cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Current issues in Soviet Latvia's economic growth: A review article

At the very outset, a few comments about the issue of objectivity seem to be in order; as Gunnar Myrdal has pointed out in a slightly different but relevant, context, it is very important to recognize "value-bias" in the social sciences generally.1 Western economic theory, more specifically, is predicated upon certain value judgements about objectives and goalsfor example, economists assume that rational consumers are always seeking to maximize utility and wellinformed businessmen are conducting their activities in such a way as to maximize profits. Given such assumptions, it can be demonstrated that the forces of competitive supply and demand will produce certain "desirable" resultssuch as maximum consumer surplus and/or satisfaction, an efficient distribution of income, and the like. While "real-world" breakdowns of these competitive assumptions (such as the existence of market power in both product and factor markets), government regulations, and various externalities (pollution and resource depletion) complicate our economics somewhat, the basic assumptions still hold. From a static point of view, we regard maximum output as "good" (a GNP per capita of $200 in 1976 would be twice as good as $100), and from a dynamic point of view, output growth over time is viewed as "desirable" (a 6% growth rate being twice as good as 3%, for example). Western economists often do mention other goalsin fact, recently we have begun paying increasing lip service to the importance of income distribution, price stability, and the political and social integration of the society. However, typically they do not include these in their basic quantitative assessments of where an economy has been and where it is going. Thus, it may very well be that Western economists generally are unable to measure or to evaluate some important goals of centrally-planned economies.
No Moore’s Law for batteries

Fred Schlachter. The public has become accustomed to rapid progress in mobile phone technology, computers, and access to information; tablet computers, smart phones, and other powerful new devices are familiar to most people on the planet. These developments are due in part to the ongoing exponential increase in computer processing power, doubling approximately every 2 years for the past several decades. This pattern is usually called Moore’s Law and is named for Gordon Moore, a cofounder of Intel. The law is not a law like that for gravity; it is an empirical observation, which has become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Unfortunately, much of the public has come to expect that all technology does, will, or should follow such a law, which is not consistent with our everyday observations: For example, the maximum speed of cars, planes, or ships does not increase exponentially; maximum speed barely increases at all. Cars require a portable fuel, preferably one that is widely … [↵][1]1E-mail: fsschlachter{at}gmail.com. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Does education pay for youth formerly in foster care? Comparison of employment outcomes with a national sample

Abstract Each year tens of millions of federal dollars are invested to promote secondary and postsecondary educational attainment among older youth in foster care. Despite the presumption that this is a sound investment, as indicated by copious research from studies of the general U.S. population, research examining the payoff among youth transitioning to adulthood from state care has been sparse. In the present study, we analyze the relationship between educational attainment and employment outcomes among youth exiting care. Drawing on data from a large, multi-state study of youth transitioning from foster care, findings indicate that increased education, and particularly degree completion, is associated with greater earnings and lower employment rates. Compared to young adults matched on educational attainment from a nationally representative study, youth formerly in foster care earn about half and the employment rate is 20 points lower. However, increased levels of education have larger benefits for youth who exited care than youth from the general population, and at higher levels of attainment the two groups have similar employment rates and earnings gaps become less pronounced. Among youth formerly in care, results from regression analyses indicate that, compared to individuals with no high school credential, a GED or certificate of completion predicts no benefits in earnings or likelihood of being employed; a diploma predicts an earnings benefit; and some college, a two-year degree, and a four-year degree or greater predict large benefits in earnings and likelihood of employment. We conclude by briefly discussing implications for policy, practice, and future research.
Headlight with fiber-optic xenon light source may cause harm to patients.

Burns in patients undergoing surgery and general anesthesia have been reported to occur from different reasons such as electrosurgical and electrocautery units, electrocardiogram, laser, and skin preparation agents [1,2]. Recently, light sources have cause fires in the operating rooms especially if allowed to contact the modern paper drapes (personal experience). Newer and higher intensity surgical headlights have the potential for causing both fires and burns. We present a case report to (1) show the potential for damage to patients if these units are not used correctly, (2) encourage physicians to learn the proper and safe use of these newer fiber-optic light source units, and (3) emphasize to surgeons and anesthesiologists the potential of patient damage from fires in the operating room.
Distribution of irreducible polynomials of small degrees over finite fields

D. Wan very recently proved an asymptotic version of a conjecture of Hansen and Mullen concerning the distribution of irreducible polynomials over finite fields. In this note we prove that the conjecture is true in general by using machine calculation to verify the open cases remaining after Wan's work.
Disappearing Into the Unknown: The State of Black Male Achievement in American Public Schools

There is a national crisis in American education. Low test scores, inadequate schools, poverty, and disenfranchisement have relegated Black male students to the margins of this democratic republic....
Water use and water use efficiency of sweet corn under different weather conditions and soil moisture regimes.

