cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exhaust temperature profiles for application of passive diesel particulate filters to solid waste collection vehicles in California.

Abstract To reduce public exposure to diesel particulate matter (DPM), the California Air Resources Board has begun adoption of a series of rules to reduce these emissions from in-use heavy-duty vehicles. Passive diesel particulate filter (DPF) after-treatment technologies are a cost-effective method to reduce DPM emissions and have been used on a variety of vehicles worldwide. Two passive DPFs were interim-verified in California and approved federally for use in most 1994–2002 engine families for vehicles meeting min engine exhaust temperature requirements for successful filter regeneration. Some vehicles, however, may not be suited to passive DPFs because of lower engine exhaust temperatures. The purpose of this study was to determine the applicability of two types of passive DPFs to solid waste collection vehicles, the group of vehicles for which California recently mandated in-use DPM reductions. We selected 60 collection vehicles to represent the four main types of collection vehicle duty cycles—roll...
Experiential factors in the expression of hypermotility produced by intradentate colchicine: lack of effect of GM1 ganglioside on colchicine-induced loss of granule cells and mossy fibers

Adult male Fischer-344 rats were given bilateral injections of 2.5 micrograms colchicine or artificial cerebrospinal fluid into caudal and rostral sites of the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. One group of rats received 21 consecutive daily injections of 20 mg/kg GM1 gangliosides, i.p., beginning the day prior to surgery. Another group received saline. Colchicine-induced hypermotility was not seen in animals repeatedly handled 21 d after surgery, in spite of significant decreases in granule cell number and decreases in the volume of hippocampal mossy fibers. Pretreatment with GM1 had no effect on behavior and it did not protect against the hippocampal damage produced by colchicine. Rats given colchicine, but not handled for 21 d, showed significant hypermotility, which was associated with decreases in hippocampal granule cells. These data underscore the importance of handling in postlesion functional recovery.
Pomegranate juice and specific components inhibit cell and molecular processes critical for metastasis of breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death and morbidity among women in the western world. Pomegranate juice (PJ) and three of its specific components have been shown to inhibit processes involved in prostate cancer metastasis. If this also proves to be true for breast cancer, these natural treatments will be promising agents against breast cancer that can serve as potentially effective and nontoxic alternatives or adjuncts to the use of conventional selective estrogen receptor modulators for breast cancer prevention and treatment. To test this possibility, we have used two breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-231 cells (ER−) and MCF7 (ER+), and the non-neoplastic cell line MCF10A. We show that, in addition to inhibiting growth of the breast cancer cells, PJ or a combination of its components luteolin (L) + ellagic acid (E) + punicic acid (P) increase cancer cell adhesion and decrease cancer cell migration but do not affect normal cells. These treatments also inhibit chemotaxis of the cancer cells to SDF1α, a chemokine that attracts breast cancer cells to the bone. We hypothesized that PJ and L + E + P stimulate expression of genes that increase adhesion and inhibit genes that stimulate cell migration and inhibit chemotaxis to SDF1α. Using qPCR, we confirmed these proposed effects on gene expression and in addition we found that a gene important in epithelial-to-meshenchymal transitions is decreased. We also found that pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines are significantly reduced by these treatments, thereby having the potential to decrease inflammation and its impact on cancer progression. Discovery that PJ and L + E + P are inhibitory of metastatic processes in breast cancer cells in addition to prostate cancer cells indicate that they are potentially a very effective treatment to prevent cancer progression in general.
Ionically crosslinked polyelectrolyte nanocarriers: Recent advances and open problems

Abstract Over the past two decades, nanocarriers prepared through ionic crosslinking of polyelectrolytes have been explored in a wide range of applications, including drug delivery, medical imaging and food science. The design and use of these materials require control over their size distributions, stability, and payload uptake and release properties. To this end, we focus on recent progress made towards understanding the physical and colloid chemistry underlying the formation and properties of ionically crosslinked nanocarriers and provide commentary on some unresolved problems.
Planetary-type rare gases in an upper mantle-derived amphibole

All 23 stable rare gas isotopes in a mantle-derived aluminous Ti-rich amphibole, kaersutite, were measured, and the abundance pattern indicated by the results is similar to the 'planetary' rare gas pattern of carbonaceous chondrites. The He-3/He-4 ratio of (4.9 + or - 0.6) times 10 to the -5th power is anomalously high. Ne-21 is enriched relative to the abundance of the other two neon isotopes in the atmosphere, while the heavy isotopes of Kr and the Xe isotopes are within error of the atmospheric values. The analytical procedure is described. It is concluded that part of the primordial rare gases of the earth are still present in some parts of the upper mantle and that these gases retain a faithful record of the 'planetary' primordial rare gas elemental signature.
Low-Energy Neutron-Proton Polarization Experiments

