cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Uncertainty and sediment quality assessments: II. Effects of correlations between contaminants on the interpretation of apparent effects threshold data

The apparent effects threshold (AET) is an approach being considered for the establishment of sediment quality criteria The AET is the empirically determined concentration of a contaminant in sediments above which adverse biological effects have been observed consistently However, previous investigators have suggested that correlation among contaminants may limit the applicability of the AET approach The present study employed empirically based simulations to examine the effects of correlation among contaminants on the validity of AETs as ecologically de fensible sediment quality criteria The simulations indicated that moderately high correlations (r > 0 6) between contaminants produced a high probability of setting invalid AETs Slightly higher correlations (r > 0 7) produced invalid AETs that could not be detected as being “false,” even with large sampling efforts (n = 300) False AETs also were observed to be frequently encountered for more modest sampling regimes (n = 50) when correlations among contaminants were high (r > 0 7) It is clear that AETs can serve as indicators/surrogates for toxicants in sediments of the region in which they are established However, considering the confounding effects of correlations between contaminants, both measured and unmeasured, it is recommended that regulatory sediment quality assessments be based on site-specific toxicological investigations rather than generic AET based criteria or standards Any AET based criteria should be considered “first cut” levels of concern for identifying areas that display heavy sediment contaminant loads Regulatory actions based on AET criteria should be implemented only if these values have been validated by independent toxicological investigations
A segmented ring, cylindrical ion trap source for time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

An ion trap source has been designed for use with time-of-flight (TOF) mass analysis. Two thin diaphragms make up a segmented ring electrode; the end cap electrodes are planar wire mesh. The potential field produced by the rf voltage applied between the ring and end cap electrodes resembles that of the cylindrical ion trap. The trapped ion population for ions created by electron impact exhibits linear growth against a first-order loss that has a time constant of about 50 µs; no ion loss occurs when the electron beam is off. The observed value of q z at low-mass cutoff for rf ion storage is −0.84. Pulsed extraction of all ions is accomplished by switching the trap electrodes from rf to voltages required to provide a linear dc extraction field. The TOF flight path includes a wide energy range reflectron. Better than unit mass resolution is achieved through m/z 500 without collisional ion cooling. With an extraction rate of 1 kHz and a recording rate of 4 spectra per second, a linear working curve is obtained between 36 pg and 18 ng of chlorobenzene delivered chromatographically. The system has demonstrated the potential to achieve a very high sample utilization efficiency at high spectral generation rates.
Coronal abundances obtained from serts and Yohkoh-SXT data

Coronal abundances for active region AR 7563 were obtained using a combination of broad-band filter data from Yohkoh SXT and simultaneous spectral line data from the SERTS rocket taken during its flight on 1993 August 17. We have used a forward-folding technique to determine the emission measure distribution of the active region plasma using only the SERTS iron lines and the SXT filters (which are sensitive primarily to iron and used mainly to constrain the high-temperature end of the emission measure distribution). We then adjusted the abundances of the other elements to achieve the best agreement with this curve. Magnesium, aluminum, silicon, sulfur, and nickel were changed to 110%, 88%, 80%, 80%, and 115%, respectively from standard published values.
Long-Term Histopathologic and IVUS Evaluations of a Novel Coiled Sheet Stent in Porcine Carotid Arteries

Carotid angioplasty with stent placement has been proposed as an alternative method for revascularization of carotid artery stenosis. A novel stent with a laser-cut, rolled sheet of Nitinol (EndoTex Interventional Systems, Inc., Cupertino, CA) has been developed to customize treatment of stenotic lesions in carotid arteries utilizing a single stent, designed to adapt to multiple diameters and to tapered or nontapered configurations. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the conformability and vascular response to a novel stent in a chronic porcine carotid model using serial three-dimensional intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) analysis as well as histological examination. Ten Yucatan pigs underwent stent implantation in both normal carotid arteries with adjunctive balloon angioplasty. Three-dimensional IVUS analysis was performed before stent implantation, after adjunctive balloon angioplasty, and at follow-up [1 month (n = 6), 3 months (n = 6), or 6 months (n = 8)]. Histological examination (injury score, percent plaque obstruction, and qualitative analysis) was also performed. All stents were successfully deployed and well apposed in different sized vessels (lumen area range: 19–30 mm2). Volumetric IVUS analysis showed no significant difference between the lumen areas before stent implantation and after adjunctive balloon angioplasty and no stent area change at each follow-up point compared to immediately postprocedure. Histological examination revealed minimal injury and neointimal hyperplasia at each follow-up point. In the chronic porcine carotid model, the novel stent system demonstrated good conformability, resulting in minimal vessel injury and neointimal formation.
Specific site cross-sectional sample preparation using focused ion beam for transmission electron microscopy