Abstract Plant growth and development are influenced by weather conditions that also affect water use (WU) and water use efficiency (WUE) and ultimately, yield. The overall goal of this study was to determine the impact of weather and soil moisture conditions on WU and WUE of sweet corn ( Zea mays L. var rugosa ). An experiment consisting on three planting dates was conducted in 2006 at The University of Georgia, USA. A sweet corn genotype sh2 was planted on March 27 under irrigated and rainfed conditions and on April 10 and 25 under irrigated conditions only. Soil moisture was monitored using PR2 probes. Rainfall and irrigation were recorded with rain gauges installed in the experimental area while other weather variables were recorded with an automatic weather station located nearby. A water balance was used to obtain the crop's daily evapotranspiration (ETc). WUE was calculated as the ratio of fresh and dry matter ear yield and cumulative ETc. The potential soil moisture deficit ( Dp ) approach was used to determine the crop's moisture stress. Results were analyzed using a single degree freedom contrast, linear regression, and the least significant difference. WU and WUE of sweet corn were both markedly affected by the intra-seasonal weather variability and Dp . For both variables, significant ( p
Species-Specific Effects of Acidity on Pond Occupancy in Ambystoma Salamanders

Abstract We used an occupancy modeling framework to test the relative importance of upland habitat composition (proportion of different types of vegetation and development) and pond characteristics (water chemistry and vegetation) in determining the occurrence of two species of pond-breeding salamanders, the Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum) and Mabee's Salamander (Ambystoma mabeei), in an urban nature reserve in southeastern Virginia, USA. Of 55 ponds surveyed in 2009, we found A. opacum larvae in 17 (30.9%) ponds and A. mabeei larvae in seven (12.7%) ponds. We found a strong positive relationship between A. opacum larval occupancy probability and pH; salamanders were more likely to occupy less acidic waters. Sampled ponds were highly acidic, with pH values ranging between 3.36 and 4.41, but A. opacum occupied only ponds with pH values >3.66. Ambystoma mabeei was more tolerant of the highly acidic conditions and was more likely to occupy larger ponds with fewer trees and scrubs. Landscape-level model...
Effects of mitral regurgitation on pulmonary venous flow and left atrial pressure: an intraoperative transesophageal echocardiographic study.

Abstract Objectives and Background. Pulmonary venous flows recorded by pulsed wave Doppler transesopnageal echocardiography examination can be used to assess the severity of mitral regurgitation. Pulmonary venous flows are also related to left atrial pressures; however, the determinants of these flows have yet to be characterized in the presence of mitral regurgitation. Methods. We simultaneously recorded intraoperative pulmonary venous flows by transesophageal echocardiography and left atrial pressures by direct left atrial puncture in 16 patients with different grades of mitral regurgitation: 2+ (n = 5), 3+ (n = 4) and 4+ (n = 7). Pulmonary venous peak systolic and diastolic flow velocities and peak reversed systolic flow velocities were compered with left atrial pressure aand vwaves, a-xand v-ydescent values and left atrial volumes. Results. Pulmonary venous systolic to diastolic flow ratios correlated with decreases in left atrial pressure av ratios and with increases in the vwaves of patients with higher grades of mitral regurgitation. Univariate analysis revealed that the best determinants of the pulmonary venous systolic to diastolic low ratio were the left atrial pressure vwave (r = −0.76), the v-ydescent value (r = −0.73) and the av ratio (r = 0.71). Lower correlations were found for left atrial end-systolic (r = −0.48) and end-diastolic (r = −0.42) volumes. Reversed systolic flow was present in patients with 4+ mitral regurgitation, despite left atrial enlargement. Conclusions. Pulmonary venous flow can be used to assess the severity of mitral regurgitation and reflects the effects of mitral regurgitation severity on the left atrial pressure aand vwaves.
Nesiritide utilization evaluation in a university teaching hospital.

Summary Background and objectives: Nesiritide is a new vasodilator approved for decompensated heart failure (DHF). Compared with nitroglycerin, nesiritide improves haemodynamics and symptoms in the first 3 h of therapy. However, nesiritide is more expensive than nitroglycerin (US$380–1500 daily vs. US$2–5 daily). Since its approval in the US in late 2001, nesiritide use has increased dramatically in our institution. Nesiritide has become a focus of our multidisciplinary drug utilization initiative, aimed at performing a nesiritide utilization evaluation (NUE) and developing a nesiritide usage guideline. Methods: Medical records of patients who received nesiritide from 1 October 2003 to 31 March 2004 were reviewed. Nesiritide utilization pattern was presented to the initiative group for guideline development. Results: A total of 162 records were reviewed. A 22·6% of inappropriate usage was reported. The most significant inappropriate usage was in patients who received the agent for precardiac valvular surgery optimization, followed by those for diuresis in non-cardiac-related fluid overload states. The median duration of nesiritide therapy was 6 days (range 1–94). The median length of stay (LOS) in our institution was 14 days (National statistics DHF LOS: 5·3 days). Eliminating inappropriate nesiritide usage can lead to a potential of US$141 886 savings per year. Conclusion: Based on the results, a 48-h nesiritide restriction policy was implemented. Usage beyond 48 h requires Heart Failure Service approval. Future NUE will evaluate the effectiveness of this policy. The overall management of DHF also needs to be evaluated to improve efficiency of care.
Formation of uniform spherical magnetite particles by crystallization from ferrous hydroxide gels

