samples, which showed anomalously strong far-IR absorption by optical phonons, while analysis of the valence charge density shows that the static ionic charges of Al and Ru are negligible. Hybridization is proposed as the single origin both of the semiconducting gap and the anomalous Born effective charges. Analogous behavior is expected in related compounds such as NiSnZr, PbTe, skutterudites, and Al-transition-metal quasicrystals. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}
STIM1 triggers a gating rearrangement at the extracellular mouth of the ORAI1 channel

The plasma membrane Ca2+ channel ORAI1 is gated directly by the ER-resident protein STIM1. Here Gudlur et al. show that STIM1 elicits conformational changes near the extracellular opening of the channel, involving the Ca2+-binding residue E106 and the pore-lining residue V102, which forms a barrier to ion conduction in the closed state.
Furedy's Straw Man: Wrong Purpose

Furedy's (1989) characterization of the control system mode of analysis as a teleological form of explanation is based on a definition of purpose that is not used in my paper (Pavloski, 1989). He incorrectly describes reactivity as a controlled variable or condition, and incorrectly describes the control system error theory as not being falsifiable while ignoring the specific testing procedures proposed. His characterization of my diagram of a control system (Figure 1 in Pavloski, 1989) misrepresents the description given in the body of the paper: it is a diagram of cause-effect relationships that when physically realized produce covariation of a reference signal and a controlled condition; it is not merely a restatement of observations (such as a stated relationship between motivation and performance). Finally, he misrepresents the attempts of theoreticians who attempt to explain emotion and motivation within the context of a mechanism that behaves.
Emergency Nursing and Medical Error—A Survey of Two States

Introduction This study describes issues concerning emergency nurses in 2 states and their experiences and perspectives regarding the recognition, reporting, and resolution of medical error. Methods To illustrate the issues involved in medical error reporting in this clinical specialty, a written survey of emergency nurses was conducted for the purpose of evaluating current practice of reporting medical error in the emergency department. Results There is little evidence that practical advice and guidance exist for nurses in general and for emergency nurses in particular regarding the issue of medical error recognition, reporting, and resolution. Clinicians are reluctant to report medical error in the structure and framework that is being used currently. Discussion There is a need for a practiced, standardized approach to medical error reporting that includes improved teamwork, conflict resolution, and appropriate reporting methodology education that should be paired with mandatory reporting laws.
Effects of confinement on mean excitation energy

The effects of confinement on the mean excitation energy of atoms and molecules is discussed in the context of a jellium ellipsoid cavity model. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 82: 277–281, 2001
Exciton localization probed via excited-state resonant impulsive stimulated Raman spectroscopy

We probe the transition from a delocalized to a localized electronic state in a quasi-one-dimensional system by the change in vibrational frequency detected by resonant impulsive Raman excitation of the excited state in a pump-pump-probe measurement.
A Motivational Intervention for Adolescent Smokers

Motivational interviewing (MI) is a brief psychotherapeutic intervention to increase the likelihood of a client's considering, initiating, and maintaining specific change strategies to reduce harmful behavior. MI is founded on principles of motivational psychology, client-centered therapy, and stages of change in natural recovery from addiction. Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) embeds MI within a structured format of standardized intake assessment, personalized feedback of testing results, and follow-up interview to facilitate treatment outcome evaluation. This paper presents research evidence for the efficacy of MET, a description of the methods and goals of MI counseling approach, and the rationale for MET as an appropriate brief intervention for adolescents. Specific recommendations for application of MI to adolescent smokers are offered.
Knee arthrodesis using an intramedullary nail.

