Showing papers by "University of Florida published in 1993"

Looking at pictures: affective, facial, visceral, and behavioral reactions

Abstract: Colored photographic pictures that varied widely across the affective dimensions of valence (pleasant-unpleasant) and arousal (excited-calm) were each viewed for a 6-s period while facial electromyographic (zygomatic and corrugator muscle activity) and visceral (heart rate and skin conductance) reactions were measured. Judgments relating to pleasure, arousal, interest, and emotional state were measured, as was choice viewing time. Significant covariation was obtained between (a) facial expression and affective valence judgments and (b) skin conductance magnitude and arousal ratings. Interest ratings and viewing time were also associated with arousal. Although differences due to the subject's gender and cognitive style were obtained, affective responses were largely independent of the personality factors investigated. Response specificity, particularly facial expressiveness, supported the view that specific affects have unique patterns of reactivity. The consistency of the dimensional relationships between evaluative judgments (i.e., pleasure and arousal) and physiological response, however, emphasizes that emotion is fundamentally organized by these motivational parameters.

A system for the functional evaluation of reconstructive procedures after surgical treatment of tumors of the musculoskeletal system.

Abstract: The need for a standardized system of end result reporting of various surgical alternatives after limb salvaging and ablative procedures for musculoskeletal tumors was clearly recognized during the first International Symposium on Limb Salvage (ISOLS) in 1981. During the ensuing four biannual symposia, there has been an ongoing developmental experience with a system extensively field tested in 1989 by the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS). This system of functional evaluation has been adopted by the MSTS and ISOLS for their joint studies and program presentation. In brief, the system assigns numerical values (0-5) for each of six categories: pain, and function and emotional acceptance in upper and lower extremities; supports, and walking and gait in the lower extremity; and hand positioning, and dexterity and lifting ability in the upper extremity. Demographic information and a patient satisfaction component is included. A numerical score and percent rating is calculated to allow for comparison of results. The system has been field tested in 220 patients with low (+/-) interobserver variability. It was well accepted by the participants, and its usage is recommended by the MSTS to facilitate valid comparative end result studies of musculoskeletal tumor reconstructions.

The equation of motion coupled‐cluster method. A systematic biorthogonal approach to molecular excitation energies, transition probabilities, and excited state properties

Abstract: A comprehensive overview of the equation of motion coupled‐cluster (EOM‐CC) method and its application to molecular systems is presented. By exploiting the biorthogonal nature of the theory, it is shown that excited state properties and transition strengths can be evaluated via a generalized expectation value approach that incorporates both the bra and ket state wave functions. Reduced density matrices defined by this procedure are given by closed form expressions. For the root of the EOM‐CC effective Hamiltonian that corresponds to the ground state, the resulting equations are equivalent to the usual expressions for normal single‐reference CC density matrices. Thus, the method described in this paper provides a universal definition of coupled‐cluster density matrices, providing a link between EOM‐CC and traditional ground state CC theory.Excitation energy,oscillator strength, and property calculations are illustrated by means of several numerical examples, including comparisons with full configuration interaction calculations and a detailed study of the ten lowest electronically excited states of the cyclic isomer of C4.

Testing identifiability and specification in instrumental variable models

Abstract: The paper develops and explores tests, based on standard moment specifications, for the identifiability of parameters apparently estimable by instrumental variables. An asymptotic expansion under standard restrictive assumptions on the error distribution suggests a correction to the asymptotic distribution. A small sampling experiment indicates that the tests are of use.

Spontaneous loss of T-cell tolerance to glutamic acid decarboxylase in murine insulin-dependent diabetes.