The formation of iron (hydrous) oxides by aging ferrous hydroxide gels at elevated temperatures was studied as a function of various parameters. It was found that the composition and the morphology of the resulting solids depended strongly on the nature of the anions present in the system. Spherical magnetite particles of narrow size distribution, with mean diameters ranging between 0.03 and 1.1 μm, were obtained if FeSO4 was interacted with KOH in the presence of nitrate ion and the resulting gelatinous suspension was kept at 90°C for several hours. The particle size distribution of the magnetite sol was affected by the excess concentration of Fe(II) species in equilibrium with the ferrous hydroxide precipitate. If oxygen was present in addition to nitrate ion, rodlike α-FeOOH particles crystallized along with the magnetite on aging of some ferrous hydroxide gels. A mechanism of the magnetite formation under the conditions of these experiments is offered.
The relationship among food addiction, negative mood, and eating-disordered behaviors in patients seeking to have bariatric surgery.

Abstract Background Food addiction (FA) may be related to poor weight loss outcomes; however, the literature on food addiction in bariatric surgery-seeking populations is limited. Objectives The aim of the present study was to identify the prevalence of FA in a bariatric surgery-seeking population and its association with mood, problematic eating behaviors, and substance use. The relationship between prebariatric surgery food addiction screening and postsurgical outcomes was assessed. Setting Academic medical center. Methods Adult outpatients (n = 923) seeking bariatric surgery underwent psychological evaluation between January 2012 and May 2014. Patients were administered the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS) to assess FA. Of the original sample, 195 patients underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. Patients returned for medical follow-up at 6 (n = 169) and 12 (n = 113) months postsurgery; 26 (13%) patients at 6 months and 82 (42%) patients at 12 months were lost to follow-up or had not reached 1 year postsurgery. Results Fourteen percent of patients met FA criteria. Patients positive for FA were more likely to endorse greater levels of depression, anxiety, binge eating episodes, nighttime eating syndrome, and low eating self-efficacy. No relationship was observed between FA and current substance use. FA did not predict postoperative outcomes including weight loss, rehospitalization, or attendance at follow-up medical appointments. Conclusions FA is related to psychological distress and eating disordered behaviors among bariatric patients. However, FA was not predictive of short-term (6–12 mo) bariatric surgery outcomes. Future research should determine how FA affects long-term postoperative outcomes and mood stability.
Grazing as a Control for the Spread of Mile-a-Minute (Persicaria perfoliata) and the Restoration of Biodiversity in Plant Communities in a Lower New York State Parkland

The invasive annual vine, mile-a-minute ( Persicaria perfoliata ), has disrupted native plant communities throughout the mid-Atlantic United States and is rapidly spreading. This study investigated the efficacy of using sheep to control the spread of mile-a-minute at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Westchester County, NY. Animals were rotated, at a high stocking density (equivalent to ca. 9 tons of grazer biomass ha–1 ) through a system of 200 m2 enclosures at high frequency (2–3 day enclosure–1 ). An ungrazed reference area was delineated adjacent to each of the grazed enclosures. Cover class analysis was performed, species richness was determined and the inflorescence (presence of flower clusters) of individual mile-a-minute plants was monitored in all enclosures and corresponding reference areas prior to the commencement of grazing and following the final grazing rotation. Prior to sheep deployment, mile-a-minute cover was 3.8 times greater in grazed enclosures than in ungrazed areas. Following grazing, mile-a-minute cover in grazed enclosures (6.69% ± 5.9%) was 3.6 times lower in the ungrazed areas (20.6 ± 21.2%). Furthermore, mile-a-minute inflorescence was significantly lower (X2 = 98.019, n = 4; p
A multishift QR iteration without computation of the shifts

Each iteration of the multishift QR algorithm of Bai and Demmel requires the computation of a “shift vector” defined bym shifts of the origin of the spectrum that control the convergence of the process. A common choice of shifts consists of the eigenvalues of the trailing principal submatrix of orderm, and current practice includes the computation of these eigenvalues in the determination of the shift vector. In this paper, we describe an algorithm based on the evaluation of the characteristic polynomial of a Hessenberg matrix, which directly produces the shift vector without computing eigenvalues. This algorithm is stable, more accurate, faster, and simpler than the current alternative. It also allows for a consistent shift strategy with dynamic adjustment of the number of shifts.
Maternal hypertension as a risk factor for low birth weight infants: comparison of Haitian and African-American women.

