cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Saved by the Stars and Stripes? Images of Protest, Salience of Threat, and Immigration Attitudes:

This article uses a survey experiment embedded in the 2008 CCES national sample to assess how the public responds to immigrant-rights protests and to determine whether symbolic representations of national identity can serve to “prime” attitudes about immigrants and immigration policy. Based on social identity theory, the common in-group identity model, we expect responses to protesters waving American flags as a display of loyalty should be less hostile than responses to protesters waving Mexican flags. Our experiment demonstrates evidence in favor of this proposition but shows no impact of how protesters were framed on immigration policy preferences.
A1-3: The Performance of Propensity Score Methods for Estimating Hazard Ratio in Time-to-Event Data.

Background/Aims Propensity Score (PS) methods have been used increasingly in observational studies to reduce bias due to confounding. The performance of PS for estimating hazard ratios (HR) has not been systematically studied. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to evaluate four methods of utilizing PS: 1:1 matching, stratification, PS adjustment, and inverse probability weighting (IPW).
An Odyssey in Learning and Perception

Part 1 Experimental psychology in the 30s (1932-1942): bilateral transfer of the conditioned response in the human subject, J.J. Gibson and G. Raffel retention and the interpolated task, with james J. Gibson sensory generalization with voluntary reactions a systematic application of the concepts of generalizaton and differentiation to verbal learning retroactive inhibition as a function of degree of generalization between tasks retrospect and prospect - are theories recycles?. Part 2 Comparative research on learning and development (1952-1970): the role of shock in reinforcement the effect of prolonged exposure to visually presented patterns on learning to discriminate them, with R.D. Walk the effectiveness of prolonged exposure to cutouts vs. painted patterns for facilitation of discrimination behaviour of light and dark reared rats on a visual cliff, with R.D. Walk and T.J. Tighe development of perception - discrimination of depth compared with discrimination of graphic symbols, reprinted from J.C. Wright and J. Kagan (eds.) the development of perception as an adaptive process, Eleanor J. Gibson retrospect and prosepct - comparative psycholoogy and animal cognition. Part 3 Perception - psychophysics to transormations (1954-1959): the effect of training on absolute estimation of distance over the ground, with R. Bergman the effect of prior training with a scale of distance on absolute and relative judgments of distance over ground, with R. Bergman and J. Purdy distance judgment by the method of fractionation, with J. Purdy continuous perspective transformations and the perception of ridig motion with J.J. Gibson motion parallax as a determinant of perceived depth with J.J. Gibson, O.W. Smith and H. flock retrospect and prospect - psychophysics to computation. Part 4 Perceptual learning (1955-1969): perceptual learning - differentiation of enrichment? with J.J. Gibson reply by L. Postman - association theory and perceptual learning what is learned in perceptual learning? a reply to professor postman perceptual learning perceptual development and the reduction of uncertainty trends in perceptual development retrospect and prospect - the coming of age of perceptual development. Part 5 Years of significance - research on reading (1965-1977): learning to read confusion matrices for graphic patterns obtained with a latency measure with F. Schapiro and A. Yonas the ontogeny of reading perceptual learning and the theory of word perception how perception really develops: a veiw from outside the network in D. Laberge and S.J. Samuels (eds.) reading in retrospect - perception, cognition or both?. Part contents.
A Promissory Theory of the Duty to Tip

In this article, I argued that in contexts in which tipping is customary, there is a moral duty to tip or to explicitly tell the server that you will not be tipping. The evidence for this rests on anecdotes about people's mental states, and customers and server's intuitions about duties that would arise were a customer unable to tip his server. The promise is a speech act that is implicit in ordering food. The speech act must be matched by the server's uptake, which is implicit in her taking the order. The promise argument rests on an actual promise and not a merely hypothetical promise. If there is such a duty, then in the absence of an explicit content, its content is likely set by convention. The convention is that customers tip 15–20%. Thus, customers have a duty to tip servers 15–20%. Other purported moral considerations do not ground this duty. These include custom, desirable incentives, role-relative obligation, and gratitude.
THE EFFECTS OF ITQ IMPLEMENTATION: A DYNAMIC APPROACH

