Showing papers by "Cornell University published in 1997"

The Natural Flow Regime

Abstract: H umans have long been fascinated by the dynamism of free-flowing waters. Yet we have expended great effort to tame rivers for transportation, water supply, flood control, agriculture, and power generation. It is now recognized that harnessing of streams and rivers comes at great cost: Many rivers no longer support socially valued native species or sustain healthy ecosystems that provide important goods and services (Naiman et al. 1995, NRC 1992).

Human alteration of the global nitrogen cycle: sources and consequences

Abstract: Nitrogen is a key element controlling the species composition, diversity, dynamics, and functioning of many terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems. Many of the original plant species living in these ecosystems are adapted to, and function optimally in, soils and solutions with low levels of available nitrogen. The growth and dynamics of herbivore populations, and ultimately those of their predators, also are affected by N. Agriculture, combustion of fossil fuels, and other human activities have altered the global cycle of N substantially, generally increasing both the availability and the mobility of N over large regions of Earth. The mobility of N means that while most deliberate applications of N occur locally, their influence spreads regionally and even globally. Moreover, many of the mobile forms of N themselves have environmental consequences. Although most nitrogen inputs serve human needs such as agricultural production, their environmental conse- quences are serious and long term. Based on our review of available scientific evidence, we are certain that human alterations of the nitrogen cycle have: 1) approximately doubled the rate of nitrogen input into the terrestrial nitrogen cycle, with these rates still increasing; 2) increased concentrations of the potent greenhouse gas N 2O globally, and increased concentrations of other oxides of nitrogen that drive the formation of photochemical smog over large regions of Earth; 3) caused losses of soil nutrients, such as calcium and potassium, that are essential for the long-term maintenance of soil fertility; 4) contributed substantially to the acidification of soils, streams, and lakes in several regions; and 5) greatly increased the transfer of nitrogen through rivers to estuaries and coastal oceans. In addition, based on our review of available scientific evidence we are confident that human alterations of the nitrogen cycle have: 6) increased the quantity of organic carbon stored within terrestrial ecosystems; 7) accelerated losses of biological diversity, especially losses of plants adapted to efficient use of nitrogen, and losses of the animals and microorganisms that depend on them; and 8) caused changes in the composition and functioning of estuarine and nearshore ecosystems, and contributed to long-term declines in coastal marine fisheries.

Nitric oxide and macrophage function

Abstract: ▪ Abstract At the interface between the innate and adaptive immune systems lies the high-output isoform of nitric oxide synthase (NOS2 or iNOS). This remarkable molecular machine requires at least 17 binding reactions to assemble a functional dimer. Sustained catalysis results from the ability of NOS2 to attach calmodulin without dependence on elevated Ca2+. Expression of NOS2 in macrophages is controlled by cytokines and microbial products, primarily by transcriptional induction. NOS2 has been documented in macrophages from human, horse, cow, goat, sheep, rat, mouse, and chicken. Human NOS2 is most readily observed in monocytes or macrophages from patients with infectious or inflammatory diseases. Sustained production of NO endows macrophages with cytostatic or cytotoxic activity against viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, helminths, and tumor cells. The antimicrobial and cytotoxic actions of NO are enhanced by other macrophage products such as acid, glutathione, cysteine, hydrogen peroxide, or superoxid...

Institutionalization and Structuration: Studying the Links between Action and Institution:

Abstract: Institutional theory and structuration theory both contend that institutions and actions are inextricably linked and that institutionalization is best understood as a dynamic, ongoing process. Institutionalists, however, have pursued an empirical agenda that has largely ignored how institutions are created, altered, and reproduced, in part, because their models of institutionalization as a pro cess are underdeveloped. Structuration theory, on the other hand, largely remains a process theory of such abstraction that it has generated few empirical studies. This paper discusses the similarities between the two theories, develops an argument for why a fusion of the two would enable institutional theory to significantly advance, develops a model of institutionalization as a structuration process, and proposes methodological guidelines for investigating the process empirically.

Seed Banks and Molecular Maps: Unlocking Genetic Potential from the Wild

Abstract: Nearly a century has been spent collecting and preserving genetic diversity in plants. Germplasm banks-living seed collections that serve as repositories of genetic variation-have been established as a source of genes for improving agricultural crops. Genetic linkage maps have made it possible to study the chromosomal locations of genes for improving yield and other complex traits important to agriculture. The tools of genome research may finally unleash the genetic potential of our wild and cultivated germplasm resources for the benefit of society.