Abstract: INSULIN-DEPENDENT diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice results from the T-lymphocyte-mediated destruction of the insulin-producing pancreatic β-cells and serves as a model for human IDDM1. Whereas a number of autoantibodies are associated with IDDM2, it is unclear when and to what β-cell antigens pathogenic T cells become activated during the disease process. We report here that a T-helper-1 (Thl) response to glutamate decarboxylase develops in NOD mice at the same time as the onset of insulitis. This response is initially limited to a confined region of glutamate decarboxylase, but later spreads intramolecularly to additional determinants. Subsequently, T-cell reactivity arises to other β-cell antigens, consistent with intermolecular diversification of the response. Prevention of the spontaneous anti-glutamate decarboxylase response, by tolerization of glutamate decarboxylase-reactive T cells, blocks the development of T-cell autoimmunity to other β-cell antigens, as well as insulitis and diabetes. Our data suggest that (1) glutamate decarboxylase is a key target antigen in the induction of murine IDDM; (2) autoimmunity to glutamate decarboxylase triggers T-cell responses to other β-cell antigens, and (3) spontaneous autoimmune disease can be prevented by tolerization to the initiating target antigen.

Texture classification by wavelet packet signatures

Abstract: This correspondence introduces a new approach to characterize textures at multiple scales. The performance of wavelet packet spaces are measured in terms of sensitivity and selectivity for the classification of twenty-five natural textures. Both energy and entropy metrics were computed for each wavelet packet and incorporated into distinct scale space representations, where each wavelet packet (channel) reflected a specific scale and orientation sensitivity. Wavelet packet representations for twenty-five natural textures were classified without error by a simple two-layer network classifier. An analyzing function of large regularity (D/sub 20/) was shown to be slightly more efficient in representation and discrimination than a similar function with fewer vanishing moments (D/sub 6/) In addition, energy representations computed from the standard wavelet decomposition alone (17 features) provided classification without error for the twenty-five textures included in our study. The reliability exhibited by texture signatures based on wavelet packets analysis suggest that the multiresolution properties of such transforms are beneficial for accomplishing segmentation, classification and subtle discrimination of texture. >

Patient-related barriers to management of cancer pain

Abstract: Patients' reluctance to report pain and to use analgesics are considered major barriers to pain management. To explore this problem, 270 patients with cancer completed a 27-item self-report questionnaire (BQ) that assessed the extent to which they have concerns about reporting pain and using pain medication. The 8 specific concerns included fear of addiction, beliefs that 'good' patients do not complain about pain, and concern about side effects. Patients also completed a measure of pain severity and pain interference (the BPI). The percentages of patients having concerns assessed by the BQ ranged from 37% to 85%. Those who were older, less educated, or had lower incomes were more likely to have concerns. Higher levels of concern were correlated with higher levels of pain. Based on their reports of pain medications used in the past week and on their reports of pain severity, patients were categorized as under-medicated versus adequately medicated. Those who were under-medicated reported significantly higher levels of concern. The data are discussed in terms of implications for research and practice.

Postoperative Chemotherapy and Delayed Radiation in Children Less Than Three Years of Age With Malignant Brain Tumors

Abstract: Background Among patients with malignant brain tumors, infants and very young children have the worst prognosis and the most severe treatment-related neurotoxic effects. Therefore, in 1986, the Pediatric Oncology Group began a study in which postoperative chemotherapy was given in order to permit a delay in the delivery of radiation to the developing brain. Methods Children under 36 months of age with biopsy-proved malignant brain tumors were treated postoperatively with two 28-day cycles of cyclophosphamide plus vincristine, followed by one 28-day cycle of cisplatin plus etoposide. This sequence was repeated until the disease progressed or for two years in 132 children under 24 months of age at diagnosis and for one year in 66 children 24 to 36 months of age at diagnosis. After this, the patients received radiation therapy. The response to the first two cycles of chemotherapy was measured in 102 patients with residual postoperative disease. Results The first two cycles of cyclophosphamide and vincristine...

Growth factors and wound healing: biochemical properties of growth factors and their receptors.

Abstract: Wound healing is a complex biologic process that involves chemotaxis and division of cells, neovascularization, synthesis of extracellular matrix proteins, and remodeling of scar. Peptide growth factors have been shown to regulate many of these processes in vitro, leading to the hypothesis that peptide growth factors also regulate important phases of wound healing in vivo. Part I of this two-part series presents an overview of the biochemical properties of five families of peptide growth factors that are thought to be involved in wound healing: epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), insulin-like growth factor (IGF), and fibroblast growth factor (FGF).