Abstract Fifteen knee arthrodeses using an intramedullary nail were performed in 15 patients. Indications included 11 failed total knee arthroplasties (10 of 11 septic). A retrospective review revealed 100% fusion rate. Complications included 4 cases of painful hardware, 1 trochanteric bursitis, and 1 deep infection. Ten patients were available for assessment at 7 years follow-up. Average leg length discrepancy was 3.7 cm. Anatomic axis averaged 1.3° valgus. Flexion angle averaged 3.5°. Compared with age-matched controls, our patients fared significantly worse in physical functioning, physical role, bodily pain, vitality, and social functioning. Arthrodesis of the knee with an intramedullary nail provides a reliable means of fusion with reasonable alignment. These patients have high rates of pain and diminished functional status.
FEAR OF CRIME AMONG THE ELDERLY AS PERSON/ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION*

Despite lower victimization, older people express greater fear of crime. The causes and consequences of such fear are investigated for a 1980 sample of 1,185 persons aged 60+. Fear of crime is a response to both personal vulnerability and locational cues. Fear reduces subjective well-being, but has little relation to activity patterns. While social resources have little bearing on fear of crime and its consequences, variations by sex and personal competence are apparent. These reflect the role of coping resources and environmental docility.
Frequency Domain Storage

The main features of a non-volatile, optical storage scheme which has the potential of storing on the order of thousands of data bits in the frequency domain (f) are described. The frequency dimension can be used independently of the two or three spatial dimensions thus creating a three dimensional x,y,f- or a four dimensional holographic storage scheme. This frequency multiplexing method can, in principle, lead to an increase in storage densities of two or three orders of magnitude. The described scheme is based on a method of laser photochemistry which is known as photochemical hole burning (PHB); its limitations lie in the nature of the low temperature photochemistry as will be discussed in some detail.© (1979) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Reduced-order models, canonical forms and observers†

This paper considers the conditions under which one can model the system's output, or any other transformation of the state, by a model of reduced-order. It is shown that a model of the same dimension as the output vector is possible to obtain only under very restrictive conditions with strong implications. When a more general model is attempted it leads to the development of a new canonical form for linear dynamic systems with a scalar output. It is further shown that every such canonical form has an observer embedded in its structure whose elements can be picked out by inspection.
The NIH translational research center might trade public risk for private reward

The new National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences planned for the US National Institutes of Health intends to help transform biological findings into new therapeutic products. But if taxpayer funding of risky biomedical research translates into lucrative new medicines, the public should share in the economic benefits as well.
The Scattering of Mesotrons in Tungsten

Measurements of the scattering of mesotrons have been made with a 30-cm counter-controlled cloud chamber in a 12,900-oersted magnetic field. The scattering block consisted of 3.8 cm of tungsten, and the lowest Geiger-Mueller counter was mounted directly over the center of the tungsten. Scattering angle and curvature measurements were made on 359 tracks. In addition, there were 92 high energy tracks with a deflection too small to be measurable. The scattering angles varied from 0 to 18.7\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}, and the mean energies $\overline{E}$ were nearly all less than 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{9}$ ev. The values of the product $\overline{E}\ensuremath{\theta}$ varied from zero to a maximum of 13.7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{9}$ ev degrees. These results confirm Williams' prediction of a Gaussian distribution of multiple scattering. A number of cases of anomalous large-angle scattering were obtained, as contrasted with the single case of large-angle scattering observed by Wilson, establishing a departure at these angles from the Gaussian law. This further substantiates Williams' theory with reference to large-angle scattering caused by nuclear forces. The mean value of the multiple electrical scattering calculated from Wilson's equation is 2.2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{9}$ ev degrees for this experimental arrangement, which compares with the experimental value of 2.14\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{9}$. This very satisfactory agreement supports Williams' assumption that the main force responsible for the Gaussian part of the scattering is that arising from the electric charges of the mesotron and of the nucleus.
Association of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 and its activator p35 with apoptotic cell death