The status of $N\ensuremath{-}P$ scattering and polarization experiments near 25 MeV is reviewed. Recent data on polarization and spin correlation observables are discussed in relation to phase-shift analyses, with some emphasis on the role of the $S\ensuremath{-}D$ coupling parameter.
A new triple-channel swivel for fluid delivery in the range of intracranial (10 nl) and intravenous (100 μl) self-administration volumes and also suitable for microdialysis

Abstract This paper describes a new low-torque, bubble-free and multiple-channel swivel of easy construction. This swivel combined with the use of fused silica capillary tubing to connect syringes and injectors, as we recently proposed, allow the accurate and repeated microinjection of low nanoliter volumes (10 nl) in freely moving rats, as required in the intracranial self-administration paradigm. Microinjections can be simultaneously performed in 3 different brain regions. Relatively large volumes in the 10–100 μl range can be repeatedly administered, as in intravenous self-administration, using the traditional connections with polyethylene (PE) tubing. This swivel allows the execution of experiments involving in vivo microdialysis in up to 3 different brain areas. The internal channel has a very low dead space (4 μl) and can be used to withdraw small liquid samples and perform on-line microdialysis in freely moving animals. This versatility makes the present swivel appropriate for sophisticated experimental designs involving combinations of intracranial, intravenous and/or intragastric self-administration with microdialysis.
Cyclical variations in precipitation, runoff, and lake-levels and their relation to long-range forecasting

The idea that drouths, floods, severe winters, and other eccentricities of the weather recur at more or less definite intervals was quite widespread even in ancient times as shown by biblical chronicles, the writings of the Egyptians, etc. Consequently weather “cycles” are not at all new, but their existence, at least up to the present time, has been denied by the professional meteorologists. In recent years, however, certain interests such as the Power Companies have turned their attention to the possibility of forecasting seasonal precipitation by means of cycles as well as other methods. Furthermore, huge water-storage projects such as Boulder Dam have occupied the limelight and these have placed increasing emphasis on the possibility of forecasting by means of cycles. Indeed, in certain sections of the country such as the great Southwest, the problem of supplying water and electric power to the rapidly growing cities and the difficulty of meeting the irrigation-requirements of the agricultural districts have made it necessary to plan for the probable consumption of ten or twenty years ahead. With regard to the Boulder Dam project, it is quite easy to see that, although the average flow of the Colorado River (as well as the maximum and minimum runoff) are known, it is quite essential to be in a position to estimate with some exactness the probable runoff of the River during the next ten or twenty years, since a miscalculation on this score would result in the height of the Dam being either too great or too small?that is, for efficient power-production and for floodwater control.
Nonlinear and electro-optics of nano-dispersed nematic liquid crystals with tunable negative-, zero-, and positive indices

We present a review of recent progress in the studies of the nonlinear- and electro-optics of liquid crystals, particularly in their meta-material forms. An analytical expression for the "ultimate" optical nonlinearity of nematic liquid crystals is obtained, and several routes to realizing such optical nonlinearities are discussed. We also describe two approaches for realizing tunable or reconfigurable negative-zero-positive index materials: (1) planar nano-structured frequency selective surfaces [FSS] containing nematic liquid crystals; (2) core-shell nano-spheres randomly distributed in bulk nematic liquid crystal matrix. Such metamaterials can be designed for applications in the visible-infrared, as well as Terahertz and microwave regimes. These liquid crystalline meta-materials are capable of supra-nonlinearities characterized by refractive index changing coefficients of over 1 cm2/watt and microseconds response times.
Transmitter-in-the-loop optimization of distorted OFDM radar emissions

The inherent amplitude modulation of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) has limited its use in radar due to transmitter-induced distortion. Specifically, there is a necessary trade-off between reduced SNR caused by power back-off to accommodate these AM effects and the waveform distortion that occurs when driving the amplifier closer to saturation. Here a method is developed to design OFDM-based radar emissions with low range sidelobes in the presence of transmitter-induced distortion. This work builds upon previous results for hardware-in-the-loop optimization of continuous phase modulation (CPM) waveforms to demonstrate how saturated OFDM emissions may potentially provide a feasible alternative waveform design scheme.
Running the (Special) Race: New (Pauline) Perspectives on Disability and Theology of Sport

What if St. Paul were to address the commissioners of the Olympics, Paralympics, and Special Olympics, simultaneously? Drawing in particular from the specific reference to athletic ideals and imagery in 1 Corinthians 9, I suggest that as (arguably) the first theologian of disability, he would urge them indeed to revise what it means to train for, compete in, and pursue goals that are imperishable rather than perishable. This approach means, then, that the model for sport, even for disability spirit, becomes something like the Special Olympics, particularly inasmuch as its “wisdom” belies the conventional wisdom of the sporting world in its emphases on ability, competition, self-achievement, and self-exaltation. This essay suggests that rereading 1 Corinthians 9 from the perspective of disability in general and intellectual disability in particular highlights aspects of Paul's argument that counters any uncritical appropriation of his ideas in support of the contemporary Christian embrace of sport. Its goa...
Integrated reforms of tariffs and consumption taxes