Background: The rate of low birth weight (LBW) of Black women is more than twice that of White women. This study explores if the rate of LBW differs between Haitian and African-American women with chronic hypertension. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of all Black women self-identified as African-American (n = 12,258) or Haitian (n = 4320) delivering a singleton infant in Massachusetts between 1996 and 2000. Results: Haitian women were more likely than African-American women to have chronic hypertension (2.7% vs. 2.1%, p = 0.006), but had similar rates of preeclampsia (3.1% vs. 3.3%, p = 0.27). The LBW rate was 10% among African-American women and 8.2% among Haitian women. After adjustment for sociodemographic, medical, and prenatal care characteristics, the greatest risks for delivering a LBW infant for Haitian women were chronic hypertension (OR = 6.8; 95% CI, 4.3, 10.6) and preeclampsia (OR = 3.2; 95% CI, 2.0, 5.1). For African-American women, the greatest risks for LBW infants were a history of delivering a LBW infant (OR = 3.9; 95% CI, 2.8, 5.4) and chronic hypertension (OR = 2.9; 95% CI, 2.1, 4.0). In a combined logistic regression model including interaction terms, chronic hypertension and preeclampsia continued to be associated with the greatest risk of LBW among all women. Conclusions: Differences in maternal risk factors and rates of LBW (8.2% vs. 10%) exist between Haitian and African-American women delivering infants in Massachusetts. While chronic hypertension and preeclampsia are strong risk factors for LBW for both Haitian and African-American women, unknown factors make these disorders much more potent for Haitian women.
Synthesis of fullerenes from coal

Fullerenes have been synthesized from a low ash Illinois coal (IBC 108) and the yields are comparable to that obtained using graphite under similar conditions. The purpose of this work was to identify inexpensive sources of carbon to substitute graphite used commonly for fullerene synthesis. The as-obtained coal was demineralized, compacted into electrodes and carbonized at 850°C in an inert atmosphere to improve conductivity. AC arcing of these coal derived electrodes was performed in a flow through reactor assembly. Solvent extraction of the soot with toluene resulted in yields between 4% and 6%. UV/Vis spectrophotometry of the extracted fullerenes revealed absorption peaks consistent with those reported for fullerenes in the literature. These absorption spectra have been compared with those obtained from graphite revealing product purity.
Classroom Concerns of Gay and Lesbian Students: The Invisible Minority

They are in the average college classroom. They may not look or act "different," but they are there. Estimates of the percentage of gay and lesbian students in the average college classroom, based on a series of frequently cited studies by the Kinsey Institute, hover around ten percent (Evans and Wall 1991). More recent studies estimate percentages ranging from one to four percent (Painton 1993). Unless they disclose their iden tity, however, gay and lesbian students are an invisible minority. Professors, then, may not think about their special needs or take advantage of their per spectives. Discussion of gay, lesbian, and bisex ual student issues in the literature on college teaching has been almost non existent. In the past few years, several institutions, such as the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Rutgers Uni versity, The Ohio State University, the University of California at Santa Cruz, and Yale University, have conducted studies of the campus climate for gay, lesbian, and bisexual students. Al though the main focus of these studies is on the overall environment, most have treated some teaching issues. For exam
Least Absolute Value Regression: Necessary Sample Sizes to Use Normal Theory Inference Procedures*

Recently developed large sample inference procedures for least absolute value (LAV) regression are examined via Monte Carlo simulation to determine when sample sizes are large enough for the procedures to work effectively. A variety of different experimental settings were created by varying the disturbance distribution, the number of explanatory variables and the way the explanatory variables were generated. Necessary sample sizes range from as small as 20 when disturbances are normal to as large as 200 in extreme outlier-producing distributions.
Bhopal atmospheric dispersion revisited

There is a vital need to understand details of the methylisocyanate (MIC) release that occurred at the 1984 Union Carbide Ltd. pesticide plant in Bhopal, India in order to avoid or respond to such releases in the future. However, we believe there are serious deficiencies in currently available dispersion predictions of the impact of toxic materials on humans and animals downwind of the plant. Specifically, cloud densities have been underestimated due to failure to account for the presence of a liquid/solid aerosol that would have been produced by the chemical reactions that caused the problem. Using data reported in Union Carbide's own investigation of the accident, which included chemical reaction data, we estimated aerosol compositions and cloud densities, then modeled the Bhopal release, simulating potential exposure levels at various locations under a number of wind-condition scenarios. For the worst-case (low wind speed and high aerosol densities), our predicted MIC concentrations at ground level are at least one order of magnitude greater than any previously published estimates. The centerline elevation of the jetting plume released at 33 m elevation is predicted to rise to about 41 m before falling, resulting in a 40 ppm (Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health, IDLH) concentration contour that reaches the ground at about 410 m downwind of the release location. This is consistent with observations that the plant environs were not hard-hit while the public immediately downwind of the plant perimeter was severely exposed. Concentrations on the order of 1000 ppm are predicted at some ground-level locations, which are more consistent than previous estimates with the reported large numbers of deaths and injuries of humans and animals.
Radiation Curing of Coatings