We have investigated the role of cyclin-dependent kinases in cell death and found that the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) is associated with apoptotic cell death in both adult and embryonic tissues. By double labeling immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy, we specifically associated the expression of Cdk5 to dying cells. The association of Cdks with cell death is unique to Cdk5 as this association is not found with the other Cdks (Cdk 1-8) and cell death. The differential increase in Cdk5 expression is at the level of protein only, and no differences can be detected at the level of mRNA Using both limbs of mutant mice detective in the pattern of interdigital cell death and limbs with increased interdigital cell death by retinoic acid treatment, we confirmed the specificity of Cdk5 protein expression in dying cells. To investigate the regulation of Cdk5 during cell death, we examined the expression of a regulatory protein of Cdk5, p35, and found p35 to be expressed in the dying cells as well. Similar to Cdk5, there is also no specific differential expression of the p35 mRNA in dying cells. Our results suggest a role for Cdk5 and p35 proteins in cell death. This protein complex may function in the rearrangement of the cytoskeleton during apoptosis.
Identification of Outliers in Multivariate Data

Abstract New insights are given into why the problem of detecting multivariate outliers can be difficult and why the difficulty increases with the dimension of the data. Significant improvements in methods for detecting outliers are described, and extensive simulation experiments demonstrate that a hybrid method extends the practical boundaries of outlier detection capabilities. Based on simulation results and examples from the literature, the question of what levels of contamination can be detected by this algorithm as a function of dimension, computation time, sample size, contamination fraction, and distance of the contamination from the main body of data is investigated. Software to implement the methods is available from the authors and STATLIB.
Uniform distribution of epithelial stem cells in the bulbar conjunctiva.

Purpose To determine the distribution of epithelial stem cells in the bulbar conjunctiva by measuring homeostatic movements and mitosis of epithelial cells in this region. Methods The ubiquitous GFP mouse was used to monitor movement of conjunctival epithelial cells. Cell movement was determined by histology, analyzing the shape and distribution of GFP cell clusters in flat wholemount specimens, and by in vivo time-lapse microscopy, tracking the movement of GFP-positive cells in the bulbar conjunctiva near the limbus. Mitoses were determined by labeling DNA of adult mice with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) for 3 days. Label-retaining cells (LRCs) were determined by a pulse label of newborn mice with BrdU, followed by a chase of 6 to 7 weeks. Results Similar to the corneal epithelium, only some of the conjunctival epithelial cells expressed a high level of GFP. Histology showed that GFP-positive cells existed as clusters of several to several dozen cells. No stripe pattern of GFP was observed in any part of the conjunctiva, suggesting that directed cell movement was rare or nonexistent. Time-lapse analyses revealed that none of the tracked GFP clusters exhibited a continuous and directed movement and that most GFP clusters were stationary for several weeks and much longer in some occasions. BrdU labeling showed that GFP-positive cells in this region were mitotically active. BrdU pulse-chase experiments demonstrated that LRCs were distributed uniformly in this region. Conclusions Epithelial cells of the bulbar conjunctiva near the limbus are mitotically active and yet they are generally immobile in a lateral direction, indicating that these cells are self-sufficient. These results, combined with the uniform distribution of LRCs, suggest that epithelial stem cells are distributed uniformly in this area.
Uncertainties of an Automated Optical 3D Geometry Measurement, Modeling, and Analysis Process for Mistuned IBR Reverse Engineering

An automated reverse engineering process is developed that uses a structured light optical measurement system to collect dense point cloud geometry representations. The modeling process is automated through integration of software for point cloud processing, reverse engineering, solid model creation, grid generation, and structural solution. Process uncertainties are quantified on a calibration block and demonstrated on an academic transonic integrally bladed rotor. These uncertainties are propagated through physics-based models to assess impacts on predicted modal and mistuned forced response. Process details are discussed and recommendations made on reducing uncertainty. Reverse engineered parts averaged a deviation of 0.0002 in. (5 μm) which did not significantly impact low and mid-range frequency responses. High frequency modes were found to be sensitive to these uncertainties demonstrating the need for future refinement of reverse engineering processes.© 2013 ASME
Evolutionary Implications of Herbivory on Vernonia (Compositae)