Computing Bayes Factors by Combining Simulation and Asymptotic Approximations

Abstract: The Bayes factor is a ratio of two posterior normalizing constants, which may be difficult to compute. We compare several methods of estimating Bayes factors when it is possible to simulate observations from the posterior distributions, via Markov chain Monte Carlo or other techniques. The methods that we study are all easily applied without consideration of special features of the problem, provided that each posterior distribution is well behaved in the sense of having a single dominant mode. We consider a simulated version of Laplace's method, a simulated version of Bartlett correction, importance sampling, and a reciprocal importance sampling technique. We also introduce local volume corrections for each of these. In addition, we apply the bridge sampling method of Meng and Wong. We find that a simulated version of Laplace's method, with local volume correction, furnishes an accurate approximation that is especially useful when likelihood function evaluations are costly. A simple bridge sampli...

Rethinking assimilation theory for a new era of immigration.

Abstract: Assimilation theory has been subject to intensive critique for decades. Yet no other framework has provided the social science community with as deep a corpus of cumulative findings concerning the incorporation of immigrants and their descendants. We argue that assimilation theory has not lost its utility for the study of contemporary immigration to the United States. In making our case, we review critically the canonical account of assimilation provided by Milton Gordon and others ; we refer to Shibutani and Kwan's theory of ethnic stratification to suggest some directions to take in reformulating assimilation theory. We also examine some of the arguments frequently made to distinguish between the earlier mass immigration of Europeans and the immigration of the contemporary era and find them to be inconclusive. Finally, we sift through some of the evidence about the socioeconomic and residential assimilation of recent immigrant groups. Though the record is clearly mixed, we find evidence consistent with the view that assimilation is taking place, albeit unevenly

Image indexing using color correlograms

Abstract: We define a new image feature called the color correlogram and use it for image indexing and comparison. This feature distills the spatial correlation of colors, and is both effective and inexpensive for content-based image retrieval. The correlogram robustly tolerates large changes in appearance and shape caused by changes in viewing positions, camera zooms, etc. Experimental evidence suggests that this new feature outperforms not only the traditional color histogram method but also the recently proposed histogram refinement methods for image indexing/retrieval.

'Vascular depression' hypothesis.

Abstract: We propose that cerebrovascular disease may predispose, precipitate, or perpetuate some geriatric depressive syndromes. The "vascular depression" hypothesis is supported by the comorbidity of depression, vascular disease, and vascular risk factors and the association of ischemic lesions to distinctive behavioral symptoms. Disruption of prefrontal systems or their modulating pathways by single lesions or by an accumulation of lesions exceeding a threshold are hypothesized to be central mechanisms in vascular depression. The vascular depression concept can generate studies of clinical and heuristic value. Drugs used for the prevention and treatment of cerebrovascular disease may be shown to reduce the risk for vascular depression or improve its outcomes. The choice of antidepressants in vascular depression may depend on their effect on neurologic recovery from ischemic lesions. Research can clarify the pathways to vascular depression by focusing on the site of the lesion, the resultant brain dysfunction, the presentation of depression and time of onset, and the contribution of nonbiological factors.

Improving Retrieval Performance by Relevance Feedback

Abstract: Relevance feedback is an automatic process, introduced over 20 years ago, designed to produce query formulations following an initial retrieval operation. The principal relevance feedback methods described over the years are examined briefly, and evaluation data are included to demonstrate the effectiveness of the various methods. Prescriptions are given for conducting text retrieval operations iteratively using relevance feedback.

Long-term effects of home visitation on maternal life course and child abuse and neglect : Fifteen-year follow-up of a randomized trial

Abstract: Context. —Home-visitation services have been promoted as a means of improving maternal and child health and functioning. However, long-term effects have not been examined. objective. —To examine the long-term effects of a program of prenatal and early childhood home visitation by nurses on women's life course and child abuse and neglect. Design. —Randomized trial. Setting. —Semirural community in New York. Participants. —Of 400 consecutive pregnant women with no previous live births enrolled, 324 participated in a follow-up study when their children were 15 years old. Intervention. —Families received a mean of 9 home visits during pregnancy and 23 home visits from the child's birth through the second birthday. Data Sources and Measures. —Women's use of welfare and number of subsequent children were based on self-report; their arrests and convictions were based on self-report and archived data from New York State. Verified reports of child abuse and neglect were abstracted from state records. Main Results. —During the 15-year period after the birth of their first child, in contrast to women in the comparison group, women who were visited by nurses during pregnancy and infancy were identified as perpetrators of child abuse and neglect in 0.29 vs 0.54 verified reports ( P P =.02), 65 vs 37 months between the birth of the first and a second child ( P =.001), 60 vs 90 months' receiving Aid to Families With Dependent Children ( P =.005), 0.41 vs 0.73 behavioral impairments due to use of alcohol and other drugs ( P =.03), 0.18 vs 0.58 arrests by self-report ( P P Conclusions. —This program of prenatal and early childhood home visitation by nurses can reduce the number of subsequent pregnancies, the use of welfare, child abuse and neglect, and criminal behavior on the part of low-income, unmarried mothers for up to 15 years after the birth of the first child.