. This paper investigates the intertemporal effects of introducing Individual Transferable Quota, ITQ, fishery management programs on stock size, fleet size and composition, and returns to quota holders and to vessel operators. Theoretical analysis is conducted using a specific version of a general dynamic model of a regulated fishery. It is demonstrated that the effects will differ depending upon the prevailing regulation program, current stock size, and existing fleet size, composition and mobility and upon how the stock and fleet change over time after the switch to ITQs. The paper expands upon previous works by modeling the dynamics of change in fleet and stock size and by allowing for changes in the TAC as stock size changes, by comparing ITQs to different regulations, and by allowing the status quo before ITQ implementation to be something other than a bioeconomic equilibrium. Specific cases are analyzed using a simulation model. The analysis shows that the annual return per unit harvest to quota owners can increase or decrease over the transition period due to counteracting effects of changes in stock and fleet size. With ITQs denominated as a percentage of the TAC, the current annual value of a quota share depends upon the annual return per unit of harvest and the annual amount of harvest rights. Because the per unit value can increase or decrease over time, it is also possible that the total value can do the same. Distribution effects are also studied and it is shown that while the gains from quota share received are the present value of a potentially infinite stream of returns, potential losses are the present value of a finite stream, the length of which depends upon the remaining life of the vessel and the expected time it will continue to operate.
Strategic arrivals into queueing networks

Queueing networks are typically analyzed assuming that the arrival process is exogenous, and unaffected by admission control, scheduling policies, etc. In many situations arriving users are strategic, and do time their arrivals taking delay and other metrics into account. This paper builds on [4], [3], and extends the framework developed to a network setting. We first consider just a single population of users arriving into two queues in parallel (they can join either queue). The queues start serving at different times. We characterize the arrival process into both queues and the Price of Anarchy with strategic arrivals. We then extend this when there are multiple populations, each with different cost metrics. The whole analysis is done in the fluid limit.
Cell-free protein synthesis energized by slowly-metabolized maltodextrin.

Background: Cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) is a rapid and high throughput technology for obtaining proteins from their genes. The primary energy source ATP is regenerated from the secondary energy source through substrate phosphorylation in CFPS. Results: Distinct from common secondary energy sources (e.g., phosphoenolpyruvate – PEP, glucose-6-phosphate), maltodextrin was used for energizing CFPS through substrate phosphorylation and the glycolytic pathway because (i) maltodextrin can be slowly catabolized by maltodextrin phosphorylase for continuous ATP regeneration, (ii) maltodextrin phosphorylation can recycle one phosphate per reaction for glucose-1-phosphate generation, and (iii) the maltodextrin chain-shortening reaction can produce one ATP per glucose equivalent more than glucose can. Three model proteins, esterase 2 from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius, green fluorescent protein, and xylose reductase from Neurospora crassa were synthesized for demonstration. Conclusion: Slowly-metabolized maltodextrin as a low-cost secondary energy compound for CFPS produced higher levels of proteins than PEP, glucose, and glucose-6-phospahte. The enhancement of protein synthesis was largely attributed to better-controlled phosphate levels (recycling of inorganic phosphate) and a more homeostatic reaction environment.
Computational fluid mechanical analysis of a chest drain device with circular side holes

To overcome the complications due to the use of noncompliant large diameter conventional chest drain devices, a flexible small diameter chest drain device was designed and simulated based on computational fluid dynamic techniques. Results showed that the pressure drop and velocity increase of the most distal drainage holes, which are located near the suction end, are dominant over other drainage holes. When all holes are opened the chest drain showed 6% increase in flow rate.
Learning to Control Heart Rate: Effects of Varying Incentive and Criterion of Success on Task Performance

The effects of motivational variables on learned heart rate speeding and slowing were investigated. Undergraduate volunteers were randomly assigned to two groups which received feedback tasks differing in difficulty, i.e., a median target display (50% of all heart intervals would be successful based on no-feedback performance) and a quartile target (25% predicted success), Equal subgroups received either a monetary reward for successful performance or received no supplementary incentive. The results indicated that directional changes in heart rate could be achieved with simple instructions, and that heart rate control performance was generally superior under incentive conditions. Speeding showed overall improvement over feedback sessions, and over trials for the median target group. Slowing performance showed no general improvement over sessions and no effects of target. The effects of incentives on heart rate slowing were strongest on trial periods when subjects were under instructions to reduce heart rate, but no feedback display was presented. The results are interpreted within a skills learning conception of cardiac rate control training.
An anatomy of opinions

Opinions assume a paradoxical character in many speech events. The speaker, by sincerely presenting his views on a topic, is expressing his belief in a proposition, and this belief must be regarded as indisputable. If a speaker says that marijuana should be legalized, one cannot deny the speaker's belief in this proposition. He has expressed an opinion. The proposition, however, may itself be the topic of dispute. Another speaker may disagree by expressing his belief that marijuana should remain illegal, and a dispute regarding the validity of each of these propositions may ensue. Neither of these propositions is subject to proof or disproof, but the speakers may attempt to support them in order to add to the validity of the propositions and substantiate their beliefs.
CALIDAD, SISTEMA DE SALUD Y GOBERNANZA. EL CASO ARGENTINO