Abstract Sample preparation using focused ion beam (FIB) for transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) analysis was reviewed. Improving the quality of FIB prepared TEM sample has been an issue in the past. A specific site cross-sectional sample preparation method has been developed using FIB milling for TEM characterization of integrated circuits (ICs). Approach of front side and back side milling has been applied to thin the semiconductor samples for electron transparency. Back side milling has been applied for the first time in our TEM sample preparation using FIB milling. Proper tilting of the stage and use of low beam current are found to be critical for TEM samples quality. Samples prepared during present work are thinner, artifact-free, and of excellent quality for TEM analysis. It is possible to prepare specific site cross-sectional TEM samples of ICs within 2–3 hours using FIB milling. Some examples of specific site cross-sectional TEM analysis of Si based device structures are presented. Final achievable thicknesses of the samples are exemplified from the fact that atomic resolution imaging was possible and microstructure was seen in the tungsten plugs.
Charge- and angle-correlated inelasticities in collisions of bare fast carbon ions with neon.

We have studied the detailed energy balance in collisions of 10-MeV ${\mathrm{C}}^{6+}$ ions with Ne. In these collisions, the Ne is multiply ionized and the C ion may emerge as either ${\mathrm{C}}^{6+}$ or ${\mathrm{C}}^{5+}$. Projectile energy loss and scattering angle for a given carbon-ion charge state were determined in a high-resolution magnetic spectrograph and were measured in coincidence with the formation of a given Ne recoil-ion charge state. The amount of energy transferred to the continuum electrons exceeds, by far, the sum of the values of the ionization potentials.
Resolution of small-angle neutron scattering with a refractive focusing optic

A small-angle neutron scattering spectrometer that uses a refractive focusing optic can reach smaller values of the scattering vector, and with higher resolution, than that using pinhole collimation. The analytic expression for the resolution is independent of the sample size for one wavelength only, when the focusing lens images the source at the detector. At all other wavelengths the contribution from the sample size is non-zero. For a system that uses a range of wavelengths to increase the intensity without significantly degrading the instrumental performance, the contribution from the sample term is not zero, though it is small and less than that for the pinhole collimation system.
Construction of a reaction vessel for short term kinetic experiments at high or low temperatures.

Abstract Construction of a constant temperature reaction vessel is described. Employment of the apparatus permits experiments that require sampling every 10 to 12 sec, under conditions of rigorous temperature control, to be done.
Startle Eyeblink Modulation: Detecting Changes in Directed Attentional Allocation During Early Preattentive Processing

Startle eyeblink modification was examined as a measure of allocation of attentional resources during active attention tasks in the early stage of information processing. Fifty-five participants were presented with a series of 250- and 40-ms tones of either high or low pitch which were followed by startle-eliciting stimuli at a lead interval of 120 ms. Attentional allocation was manipulated by instructing one group (Passive) to simply listen to the tones; the second group (Active 1) to count the number of low tones and the third group (Active 2) to count the long high-pitched tones and the short low-pitched tones. Startle eyeblink was significantly more inhibited for the Active 1 group than the Passive group (control) with no significant difference between the two directed attentional conditions (Active 1 and Active 2 groups). However, across the three attentional groups, the degree of startle eyeblink modulation appeared to reflect the degree of attention allocated to the task. The results support the utility of the startle probe in evaluating controlled attentional allocation during the early stages of information processing.
An excitonic pentamer model for the core Qy states of the isolated photosystem II reaction center

An excitonic pentamer model (an adaptation of the multimer model; Durrant et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 1995, 92, 4798) is proposed for the core Qy states of the photosystem II reaction center (PSII RC). The core chlorins consist of four chlorophyll a molecules (P1, P2, Chl1, Chl2) and two pheophytin a molecules (Pheo1, Pheo2). In the pentamer model Pheo2 on the inactive D2 branch is, for all intents and purposes, decoupled from the other five chlorins. This model is the result of theoretical simulations of several types of spectra obtained at liquid helium temperatures in the Qy region and the Pheo Qx region of the absorption spectrum. They include bleaching spectra obtained by reduction of Pheo2 with dithionite (in the dark) and reduction of the active Pheo1 with dithionite and white light illumination, triplet bottleneck hole spectra, and femtosecond pump−probe spectra (from S. R. Greenfield et al. J. Phys. Chem. B 1999, 103, 8364). The model structure of Svensson et al. of PSII RC (Biochemistry...
Complexity in the experimental audio/visual arts

Abstract This paper departs from the usual mode of presentation of scientific journal articles in that I address philosophical and conceptual issues related to nonlinearity and complexity as procedural determinants in art works rather than deal with statistical (or other) analyses of fine art works. I do not quantify, dissect, categorize, or otherwise rely on scientific methodology to prove or support the validity of anything I postulate in this writing; nor do I devote attention to those who are insensitive to the profound difference between art and science. The views presented herein represent my current thinking on the creation of multimedia art forms and are empirically unverifiable.
Experimental and spontaneous pineal tumors: findings relating to endocrine and oncogenic factors and mechanisms.