Abstract The literatures on tariffs and commodity taxes have independently established sufficient conditions under which a tariff or commodity tax reform improves welfare. The present paper considers policy reforms within an integrated indirect tax structure. Given the relative inefficiency of tariffs to consumption taxes, given the existing high tariffs in less-developed countries (LDCs), and given the LDCs' need to raise certain revenue from indirect taxation, we identify conditions under which decreasing tariffs and increasing consumption tax rates improve welfare while government revenue remains constant. We also examine with and without the constant revenue constraint the conditions under which the movement of the total tax burden rates toward uniformity, through adjustments in consumption tax and tariff rates, improves welfare.
Genetic testing and adoption: Practitioner views and knowledge

Abstract The call for social work to provide professionals with information about genetics testing is now more than 20 years old. The growth of knowledge of genetics and the advent of genetic testing has raised new ethical dilemmas for social workers, including the potential of using this knowledge when matching children for adoption. The authors of the current study examined whether social workers practicing in the area of children and families had education in genomics/genetics throughout their career, including continuing education, and the impact of that on their opinions about the use of genetic testing in adoption. A random selection of 1000 NASW members received the survey packet, which was completed and returned by 261 people (26%). Of the respondents, the most recent social work graduates were no more likely to have had any education in genetics than those who graduated 25 or more years ago. Having received education was associated with more favorable opinions about the use of genetic testing in adoption.
Tamoxifen metabolites as active inhibitors of aromatase in the treatment of breast cancer.

The mechanism of tamoxifen action in the treatment of breast cancer is believed to be via active metabolites that act as potent estrogen receptor antagonists. Attempts to identify relationships between active metabolite concentrations and clinical outcomes have produced mixed results. Since anti-estrogenic effects may be brought about not only by estrogen antagonism, but also by reduced estrogen synthesis, we tested the ability of tamoxifen and its principal metabolites to inhibit aromatase in vitro. The activity of human aromatase in both recombinant and placental microsomal preparations was measured using the rate of generation of a fluorescent metabolite in the presence and absence of multiple concentrations of tamoxifen, endoxifen, N-desmethyl-tamoxifen, and Z-4-hydroxy-tamoxifen. Aromatase inhibition was further characterized by measuring the inhibition of testosterone metabolism to estradiol. The biochemical mechanisms of inhibition were documented and their inhibitory potency was compared. Using recombinant human aromatase, endoxifen, and N-desmethyl-tamoxifen were able to inhibit aromatase activity with K i values of 4.0 and 15.9 μM, respectively. Detailed characterization of inhibition by endoxifen and N-desmethyl-tamoxifen indicated non-competitive kinetics for both inhibitors. Similarly, endoxifen-inhibited testosterone metabolism via a non-competitive mechanism. No appreciable inhibition by tamoxifen or Z-4-hydroxy-tamoxifen was observed at similar concentrations. The relative inhibitory potency was: endoxifen > N-desmethyl-tamoxifen >>> Z-4-hydroxy-tamoxifen > tamoxifen. Similar data were obtained in human placental microsomes. Endoxifen and N-desmethyl-tamoxifen were found to be potent inhibitors of aromatase. Inhibition by these tamoxifen metabolites may contribute to the variability in clinical effects of tamoxifen in patients with breast cancer. Relationships between tamoxifen metabolite concentrations and clinical outcomes may be complex, and the biologic mechanisms that underlie these relationships may include aromatase inhibition.
Self care as a panacea for the ills of the health care system: an assessment.

Abstract Self help and self care are currently much-discussed topics in the health care fields. Clearly, there are many valuable aspects of these social movements; however, some cautions are also in order Much of the current writing fails to discuss several requirements for self 3are to be successful, such as attitude changes, not only on the part of consumers, but providers as well. Also, there is a need for more examination of the structural issues involved and the danger of a “blaming the victim ideology” developing, a danger especially present for certain groups such as the low socioeconomic groups. Many individual measures are ineffective in the face of social-structural causes of poor health and deflect effort and attention from the social problems back to the individual level.
Time course of bronchial cell inflammation following exposure to diesel particulate matter using a modified EAVES