Argentina had been a fertile ground for reform attempts, focusing in the quality of its health services and subsequently, improving the accessibility and equity to the system. Even though bioethics, as a tool for interdisciplinary reflection, should had been a participant for the foundations of health policies and the impact on its users, it seems that local bioethics had omitted the deleterious consequences created by the lack of governance and corruption on the Argentinean public and social security healthcare systems, choosing instead for focusing in blurry discussions about universal issues related to solidarity and justice, blaming for the failures to the imposition of foreign economical models.
Differences between Brahman and Holstein cows in response to estrus synchronization, superovulation and resistance of embryos to heat shock

Embryos from Bos indicus are more resistant to elevated culture temperature (i.e. heat shock) than embryos from some Bos taurus breeds. The present experiment was designed to determine if Brahman embryos have greater resistance to heat shock than Holstein embryos at a stage in development before the embryonic genome was fully activated. A second objective was to test breed effects on estrus synchronization and superovulation responses. A total of 29 Brahman and 24 Holstein cows were subjected to estrus synchronization using gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) and prostaglandin F2 (PGF2) superovulation. Embryos were collected at 48 h and day 5 after insemination. There was a tendency for a lower proportion of Brahmans to be detected in standing estrus than Holsteins. There were no differences between breeds in the proportion of cows detected in estrus using both tailpaint and standing estrus as criteria or in interval from PGF 2 to estrus. The degree of synchrony in estrus was greater for Brahmans. Superovulation response was generally similar between breeds. At 48 h after insemination, there was a tendency for a greater proportion of Brahman oocytes to have undergone cleavage. Uncleaved oocytes were cultured for an additional 24 h—at this time, cleavage rate was similar between breeds. When embryos reached the 2–4-cell stage, they were heat-shocked for 4.5 h at 41 ◦ C. This heat shock reduced the proportion of embryos that developed to the blastocyst stage but there was no breed ×treatment interaction. At day 5 after insemination, the number of embryos recovered was too low to allow comparison of breed effects. In conclusion, genetic effects on cellular thermotolerance that make Brahman embryos more resistant to heat shock are not expressed at the 2–4-cell stage. There were few differences Names and trademarks are necessary to report procedures and data accurately; however, the USDA neither guarantees nor warrants the standard of the product, and the use of the name by the USDA implies no approval of the product to the exclusion of others that may be also be suitable.
Memory in thin-film electroluminescent devices

Abstract The characteristics of thin-film electroluminescent devices made from ZnS:Mn and exhibiting hysteretic behavior are reviewed. The nature of the hysteresis (which leads to display devices with inherent memory), the switching characteristics, and some of the empirical requirements for observing the phenomenon are described and discussed. This background is used as a basis for a discussion of device operation, leading to a description of a phenomenological model which has been developed to explain the hysteretic behavior. Some technological difficulties associated with the phenomenon are also described.
Acoustic-Gravity Wave Propagation in a Measured Atmosphere

Summary An atmosphere is modelled by averaging measurements taken at eight locations for 1968 September 9. The effectiveness of the modelling is evaluated by comparing the atmospheric dispersion properties determined from an experimentally recorded signal resulting from a nuclear explosion on that date and those computed from the model atmosphere. The effects of atmospheric winds are shown to change the dispersion properties. A theoretical barogram is synthesized for a receiver located 7930 km from the source and is compared to the recorded signal for the event. Barograms are synthesized for two different source functions and the source functions are discussed.
Sequence error probability lower bounds for joint detection and estimation

A commonly used lower bound on the probability of error of joint detection and estimation (JDE) algorithms is derived under the assumption that estimation is performed using the transmitted sequence, in a genie-aided fashion. Although it seems reasonable that this genie-aided receiver performs better than the original receiver, a proof of this fact is not available in the literature. In this letter, the validity of this bound is established for a general class of JDE algorithms, as well as for an important special case when the maximum-likelihood sequence detection criterion is used. The results are then extended to a well-known suboptimal JDE algorithm, namely, the T-algorithm. It is shown, however, that the technique used to prove this bound is not sufficient for establishing the validity of the bound for the M-algorithm and the per-survivor processing algorithm.
Embedding binary trees into crossed cubes

The recently introduced interconnection network, crossed cube, has attracted much attention in the parallel processing area due to its many attractive features. Like the ordinary hypercube, the n-dimensional crossed cube is a regular graph with 2/sup n/ vertices and n2/sup n-1/ edges. The diameter of the crossed cube is approximately half that of the ordinary hypercube. These advantages of the crossed cube motivated the study of how well it can simulate other networks such as the complete binary tree. We show that the (2/sup n/-1) node complete binary tree can be embedded into the n-dimensional crossed cube with dilation 1. >
Projecting network loading of correlated traffic streams under high growth