A field insect feeding experiment was conducted with two species ofVernonia which produce the sesquiterpene lactone glaucolide-A, one species which does not contain this bitter compound, and two F1 hybrid combinations. Also, naturalVernonia populations were observed over a two year period for their degree of herbivory. Contrary to the pattern observed in laboratory feeding preference tests,Vernonia flaccidifolia, the species lacking sesquiterpene lactones, was consistently fed upon less by insects than wereV. gigantea andV. glauca. Even though glaucolide-A appears to adequately protect some Vernonias against herbivores, especially mammals,Vernonia flaccidifolia has lost this compound. ApparentlyV. flaccidifolia has evolved an alternative defensive mechanism which is more effective against insects but less effective against mammalian herbivores.
Gravitational wave perturbations and gauge conditions

We numerically evolve initial data modeling gravitational wave perturbations about a background Kasner cosmology. We examine the gravitational waves present in the initial data, and show that these inhomogeneities on the initial slice are not merely gauge effects. The evolution of these gravitational waves is gauge dependent, but we are able to separate the effects of the gauge terms from the true decay rate of the perturbations.
Blocking microsomal triglyceride transfer protein interferes with apoB secretion without causing retention or stress in the ER

Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) is an intraluminal protein in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that is essential for the assembly of apolipoprotein B (apoB)-containing lipoproteins. In this study, we examine how the livers of mice respond to two distinct methods of blocking MTP function: Cre-mediated disruption of the gene for MTP and chemical inhibition of MTP activity. Blocking MTP significantly reduced plasma levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, and apoB-containing lipoproteins in both wild-type C57BL/6 and LDL receptor-deficient mice. While treating LDL receptor-deficient mice with an MTP inhibitor for 7 days lowered plasma lipids to control levels, liver triglyceride levels were increased by only 4-fold. Plasma levels of apoB-100 and apoB-48 fell by >90% and 65%, respectively, but neither apoB isoform accumulated in hepatic microsomes. Surprisingly, loss of MTP expression was associated with a nearly complete absence of apoB-100 in hepatic microsomes. Levels of microsomal luminal chaperone proteins [e.g., protein disulfide isomerase, glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), and GRP94] and cytosolic heat shock proteins (HSPs) (e.g., HSP60, HSC, HSP70, and HSP90) were unaffected by MTP inhibition. These findings show that the liver responds rapidly to inhibition of MTP by degrading apoB and preventing its accumulation in the ER. The rapid degradation of secretion-incompetent apoB in the ER may block the induction of proteins associated with unfolded protein and heat shock responses.
Perception and short-term storage in dichotic listening performance

Alternative hypotheses have been put forward to account for order-effect in dichotic listening performance. One of these involves a distinction between perceptual and short-term storage mechanisms, the other requires only different storage mechanisms. If the distinction between perception and storage may be regarded as related to the difference between activity traces and structural traces, then the repeated digit series technique devised by Hebb (1961) offers a means of testing these alternatives. Results suggest that a single, rather than a dual mechanism underlies order-effect in the sequential recall of simultaneous stimuli.
Design of a Case Management Approach to Enhance Cancer Screening Trial Retention Among Older African American Men

Purpose:The purpose of this study was to enhance retention among African American men enrolled in a cancer screening trial. Design and Methods:A telephonebased, randomized trial design was used. Th...
Incipient adult personality: The NEO-PI-3 in middle-school-aged children

This study administered the NEO Personality Inventory-3 (NEO-PI-3), a more readable version of an adult measure of the Five-Factor Model, to 449 boys and girls aged 12 and 13, who described themselves or a peer. Analyses of readability, reliability, factor structure, and convergent and discriminant validity suggested that the NEO-PI-3 can be appropriately used in this age group. Personality traits in children of this age closely resemble in structure and functioning the traits of older adolescents and adults. Most gender differences known from studies of adults are found in this age group, and mean levels show continuity with older groups. The NEO-PI-3 appears to be a useful instrument for research, and potentially for clinical applications, in middle-school-aged children.
PROGRAMMED CELL DEATH IN PLANT-PATHOGEN INTERACTIONS