Abstract Electrostatic deposition of particles onto the surface of well-differentiated airway cells is a rapid and efficient means to screen for toxicity associated with exposure to fine and ultrafine particulate air pollution. This work describes the development and application of an electrostatic aerosol in vitro exposure system (EAVES) with increased throughput and ease-of-use. The modified EAVES accommodates standard tissue culture plates and uses an alternating electric field to deposit a net neutral charge of aerosol onto air-interface cell cultures. Using this higher-throughput design, we were able to examine the time-course (1, 3, 6, 9, and 24 h post-exposure) of transcript production and cytotoxicity in well-differentiated human bronchial cells exposed to diesel particulate matter at levels of ‘real-world’ significance. Statistically significant responses were observed at exposure levels (∼0.4 μg/cm 2 ) much lower than typically reported in vitro using traditional submerged/resuspended techniques. Levels of HO-1, IL-8, CYP1A1, COX-2, and HSP-70 transcripts increased immediately following diesel particulate exposure and persisted for several hours; cytotoxicity was increased at 24 h. The modified EAVES provides a platform for higher throughput, more efficient and representative testing of aerosol toxicity in vitro.
Amaurosis Fugax: Associations with Heritable Thrombophilia

The aim of this study was to prospectively assess associations between amaurosis fugax, inherited thrombophilia, and acquired thrombophilia. Thrombophilia and hypofibrinolysis were studied in 11 cases (eight women, three men; all white) with amaurosis fugax, 57 +/- 17 years old, selected by the absence of abnormal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), magnetic resonance venography (MRV), ipsilateral internal carotid artery plaque, atrial fibrillation, or cardiac thrombus. Cases were compared to 78 healthy adult white controls (53 +/- 18 years old) for serologic measures, and by polymerase chain reaction to 248 healthy white controls (78 adults, 170 children) for gene mutations. All 11 cases had one or more familial thrombophilic coagulation disorder including one heterozygous for the G1691A factor V Leiden mutation, two with low free protein S, four with high factor VIII, three with resistance to activated protein C, three homozygous for the C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) mutation, two compound C677T-A1298C MTHFR heterozygotes, and three with hypofibrinolytic 4G4G homozygosity for the PAI-1 gene. The case with factor VIII of 160% had two other thrombophilias (compound MTHFR C677T-A1298C heterozygosity, resistance to activated protein C), and hypofibrinolytic high Lp(a). Thrombophilic C677T MTHFR homozygosity or compound C677T-A1298C heterozygosity was present in five of 10 (50%) cases vs. 30 of 248 (12%) controls, Fisher's p (p(f)) = .005. Thrombophilic factor VIII was high in four of 10 (40%) cases vs. 0 of 38 controls, p(f) = .001. Thrombophilic hyperestrogenemia in five of the eight women (four exogenous estrogen, one pregnant) may have interacted with inherited thrombophilia-hypofibrinolysis, promoting thrombus formation. In cases selected by the absence of abnormal brain magnetic resonance imaging, significant ipsilateral internal carotid artery plaque, atrial fibrillation, or cardiac thrombus, we speculate that amaurosis fugax can be caused by reversible (by anticoagulation) retinal artery thrombi associated with heritable thrombophilia and/or hypofibrinolysis, often augmented by estrogen-driven acquired thrombophilia.
Field evaluations of dual-band fusion for color night vision

As part of an advanced night vision program sponsored by DARPA, a method for real-time color night vision based on the fusion of visible and infrared sensors has been developed and demonstrated. The work, based on principles of color vision in humans and primates, achieves an effective strategy for combining the complementary information present in the two sensors. Our sensor platform consists of a 640 X 480 low- light CCD camera developed at MIT Lincoln Laboratory and a 320 X 240 uncooled microbolometer thermal infrared camera from Lockheed Martin Infrared. Image capture, data processing, and display are implemented in real-time (30 fps) on commercial hardware. Recent results from field tests at Lincoln Laboratory and in collaboration with U.S. Army Special Forces at Fort Campbell will be presented. During the tests, we evaluated the performance of the system for ground surveillance and as a driving aid. Here, we report on the results using both a wide-field of view (42 deg.) and a narrow field of view (7 deg.) platforms.
Ethnic differences in depressive symptomatology among young women.

Abstract Objective: To examine racial and ethnic differences in moderate to severe depressive symptoms among young women seeking reproductive health care. Methods: Nine hundred four white, black, or Hispanic women between 14 and 26 years of age completed an anonymous questionnaire that assessed demographic and reproductive characteristics; recent substance use, including binge drinking; sexual behaviors; occurrence of assault; and depressive symptoms. Logistic regression analysis was used to develop adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals for correlates of depressive symptomatology for each racial or ethnic group. Results: Twenty-one percent (68 of 321) of whites, 28% (88 of 316) of blacks, and 29% (77 of 267) of Hispanics reported moderate to severe depressive symptoms. White females with moderate to severe depressive symptoms were more likely to report sexual assault (OR = 3.1); being a high school dropout (OR = 2.6); unemployment (OR = 2.4); two or more episodes of binge drinking (OR = 2.1); and having a mother with less than a high school education (OR = 2.4). Black females with depressive symptoms were more likely to report smoking one to nine cigarettes per day (OR = 3.5); sexual assault (OR = 3.2); and unemployment (OR = 2.1). Hispanic females with depressive symptoms were more likely to report adolescent age (OR = 3.5); physical assault (OR = 3.2); and smoking one or more cigarettes per day (OR = 2.4). Conclusion: Twenty to 25% of young women, regardless of race or ethnicity, have moderate to severe depressive symptoms, and behavioral markers vary according to ethnicity.
Reduced density of NMDA receptors and increased sensitivity to dizocilpine-induced learning impairment in aged rats