Abstract Printing inks, paints, and other coatings are applied as a liquid or paste but must change to a solid and nontacky state before the painted or coated article can be used. The change is known as curing or drying. Sometimes it occurs by physical means, the evaporation of a solvent or dispersion medium for example, and sometimes by chemical changes such as polymerization and cross-linking. These chemical processes connect the many relatively small molecules of the original liquid or paste into a large molecular network or insoluble solid, which may be either rigid or rubbery in consistency depending upon the requirements of a particular application. Among traditional materials, gravure inks and many lacquers dry by solvent evaporation while paints and inks based upon linseed oil “dry” by chemical cross-linking promoted by oxygen in the air. Considerable time is usually required for curing in both methods, and the evaporation of solvents can result in air pollution and potential fire hazards. There i...
Density Functional Theory Studies of the Binding of Molecular Oxygen with Schiff's Base Complexes of Cobalt†

Gradient-corrected density functional theory calculations using the B3LYP hybrid functional have been performed on Co(acacen)(pyridine) and Co(salen)(pyridine) complexes and their adducts with molecular oxygen (acacen = 2,11-dihydroxy-4,9-dimethyl-5,8-diaza-2,4,8,10-dodecatetraene, salen = 1,6-bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2,5-diaza-1,5-hexadiene). Calculated optimized geometries and dioxygen binding energies show good agreement with experiment. The binding energy for Co(acacen)(pyridine) is calculated to be 53.5 kJ mol-1 (experiment = 63.1 kJ mol-1), and the binding energy for Co(salen)(pyridine) is calculated to be 46.8 kJ mol-1 (experiment = 51.8 kJ mol-1). The calculated O−O distances are in the range 1.28−1.29 A, which compares to 1.26 A from crystal structure data for Co(acacen)(pyridine)(O2). Model complexes for Co(acacen)(pyridine) are also examined, and ligand substitution effects correlated with the computed Co−O distance. The calculated O−O vibrational frequency (1243 cm-1) is slightly higher than typic...
Another conjugate family for the normal distribution

Abstract It is shown that the family of densities f ( z ) = cz p exp( λ 1 z −1 + λ 2 z ), λ 1 , λ 2 ⩾ o , − ∞ p z ⩾ 0, c > 0, as marginals for the variance gives rise to a new conjugate family for the normal distribution. This family includes the normal gamma family and is minimal in an appropriate sense. This family is known as the generalized inverse Gaussian distribution.
Event-related potential negative shift in sons of polysubstance- and alcohol-use disorder fathers

Previous research has considered event-related potentials (ERPs) in relation to liability for alcohol and other substance use. This study explored ERPs in preadolescent boys at elevated risk for substance use due to paternal history of substance abuse or dependence. Sons (age 10-12) of fathers with an alcohol-use disorder (ALC, n = 29) were matched by age, IQ, education and parental alcohol use with sons of fathers with a polysubstance abuse or dependence diagnosis (POLY, n = 37). These two groups were matched with a low-risk comparison group (LOW, n = 29) of boys whose fathers had no substance-use disorder diagnosis. No boy in the study met criteria for a substance-use disorder. ERPs were collected from midline (Fz, Cz, Pz) and parietal (P3, P4) electrode leads during an auditory oddball task. ERPs of boys from the ALC and POLY groups showed a slow negative shift prominent at Cz and Pz. This negative shift, evident by 100 ms post-stimulus and lasting for the duration of the 1000-ms recording period, overlapped temporally with N1, N2 and P3 amplitude differences distinguishing the ALC and POLY groups from the LOW group. The ALC and POLY groups differed from each other in N2 amplitude at Cz, which was larger for ALC subjects. These findings offer a possible alternative explanation for previously observed amplitude anomalies noted in children at risk for substance-use disorders and suggest new avenues of inquiry.
Hydrology affects carbon storage potential of prairie potholes

Prairie potholes, the small, dynamic, unconnected ponds that dot central Canada as well as parts of the north central United States, can store significant amounts of soil nutrients that can be transformed to carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Scientists would like to better understand how these regions could contribute to climate warming, but there are challenges, given the large heterogeneity in greenhouse gas emissions over the prairie pothole landscape.
STIFFNESSES OF ABUTMENTS ON PILES IN SEISMIC BRIDGE ANALYSES

The characterization of bridge-abutment-backfill-pile interaction is an important component in seismic bridge response evaluations. This paper presents a relatively simple and realistic methodology to evaluate the nonlinear translational (longitudinal, and transverse) spring stiffnesses of abutments founded on pile foundation. Many important factors such as the abutment dimensions, nonlinear pile-soil interaction, superstructure loads, and difference in soil behavior under active and passive conditions have been accounted for. Only routinely used soil properties are required in the model. The paper describes a calibration study undertaken to ascertain the predictive capability of the proposed approach using large-scale field tests. A very good agreement exists between the predictions and the large-scale field tests results. Both longitudinal and transverse field tests were utilized in the calibration. This paper also presents the results of a parametric study in which the influence of pile fixity conditions, relative contribution of piles to abutment stiffness, and deck loads were investigated.
On the stability and convergence of a Galerkin reduced order model (ROM) of compressible flow with solid wall and far‐field boundary treatment