The optimal design of information technology systems is a multi-objective problem requiring accurate prediction of both normal and peak loading conditions. The calculation of future peak loading requires the projection of average loading as well as a detailed understanding of parameter interactions. The failure to properly account for cross-source correlations for many component systems can lead to a significant underestimation of the total system variability. We present an IT network model that projects both average and peak loading for a system that is expanding traffic at multiple data sources. The average loading is modeled by independently calculating the traffic growth for all data sources. The future cumulative load distribution is calculated by taking into account historical sources of parameter correlations and scaling to account for future average growth. Finally, the duration of the peak states is calculated by simulating a vector Fractional ARIMA time series model.
Charting Plasticity in the Regenerating Maps of the Mammalian Olfactory Bulb

The anatomical organization of a neural system can offer a glimpse into its functional logic. The basic premise is that by understanding how something is put together one can figure out how it works. Unfortunately, organization is not always represented purely at an anatomical level and is sometimes best revealed through molecular or functional studies. The mammalian olfactory system exhibits organizational features at all these levels including 1) anatomically distinct structural layers in the olfactory bulb, 2) molecular maps based upon odorant receptor expression, and 3) functional local circuits giving rise to odor columns that provide a contextual logic for an intrabulbar map. In addition, various forms of cellular plasticity have been shown to play an integral role in shaping the structural properties of most neural systems and must be considered when assessing each system’s anatomical organization. Interestingly, the olfactory system invokes an added level of complexity for understanding organization in that it regenerates both at the peripheral and the central levels. Thus, olfaction offers a rare opportunity to study both the structural and the functional properties of a regenerating sensory system in direct response to environmental stimuli. In this review, we discuss neural organization in the form of maps and explore the relationship between regeneration and plasticity.
The Born–Rytov controversy: I. Comparing analytical and approximate expressions for the one-dimensional deterministic case

The applicability and domains of validity for the Born and the Rytov methods in scattering theory are established, with mathematical rigor, by comparing successive terms of the Born and the Rytov series calculated for wave propagation in a homogeneous dielectric half-space and a homogeneous dielectric slab for which the permittivities are assumed to have a low contrast over that of free space. While the (first-order) Rytov approximation is superior to the (first-order) Born approximation when it is applied to estimate the scattered field in the homogeneous dielectric half-space, both approximations are inapplicable to estimate the scattered fields when the dielectric slab is thick.
Feature Space Selection and Combination for Native Language Identification

We decribe the submissions made by the National Research Council Canada to the Native Language Identification (NLI) shared task. Our submissions rely on a Support Vector Machine classifier, various feature spaces using a variety of lexical, spelling, and syntactic features, and on a simple model combination strategy relying on a majority vote between classifiers. Somewhat surprisingly, a classifier relying on purely lexical features performed very well and proved difficult to outperform significantly using various combinations of feature spaces. However, the combination of multiple predictors allowed to exploit their different strengths and provided a significant boost in performance.
Variationsmethode und Störungstheorie

Angenommen, wir waren mit der Vorgehensweise im letzten Kapitel nicht vertraut, oder wir wollten einfach eine Grundzustandswellenfunktion fur den harmonischen Oszillator raten. Wie konnten wir dann, ausgehend von einer sinnvollen Testfunktion mit einem oder wenigen freien Parametern, die besten Werte fur diese Parameter bestimmen? Das Variationsprinzip gibt uns eine eindeutige Antwort auf diese Frage, wenn es uns nur darum geht, der Grund-zustandsenergie moglichst nahe zu kommen. Es besagt, das wir lediglich den Erwartungswert des Hamilton-Operators mit der Testfunktion berechnen und diesen dann bezuglich aller freien Parameter minimieren mussen.
Lost Paternity in the Culture of Motherhood

In her recent Columbia Law Review article, "Infant Safe Haven Laws: Legislating in the Culture of Life," Professor Carol Sanger shows that American safe haven laws, viewed "within a larger political culture," promote the "goal of the culture of life: the reversal of Roe v. Wade." Their effectiveness in that pursuit, she correctly notes, depends on whether judges and others recognize the "strong differences" between varying culture of life settings. Like Professor Sanger, I see differences between safe haven abandonment and abortion. Unfortunately, Professor Sanger fails to note that American safe haven laws, within a larger political culture, also significantly promote the culture of motherhood, that is, the unconditional respect for relatively exclusive maternal decisionmaking about newborns, regardless of children's best interests, of any legal paternity interests, and of the strong social policy favoring two parents for each child born alive as a result of consensual sex. As with culture of life settings, there are "strong differences" in culture of motherhood settings. I see significant differences between protecting potential human life from maternal acts and protecting actual human life from maternal acts. I see differences between pursuing actual deadbeat dads and simply projecting certain dads as deadbeat. I see differences between children conceived as a result of artificial insemination via an anonymous donor and children conceived as a result of consensual sex. I see differences between terminating potential or actual legal paternity before and after birth. The culture of motherhood, as the culture of life, in American family law merits our serious attention. There "are strong differences of opinion" on some forms of exclusive maternal decisionmaking. In particular, beyond revisiting safe haven laws, state legislators (and Congress, through the Social Security Act) need to reform many of the adoption and birth certificate laws governing children born as a result of consensual sex. American laws should better assure that the men named as legal fathers at birth merit that designation and that more children have legal fathers named at the time of birth.
What is a plasma