Pineocytomas have been induced in a high percentage of hamsters inoculated intracerebrally within 24 hours after birth with particular strains of a human papovavirus. Studies on biochemical and ultrastructural characteristics and transformations of such experimentally induced pineal tumors have led to important conclusions and implications: (1) Many of the differentiated pineocytoma cells contained organelles and related structures that are characteristic of hamster pineocytes, and others that are reminiscent of possible phylogenetic precursors, including pineal photoreceptor cells. (2) An inverse relationship was noted between degree of cytological differentiation and level of hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT) activity in the pineocytomas. (3) It is therefore apparent that even when pineal tumor formation leads to great increase in pinealocyte-like cells, their enzymatic capacity for synthesis of melatonin, and possibly of other humoral products, may be only 4 to 7% of that of normal pinealocytes if they are of a relatively less differentiated type.
Model for the reaction-rate-limited dissolution of solids with etch-rate heterogeneities

The coalescence of isotropic etch pits observed in the dissolution of semiconductor substrates is studied using a discrete model for the evolution of the surface under reaction-rate-limited conditions. The model discretizes the solid into cubic elements and repetitively applies dissolution rules to the individual elements. The rate of mass removal is based on the number and arrangement of the element's exposed faces and the specified reaction-rate parameters. Detailed knowledge of the surface normal is not required. The model shows that even at moderate etch pit densities, the effects of the coalescence do not significantly alter the trends observed for noncoalescing etch pits.
Recognition memory for active and passive sentences

Data from three experiments are reported in which recognition memory for active and passive sentences is compared. The results consistently show no difference, a result taken to invalidate syntactic memory hypotheses (e.g., the kernel plus tag and markedness hypotheses) which assume that the stored representation of passive sentences is more complex than that of active sentences. Previous reports of superior recall of active sentences are attributed to a reconstructive bias. One form of propositional hypothesis and a verbatim hypothesis are consistent with the data.
Quantitative enzymatic synthesis of 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranosyl-1,6-diphosphate

Abstract Phosphoacetylglucosamine mutase (EC 2.7.5.2) catalyzes the interconversion of N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphate and of N-acetylglucosamine-6-phosphate. Glucose-1,6-diphosphate activates this mutase through the formation of N-acetylglucosamine-1,6-diphosphate and glucose-6-phosphate. By adding glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and an excess of N-acetylglucosamine-6-phosphate the reaction is pulled to completion with stoichiometric formation of N-acetylglucosamine-1,6-diphosphate with respect to the amount of glucose-1,6-diphosphate present. The isolation, chemical analysis, molar rotation, and cofactor activity of N-acetylglucosamine-1,6-diphosphate are described.
Yaws in the Americas, 1950–1975

Yaws was introduced into the Americas by African slaves beginning in the 16th century and may have already been present before the arrival of Columbus. In the 1950s, programs for the eradication of yaws were undertaken in almost all American countries in which yaws was endemic. By mass treatment of cases and contacts with penicillin, the programs against yaws have dramatically reduced the incidence of reported cases throughout the Western Hemisphere from >44,000 cases per year during 1950-1954 to 437 cases in 1975. In Brazil, efforts against yaws reduced the numbers of patients treated by 99% between 1965 and 1974. By 1975, yaws apparently remained a significant public health problem in only a few communities in Brazil, Colombia, Dominica, Ecuador, Haiti, Peru, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent, and possibly in Guiana and Surinam. It may be possible to eliminate infectious yaws entirely from the Western Hemisphere within the next few years. After more than two decades of intermittent programs for the eradication of yaws in the Western Hemisphere, yaws is apparently now a public health problem in only a few South American and Caribbean communities. The purpose of this paper is to review the progress and current status of yaws and programs for eradication of yaws in the Americas. This subject has not been comprehensively reviewed in more than a decade. In addition to yaws, a crippling disease of the skin and bones that is transmitted by skin-toskin contact mostly among children and that is caused by Treponema pertenue, two other treponemal diseases occur in the New World. Unlike yaws, venereal syphilis (Treponema pallidum) may attack the cardiovascular and central nervous systems and is a potential killer. In pinta (Treponema carateum), damage is limited to discoloration of the skin. The serologic responses shared by victims of yaws, syphilis, or pinta are indistinguishable by all currently employed tests. Before discussing the prevalence of yaws, a brief historical review will put the modern problem in perspective. Yaws has occurred in the Western Hemisphere at least since the early 16th century, but medical historians dispute whether it was first introduced by infected slaves from
Effects of Variable Droplet Growth Histories on Droplet Size Distributions. Part I: Theory

Abstract A theoretical framework is developed that permits estimation of the effects of fluctuating supersaturation on the development of cloud droplet size spectra. The studies focus on the role of turbulent fluctuations in vertical wind and in the microphysical environments in which droplets grow, and represent the effects of droplets mixing together that have encountered different trajectories through the cloud. It is contended that the effects can be analyzed in terms of two contributions to the variance in supersaturation history, one dependent on the average microphysical environment (specifically, integral radius) of the near environment in which a droplet grows, and the other dependent on the correlation between the integral radius and the updraft along the droplet trajectory. Variations in the possible trajectories that all end at a given point (and so form the droplet spectrum there) are used to estimate the possible widths of droplet spectra, and methods of testing these predictions using exper...
The role of dairy products and non alcoholic beverages in bone fractures among schoolage children