Plants cope with pathogen attacks by using mechanisms of resistance that rely both on preformed protective defenses and on inducible defenses. The latter are the most well studied, and progress is being made in determining which induced responses are responsible for limiting pathogen growth. Many plant-pathogen interactions are accompanied by plant cell death. Recent evidence suggests that this cell death is often programmed and results from an active process on the part of the host. The review considers the roles and possible mechanisms of plant cell death in response to pathogens.
The effect of small field output factor measurements on IMRT dosimetry

Purpose: To evaluate how changes in the measured small field output factors affect the doses in intensity-modulated treatment planning. Methods: IMRT plans were created using Philips Pinnacle treatment planning system. The plans were optimized to treat a cylindrical target 2 cm in diameter and 2 cm in length. Output factors for 2 × 2 and 3 × 3 cm2field sizes were changed by ±5%, ±10%, and ±20% increments from the baseline measurements and entered into the planning system. The treatment units were recommissioned in the treatment planning system after each modification of the output factors and treatment plans were reoptimized. All plans were delivered to a solid water phantom and dose measurements were made using an ionization chamber. The percentage differences between measured and computed doses were calculated. An Elekta Synergy and a Varian 2300CD linear accelerator were separately evaluated. Results: For the Elekta unit, decreasing the output factors resulted in higher measured than computed doses by 0.8% for −5%, 3.6% for −10%, and 8.7% for −20% steps. Increasing the output factors resulted in lower doses by 2.9% for +5%, 5.4% for +10%, and 8.3% for +20% steps. For the Varian unit no changes were observed for either increased or decreased output factors. Conclusions: The measurement accuracy of small field output factors are of importance especially when the treatment plan consists of small segments as in IMRT. The method proposed here could be used to verify the accuracy of the measured small field output factors for certain linear accelerators as well as to test the beam model. The Pinnacle treatment planning system model uses output factors as a function of jaw setting. Consequently, plans using the Elekta unit, which conforms the jaws to the segments, are sensitive to small field measurement accuracy. On the other hand, for the Varian unit, jaws are fixed and segments are modeled as blocked fields hence, the impact of small field output factors on IMRT monitor unit calculation is not evaluable by this method.
Ovarian cycle–linked changes in GABA A receptors mediating tonic inhibition alter seizure susceptibility and anxiety

Ovarian cycle–linked changes in GABA A receptors mediating tonic inhibition alter seizure susceptibility and anxiety
Seepage into ditches in the case of a plane water table and an impervious substratum

It is shown how the quantity of water seeping from a plane water table into equally spaced ditches with vertical walls may be computed by considering the ditch problem as a special case of an auger hole problem, already solved. Streamlines, distribution of hydraulic head, and the seepage rate into unit length of ditch are computed. The computed seepage rate does not account for drawdown of water table around the ditch and therefore represents a maximum value. Applications are discussed and a result compared with the work of Nelson-Skorniakov [1940].
Impact of Substance Abuse on the Course and Outcome of Schizophrenia

Numerous pharmacological agents have been shown to have powerful effects on cognitive behavior. Schizophrenia-like reactions have been reported in some instances. There have also been persistent reports of drug abuse among psychiatric patients before and during hospitalization. These phenomena have led to speculation that psychoactive substances are affecting the course and outcome of psychiatric illnesses, and in particular, schizophrenia. This report first reviews the evidence for psychotomimetic effects of various drugs, and then focuses on reports of the effect that substance abuse has on the course of schizophrenia and long-term outcome. The evidence to date indicates that there is a need for a large epidemiologicaJ analysis of the interplay between drug abuse and schizophrenia as well as more intensive case studies of afflicted individuals. This discussion concludes with suggestions for improved research methods and two designs for future investigations.
High throughput JPEG2000 compatible encoder for high dynamic range images