This introduction will define the plasma fourth state of matter, where we find plasmas on earth and beyond, and why they are useful. There are applications to many consumer items, fusion energy, scientific devices, satellite communications, semiconductor processing, spacecraft propulsion, and more. Since 99% of our observable universe is ionized gas, plasma physics determines many important features of astrophysics, space physics, and magnetosphere physics in our solar system. We describe some plasma characteristics, examples in nature, some useful applications, how to create plasmas. A brief introduction to the theoretical framework includes the connection between kinetic and fluid descriptions, quasi neutrality, Debye shielding, ambipolar electric fields, some plasma waves. Hands-on demonstrations follow. More complete explanations will follow next week.
Consequences of Mandated Bank Liquidity Disclosures

I examine the capital market consequences of mandatory disclosures of banks’ liquidity and the resulting changes in banks’ behavior. Employing a hand-collected sample of the disclosures of banks’ borrowing from the US Federal Reserve Discount Window (DW) during the financial crisis I find that these disclosures contain positive incremental market information and decrease banks’ cost of capital. However, I also find evidence of endogenous costs associated with more disclosure as banks respond by increasing liquidity holdings and decreasing risky assets. This finding indicates that, following the DW disclosures, banks try to avoid accessing the DW facility, despite capital market benefits.
Parallel Pathways Connecting the Primate Superior Colliculus with the Posterior Vermis

Since the initial report of Snider and Stowell (1944), many studies have shown that an extensive region of the posterior vermis of the cerebellum is responsive to photic stimulation (see Fadiga and Pupilli, 1964 and Armstrong, 1974, for reviews). While the pathways over which visual information reaches the posterior vermis are not well established, recent studies in our laboratory have focused upon the connections between the superior colliculus, a target of the retina in all mammals, and the inferior olivary complex, the primary source of climbing fiber input to the cerebellum (Szetagothai and Rajkovits, 1959).
Validation of the Microsoft Kinect® camera system for measurement of lower extremity jump landing and squatting kinematics

Cost effective, quantifiable assessment of lower extremity movement represents potential improvement over standard tools for evaluation of injury risk. Ten healthy participants completed three trials of a drop jump, overhead squat, and single leg squat task. Peak hip and knee kinematics were assessed using an 8 camera BTS Smart 7000DX motion analysis system and the Microsoft Kinect® camera system. The agreement and consistency between both uncorrected and correct Kinect kinematic variables and the BTS camera system were assessed using interclass correlations coefficients. Peak sagittal plane kinematics measured using the Microsoft Kinect® camera system explained a significant amount of variance [Range(hip) = 43.5-62.8%; Range(knee) = 67.5-89.6%] in peak kinematics measured using the BTS camera system. Across tasks, peak knee flexion angle and peak hip flexion were found to be consistent and in agreement when the Microsoft Kinect® camera system was directly compared to the BTS camera system but these values were improved following application of a corrective factor. The Microsoft Kinect® may not be an appropriate surrogate for traditional motion analysis technology, but it may have potential applications as a real-time feedback tool in pathological or high injury risk populations.
Nonhydrostatic, mesobeta-scale, real-data simulations with the Penn State University/National Center for Atmospheric Research mesoscale model

The Penn State University/National Center for Atmospheric Research (PSU/NCAR) mesoscale model is a widely used research tool that has been applied in a wide variety of real-data, mesoalpha-scale applications. Recently a nonhydrostatic version of this model has been developed by Dudhia (1993). It is the purpose of this paper to illustrate the capabilities of this modeling system by describing four examples of mesobeta-scale simulations: two of the cases involve maritime processes and two deal with continental weather events. All utilize fully three-dimensional sets of initial conditions that are based on real data, both standard data and from special measurements programs. One case employs the model in a data-assimilation configuration, wherein Newtonian relaxation terms are used in the equations to assimilate data from a variety of platforms. This example of nonhydrostatic four-dimensional data assimilation (FDDA) is performed for the purpose of generating a dynamically consistent four-dimensional data-set, however the same procedure can be used for model initialization. The first case, described in section 2, involves the simulation of a coastal front that forms offshore near the western edge of the Gulf Stream. In the second case, described in section 3, the model is used in the FDDA mode to define the mesobeta-scale windfield over the complex terrain of the region around Grand Canyon, Arizona. In sections 4 and 5 will be described the mesobeta-scale structure of cold fronts, one within a marine cyclone, and another near the Rocky Mountains.
Abstract 4477: Progesterone (P4) and testosterone (T) concentrations in random fine needle aspirates of the breast in pre- and postmenopausal women:

Background: The availability of steroid hormones in the breast may be an important measure of the potential for proliferation of hormone-dependent breast cancer, and because retention of hormones may be influenced by serum levels, in situ formation, and the presence of binding proteins and lipids in the tissue, measurements of tissue concentrations are more informative than serum concentrations alone. Methods: Subjects were normal women, aged 36-65 yr, without breast cancer and not taking hormones. Tissue was obtained by fine needle aspiration of the breast. The cellular pellet was saved for analysis of DNA, and lipids were extracted from the supernatant including the fatty layer. Previous work had shown the cellular pellet contained a very little of the total steroids of the sample. Triglycerides were precipitated from 90% methanol at –20 °C and the remaining lipids were applied to a C18 HPLC column for purification in a gradient of methanol and acetonitrile in phosphate buffer. Fractions containing P4 and T were analyzed by immunoassays. The total DNA in the cellular pellet was isolated and quantified by UV absorbance. The steroid content was expressed as either per mg of purified lipid or per microgram of DNA. The data, when expressed as the natural log of the concentrations, followed a normal distribution. Differences in pre- and postmenopausal concentrations were analyzed by group t-tests. Results: The geometric means of the hormone concentrations are shown in the table. Comment: Despite the almost complete loss of progesterone in serum of postmenopausal women, the concentrations in the tissue are reduced but remain, on average, at more than 25% of the premenopausal level, somewhat more than the previously reported percentage in NAF of 5%. Relationships within individual women to other risk factors will be explored. Testosterone is also maintained at a relatively high level in the tissue of postmenopausal women, and may serve as a substrate for aromatase. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4477. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4477
Antagonism of Nicotine Action by Cocaine.

In an attempt to analyze the action of cocaine on excised smooth muscles, it was discovered that treatment of a segment of mammalian intestine with nicotine following treatment with cocaine, failed to elicit the usual nicotine response. As is well known, the action of nicotine on excised intestinal strips is one of augmentation, followed by depression, with gradual recovery. Some segments, however, are only depressed by nicotine. The experiment was tried with Magnus preparations of small intestine and colon of the cat, dog, rabbit and guinea pig, Tyrode solution being used as the bath. For every segment of intestine treated with cocaine before the addition of nicotine to the bath, there was used an adjacent control segment, treated with nicotine alone. Out of nearly a score of trials, only once did cocaine fail to prevent nicotine action. Contact of cocaine with the tissue for a period of 3 minutes was sufficient to prevent nicotine action, even if the cocaine solution were replaced with fresh Tyrode solu...
Cumulus Ensemble Simulation

The cumulus parameterization problem is the formulation of the collective effects of subgrid-scale cloud processes in terms of the prognostic variables of resolvable scale. A quantitative understanding of the basic physical processes for individual clouds and their mesoscale organization is essential in order to address this problem. The understanding is, however, still not adequate due to (i) the lack of direct observations of the quantities associated with an ensemble of cumulus clouds (e.g., the cumulus mass flux), (ii) the difficulties of measuring temperature and mixing ratio in and around clouds, and (iii) the existence of large sampling errors.
Journey to Polymeric Materials Composed Exclusively of Simple Lignin Derivatives

Between 1955 and 1960, theories about lignin configuration were vacillating between random-coil and cross-linked “microgel” representations for macromolecular lignin chains. Light scattering was important in these early studies, but it was difficult to deal adequately with lignin fluorescence at the 546 nm incident wavelength being used. Cross-linking then prevailed, largely because of the hydrodynamic compactness of high molecular weight lignin species. The conceptual ramifications of this paradigm led to 40 wt % incorporation limits (or less) for lignins in cohesive polymeric materials. In due course, however, further evidence for a random-coil description of individual lignin components materialized; it became less obvious why simple lignin derivatives could not, on their own, form promising polymeric materials. The first plastics composed solely of a (native) ball-milled softwood lignin are similar to polyethylene in tensile behavior. Blending with just 5 wt % tetrabromobisphenol A (a flame retardant)...
Use of Transcranial Doppler for Management of Central Nervous System Infections in Critically Ill Children