In order to assess consumption of the calcium rich dairy products, intake of non alcoholic beverages and physical activity as risk factors for bone fractures among schoolage children, a case control study was undertaken in Athens, Greece. During 1995 one hundred children 7 to 14 years old (74 boys and 26 girls) with single uncomplicated fractures of the upper and lower extremities and no evidence of coexisting metabolic condition affecting bone fragility were compared with 100 age- and gender-matched controls. The analysis was undertaken by modeling the data through conditional logistic regression. Several indicators point to an increased risk of fractures among physically active children, although none of the individual variables was statistically significant. Somatometric factors were not related to fractures, although children with more advanced stage of development at Tanner's scale were apparently at increased risk. Intake of dairy products and of carbonated non cola beverages was not related to the occurrence of fractures. By contrast, intake of non carbonated beverages, mainly fruit juices, and of cola beverages were significantly associated with elevated risks of fractures [for an increase of one-half can per day, the odds ratios and associated 95% confidence intervals were 1.6 (1.2 to 2.3) and 1.7 (1.2 to 2.6) respectively]. In the absence of other common elements between cola and non carbonated beverages the positive associations of these beverages, with bone fractures probably reflect the increased rehydration needs of active children who are also at high risk for injuries.
Clinical and economic evaluation of the trellis thrombectomy device for arterial occlusions: preliminary analysis.

Abstract Objectives This preliminary study examined the technical efficacy, safety, and cost of treating arterial occlusions with a single device that combines pharmacologic and mechanical thrombolysis. Methods The technical success, bleeding complications, and costs for the first 26 consecutive patients in whom lower extremity ischemia was treated with the Trellis infusion catheter (TIC) were analyzed. Procedure time, thrombolytic infusion time, technical success, bleeding complications (major and intracranial hemorrhage), interventional suite time, and 30-day amputation-free survival were evaluated. Results 15 of 26 patients (58%) who received treatment with the TIC had acute arterial occlusions, and 11 of 26 patients (42%) had nonacute arterial occlusions. Nineteen of 26 patients (73.1%) received treatment of an infrainguinal occlusion, and 7 of 26 patients (26.9%) received treatment of a suprainguinal occlusion. Lower extremity native arteries were treated in 18 of 26 patients (69%), and lower extremity bypass grafts in 8 of 26 patients (31%). The technical success rate with TIC treatment was 92%, and the 30-day amputation-free survival rate was 96%. There was no difference in technical success or amputation-free survival rate between acute versus nonacute arterial occlusions, native artery versus bypass grafts, and suprainguinal versus infrainguinal arterial occlusions. Procedure time was 2.1 ± 0.9 hours, and infusion time was 0.3 ± 0.2 hours. There were no bleeding complications; however, 3 of 26 patients (11.5%) required further intervention to treat distal embolization. The overall mean cost for patients with TIC treatment was $3216 ± $1740. Conclusions Early results of TIC treatment in patients with arterial occlusions suggest that it is as effective as traditional catheter-directed thrombolysis. Furthermore, there were no bleeding complications, likely the result of TIC requiring shorter procedure and infusion times.
Soteriology of the Senses in Tibetan Buddhism

In Tibet, certain categories of Buddhist sacra are ascribed the power to liberate through sensory contact. No less than “buddhahood without meditation” is promised, offering an expedient means to salvation that seemingly obviates the need for a rigorous regime of ethical, contemplative, and intellectual training. This article investigates two such categories of sacra, substances that “liberate through tasting” and images that “liberate through seeing” as found in a mode of revelation particular to Tibet and culturally related areas, in which scriptures and sacred objects are reportedly embedded in the landscape as terma or “treasures” (gter ma). The author argues that charisma invested in these substances and images — through an amalgamation of relics and special means of consecration — provides the grounds for the soteriological benefits claimed as a result of sensory contact with them. The question is whether these benefits suggest a notion of grace in Tibetan Buddhism, and if so how it might contravene without contradicting the law of karma. Exploring this question sheds light on the role of the senses and the nature of Buddhist soteriology as it developed in Tibet.
Convergence rate of penalty and multiplier methods

This paper summarizes an analysis of penalty and multiplier methods for constrained minimization, contained in Refs. [1-3]. We describe global convergence and rate of convergence results for multiplier methods, as well as a global duality theory for nonconvex problems. A main qualitative conclusion is that multiplier methods avoid to a substantial extent the traditional disadvantages of penalty methods (ill-conditioning, slow convergence) while retaining all of their attractive features.
Dietary lipid modulation of immune responsiveness.