This paper describes a high throughput encoder for high dynamic range (HDR) images that is compatible with the JPEG2000 engine. A nine-level Reinhard-like tone mapping operator is used to calculate a local illumination estimate around each pixel in the image. Both, the local illumination estimate and the tone mapped pixel streams are sent to the JPEG2000 engine for compression. When tested with HDR images and video, the encoder gave high quality output images with high peak signal-to-noise ratios for a compression rate of 4.8 bits per pixel (bpp). The encoder was implemented on a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and has high enough throughput to support a system processing 1024x768 images of 96 bpp at a rate of 60 frames per second.
Nutrition Education Among Low-Income Older Adults: A Randomized Intervention Trial in Congregate Nutrition Sites

Nutritional well-being among older adults is critical for maintaining health, increasing longevity, and decreasing the impact of chronic illness. However, few well-controlled studies have examined nutritional behavior change among low-income older adults. A prospective, controlled, randomized design examined a five session nutrition education module delivered to limited-resource older adults (N = 703) in Congregate Nutrition sites by Cooperative Extension agents. Experimental group participants were significantly more likely than control group participants to increase multivitamin use, to increase calcium supplement use, to read labels of dietary supplements, to carry a supplement and/or medication list, and to discuss such use with their health care professional. The study addresses weaknesses in the literature by using a theoretically derived education component, implementing the intervention within a setting regularly used by low-income older adults, employing randomized assignment to intervention and control conditions, and using hierarchical linear modeling to deal with "nested" data.
An Instrument Development Model for Online Surveys in Human Resource Development and Adult Education.

This article describes the use of a schematic model for developing and distributing online surveys. Two empirical studies that developed and implemented online surveys to collect data to measure satisfaction in various aspects of human resource development and adult education exemplify the use of the model to conduct online survey research. The steps of the model used for online survey development and implementation, descriptions of the two case studies, and recommendations for the use of online surveys are presented. The gathering of feedback is an important part of educational program development and workforce development in general. It is critical that human resource development (HRD) practitioners and adult educators are able to gauge the success of their efforts from the viewpoints of a wide variety of stakeholders. One of the best ways to gather learner, employee, and consumer feedback for research, evaluation, and continuous improvement is through the use of surveys. Telephone surveys or hard-copy surveys, mailed or manually distributed to potential survey respondents, have traditionally been used to gather survey data. In the age of the Internet, however, online surveys can be an efficient way to gather data as well (Strachota, Schmidt, & Conceicao, 2005).
Ruling the Rulemakers: Mending the Relationship between Science and the Rules of Evidence

Under Rule 702 of the Federal Rules of Evidence, which reflects the Supreme Court’s landmark decisions in Daubert and Kumho Tire, courts are forbidden from admitting scientific conclusions unless they are meet certain standards for scientific research. This framework seeks to prevent important judicial determinations from being made on the basis of “bad science” - that is, untested and unreliable theories. One would think then that the Advisory Committee on Evidence Rules, which helped codify Rule 702, would insist on worthy scientific research when that research could assist them in deciding how to draft and amend other evidentiary rules. Not so. Ironically, many of the rules of evidence are themselves based entirely on bad science - or what others may call “fireside inductions.” For example, excited utterances are admitted under a hearsay exception because they are presumed - intuitively - to be inherently reliable, but scientific research warrants the opposite conclusion. Even more recent rules, such as the rules on privileges, have an important empirical component, and yet empirical research played an insignificant role in their development. The evidence rulemakers have extraordinarily broad responsibility but remarkably little guidance on how to perform their difficult and weighty task, and the solution may call for standards and governance in the rulemaking process. The Advisory Committee has certain resources at its disposal, such as the Federal Judicial Center, that allow it to obtain more rigorous research if it wishes. Without this research, the process suffers. This Article proposes that the Standing Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure, which oversees the rulemaking process, promulgate a set of “governing principles” for the Advisory Committee on Evidence Rules. In short these principles would require, first, that rulemakers should consider scientific research wherever possible; second, that any research reflect the principles of “good science,” as outlined in Daubert; and third, that rulemakers be transparent when choosing to disregard such research for other reasons. Given the power of the Advisory Committee to prescribe the rules by which every federal district court operates, these added obligations will ensure that the process reflects not only the best that legal theory can offer, but the best that scientific knowledge can offer as well.
JFK's Legacy Regarding Consular Relations Law