Stages of oocyte development in the zebrafish, Brachydanio rerio

Abstract: Oocyte development has been divided into five stages in the zebrafish Brachydanio rerio, based on morphological criteria and on physiological and biochemical events. In stage I (primary growth stage), oocytes reside in nests with other oocytes (Stage IA) and then within a definitive follicle (Stage IB), where they greatly increase in size. In stage II (cortical alveolus stage), oocytes are distinguished by the appearance of variably sized cortical alveoli and the vitelline envelope becomes prominent. In stage III (vitellogenesis), yolk proteins appear in oocytes and yolk bodies with crystalline yolk accrue during this major growth stage. Ooctes develop the capacity to respond in vitro to the steroid 17α, 20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP) by undergoing oocyte maturation. In stage IV (oocyte maturation), oocytes increase slightly in size, become translucent, and their yolk becomes non-crystalline as they undergo final meiotic maturation in vivo (and in response to DHP in vitro). In stage V (mature egg), eggs (approx. 0.75 mm) are ovulated into the ovarian lumen and are capable of fertilization. This staging series lays the foundation for future studies on the cellular processes occurring during oocyte development in zebrafish and should be useful for experimentation that requires an understanding of stage-specific events. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Defining higher order thinking

Abstract: (1993) Defining higher order thinking Theory Into Practice: Vol 32, Teaching for Higher Order Thinking, pp 131-137

Biasing and Hierarchical Statistics in Large-Scale Structure

Abstract: In this paper we consider the consequences for galaxy formation of an arbitrary, effectively local biasing transformation of a hierarchical underlying matter distribution. We show that a general form of such a transformation preserves the hierarchical properties and the shape of the dispersion in the limit of small fluctuations, i.e., on large scales, although the values of the hierarchical amplitudes may change arbitrarily. We present expressions for the induced hierarchical amplitudes S(g,j) of the galaxy distribution in terms of the matter amplitudes S(j) and biasing parameters for j = 3-7. For higher order correlations, j greater than 2, restricting to a linear bias is not a consistent approximation even at very large scales. To draw any conclusions from the galaxy distribution about matter correlations of order j, properties of biasing must be specified completely to order j - 1.

Growth factors and wound healing: Part II. Role in normal and chronic wound healing

Abstract: Wound healing is a complex biologic process that involves the integration of inflammation, mitosis, angiogenesis, synthesis, and remodeling of the extracellular matrix. Part II of this two-part series reviews the results of experiments that indicate that growth factors and their receptors regulate key aspects of soft and hard tissue repair. Results of clinical studies are also reviewed that demonstrate that growth factor treatment accelerates healing of normal tissues and promotes healing of impaired wounds.

Biochemical methane potential of biomass and waste feedstocks

Abstract: The biochemical methane potential (BMP)) assay was evaluated in terms of inoculum (rumen versus primary sludge digester), inoculum-to-feed ratio, and particle size for analysis of extent and rate of conversion of biomass and waste feedstocks to methane. The rumen and sludge inocula exhibited similar solubilization of particulate matter. An inoculum-to-feed ratio of 2:1 was shown to give maximum conversion rates. Particle size did not influence rate in the range of 1–8 mm. An extensive data base on the biochemical methane potential of several biomass and waste feedstocks is presented, including freshwater, marine, herbaceous, and woody feedstocks and municipal wastes; data for plant parts are also included. In addition, the influence of several parameters on the BMP of feedstocks are presented, including growth and harvest conditions, and ensiling.

The role of attention in the treatment of attention-maintained self-injurious behavior: noncontingent reinforcement and differential reinforcement of other behavior.

Abstract: Because there are potentially serious limitations to differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) (which is probably the most widely used treatment procedure for behavior problems), we examined an alternative procedure--noncontingent reinforcement (NCR). Three females with developmental disabilities, all of whom engaged in severe self-injurious behavior, participated. During a pretreatment functional analysis, each subject's self-injury was shown to be differentially sensitive to social attention as a maintaining consequence. Next, each subject was exposed to a DRO treatment and an NCR treatment. During DRO, attention was delivered contingent on the absence of self-injury for prespecified intervals. During NCR, attention was delivered on a fixed-time schedule that was not influenced by the subject's behavior. Results showed that both procedures were highly effective in reducing self-injury, probably because the functional reinforcer for self-injury was used during treatment. Furthermore, there was evidence that NCR attenuated several of the limitations of DRO. These results are particularly interesting in light of the long experimental history of NCR as a control rather than as a therapeutic procedure.