The influence of dietary fat concentration and saturation on blastogenesis, cytotoxicity, antibody response and fatty acid composition of murine splenic lymphocytes was studied. Blastogenesis of lymphocytes from dietarily manipulated mice in response to alloantigens from control mice was significantly greater for those mice fed a diet containing minimal essential fatty acids (EFA) as the only fat source (EFA control) than those fed an EFA-deficient diet. When the dietary fat concentration was increased, blastogenic responses decreased compared to the EFA control diet. Lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity against allogeneic melanoma cells was greater for mice receiving diets with EFA only than for those deficient in EFA. However, cytotoxicity responses of mice fed additional polyunsaturated fat (PUF) decreased as concentration increased, whereas responses of mice fed the saturated fat (SF) diets decreased only when the dietary fat concentration was greater than 8%. As compared to diets with EFA control, direct plaqueforming cell (PFC) response was decreased for mice fed high levels of PUF and increased for mice fed high levels of SF; however, no difference in the percentage of IgM-positive cells was observed. These changes in PFC response were inversely related to the levels of linoleic acid in the lymphocyte. Thus, high levels of dietary fat, and particularly PUF, suppress lymphocyte functions when EFA requirements are met, whereas low levels (EFA control) intensify these responses. EFA deficiency, however, suppresses some lymphocyte responses. Thus, dietary lipids differentially modulate the levels of T- and B-cell responsiveness.
Technical skills for weight loss: 2-y follow-up results of a randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the sustained effectiveness of a novel skill-based intervention for weight loss. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial. SUBJECTS: A total of 80 overweight/obese women living in Connecticut. MEASUREMENTS: Absolute weight difference measured in pounds and absolute change in body mass index (BMI). Secondary outcomes included changes in food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) data and waist-to-hip ratio. RESULTS: In all 61, 35, and 34% of study participants completed the 6-, 12-, and 24-month assessments, respectively. At 6 months postintervention, both counseling-based (CBI) and skill-based (SBI) intervention groups had statistically significant decreases in absolute weight (4.0±3.6 and 1.7±3.0 kg, respectively). Compared to their baseline values, both CBI and SBI groups still maintained weight losses at 24 months (1.1±5.8 and 0.59±3.3 kg, respectively); however, the differences were not statistically significant. FFQ results showed that, within the SBI group, there was a significant decrease (P<0.05) in percent fat from baseline to 12 months and a nearly significant decrease in saturated fat from baseline to 24 months (P=0.07). CONCLUSIONS: Both the novel SBI and conventional dietary counseling demonstrated some residual weight loss benefit at 2 y. Effects of the SBI on dietary intake patterns are encouraging, and warrant further study.
Improvement of mammographic mass characterization using spiculation measures and morphological features

We are developing new computer vision techniques for characterization of breast masses on mammograms. We had previously developed a characterization method based on texture features. The goal of the present work was to improve our characterization method by making use of morphological features. Toward this goal, we have developed a fully automated, three-stage segmentation method that includes clustering, active contour, and spiculation detection stages. After segmentation, morphological features describing the shape of the mass were extracted. Texture features were also extracted from a band of pixels surrounding the mass. Stepwise feature selection and linear discriminant analysis were employed in the morphological, texture, and combined feature spaces for classifier design. The classification accuracy was evaluated using the area Az under the receiver operating characteristic curve. A data set containing 249 films from 102 patients was used. When the leave-one-case-out method was applied to partition the data set into trainers and testers, the average test Az for the task of classifying the mass on a single mammographic view was 0.83 +/- 0.02, 0.84 +/- 0.02, and 0.87 +/- 0.02 in the morphological, texture, and combined feature spaces, respectively. The improvement obtained by supplementing texture features with morphological features in classification was statistically significant (p = 0.04). For classifying a mass as malignant or benign, we combined the leave-one-case-out discriminant scores from different views of a mass to obtain a summary score. In this task, the test Az value using the combined feature space was 0.91 +/- 0.02. Our results indicate that combining texture features with morphological features extracted from automatically segmented mass boundaries will be an effective approach for computer-aided characterization of mammographic masses.
Extreme maternal underweight and feto-infant morbidity outcomes: a population-based study.

Objective. We sought to estimate the association between severity of maternal pre-pregnancy underweight and feto-infant morbidity outcomes.Methods. Missouri maternally linked cohort records from 1989 to 1997 inclusive were analysed. Using pre-pregnancy maternal body mass index (BMI), we classified study participants into: Normal (18.5–24.9) [referent group], mild thinness (17.0–18.5), moderate thinness (16.0–16.9) and severe thinness (<16.0). We estimated the association between pre-pregnancy underweight, underweight subtypes and feto-infant morbidity outcomes using adjusted odds ratios to approximate relative risks with correction for intra-cluster correlations.Results. Fetal growth curve trajectories for the two groups became divergent as from 30 gestational weeks. Underweight mothers were at increased risk for low birthweight (OR = 1.82; 95% CI = 1.77–1.88), very low birthweight (OR = 1.41; 95% CI = 1.31–1.51), small for gestational age (OR = 1.80; 95% CI = 1.76–1.84), preterm (OR = 1.37; 95% CI = 1.33...
Coherence, causation, and the future of cognitive neuroscience research.