Several Incidents involving the arrest and detention of U.S. citizens by the U.S.S.R. during the 1960s led the administration of John F. Kennedy to become concerned about the need for better international agreements on consular access to detained foreign nationals. Both the multilateral Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and the bilateral U.S.- U.S.S.R. Consular Convention were negotiated during President John F. Kennedy’s time in office. As a result, the Kennedy Administration had a lasting impact on the development of the law of consular relations. This article provides background on the drafting of the VCCR and highlights some of the issues that presented the most difficulties during the negotiations. It also provides some comparisons between the VCCR and the bilateral U.S.- U.S.S.R. Consular Convention. It then discusses the continuing importance of consular treaties today, with a particular focus on the issue of consular notification. Finally, the article highlights areas of legal uncertainty with respect to consular notification that are currently being litigated in U.S. courts or which are likely to be resolved through litigation in the future.
The development and use of cohesive devices in L2 writing and their relations to judgments of essay quality

Abstract An important topic in writing research has been the use of cohesive features. Much of this research has focused on local and text cohesion. The few studies that have studied global cohesion have been restricted to first language writing. This study investigates the development of local, global, and text cohesion in the writing of 57 s language (L2) university students and examines the effects of these cohesion types on judgments of L2 writing quality Growth is observed in the use of a number of local, global, and text cohesive features across a semester-long upper-level English for Academic Purposes (EAP) course. Local, global, and text features also predicted whether an essay was written at the beginning or the end of the semester with an accuracy of 71%. In addition, the use of local, global, and text cohesive features explains 36% of the variance in human judgments of text cohesion and 42% of the variance in overall judgments of writing quality. This study has important implications for second language acquisition, writing development, and writing pedagogy.
30 – Adenoviral Vectors for RNAi Delivery

Human adenoviruses (HAdVs) are nonenveloped viruses containing double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid and the biology of species C HAdV serotype 5 (HAdV-C5) is relatively well-characterized. Because HAdV vector effectively transduces cells, it has been widely used as gene delivery vectors of transgenes in the research fields of gene therapy and basic science. Therefore, HAdV vector is a feasible vehicle to deliver noncoding ribonucleic acids (ncRNAs) in mammalian cells. In vitro and in vivo analyses of ncRNAs using HAdV vectors have been reported. However, studies of viral biology including HAdV have shown that viral genomes encode the gene(s) for RNA interference (RNAi) inhibitor(s) and that the gene products interfere with the key molecules in the RNAi machinery during productive infection. In this chapter, we provide an overview of RNAi in adenoviral biology, adenoviral vectors for RNAi-mediated gene silencing delivery, and the advantages and disadvantages of conventional HAdV vectors.
Plenty of Nothing — A Report from the Medicare Commission

The National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare, which began its work to great fanfare just over a year ago, held its last meeting on March 16. The commission, established by the Balan...
Comment on “Nonlinear Compton scattering in ultrashort laser pulses”

In a recent paper [Phys. Rev. A 83, 032106 (2011)], Mackenroth and Di Piazza studied photoemission spectra of an electron driven by intense ultrashort laser pulses. Using kinematic principles, they argued that an electron experiences no mass dressing in an ultrashort pulse. They also proposed a method by which one might experimentally verify their claim. We argue that the scattering kinematics do not imply this conclusion nor do they justify the proposed experiment.