A testicular antigen aberrantly expressed in human cancers detected by autologous antibody screening

Abstract: Serological analysis of recombinant cDNA expression libraries (SEREX) using tumor mRNA and autologous patient serum provides a powerful approach to identify immunogenic tumor antigens. We have applied this methodology to a case of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and identified several candidate tumor targets. One of these, NY-ESO-1, showed restricted mRNA expression in normal tissues, with high-level mRNA expression found only in testis and ovary tissues. Reverse transcription–PCR analysis showed NY-ESO-1 mRNA expression in a variable proportion of a wide array of human cancers, including melanoma, breast cancer, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma. NY-ESO-1 encodes a putative protein of Mr 17,995 having no homology with any known protein. The pattern of NY-ESO-1 expression indicates that it belongs to an expanding family of immunogenic testicular antigens that are aberrantly expressed in human cancers in a lineage-nonspecific fashion. These antigens, initially detected by either cytotoxic T cells (MAGE, BAGE, GAGE-1) or antibodies [HOM-MEL-40(SSX2), NY-ESO-1], represent a pool of antigenic targets for cancer vaccination.

A Markov Model for the Term Structure of Credit Risk Spreads

Abstract: This article provides a Markov model for the term structure of credit risk spreads. The model is based on Jarrow and Turnbull (1995), with the bankruptcy process following a discrete state space Markov chain in credit ratings. The parameters of this process are easily estimated using observable data. This model is useful for pricing and hedging corporate debt with imbedded options, for pricing and hedging OTC derivatives with counterparty risk, for pricing and hedging (foreign) government bonds subject to default risk (e.g., municipal bonds), for pricing and hedging credit derivatives, and for risk management.

Isolation of a Bacterium That Reductively Dechlorinates Tetrachloroethene to Ethene

Abstract: Tetrachloroethene is a prominent groundwater pollutant that can be reductively dechlorinated by mixed anaerobic microbial populations to the nontoxic product ethene. Strain 195, a coccoid bacterium that dechlorinates tetrachloroethene to ethene, was isolated and characterized. Growth of strain 195 with H2 and tetrachloroethene as the electron donor and acceptor pair required extracts from mixed microbial cultures. Growth of strain 195 was resistant to ampicillin and vancomycin; its cell wall did not react with a peptidoglycan-specific lectin and its ultrastructure resembled S-layers of Archaea. Analysis of the 16S ribosomal DNA sequence of strain 195 indicated that it is a eubacterium without close affiliation to any known groups.

Toward a Unifying Framework for Exploring Fit and Flexibility in Strategic Human Resource Management

Abstract: This paper presents a framework for studying the concepts of fit and flexibility in the field of Strategic Human Resource Management (Strategic HRM) focusing on HRM practices, employee skills, and employee behaviors and reviews past conceptual and empirical work within that framework. A model of Strategic HRM is presented and this model is used to explore the concepts of fit and flexibility as they apply to Strategic HRM. The concepts of resource and coordination flexibility are applied to Strategic HRM, and the implications of the framework for both the practice of and research on Strategic HRM are discussed.

Identification of nitric oxide synthase as a protective locus against tuberculosis

Abstract: Mutagenesis of the host immune system has helped identify response pathways necessary to combat tuberculosis. Several such pathways may function as activators of a common protective gene: inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS2). Here we provide direct evidence for this gene controlling primary Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection using mice homozygous for a disrupted NOS2 allele. NOS2−/− mice proved highly susceptible, resembling wild-type littermates immunosuppressed by high-dose glucocorticoids, and allowed Mycobacterium tuberculosis to replicate faster in the lungs than reported for other gene-deficient hosts. Susceptibility appeared to be independent of the only known naturally inherited antimicrobial locus, NRAMP1. Progression of chronic tuberculosis in wild-type mice was accelerated by specifically inhibiting NOS2 via administration of N6-(1-iminoethyl)-l-lysine. Together these findings identify NOS2 as a critical host gene for tuberculostasis.