AbstractNachev and Hacker’s conceptual analysis of the neural antecedents of voluntary action underscores the real danger of ignoring the meta-theoretical apparatus of cognitive neuroscience research. In this response, we temper certain claims (e.g., whether or not certain research questions are incoherent), consider a more extreme consequence of their argument against cognitive neuroscience (i.e., whether or not one can speak about causation with neural antecedents at all), and, finally, highlight recent methodological developments that exemplify cognitive neuroscientists’ focus on studying the brain as a parallel, dynamic, and highly complex biological system.
Cross section measurements at neutron energies 71 and 112 MeV and energy integrated cross section measurements (0.1 < En < 750 MeV) for the neutron induced reactions O(n,x)10Be, Si(n,x)10Be, and Si(n,x)26Al

Abstract The cross sections for the reactions O( n , x ) 10 Be, Si( n , x ) 10 Be, and Si( n , x ) 26 Al were measured at neutron energies 71 and 112 MeV. The neutron cross sections for O( n , x ) 10 Be are higher than the corresponding proton cross sections at 70–110 MeV and the neutron induced cross section for Si( n , x ) 10 Be at 112 MeV is slightly higher than the corresponding proton cross section. Cross sections for the production of 26 Al from Si are similar to those from protons at low energies ( n , x ) 26 Al are lower than the corresponding proton cross sections. Energy integrated (average) cross sections for these reactions were measured using ‘white’ neutron beams (0.1 E n 26 Al/ 10 Be production rate ratio from SiO 2 measured using ‘white’ neutrons is considerably lower than that observed in terrestrial quartz (SiO 2 ).
Effects of clay minerals and biosurfactants on isotopic and molecular characteristics of methane encaged in pressure vessel gas hydrates

The stable isotope values of carbon (δ13Cmethane) and hydrogen (δ2Hmethane) from methane molecules trapped in gas hydrates are useful for differentiation of methane from microbial and thermal origins, providing valuable information during hydrocarbon exploration. Recent studies have reported catalysis of methane hydrates when smectite clays and biosurfactants are present in hydrate-hosting sediments, but catalytic influences on the values of δ13Cmethane and δ2Hmethane are not well documented. In this study, pressure vessel methane hydrates were formed from solutions in contact with smectite clays (montmorillonite and nontronite) and biosurfactants (rhamnolipids and surfactin). Experiments show less than 1‰ differences in values of δ13Cmethane between free and encaged molecules and up to 10‰ variations in values of δ2Hmethane between free and encaged molecules. Notably, methane consumption increased in methane hydrates formed from solutions containing biosurfactants and biosurfactant–smectite mixtures. Results presented here indicate that a hydrate formed in the presence of smectite clays and biosurfactants are characterized by small shifts in free and encaged values of δ13Cmethane and δ2Hmethane and do not complicate interpretation of gas origin. In contrast, methane consumption in hydrates formed under the catalytic effect of smectite clays and biosurfactants modifies gas wetness, obscures gas origin and complicates interpretation of thermal maturity.
Prehospital Triage to Primary Stroke Centers and Rate of Stroke Thrombolysis

Importance Implementation of prehospital stroke triage is a public policy intervention that can have an immediate impact on acute stroke care in a region. Objective To evaluate the impact that a citywide policy recommending prehospital triage of patients with suspected stroke to the nearest primary stroke center had on intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) use in Chicago, Illinois. Design Retrospective multicenter cohort study from September 1, 2010, to August 31, 2011 (6 months before and after intervention that began March 1, 2011). Setting Ten primary stroke center hospitals in Chicago. Patients All admitted patients with stroke and transient ischemic attack. Intervention Prehospital triage policy of patients with stroke to primary stroke centers. Main Outcomes and Measures Intravenous tPA use (measured as a fraction of patients with ischemic strokes arriving through the emergency department). Results There were 1075 stroke and transient ischemic attack admissions in the pretriage period and 1172 in the posttriage period. Patient demographic characteristics including age, sex, and risk factors were similar between the 2 periods (mean age, 65 years; 53% female). Compared with the pretriage period, use of emergency medical services increased from 30.2% to 38.1% ( P P = .001) after implementation. Rates of intravenous tPA use were 3.8% and 10.1% ( P P = .03) in the pretriage and posttriage periods, respectively. Stroke unit admission, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage rates, and in-hospital mortality were not significantly different between periods. Adjusting for mode of arrival, prehospital notification, and onset-to-arrival time, the posttriage period was independently associated with increased tPA use for patients with ischemic stroke presenting through the emergency department (adjusted odds ratio = 2.21; 95% CI, 1.34-3.64). Conclusions and Relevance Implementation of a prehospital stroke triage policy in Chicago resulted in significant improvements in emergency medical services use and prenotification and more than doubled intravenous tPA use at primary stroke centers.
Preparation of RHgCl via transmetalation of (8-quinolyl)SnMe3 and redistribution to R2Hg (R = 8-quinolyl): a highly distorted diorganomercury(II) with 84 degree C–Hg–C angle