Abstract Background The primary objective of this study was to characterize changes in cerebral blood flow measured using transcranial Doppler in children with central nervous system infections. We hypothesized that children with central nervous system infections have abnormal cerebral blood flow, associated with a greater frequency of complications and poor neurological outcome. Methods We conducted a single-center, retrospective study of children admitted to the neonatal or pediatric intensive care unit with central nervous system infection and undergoing transcranial Doppler as part of routine care between March 2011 and July 2015. Results A total of 20 children with central nervous system infection underwent 35 transcranial Dopplers. The mean age was 8.2 ± 6.3 years, including 12 boys and eight girls. The most common infection was meningitis (n = 11, 55%), with the remainder comprising encephalitis (15%), meningoencephalitis (20%), and abscess or empyema (10%). Bacterial (n = 10, 50%) and viral (n = 6) sources were common with only one (5%) fungal infection and three (15%) unknown but presumed viral etiology. The patients underwent transcranial Doppler 4 ± 9 days after intensive care unit admission. Mean cerebral blood flow velocities were overall increased compared with reference values for age (healthy children and critically ill children) mostly because of hyperemia (n = 21, 60%) and vasospasm (6%). Hypoperfusion (cerebral blood flow velocity P = 0.04) and mortality ( P = 0.03). Two patients had increased intracranial pressure and hyperventilation was safely achieved with transcranial Doppler monitoring to avoid ischemia. Serial transcranial Dopplers were used to guide blood pressure management. Conclusions Transcranial Doppler can be used in children with central nervous system infection as a tool to assess cerebral blood flow. In this retrospective study, cerebral hypoperfusion was associated with increased morbidity and mortality. If transcranial Doppler is to guide medical therapy and management of cerebral blood flow in children with central nervous system infections, these results will need to be validated in prospective studies with a more homogenous population of children with encephalitis or meningitis.
Large Eigenvalue Problems in Dynamic Analysis

An effective solution technique is presented to calculate the p lowest eigenvalues and corresponding vectors in the problem KΦ = ω²MΦ, when the order and bandwidth of the matrices is large. The eigenvalue problem is solved directly without a transformation to the standard form. The mass matrix, M, may be diagonal with zero elements as in a lumped mass analysis or may be banded as in a consistent mass formulation. The algorithm establishes q starting vectors, q > p , from the elements in M and K and iterates with all vectors simultaneously. This iteration is described as a subspace iteration, where best eigenvalue and eigenvector approximations can be calculated in each iteration. Operation counts are given which show the cost effectiveness of the algorithm when the bandwidth of the system is large. A program is described to solve the eigenvalue problem when the system has practically any order and bandwidth. Two example analyses are presented.
Memristor based STDP learning network for position detection

Most neural networks have a basic competitive learning rule on top of a more involved processing algorithm. This work highlights three basic learning rules - winner-take-all (WTA), spike timing dependent plasticity (STDP), and inhibition of return (IOR). It also gives a design example implementing WTA combined with STDP in a position detector. A CMOS and an MMOST (Memristor-MOS Technology) design simulation results are compared on the bases of power, area, and noise handling capabilities. Design and layout was done in 130 nm IBM process for CMOS, and the HSPICE model files for the process were used to simulate the CMOS part of the MMOST design. CMOS consumes 2.9×10−4cm2 area, 55 µW max power, and requires a 3 dB SNR. On the other hand, the MMOST design consumes 6×10−5cm2, 15 µW max power, and requires a 4.8 dB SNR.
Compositional variations in sands of the Bagnold Dunes, Gale crater, Mars, from visible‐shortwave infrared spectroscopy and comparison with ground truth from the Curiosity rover

During its ascent up Mount Sharp, the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover traversed the Bagnold Dune Field. We model sand modal mineralogy and grain size at four locations near the rover traverse, using orbital shortwave infrared single-scattering albedo spectra and a Markov chain Monte Carlo implementation of Hapke's radiative transfer theory to fully constrain uncertainties and permitted solutions. These predictions, evaluated against in situ measurements at one site from the Curiosity rover, show that X-ray diffraction-measured mineralogy of the basaltic sands is within the 95% confidence interval of model predictions. However, predictions are relatively insensitive to grain size and are nonunique, especially when modeling the composition of minerals with solid solutions. We find an overall basaltic mineralogy and show subtle spatial variations in composition in and around the Bagnold Dunes, consistent with a mafic enrichment of sands with cumulative aeolian-transport distance by sorting of olivine, pyroxene, and plagioclase grains. Furthermore, the large variations in Fe and Mg abundances (~20 wt %) at the Bagnold Dunes suggest that compositional variability may be enhanced by local mixing of well-sorted sand with proximal sand sources. Our estimates demonstrate a method for orbital quantification of composition with rigorous uncertainty determination and provide key constraints for interpreting in situ measurements of compositional variability within Martian aeolian sandstones.
Quantitative assessment of hemodynamic and structural characteristics of in vivo brain tissue using total diffuse reflectance spectrum measured in a non-contact fashion