Abstract About 20 min prior to training in a shock-motivated 14-unit T-maze, young (3–4 months) and aged (24–25 months) male Fischer-344 rats were given s.c. injections of either saline or dizocilpine (MK-801, 0.02 or 0.04 mg/kg), a non-competitive antagonist of the N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptor. The aged rats showed a dose-dependent impairment in maze performance. Deficiencies were manifested as increases in errors, in runtime from start to goal, and in the number and duration of shocks received. In contrast, young rats exhibited no detrimental effects of dizocilpine on maze performance. Analysis of [ 3 H]glutamate binding in these rats revealed a marked age-related decline in NMDA receptor binding in hippocampus. A significant correlation was observed between errors in the maze and hippocampal [ 3 H]glutamate binding, but the correlation was positive, i.e., rats that made the most errors had the highest level of NMDA receptor binding. Thus, compared to young rats, aged rats were more sensitive to the behavioral effects of NMDA receptor antagonism and they showed a hippocampal loss of [ 3 H]glutamate in binding, which may be related to the increased sensitivity to dizocilpine. The positive correlation between poor maze performance and NMDA receptor binding suggests that the behaviors assessed involve complex interactions between NMDA receptors and other neuronal systems in the hippocampus.
Selecting RAID Levels for Disk Arrays

Disk arrays have a myriad of configuration parameters that interact in counter-intuitive ways, and those interactions can have significant impacts on cost, performance, and reliability. Even after values for these parameters have been chosen, there are exponentially-many ways to map data onto the disk arrays' logical units. Meanwhile, the importance of correct choices is increasing: storage systems represent an growing fraction of total system cost, they need to respond more rapidly to changing needs, and there is less and less tolerance for mistakes. We believe that automatic design and configuration of storage systems is the only viable solution to these issues. To that end, we present a comparative study of a range of techniques for programmatically choosing the RAID levels to use in a disk array. Our simplest approaches are modeled on existing, manual rules of thumb: they "tag" data with a RAID level before determining the configuration of the array to which it is assigned. Our best approach simultaneously determines the RAID levels for the data, the array configuration, and the layout of data on that array. It operates as an optimization process with the twin goals of minimizing array cost while ensuring that storage workload performance requirements will be met. This approach produces robust solutions with an average cost/performance 14- 17% better than the best results for the tagging schemes, and up to 150-200% better than their worst solutions. We believe that this is the first presentation and systematic analysis of a variety of novel, fully-automatic RAID-level selection techniques.
Key Terms in Second Language Acquisition by VANPATTEN, BILL, & ALESSANDRO G. BENATI.

The article reviews the book "Key Terms in Second Language Acquisition," by Bill VanPatten and Alessandro G. Benati, part of the Key Terms series.
THE OPERATION AND KINEMATIC ANALYSIS OF A NOVEL CAM-BASED INFINITELY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION

In this paper, the operation and analysis of a novel, highly configurable, infinitely variable transmission of the ratcheting drive type is presented. This particular drive uses a cam and a number of cam followers rotatably mounted to a carrier plate to generate an oscillatory motion in an equal number of planet gears. A number of indexing clutches are then used to rectify this motion into a rotational output. A full description of the mechanism, including its components, operation, and kinematic equations are presented. There are a number of inversions of this device, and their characteristics and limitations are discussed. In addition, a method is presented to select the most suitable inversion, gearing, and follower velocity for a given application.
Quality and Freezability of Semen from Growing and Aged Dairy Bulls

Abstract Five groups of nine to ten Holstein bulls, over the age range from one and a half to six years, and a sixth group of 15 aged Holstein bulls were ejaculated four times per week for four weeks following an initial adjustment period. Sperm output in the aged bulls (72 to 150 months old) was considerably lower than in the groups ranging in age from 34 to 69 months. The percentage of morphologically normal sperm in semen at the time of collection and of motile sperm after freezing in pellets and ampules was lowest in the aged bulls. Nonreturn data available for this group indicated that the per cent unstained before freezing and the per cent normal and per cent motile sperm after freezing were significantly correlated with fertility (P
Family socialization, gender, and sport motivation and involvement.