A reduced order model (ROM) based on the proper orthogonal decomposition (POD)/Galerkin projection method is proposed as an alternative discretization of the linearized compressible Euler equations. It is shown that the numerical stability of the ROM is intimately tied to the choice of inner product used to define the Galerkin projection. For the linearized compressible Euler equations, a symmetry transformation motivates the construction of a weighted L 2 inner product that guarantees certain stability bounds satisfied by the ROM. Sufficient conditions for well-posedness and stability of the present Galerkin projection method applied to a general linear hyperbolic initial boundary value problem (IBVP) are stated and proven. Well-posed and stable far-field and solid wall boundary conditions are formulated for the linearized compressible Euler ROM using these more general results. A convergence analysis employing a stable penalty-like formulation of the boundary conditions reveals that the ROM solution converges to the exact solution with refinement of both the numerical solution used to generate the ROM and of the POD basis. An a priori error estimate for the computed ROM solution is derived, and examined using a numerical test case. Published in 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
384-Channel parallel microfluidic cytometer for rare-cell screening

We have constructed a 384-channel parallel microfluidic cytometer (PMC). The multichannel architecture allows 384 unique samples for a cell-based screen to be read out in approximately 6–10 min, about 30-times the speed of a conventional fluorescence-activated cytometer system (FACS). This architecture also allows the signal integration time to be varied over a larger range than is practical in single-channel FACS and is suitable for detection of rare-cells in a high background of negatives. The signal-to-noise advantages have been confirmed by using the system to count rare clonal osteocytes in the most difficult early stages of an expression-cloning screen for the carboxy-terminal parathyroid hormone receptor (CPTHR). This problem requires finding several dozen positive cells in a background of one million negatives. The system is automated around a scanning laser confocal detector and a 96-tip robotic pipettor and can maintain in vitro cultures on-system in 384-well plates. It is therefore directly practical for biology applications using existing high-throughput culture facilities. The PMC system lends itself to high-sample-number cytometry with an unusual capability for time synchronization and rare-cell sensitivity. A limited ability to handle large sample numbers has restricted applications of single-channel FACS in combinatorial cell assays; therefore the PMC could have a significant application in high-throughput screening.
Social Density and Affiliative Tendency as Determinants of Dormitory Residential Outcomes

The questionnaire responses of both high social density and low social density dormitory residents, divided into high and low groups on affiliative tendency, were examined. Although both high and low affiliates experienced more satisfaction living in low social density dorms, which were associated with higher levels of social interaction than high social density dorms, levels of reported stress varied as a function of both social density and affiliation. High affiliates experienced more, while low affiliates experienced less, stress in the low social density dorm than in the high social density dorm. Results were discussed in terms of the possession of differential coping skills with respect to achieving independence (in the low social density dorm) and dealing with overload from strangers (in the high social density dorm).
Cardiovascular comorbidities of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: a report from the GRAPPA 2012 annual meeting

At the 2012 annual meeting of the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) in Stockholm, Sweden, several GRAPPA members led a panel discussion on cardiovascular (CV) comorbidities of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The panelists discussed the role of insulin resistance in the pathophysiology of psoriasis, the possible effect of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors on CV comorbidities, and the effect of 12/23 monoclonal antibodies on CV outcomes. The panelists also addressed how lessons from CV comorbidity research could be applied to other areas of comorbidity research in psoriasis and PsA and identified future research directions in this area.
Unusual renal infections.

Abstract Three cases of renal abscess are reported. Each presented unusual features in diagnosis and pathogenesis of infection. The management of each case is discussed. 721 Huntington Avenue Boston, Massachusetts 02115 References
The Hyaluronidase of the Leech: an Endoglucuronidase

Two types of hyaluronidases have been described: one, found in testicular extracts and in snake venom, randomly cleaves the hexosaminidic bonds and yields a consecutive series from disaccharide through higher homologues of disaccharide units1; the other, found in micro-organisms, yields a Δ4–5 (glucuronido) unsaturated disaccharide2. In this communication, a third type of hyaluronidase is described, found thus far only in extracts of the leech (Hirudo medicinalis), which hydrolyses the endoglucuronidic linkages of hyaluronic acid.
Conservation of the C.elegans tra-2 3′UTR translational control