Strategies and Tactics of Behavioral Research

Abstract: Part 1. The Natural Science of Behavior. Science and Scientific Behavior. Behavior as a Scientific Subject Matter. Asking Experimental Questions. Part 2. Measurement. Selecting and Defining Response Classes. Dimensional Quantities and Units of Measurement. Observing and Recording. Assessing Measurement. Part 3. Design. Behavioral Variability. Steady States and Transitions. Strategic Issues in Experimental Design. Creating Experimental Designs. Part 4. Interpretation. Analyzing Behavioral Data. Interpreting Experiments.

Attention Deficit- Hyperactivity Disorder and Asymmetry of the Caudate Nucleus:

Abstract: The neurologic basis of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is poorly understood. Based on previous studies that have implicated metabolic deficiencies in the caudate-striatal region in ADHD, we employed magnetic resonance imaging to investigate patterns of morphology of the head of the caudate nucleus in normal and ADHD children. In normal children, 72.7% evidenced a left-larger-than-right (L > R) pattern of asymmetry, whereas 63.6% of the ADHD children had the reverse (L R) morphologic asymmetry in the region of the caudate nucleus may be related to asymmetries observed in neurotransmitter systems implicated in ADHD. The behavioral symptoms of ADHD may reflect disinhibition from normal levels of dominant hemispheric control, possibly correlated with deviations in asymmetric caudate-striatal morphology and deficiencies in associated neurotransmitter systems.

Mandatory neuropeptide-steroid signaling for the preovulatory luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone discharge.

Abstract: I Introduction PITUITARY hormones are secreted in the form of episodic bursts At least two modalities of these periodic hormonal events have been identified in the rat Generally, low amplitude episodes occurring at more or less constant frequency dominate the pituitary secretory pattern On occasion, however, these ultradian intermittent secretory bursts are interrupted by high amplitude surges of hormone secretion lasting for a considerable length of time (1, 2) Well characterized examples of these latter events are the preovulatory gonadotropin (3, 4) and PRL (4, 5) surges in the female rat, the daily burst of ACTH secretion (6), and the periodic high mass and longer duration episodes of GH and PRL in both female and male rats (7, 8) The importance of these pituitary hormone surges in sustaining the internal milieu and the perceived corollary that subtle and progressive derangements in the periodicity and amplitude of these secretory events impel premature aging of reproductive processes are well r

Vegetation effects on the isotope composition of oxygen in atmospheric CO2

Abstract: THE 18O/16O ratio in atmospheric CO2 is a signal dominated by CO2 exchange with the terrestrial biosphere and it has considerable potential to resolve the current importance of the oceans and individual terrestrial biomes as net sinks for anthropogenic CO2. Fractionation of the oxygen isotopes of CO2 occurs in plants owing to differential diffusion of C18O16O and C16O2 and to isotope effects in oxygen exchange with chloroplast water. Kere we investigate the consequences of these effects for the global distribution of oxygen isotopes in CO2. We predict that 18O isotopic exchange fluxes, especially between the atmosphere and terrestrial biosphere, are large, with considerable spatial variation. Near 70° N, where precipitation (and soil water) is most depleted in 18O, photosynthesis and respiration both deplete the atmospheric CO2 of O. This provides an explanation for the depletion of 18O in atmospheric CO2 at high northern latitudes1.