This study uses analytic techniques to test the hypothesis that role modeling, parents’ beliefs, and the provision of experiences for the child are related to children’s perceptions of sport competence, value, and participation. Mothers and fathers and their 2nd-, 3rd-, and 5th-grade children responded to questionnaires. These 3 cohorts of children were followed for 1 year. Mothers and fathers were gender stereotyped in their beliefs and practices. Regression analyses revealed that parents’ perceptions of their children’s ability had the strongest unique relationship with children’s beliefs and participation both concurrently and over time. The results of the pattern-centered analyses demonstrated that the full set of parent socialization factors had an additive positive association with children’s outcomes.
Computing Nested Reorder Intervals for Multi-Item Distribution Systems

We consider a multistage, multi-item distribution system in which each of a number of items is stocked at each of a number of locations. The cost of placing an order at a location depends on the set of items ordered there. Demand for the items is constant, and there is a linear holding cost for each item at each location. Only nested policies are considered. A known heuristic is guaranteed to find a policy that is within 2% of optimal. However, if there are M items and L locations the running time of the heuristic is OM4L4. We improve the running time to OMLD logML where D is at most the maximum of the depth of the location and family arborescences.
The two- and three-dimensional instabilities of a spatially periodic shear layer

The two- and three-dimensional stability properties of the family of coherent shear-layer vortices discovered by Stuart are investigated. The stability problem is formulated as a non-separable eigenvalue problem in two independent variables, and solved numerically using spectral methods. It is found that there are two main classes of instabilities. The first class is subharmonic, and corresponds to pairing or localized pairing of vortex tubes; the pairing instability is most unstable in the two-dimensional limit, in which the perturbation has no spanwise variations. The second class repeats in the streamwise direction with the same periodicity as the basic flow. This mode is most unstable for spanwise wavelengths approximately 2/3 of the space between vortex centres, and can lead to the generation of streamwise vorticity and coherent ridges of upwelling. Comparison is made between the calculated instabilities and the observed pairing, helical pairing, and streak transitions. The theoretical and experimental results are found to be in reasonable agreement.
Regular variation in Rk and vector-normed domains of attraction

Abstract An extension of the argument used by William Feller in the one variable case is applied to obtain a complete characterization of vectornormed domains of attraction in terms of regular variation.
“I Wish We Had More Time to Spend Together...” The Distribution and Predictors of Perceived Family Time Pressures Among Married Men and Women in the Paid Labor Force

In this article, I examine the distribution of time pressure associated with the roles of marital partner and parent using data from a telephone survey. Results of an analysis of open-ended responses indicate that less than a quarter of respondents are satisfied with the time they spend with their children and spouses. Women are more likely to want to improve the quality of family time, whereas men are somewhat more likely to want more time with their spouses and children. Regression analysis indicates that social support, hours of paid labor, hours of housework, job control, and having dependent children are all associated with significant variation in family time pressures. In contrast to research on general time pressure, there are no socioeconomic differences in family time pressures, and women do not experience significantly higher family time pressures than men do.
The MAP Kinase Cascade Is Activated prior to the Induction of Gliosis in the 1‐Methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) Model of Dopaminergic Neurotoxicity

Injury to the central nervous system (CNS) provokes microglial activation and astrocytic hypertrophy at the site of damage. The signaling events that underlie these cellular responses remain unknown. Recent evidence has implicated tyrosine phosphorylation systems, in general, and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) cascade, in particular, in the mediation of growth-associated events linked to neural degeneration, such as glial activation. 1 Moreover, an increase in the mRNA coding for the 14.3.3 protein, a known regulator of the MAP kinase pathway, 2 appears to be involved in methamphetamine neurotoxicity. 3 To examine the potential role of these protein kinase pathways in drug-induced damage to the CNS, we used the dopaminergic neurotoxicant, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), to damage nerve terminals in the mouse neostriatum and elicit a glial reaction. The onset of reactive gliosis then was verified by Northern blot analysis of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) mRNA and qualified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of GFAP (protein). A single administration of MPTP (12.5 mg/kg, subcutaneously (s.c.)) to the C57B1/6J mouse resulted in a 10-fold increase in GFAP mRNA by 1 day and a 4-fold increase in GFAP (protein) by 2 days. To determine the potential role of protein tyrosine phosphorylation and MAP kinase activation in these events, blots of striatal homogenates were probed with antibodies directed against phospho-tyr 204 and phospho-thr 202, residues corresponding to the active sites of p42/44 MAP kinase. After mice were sacrificed by focused microwave irradiation to preserve steady-state phosphorylation, proteins from striatal homogenates were resolved by sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Immunoblots of these samples showed a number of phosphotyrosine-labeled bands, but there were no apparent differences between control and MPTP groups. In contrast, phospho-MAP kinase was elevated over 1.5-fold, 3-6hours post MPTP. These findings are suggestive of a role of the MAP kinase cascade in the early phase of injury-induced glial activation.
Improving scalability in a scientific discovery system by exploiting parallelism