Polymer Melt Intercalation in Organically-Modified Layered Silicates: Model Predictions and Experiment

Abstract: The effect of silicate functionalization, anneal temperature, polymer molecular weight, and constituent interactions on polymer melt intercalation of a variety of styrene-derivative polymers in alkylammonium-functionalized silicates is examined. Hybrid formation requires an optimal interlayer structure for the organically-modified layered silicate (OLS), with respect to the number per host area and size of the alkylammonium chains, as well as the presence of polar interactions between the OLS and polymer. From these observations and the qualitative predictions of the mean-field lattice-based model of polymer melt intercalation (preceding paper in this issue), general guidelines may be established for selecting potentially compatible polymer−OLS systems. The interlayer structure of the OLS should be optimized to maximize the configurational freedom of the functionalizing chains upon layer separation while maximizing potential interaction sites with the surface. The most successful polymers for intercalatio...

Inducible nitric oxide synthase: what difference does it make?

Abstract: Fire sweeps through the brush. In its aftermath, dormant seeds of chaparral, savanna, heath, and scrub begin to germinate in response to a “go” signal in the smoke. Even though smokesoaked water kills the seeds, in diluted form it triggers their development. The chemical cues are nitrogen oxides (1). This lesson of death and life in the field mirrors comparable events within us, where reactive nitrogen intermediates (RNI) 1 deliver both deathand life-promoting messages. As described in Michel and Feron’s introduction to this series (2), RNI include not only nitric oxide (NO), the primary reactive product of nitric oxide synthases (NOSs), but also those species resulting from NO’s rapid oxidation, reduction, or adduction in physiologic milieus, such as NO 2 , NO 2 2 , N 2 O 3 , N 2 O 4 , S -nitrosothiols, and peroxynitrite (OONO 2 ). In mammals, there is a rough correspondence between toxic and homeostatic functions of NO and its production in large and small quantities, respectively. The high-output path of NO production is the hallmark of the second isoform of NOS to be cloned, NOS2. NOS2 was named “iNOS” (3) to connote its independence of elevated intracellular Ca 2 1 , the distinguishing biochemical feature primarily responsible for conferring the capacity of this isoform for more sustained catalysis than typically exercised either by nNOS (NOS1) or eNOS (NOS3) (4). Because iNOS is expressed in most cells only after induction by immunologic and inflammatory stimuli, the “i” doubles for “inducible.” 5 yr after mouse iNOS cDNA was cloned (3, 5, 6), and 2 yr after the NOS2 gene was disrupted in mice through homologous recombination (7–9), it is timely to take stock: What does iNOS contribute to mammalian pathophysiology? The complexity of this question has elicited multiple responses addressed to different facets of an answer (e.g., references 10–15). The approach of this Perspective is to focus on lessons emerging from iNOS “knock-out” mice. The compound phenotype of these mice (Table I) invites prediction, the limitations of pathophysiologic analysis through gene disruption deserve reflection, and the bottom line demands inspection: In what light does this new knowledge cast iNOS as a potential therapeutic target?

Nanocomposite Materials for Optical Applications

Abstract: A substantial amount of work has been carried out in the area of nanocomposite materials for optical applications. Composites are typically constructed by embedding an optically functional phase into a processable, transparent matrix material. By doing so, the optical properties can be utilized in more technologically important forms such as films and fibers. This review covers many areas of optical composite research to date. Composites with second- and third-order nonlinearities and laser amplification properties are discussed with examples from the recent literature. Other composites, including transparent magnets, may be made using similar structures. The principles used to construct these composites may have important technological applications soon and are therefore summarized in this review.

Comparing images using color coherence vectors

Abstract: Color histograms are used to compare images in many applications. Their advantages are efficiency, and insensitivity to small changes in camera viewpoint. However, color histograms lack spatial information, so images with very different appearances can have similar histograms. For example, a picture of fall foliage might contain a large number of scattered red pixels; this could have a similar color histogram to a picture with a single large red object. We describe a histogram-based method for comparing images that incorporates spatial information. We classify each pixel in a given color bucket as either coherent or incoherent, based on whether or not it is part of a large similarly-colored region. A color coherence vector (CCV) stores the number of coherent versus incoherent pixels with each color. By separating coherent pixels from incoherent pixels, CCV’s provide finer distinctions than color histograms. CCV’s can be computed at over 5 images per second on a standard workstation. A database with 15,000 images can be queried for the images with the most similar CCV’s in under 2 seconds. We show that CCV’s can give superior results to color his∗To whom correspondence should be addressed tograms for image retrieval.