A gene for the mouse pink-eyed dilution locus and for human type II oculocutaneous albinism

Abstract: THE mouse pink-eyed dilution (p) locus on chromosome 7 is associated with defects of skin, eye and coat pigmentation1. Mutations at p cause a reduction of eumelanin (black-brown) pigment and altered morphology of black pigment granules (eumelano-somes), but have little effect on pheomelanin (yellow-red) pigment2. We show here that the human complementary DNA DN10, linked to thep locus in mice3–5, identifies the human homologue (P) of the mouse pgene, and appears to encode an integral membrane transporter protein. The expression pattern of this gene in various p mutant mice correlates with the pigmentation phenotype; moreover, an abnormally sized messenger RNA is detected in one mutant,pun, which reverts to the normal size in pun revertants. The human P gene corresponds to the D15S12locus within the chromosome segment 15qll–ql3, which is typically deleted in patients with Prader–Willi and Angelman syndrome (see ref. 5 for review). These disorders are phenotypically distinct, depending on the parent of origin of the deleted chromosome5–7, but both syndromes are often associated with hypopigmentation of the skin, hair and eyes (see ref. 8 for review), and deletion of theP gene may be responsible for this hypopigmentation. In addition, we report a mutation in both copies of the human P gene in one case of tyrosinase-positive (type II) oculocutaneous albinism, recently linked to 15qll–ql3 (ref. 9).

Biasing and Hierarchical Statistics in Large-scale Structure

Abstract: In the current paradigm there is a non-trivial bias expected in the process of galaxy formation. Thus, the observed statistical properties of the galaxy distribution do not necessarily extend to the underlying matter distribution. Gravitational evolution of initially Gaussian seed fluctuations predicts that the connected moments of the matter fluctuations exhibit a hierarchical structure, at least in the limit of small dispersion. This same hierarchical structure has been found in the galaxy distribution, but it is not clear to what extent it reflects properties of the matter distribution or properties of a galaxy formation bias. In this paper we consider the consequences of an arbitrary, effectively local biasing transformation of a hierarchical underlying matter distribution. We show that a general form of such a transformation preserves the hierarchical properties and the shape of the dispersion in the limit of small fluctuations, i.e. on large scales, although the values of the

Growth Depression in Mycorrhizal Citrus at High-Phosphorus Supply (Analysis of Carbon Costs)

Abstract: Mycorrhizal-induced growth depression of plants in high-P soil has been reported in many species. The carbon costs of factors contributing to this growth depression were analyzed in Volkamer lemon (Citrus volkameriana Tan. & Pasq.) colonized by the mycorrhizal (M) fungus Glomus intraradices Schenck and Smith. M and nonmycorrhizal (NM) plants were each grown at two P-supply rates. Carbon budgets of M and NM plants were determined by measuring whole-plant carbon assimilation and respiration rates using gas-exchange techniques. Biomass, M colonization, tissue-P concentration, and total fatty acid concentration in the fibrous roots were determined. Construction costs of the fibrous roots were estimated from heat of combustion, N, and ash content. Root-growth respiration was derived from daily root growth and root-construction cost. M and NM plants grown in high-P soil were similar in P concentration, daily shoot carbon assimilation, and daily shoot dark respiration. At 52 d after transplanting (DAT), however, combined daily root plus soil respiration was 37% higher for M than for NM plants, resulting in a 20% higher daily specific carbon gain (mmol CO2 [mmol carbon]-1 d-1) in NM than M plants. Estimates of specific carbon gain from specific growth rates indicated about a 10% difference between M and NM plants. Absolute values of specific carbon gain estimated by whole-plant gas exchange and by growth analysis were in general agreement. At 52 DAT, M and NM plants at high P had nearly identical whole-plant growth rates, but M plants had 19% higher root dry weight with 10% higher daily rates of root growth. These allocation differences at high P accounted for about 51% of the differences in root/soil respiration between M and NM plants. Significantly higher fatty acid concentrations in M than NM fibrous roots were correlated with differences in construction costs of the fibrous roots. Of the 37% difference in daily total root/soil respiration observed between high-P M and NM plants at 52 DAT, estimated daily growth respiration accounted for only about 16%, two-thirds of which was associated with construction of lipid-rich roots, and the remaining one-third with greater M root growth rates. Thus, of the 37% more root/soil respiration associated with M colonization of high-P plants, 10% was directly attributable to building lipid-rich roots, 51% to greater M root biomass allocation, and the remaining 39% could have been used for maintenance of the fungal tissue in the root and growth and maintenance of the extramatrical hyphae.