The large amount of data collected today is quickly overwhelming researchers' abilities to interpret the data and discover interesting patterns. Knowledge discovery and data mining approaches hold the potential to automate the interpretation process, but these approaches frequently utilize computationally expensive algorithms. This research outlines a general approach for scaling KDD systems using parallel and distributed resources and applies the suggested strategies to the SUBDUE knowledge discovery system. SUBDUE has been used to discover interesting and repetitive concepts in graph-based databases from a variety of domains, but requires a substantial amount of processing time. Experiments that demonstrate scalability of parallel versions of the SUBDUE system are performed using CAD circuit databases and artificially-generated databases, and potential achievements and obstacles are discussed.
RADJAM: A Novel Approach for Reduction of Soft Errors in Logic Circuits

The task of achieving reliability against transient faults poses a significant challenge due to technology scaling trends. Several optimization techniques have been proposed in the literature for preventing soft errors in logic circuits. However, most approaches for avoiding soft errors in logic circuits have significant overheads in terms of delay, area or power. In this work, we propose a circuit level technique called RADJAM (RADiation JAMmer) to prevent soft errors, occurring due to radiation strikes, in logic cells. The RADJAM circuit when inserted at the output of a logic can reduce the generation of transient glitches significantly. Further, we propose an algorithm to insert RADJAM cells on selective nodes in a logic circuit. The algorithm uses signal logic probabilities and circuit slack for insertion of RADJAM cells on circuit nodes, thus improving the reliability of the logic circuit with minimal impact on the overall circuit delay. The proposed algorithm has been implemented and validated on the ISCAS85 benchmarks. Experimental results indicate that RADJAM optimized logic circuits can reduce soft error rates by around 39% with marginal delay, area and power overheads.
The Impact of Economic Shocks on Quality of Life and Social Capital in Small Towns

Economic shocks are sudden events causing a significant impact on the local economy. Disaster community literature predicts that community outcomes from shocks will depend on the kind of shock. Consensus crisis shocks will be followed by increases in social capital and quality of life. Corrosive community shocks will result in declines in these factors. Using longitudinal data from small towns, we find that shocks are not associated with declines in quality of life or social capital, however, certain kinds of shocks are followed by increases. The strength of shocks and the net cumulative effects of multiple shocks are related to social capital and quality of life. This analysis advances conceptualizations by unpacking shock events and suggesting that strength and effect of multiple shocks are as important as shock type.
Technology transfer of hearing aids to low and middle income countries: policy and market factors.

AbstractPurpose: The competitive market advantages of industry and the balancing force of international governmental organizations (IGOs) are examined to identify market and policy in support of sustainable technology transfer of hearing aids to low and middle income countries. A second purpose is to examine the usefulness of findings for other assistive technologies (AT). Methods: Searches of electronic databases, IGO documents, industry reports and journals were supplemented by informal discussions with industry and IGO staff and audiologists. The value chain is used to examine the competitive advantage of industry and the balancing tools of certain IGOs. Results: Both industry and IGOs engage in intellectual property (IP) and competition activities and are active in each segment of the hearing aid value chain. Their market and policy objectives and strategies are different. Conclusions: IGOs serve as balancing forces for the competitive advantages of industry. The hearing aid market configuration and h...
Clinical Patterns and Outcome in Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma With or Without Pulmonary Involvement: Insights From an Internet Registry in the Study of a Rare Cancer

Background Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is a rare vascular neoplasm of endothelial origin with clinical behavior intermediate between hemangioma and angiosarcoma. The natural history of EHE is highly variable. This study uses an Internet registry to identify clinical patterns with prognostic significance in EHE. Methods Cases from the International Hemangioendothioma, Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma, and Related Vascular Disorders (HEARD) Support Group were evaluated based on demographics, organ involvement, disease progression, presence or absence of pleural effusion, and treatment. Survival among various cohorts was compared using log-rank analysis of Kaplan-Meier plots. Results Two hundred sixty-four patients were identified from April 2004 to November 2009. Fifty-eight cases were excluded because of inadequate information or wrong diagnosis. EHE was more common in female patients (61%). Male gender and age ≥ 55 years were associated with decreased survival. The most commonly affected organs were liver, lung, and bone. No specific organ or combination of organ involvement differentially affected survival, and survival was no different between patients with multiple vs single organ involvement. However, pattern B, defined as lesions without distinct borders (eg, pulmonary infiltrates, pleural effusion, ascites), hemoptysis, or involvement of more than two bones adversely affected survival in all cohorts. Conclusion A novel staging system with prognostic value for EHE is proposed. Pleural effusion or other signs of uncontained tumor growth, hemoptysis, and osseous involvement of more than two bones implied worse survival than did localized and discrete tumors, regardless of number of organs involved. A lay registry can provide useful insights into the clinical behavior of a rare cancer.
Diabetes symptoms and self-management behaviors in rural older adults.