An essential role for free radicals and derived species in signal transduction.

Abstract: It is well accepted that extracellular ligands trigger nuclear signals through a cascade of protein-protein interactions. Many of these pathways have been carefully defined and provide an important framework by which we can understand and intervene in the processes they initiate. Recent data in the literature indicate that many extracellular ligands generate and/or require reactive free radicals or derived species to successfully transmit their signals to the nucleus. Thus, a novel signaling mechanism akin to one solely dependent on protein-protein interactions may exist. Here, we review this information, identify both the sources and targets of free radicals generated by various growth factors and cytokines, discuss how specificity can be achieved, and explore the pathophysiological implications.

Distinct cortical areas associated with native and second languages

Abstract: The ability to acquire and use several languages selectively is a unique and essential human capacity. Here we investigate the fundamental question of how multiple languages are represented in a human brain. We applied functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to determine the spatial relationship between native and second languages in the human cortex, and show that within the frontal-lobe language-sensitive regions (Broca's area)1,2,3, second languages acquired in adulthood (‘late’ bilingual subjects) are spatially separated from native languages. However, when acquired during the early language acquisition stage of development (‘early’ bilingual subjects), native and second languages tend to be represented in common frontal cortical areas. In both late and early bilingual subjects, the temporal-lobe language-sensitive regions (Wernicke's area)1,2,3 also show effectively little or no separation of activity based on the age of language acquisition. This discovery of language-specific regions in Broca's area advances our understanding of the cortical representation that underlies multiple language functions.

Assessing Psychiatric Impairment in Primary Care with the Sheehan Disability Scale

Abstract: Objective:Several recent studies have documented that substantial functional impairment is associated with many of the mental disorders seen in primary care. However, brief measures of mental health-related functional impairment are not commonly applied in primary care settings. The Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), a three-item instrument for assessing such impairment, is evaluated in this study. Method: A psychometric analysis of the SDS was conducted with a sample of 1001 primary care patients at Kaiser Permanente in Oakland, California. The SDS and the Symptom Driven Diagnostic System for Primary Care assessments were completed.Results:The internal consistency reliability of the SDS is high, with coefficient alpha of 0.89. The construct validity was substantiated in two ways. A one-factor model fit the data quite well. Furthermore, patients with each of six psychiatric disorders had significantly higher impairment scores than those who did not. Finally, over 80 percent of the patients with mental disord...

The Strepsiptera problem: phylogeny of the holometabolous insect orders inferred from 18S and 28S ribosomal DNA sequences and morphology.