The Caenorhabditis elegans sex-determination gene, tra-2, is translationally regulated by two 28 nt elements (DREs) located in the 3′UTR that bind a factor called DRF. This regulation requires the laf-1 gene activity. We demonstrate that the nematode Caenorhabditis briggsae tra-2 gene and the human oncogene GLI are translationally regulated by elements that are functionally equivalent to DREs. Here, we rename the DREs to TGEs (tra-2 and GLI elements). Similarly to the C.elegans tra-2 TGEs, the C.briggsae tra-2 and GLI TGEs repress translation of a reporter transgene in a laf-1 dependent manner. Furthermore, they regulate poly(A) tail length and bind DRF. We also find that the C.elegans TGEs control translation and poly(A) tail length in C.briggsae and rodent cells. Moreover, these same organisms contain a factor that specifically associates with the C.elegans TGEs. These findings are consistent with the TGE control being present in C.briggsae and rodent cells. Three lines of evidence indicate that C.briggsae tra-2 and GLI are translationally controlled in vivo by TGEs. First, like C.elegans tra-2 TGEs, the C.briggsae tra-2 and GLI TGEs control translation and poly(A) tail lengths in C.briggsae and rodent cells, respectively. Second, the same factor in C.briggsae and mammalian cells that binds to the C.elegans tra-2 TGEs binds the C.briggsae tra-2 and GLI TGEs. Third, deletion of the GLI TGE increases GLI's ability to transform cells. These findings suggest that TGE control is conserved and regulates the expression of other mRNAs.
Evaluating the Engineering Management Brand Meaning

Engineering management is not a well understood discipline in the field of engineering, especially compared to more traditional engineering. A systematic approach to evaluating an academic brand me...
Tetranor PGDM, an Abundant Urinary Metabolite Reflects Biosynthesis of Prostaglandin D2 in Mice and Humans

Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) is a cyclooxygenase (COX) product of arachidonic acid that activates D prostanoid receptors to modulate vascular, platelet, and leukocyte function in vitro. However, little is known about its enzymatic origin or its formation in vivo in cardiovascular or inflammatory disease. 11,15-Dioxo-9α-hydroxy-2,3,4,5-tetranorprostan-1,20-dioic acid (tetranor PGDM) was identified by mass spectrometry as a metabolite of infused PGD2 that is detectable in mouse and human urine. Using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, tetranor PGDM was much more abundant than the PGD2 metabolites, 11β-PGF2α and 2,3-dinor-11β-PGF2α, in human urine and was the only endogenous metabolite detectable in mouse urine. Infusion of PGD2 dose dependently increased urinary tetranor PGDM > 2,3-dinor-11β-PGF2α > 11β-PGF2α in mice. Deletion of either lipocalin-type or hemopoietic PGD synthase enzymes decreased urinary tetranor PGDM. Deletion or knockdown of COX-1, but not deletion of COX-2, decreased urinary tetranor PGDM in mice. Correspondingly, both PGDM and 2,3-dinor-11β-PGF2α were suppressed by inhibition of COX-1 and COX-2, but not by selective inhibition of COX-2 in humans. PGD2 has been implicated in both the development and resolution of inflammation. Administration of bacterial lipopolysaccharide coordinately elevated tetranor PGDM and 2,3-dinor-11β-PGF2α in volunteers, coincident with a pyrexial and systemic inflammatory response, but both metabolites fell during the resolution phase. Niacin increased tetranor PGDM and 2,3-dinor-11β-PGF2α in humans coincident with facial flushing. Tetranor PGDM is an abundant metabolite in urine that reflects modulated biosynthesis of PGD2 in humans and mice.
The impact of phytoestrogens on sexual behavior and cognition in rodents

Abstract Phytoestrogens have the potential to influence the effects of other endocrine active-compounds by altering an individual's reproductive development, sexual behaviors, and performance on cognitive tasks. Thus, the following literature review focuses on studies involving the effects that dietary phytoestrogens have on the reproductive behaviors and cognitive abilities of rodents. We found that the bulk of the literature that focused on the cognitive abilities and reproductive behavior of individuals exposed to dietary phytoestrogens does not provide a clear pattern of their effects. We suggest that the mixed results of many studies may be attributed to differences in the type of phytoestrogen administered, the length of time of its administration, the amount or phytoestrogen, the species tested, the sex and hormonal milieu of the subjects, if the exposure to phytoestrogens occurred during gestation, lactation, or adulthood, and if the subject is an herbivore or omnivore. Based on our review, we have provided information that is needed to formulate several testable hypotheses about the effects of phytoestrogens on sexual behaviors and cognitive abilities in rodent species.
Evaluating Nitrate Recovery by Ion-Exchange Resin Bags

Ion-exchange resin (IER) bags were tested as traps for leached soil NO⁻₃-N. In laboratory experiments, IER bags recovered 84.7% of the NO⁻₃-N from solutions containing 0.09 to 40.74 g NO⁻₃-N kg⁻¹ resin, but recovery decreased at higher concentrations. In soil columns, NO⁻₃-N recovery was poor (36.2%) when NO⁻₃-N moved slowly through the soil profile after a rapid single pulse, but improved (87.1%) when higher flow was sustained. In the field, estimates of leached NO⁻₃-N using IER bags fell within the range of values estimated from soil cores and suction lysimeters. Advantages of IER bags are attributed to cumulative recovery of NO⁻₃-N during passive interception of gravitational water flow. Contribution of the Dep. of Vegetable Crops, Univ. of California, Davis, CA 95616.
Characterization of a next-generation step-and-scan system