Transmetalation occurs upon addition of HgCl2 to (8-quinolyl)SnMe3 to yield (8-quinolyl)HgCl. The molecule features a frustrated Hg–N Lewis pair; however the mercury(II) center showed low affinity for sulfur Lewis bases, S8 or thiophene. In the presence of NH4SCN, ligand redistribution led to R2Hg. The molecule was found as linear or bent polymorphs, depending on the solvent of recrystallization. The geometry about Hg(II) in the bent polymorph is distorted trigonal prismatic that features a C–Hg–C angle of 84°, weak intramolecular Hg–N contacts, and two intermolecular η2-quinoline contacts in which the neighboring R2Hg molecule participates as a bis-η2-bidentate ligand.
A new application of absorbing boundary conditions for computing collinear quantum reactive scattering matrix elements

Abstract Scattering matrix ( S -matrix) elements are calculated using absorbing boundary conditions (ABC) together with the channel packet method (CPM). Using the CPM, we compute a time dependent correlation function between reactant and product Moller states. As the Moller states evolve in time, they will be attenuated by the ABC which are placed outside the interaction region of the potential. This permits the use of a smaller grid and leads to an order of magnitude improvement in the time required to calculate the correlation function for the H + H 2 reaction. The resulting S -matrix elements are in excellent agreement with previous calculations.
Classic and novel stem cell niches in brain homeostasis and repair.

Neural stem cells (NSCs) critical for the continued production of new neurons and glia are sequestered in distinct areas of the brain called stem cell niches. Until recently, only two forebrain sites, the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the anterolateral ventricle and the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the hippocampus, have been recognized adult stem cell niches (Alvarez-Buylla and Lim, 2004; Doetsch et al., 1999a, 1999b; Doetsch, 2003a, 2003b; Lie et al., 2004; Ming and Song, 2005). Nonetheless, the last decade has been witness to a growing literature suggesting that in fact the adult brain contains stem cell niches along the entire extent of the ventricular system. These niches are capable of widespread neurogenesis and gliogenesis, particularly after injury (Barnabe-Heider et al., 2010; Carlen et al., 2009; Decimo et al., 2012; Lin et al., 2015; Lindvall and Kokaia, 2008; Robins et al., 2013) or other inductive stimuli (Bennett et al., 2009; Cunningham et al., 2012; Decimo et al., 2011; Kokoeva et al., 2007, 2005; Lee et al., 2012a, 2012b; Migaud et al., 2010; Pencea et al., 2001b; Sanin et al., 2013; Suh et al., 2007; Sundholm-Peters et al., 2004; Xu et al., 2005; Zhang et al., 2007). This review focuses on the role of these novel and classic brain niches in maintaining adult neurogenesis and gliogenesis in response to normal physiological and injury-related pathological cues. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI: Neuroprotection.
Wave-front singularities for two-dimensional anisotropic elastic waves.

Wavefront singularities for the displacement functions, associated with the radiation of linear elastic waves from a point source embedded in a finitely strained two-dimensional elastic solid, are examined in detail. It is found that generally the singularities are of order d to the -1/2 power, where d measures distance away from the front. However, in certain exceptional cases singularities of order d to the -n power, where n = 1/4, 2/3, 3/4, may be encountered.
Separating the Effects of Gender and Weight-Loss Desire on Body Satisfaction and Disordered Eating Behavior

The purpose of this study was to separate the effects of gender from those of desired weight loss on body satisfaction and eating disordered behavior. Therefore, we explored gender differences in a sample (N = 191) of men and women who wanted to lose weight. We expected that controlling for desire to lose weight would minimize gender differences; this was supported for (a) overall body dissatisfaction, and (b) degree of concern about, effect of, and importance of weight and appearance. Nevertheless, women reported (a) less satisfaction with several body parts, (b) stronger relations between body satisfaction and self-esteem, and (c) use of more weight-loss strategies. Exploratory analyses also were conducted to examine within-group differences among men. Implications are discussed.
Developmental pathways to conduct disorder: Implications for serving youth who show severe aggressive and antisocial behavior

Research has uncovered a large number of risk factors that can place a child at risk for showing severe antisocial and aggressive behavior and to be diagnosed with conduct disorder. In this paper, recent research is outlined that has organized these risk factors into distinct pathways, each involving somewhat distinct causal processes, through which children develop this disorder. This body of research has been important for advancing our understanding of the causes of conduct disorder. In addition, it has some important implications for service delivery. The comprehensive and individualized approach to intervention that seems most indicated based on this research is consistent with the way most educators are trained to view service delivery. As a result, this body of research could be very helpful in guiding school personnel in the development of individualized educational plans that meet the needs of children with conduct disorder. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 41: 823–834, 2004.
Organizational Justice and the Intent to Share: Knowledge Sharing Practices among Forensic Experts in Turkey