Aims To evaluate the demographic and health correlates of reporting diabetes symptoms, and the relationship between diabetes symptoms and self-management behaviors in rural older adults.
When is connectivity important? A case study of the spatial pattern of sudden oak death

Although connectivity has been examined from many different angles and in many ecological disciplines, few studies have tested in which systems and under what conditions connectivity is important in determining ecological dynamics. Identifying general rules governing when connectivity is important is crucial not only for basic ecology, but also for our ability to manage natural systems, particularly as increasing fragmentation may change the degree to which connectivity influences ecological dynamics. In this study, we used statistical regression, least-cost path analysis, and model selection techniques to test the relative importance of potential connectivity in determining the spatial pattern of sudden oak death, a tree disease that is killing millions of oak and tanoak trees along coastal forests of California and Oregon. We hypothesized that potential connectivity, in addition to environmental conditions, is important in determining the spatial distribution of sudden oak death, the importance of connectivity is more apparent when measured using biologically meaningful metrics that account for the effects of landscape structure on disease spread, and the relative importance of environmental variables and connectivity is approximately equal. Results demonstrate that potential connectivity was important in determining the spatial pattern of sudden oak death, though it was relatively less important than environmental variables. Moreover, connectivity was important only when using biologically meaningful metrics as opposed to simple distance-based metrics that ignore landscape structure. These results demonstrate that connectivity can be important in systems not typically considered in connectivity studies – highlighting the importance of examining connectivity in a variety of different systems – and demonstrate that the manner in which connectivity is measured may govern our ability to detect its importance.
INTERSPECIFIC VARIATION IN THE OLFACTORY ABILITIES OF GRANIVOROUS RODENTS

Olfaction plays an important role in the foraging behavior of rodents, but little is known about how this sense varies among taxa that evolved in different ecological settings. Field experiments were conducted in 10- by 10-m enclosures to test for interspecific differences in foraging success for ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) or sunflower seeds, based on olfaction, of 4 rodent species: 2 heteromyid rodents (Panamint kangaroo rat, Dipodomys panamintinus, and Great Basin pocket mouse, Perognathus parvus) and 2 nonheteromyid rodents (yellow pine chipmunk, Tamias amoenus, and deer mouse, Peromyscus maniculatus). All species found large, shallow caches more frequently than small, deep caches. Chipmunks had the lowest foraging success for buried sunflower seeds under dry conditions. Deer mice did as well as the heteromyid rodents on large shallow caches but found relatively few small, deep caches. The heteromyids were the only species that found small, deep sunflower seed caches under dry conditions, and Panamint kangaroo rats always found more caches than did Great Basin pocket mice. These results confirm that olfaction plays an important role in foraging of rodents for buried seeds and support the notion that the olfactory sense of rodent species has evolved greater sensitivity to seeds in different ecological contexts.
Mobile Media Learning: Ubiquitous Computing Environments for the Mobile Generation

This chapter reviews three augmented reality gaming curricula as a window toward understanding the potentials and challenges of mobile media in education. These examples illustrate how mobile media can be used to connect learning to place, to build and extend interests, and engage learners in a range of complex, authentic learning activities. Ultimately, the power of these tools may be to break down the walls of the classroom, connecting schools and communities. This promise (and challenge) reminds us that the opportunities and challenges presented by mobile media are primarily social, and not technical ones, forcing educators to consider deeply what learning experiences we want for students.
Exploring Differences in the Distribution of Teacher Qualifications Across Mexico and South Korea: Evidence From the Teaching and Learning International Survey

Background/ContextAlthough substantial evidence from the United States indicates that more qualified teachers are disproportionately concentrated among academically and economically advantaged chil...
Energy Dissipation Characteristics of a Mechanical Metastable Module Excited Near Resonance

Recent studies have demonstrated that the energetic vibrations of strategically designed negative stiffness inclusions may lead to large and adaptable damping in structural/material systems. Many researchers examine these features using models of bistable elements. From the viewpoint of system integration, bistable, negative stiffness elements often interface with positive stiffness elastic members. Under such conditions, the structural/material system may exhibit coexisting metastable states. In other words, the macroscopic displacement/strain remains fixed while the reaction force statically and/or dynamically varies due to internal change similar to a phase transition. This coexistence of metastable states is not manifested in an individual (stand-alone) bistable element. Although the static and low frequency dynamics of structural/material systems possessing coexisting metastable states have been explored, much remains to be understood regarding the dynamics and energy dissipation characteristics of such systems when excited near resonance, where nonlinear dynamics may be more easily activated and damping design is of great importance. Thus, to effectively elucidate the enhanced versatility of damping properties afforded by exploiting negative stiffness inclusions in structural/material systems, this research investigates a mechanical module which leverages a coexistence of metastable states: an archetypal building block for system assembly. The studies employ analytical, numerical, and experimental findings to probe how near-resonant excitation can trigger multiple dynamic states, each resulting in distinct energy dissipation features. It is shown that, for lightly damped metastable mechanical modules, the effective energy dissipation may be varied across orders of magnitude via tailoring design and excitation parameters. Potential applications and prototype systems are discussed to bridge the discoveries to future practice.Copyright © 2015 by ASME