Abstract: Phylogenetic relationships among the holometabolous insect orders were inferred from cladistic analysis of nucleotide sequences of 18S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) (85 exemplars) and 28S rDNA (52 exemplars) and morphological characters. Exemplar outgroup taxa were Collembola (1 sequence), Archaeognatha (1), Ephemerida (1), Odonata (2), Plecoptera (2), Blattodea (1), Mantodea (1), Dermaptera (1), Orthoptera (1), Phasmatodea (1), Embioptera (1), Psocoptera (1), Phthiraptera (1), Hemiptera (4), and Thysanoptera (1). Exemplar ingroup taxa were Coleoptera: Archostemata (1), Adephaga (2), and Polyphaga (7); Megaloptera (1); Raphidioptera (1); Neuroptera (sensu stricto = Planipennia): Mantispoidea (2), Hemerobioidea (2), and Myrmeleontoidea (2); Hymenoptera: Symphyta (4) and Apocrita (19); Trichoptera: Hydropsychoidea (1) and Limnephiloidea (2); Lepidoptera: Ditrysia (3); Siphonaptera: Pulicoidea (1) and Ceratophylloidea (2); Mecoptera: Meropeidae (1), Boreidae (1), Panorpidae (1), and Bittacidae (2); Diptera: Nematocera (1), Brachycera (2), and Cyclorrhapha (1); and Strepsiptera: Corioxenidae (1), Myrmecolacidae (1), Elenchidae (1), and Stylopidae (3). We analyzed approximately 1 kilobase of 18S rDNA, starting 398 nucleotides downstream of the 5' end, and approximately 400 bp of 28S rDNA in expansion segment D3. Multiple alignment of the 18S and 28S sequences resulted in 1,116 nucleotide positions with 24 insert regions and 398 positions with 14 insert regions, respectively. All Strepsiptera and Neuroptera have large insert regions in 18S and 28S. The secondary structure of 18S insert 23 is composed of long stems that are GC rich in the basal Strepsiptera and AT rich in the more derived Strepsiptera. A matrix of 176 morphological characters was analyzed for holometabolous orders. Incongruence length difference tests indicate that the 28S + morphological data sets are incongruent but that 28S + 18S, 18S + morphology, and 28S + 18S + morphology fail to reject the hypothesis of congruence. Phylogenetic trees were generated by parsimony analysis, and clade robustness was evaluated by branch length, Bremer support, percentage of extra steps required to force paraphyly, and sensitivity analysis using the following parameters: gap weights, morphological character weights, methods of data set combination, removal of key taxa, and alignment region. The following are monophyletic under most or all combinations of parameter values: Holometabola, Polyphaga, Megaloptera + Raphidioptera, Neuroptera, Hymenoptera, Trichoptera, Lepidoptera, Amphiesmenoptera (Trichoptera + Lepidoptera), Siphonaptera, Siphonaptera + Mecoptera, Strepsiptera, Diptera, and Strepsiptera + Diptera (Halteria). Antliophora (Mecoptera + Diptera + Siphonaptera + Strepsiptera), Mecopterida (Antliophora + Amphiesmenoptera), and Hymenoptera + Mecopterida are supported in the majority of total evidence analyses. Mecoptera may be paraphyletic because Boreus is often placed as sister group to the fleas; hence, Siphonaptera may be subordinate within Mecoptera. The 18S sequences for Priacma (Coleoptera: Archostemata), Colpocaccus (Coleoptera: Adephaga), Agulla (Raphidioptera), and Corydalus (Megaloptera) are nearly identical, and Neuropterida are monophyletic only when those two beetle sequences are removed from the analysis. Coleoptera are therefore paraphyletic under almost all combinations of parameter values. Halteria and Amphiesmenoptera have high Bremer support values and long branch lengths. The data do not support placement of Strepsiptera outside of Holometabola nor as sister group to Coleoptera. We reject the notion that the monophyly of Halteria is due to long branch attraction because Strepsiptera and Diptera do not have the longest branches and there is phylogenetic congruence between molecules, across the entire parameter space, and between morphological and molecular data.

The evolution of the altiplano-puna plateau of the central andes

Abstract: The enigma of continental plateaus formed in the absence of continental collision is embodied by the Altiplano-Puna, which stretches for 1800 km along the Central Andes and attains a width of 350‐400 km. The plateau correlates spatially and temporally with Andean arc magmatism, but it was uplifted primarily because of crustal thickening produced by horizontal shortening of a thermally softened lithosphere. Nonetheless, known shortening at the surface accounts for only 70‐ 80% of the observed crustal thickening, suggesting that magmatic addition and other processes such as lithospheric thinning, upper mantle hydration, or tectonic underplating may contribute significantly to thickening. Uplift in the region of the Altiplano began around 25 Ma, coincident with increased convergence rate and inferred shallowing of subduction; uplift in the Puna commenced 5‐10 million years later.

An exploratory study of musical emotions and psychophysiology

Abstract: A basic issue about musical emotions concerns whether music elicits emotional responses in listeners (the 'emotivist' position) or simply expresses emotions that listeners recognize in the music (the 'cognitivist' position). To address this, psychophysiological measures were recorded while listners heard two excerpts chosen to represent each of three emotions: sad, fear, and happy. The measures covered a fairly wide spectrum of cardiac, vascular, electrodermal, and respiratory functions. Other subjects indicated dynamic changes in emotions they experienced while listening to the music on one of four scales: sad, fear, happy, and tension. Both physiological and emotion judgements were made on a second-by-second basis. The physiological measures all showed a significant effect of music compared to the pre-music interval. A number of analyses, including correlations between physiology and emotion judgments, found significant differences among the excerpts. The sad excerpts produced the largest changes in heart rate, blood pressure, skin conductance and temperature. The fear excerpts produced the largest changes in blood transit time and amplitude. The happy excerpts produced the largest changes in the measures of respiration. These emotion-specific physiological changes only partially replicated those found for nonmusical emotions. The physiological effects of music observed generally support the emotivist view of musical emotions.