Here we present a new methodology that investigates the intrinsic structural and hemodynamic characteristics of in vivo brain tissue, in a non-contact fashion, and can be easily incorporated in an intra-operative environment. Within this methodology, relative total diffuse reflectance spectra (RTD(λ)) were acquired from targets using a hybrid spectroscopy imaging system. A spectral interpretation algorithm was subsequently applied to RTD(λ) to retrieve optical properties related to the compositional and structural characteristics of each target. Estimation errors of the proposed methodology were computationally evaluated using a Monte Carlo simulation model for photon migration under various conditions. It was discovered that this new methodology could handle moderate noise and achieve very high accuracy, but only if the refractive index of the target is known. The accuracy of the technique was also validated using a series of tissue phantom studies, and consistent and accurate estimates of μs’(λ)/μa(λ) were obtained from all the phantoms tested. Finally, a small-scale animal study was conducted to demonstrate the clinical utility of the reported method, wherein a forepaw stimulation model was utilized to induce transient hemodynamic responses in somatosensory cortices. With this approach, significant stimulation-related changes (p < 0.001) in cortical hemodynamic and structural characteristics were successfully measured.
The Third Helper: Thoughts

Spontaneous thoughts comprise the third type of helper used by the nonconscious problem solver to influence our choices so that we implement avoidant behaviors. These thoughts are not obviously different from healthy ones. Studying the thoughts of recently recovering addicts shows that they are crafted with the same intelligence as the rest of patient’s thoughts and produced on the spot for maximum influence. The best ways to recognize them are to ask where the thought leads and to share them with a trusted other who does not have our blind spots. The mind is likely to resist challenge to such thoughts, so that tact and sensitivity are required.
TEM and Modal Skepticism

In this chapter, I argue that TEM is offers a better basis for modal skepticism than the one van Inwagen develops. My aim here is twofold. On the one hand, I want to show that TEM can lead to a form of modal skepticism, and if it does, then it leads to a better form than what’s previously been available. Second, I want to clarify what it would take to get a non-skeptical version of TEM—i.e., one on which we’re justified in believing some extraordinary modal claims. In other words, the goal here is to give a better sense of what TEM requires of those who think, for example, that they justifiably believe that there could be a maximally perfect being. Doing so will help us appreciate the nature of TEM’s cautiousness, as well as what’s valuable about it.
Metabolic and inflammatory responses to the common sweetener stevioside and a glycemic challenge in horses with equine metabolic syndrome.

Extracts derived from the leaves of the stevia plant (stevioside) are commonly used as sweeteners for humans and horses. Stevioside appears to be safe for human consumption, including for individuals with insulin dysregulation. In the horse, the safety or metabolic effects of stevioside on normal animals or on those with metabolic dysfunction are unknown. Furthermore, the inflammatory response to a glycemic challenge or to stevioside in horses is not well defined. Therefore, the objective of this study was to measure the effects of stevioside and a glycemic challenge on insulin, glucose, and inflammatory responses in horses with a common metabolic dysfunction (equine metabolic syndrome or EMS) compared with non-EMS controls. To accomplish this, 15 horses were selected; 8 EMS and 7 age-matched controls. An oral sugar test was performed using Karo corn syrup (karo) or stevioside in a random crossover design. Horses were given 0.15 mL/kg body weight of karo or its equivalent grams of sugar in stevia dissolved in water. Blood samples were collected by jugular venipuncture before administration of either stevia or karo and at 60 and 240 min after administration. Serum was used for glucose and insulin determination and plasma for isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) for inflammatory cytokine analysis via flow cytometry and reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). Stevia appeared to stimulate lower glycemic and insulinemic responses when compared to karo, in particular in EMS horses. EMS and control horses had inverse inflammatory responses to administration of either stevia or karo with EMS horses having a proinflammatory response (P ≤ 0.05). These data provide evidence as to why horses with EMS may be predisposed to developing laminitis, potentially as a result of an exaggerated inflammatory response to glycemic and insulinemic responses. Furthermore, the data provide new avenues for exploring mechanisms behind the syndrome, in particular when using a glycemic challenge.
Classical Field Theory

Classical field theory, which concerns the generation and interaction of fields, is a logical precursor to quantum field theory, and can be used to describe phenomena such as gravity and electromagnetism. Written for advanced undergraduates, and appropriate for graduate level classes, this book provides a comprehensive introduction to field theories, with a focus on their relativistic structural elements. Such structural notions enable a deeper understanding of Maxwell's equations, which lie at the heart of electromagnetism, and can also be applied to modern variants such as Chern–Simons and Born–Infeld. The structure of field theories and their physical predictions are illustrated with compelling examples, making this book perfect as a text in a dedicated field theory course, for self-study, or as a reference for those interested in classical field theory, advanced electromagnetism, or general relativity. Demonstrating a modern approach to model building, this text is also ideal for students of theoretical physics.
A Portrait of the Two South-Eastern Districts of Milan

This chapter reveals the findings from the analysis of the social observations (both real and virtual) of two south-western districts in Milan. Specifically, two selected neighbourhoods of each district are covered. The selection was made possible after a first explorative phase of the districts and the possibility of collecting virtual information comparable with the real observations.