Organizational climate and organization culture can be some of the leading factors in hindering knowledge sharing within the organization. It is generally accepted that successful knowledge management practice, including knowledge sharing, comes as a result of a conducive and knowledge sharing friendly environment. Organizations that promote and reward collective work generate a trustful and a more collaborative learning culture. The perception of fairness in an organization has been considered an important indicator of employee behavior, attitude, and motivation. This study investigates organizational justice perception and its impact on knowledge sharing practices among forensic experts in the Turkish National Police. The study findings revealed that senior officers, who are experts in the field, have the strongest organizational justice perception. Meanwhile, noncommissioned officers or technicians bear positive but comparatively weaker feelings about the existence of justice within the organization. The study argues that those who satisfy their career expectations tend to have a higher organizational justice perception.
Assessment of Emergency Room Designs for Protection against an Internal Chemical Threat

Emergency rooms are critical infrastructures that provide acute care and rapid treatment of sudden illnesses and trauma. These life saving services must remain in continuous operation. An internal chemical attack on an emergency room would interrupt these essential services and severely impact the capabilities of the health care professionals and staff. In this paper, a combination of multizone simulation and statistical modeling are used as tools to assess emergency room designs for protection against an internal chemical threat. Design options include: the use of dilution ventilation, additional air handling equipment, gas phase filtration, building segmentation, and a sensor system to improve response time. Protection levels are placed into discrete categories and an ordered probability model (with random effects) is estimated. This model identifies factors, such as the design option, chemical type, elapsed time after chemical release, and the air handling unit's operational and maintenance costs that significantly influence protection levels. Marginal effects are also computed to measure the impact of these factors on the protection-category probabilities. The results of this study can assist owners, designers, and decision makers by providing a quantitative methodology to assess building designs for protection against chemical threats.
Maximum-Likelihood Estimation of the Discrete Coefficient of Determination in Stochastic Boolean Systems

The discrete Coefficient of Determination (CoD) has become a key component of inference methods for stochastic Boolean models. We develop a parametric maximum-likelihood (ML) method for the inference of the discrete CoD for static Boolean systems and for dynamical Boolean systems in the steady state. Using analytical and numerical approaches, we compare the performance of the parametric ML approach against that of common nonparametric alternatives for CoD estimation, which show that the parametric approach has the least bias, variance, and root mean-square (RMS) error, provided that the system noise level is not too high. Next we consider the application of the proposed estimation approach to the problem of system identification, where only partial knowledge about the system is available. Inference procedures are proposed for both the static and dynamical cases, and their performance in logic gate and wiring identification is assessed through numerical experiments. The results indicate that identification rates converge to 100% as sample size increases, and that the convergence rate is much faster as more prior knowledge is available. For wiring identification, the parametric ML approach is compared to the nonparametric approaches, and it produced superior identification rates, though as the amount of prior knowledge is reduced, its performance approaches that of the nonparametric ML estimator, which was generally the best nonparametric approach in our experiments.
Spatiotemporal compression for efficient storage and transmission of high-resolution electrocorticography data

High-resolution Electrocorticography (HR-ECoG) has emerged as a key strategic technology for recording localized neural activity with high temporal and spatial resolution with potential applications in brain-computer interfaces (BCI), and seizure detection for epilepsy. However, HR-ECoG has 400 times the resolution of conventional ECoG, making it a challenge to process, transmit and store the HR-ECoG data. Therefore, simple and efficient compression algorithms are vital for the feasibility of implantable wireless medical devices for HR-ECoG recordings. In this paper, following the observation that HR-ECoG signals have both high spatial and temporal correlations similar to video/image signals, various compression methods suitable for video/image- compression based on motion estimation, discrete cosine transform (DCT) and discrete wavelet transform (DWT)- are investigated for compressing HR-ECoG data. We first simplify these methods to satisfy the low-power requirements for implantable devices. Then, we demonstrate that spatiotemporal compression methods produce up to 46% more data reduction on HR-ECoG data than compression methods using only spatial compression do. We further show that this data reduction can be achieved with low hardware complexity. In particular, among the methods investigated, spatiotemporal compression using DCT-based methods provide the best trade-off between hardware complexity and compression performance, and thus we conclude that DCT-based compression is a promising solution for ultralow-power implantable devices for HR-ECoG.
Poster: Parameter estimation for a reduced order spiking neuron model with relevance to in vitro embryonic rat motoneuronal data

The problem of finding parameters of an adaptive quadratic spiking neuron model in order to fit data derived from in vitro embryonic rat motoneurons is addressed. Since the model does not fit the shape of the experimental action potential, we utilize a correlation based technique to extract input-independent spike areas, and pre-distort these areas such that they conform to the model assumptions. Simulation results show that the spike train is accurately predicted.
VAX hardware for the proposed IEEE floating-point standard

The proposed IEEE floating-point standard has been implemented in a substitute floating-point accelerator for the VAX∗∗ 11/780. We explain how features of the proposed standard influenced the design of the new processor. By comparing it with the original VAX accelerator, we illustrate the differences between hardware for the proposed standard and hardware for a more traditional floating-point architecture.