Deep-ultaviolet (DUV) step-and-scan projection systems have been increasing in semiconductor manufacturing importance in recent years. IBM and other semiconductor manufacturers have made substantial use of 0.50 numerical aperture (NA) step-and- scan systems for production resolutions down to approximately 250 nm resolution. This paper describes the initial system characterization and product performance of a next generation, 0.60 NA scanner system in early semiconductor production.
Effects of thresholding in multiobject binary joint transform correlation

We investigate the performance of the binary joint transform correlator (JTC) in the presence of multiple objects for two types of thresholding that are used to binarize the joint power spectrum. The first method uses the median of the joint power spectrum of the reference image and the input scene as the threshold value. The second method is a two dimensional thresholding technique used to maximize the light intensity of the correlation peak and it eliminates the even order harmonic terms. The correlation performance of the binary JTC is determined for both thresholding methods. The binary JTC output is determined analytically in terms of the multiple input targets. The separation requirements of the binary JTC and the conventional JTC in the presence of multiple targets are computed. Computer simulation and experiments are presented for a limited number of multiple target images to determine the correlation peak to sidelobe ratio, and correlation width for both thresholding techniques. In the experiments, a hybrid optical processor with an optically addressed SLM is used to implement the binary JTC. The results indicate that using both thresholding methods, the binary JTC produces large peak to sidelobe ratio and narrow peak for the multiple targets images used in the tests. The two dimensional threshold function produces better correlation performance compared with the median thresholding.
Electron probe microanalysis of chemical elemental content of single human red cells

Sodium, potassium, iron and sulfur contents of single human red cells were measured using electron microprobe microanalysis. Three preparative procedures were compared, and the most reliable technique was found to be spraying of cells onto polished pyrolytic graphite by atomization. Primary standards were prepared by adjusting the intracellular electrolyte content of red cells, eliminating the need to correct for X-ray absorption. Samples were stable under the electron beam during analysis, and could be stored for long periods of time. Strong correlations were found between the X-ray intensities of iron and sulfur and between potassium and sodium. X-ray intensities of potassium and sodium were found to be directly proportional to internal ionic content. Large populations of single cells could be analyzed and the distribution of their elemental content studied.
Increased throughput for low-abundance protein biomarker verification by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.

Low-abundance protein quantification has historically been performed using ligand binding techniques. However, due to the time and cost associated with developing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), mass spectrometric approaches are playing an increasingly important role. Protein quantification at or below the nanogram per milliliter level using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) typically utilizes an immunoaffinity (IA) enrichment step such as immunoprecipitation. In order to maximize mass spectrometry (MS) sensitivity, protein enrichment is followed by a proteolytic cleavage step used to generate a surrogate peptide with better mass spectrometric properties. Unlike ELISA, IA−LC/MS/MS is a serial technique that can require up to 3 days for a single batch analysis due to lengthy incubation and digestion steps. This report describes the use of immunoprecipitation in 96-well ELISA format (IPE) and microwave-assisted protein digestion to reduce the time required to perform LC/MS...
Public Opinion and Mass Incarceration in the U.S. States

Following more than 30 years of rising incarceration rates, the United States now imprisons a higher proportion of its population than any country in the world. In contrast to previous research, this paper argues that an increasingly punitive public was a primary reason for this prolific expansion. To test this hypothesis, I introduce a state-level measure of public support for being tough on crime that extends from 1953 to 2010. The analysis shows that, controlling for the crime rate, inequality, the party in power, and state demographic characteristics, since 1953 punitive attitudes have been a fundamental determinant of changes in state incarceration rates.
Financial Integration and Financial Development in East Asia

This article analyzes differences in patterns of financial development across the major East Asian economies, particularly for the three largest economies of the region (China, Japan and South Korea), in the context of the possibilities for greater regional financial integration. It argues that these differences in patterns of financial development present an economic challenge to regional financial integration efforts, in addition to differences in levels of financial development and possible political barriers. The article reviews arguments for and against financial openness, the East Asian experience with financial integration, how economies in the region have responded to shocks and what they may do to continue to thrive in the future. It also discusses policy options for the future, including regulatory reform and coordination, and various possible risk management policies and institutions.
Blockade of desensitization augments quisqualate excitotoxicity in hippocampal neurons

Glutamate neurotoxicity is thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases. While prolonged activation of either NMDA or non-NMDA receptors causes neuronal damage, NMDA receptors appear to mediate most of the glutamate toxicity. The reasons why NMDA toxicity predominates are uncertain but may relate to more effective neuroprotective mechanisms acting at non-NMDA receptors. To determine whether desensitization is one such mechanism, we studied the effects of the lectin wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) on quisqualate currents and toxicity in cultured postnatal rat hippocampal neurons. After WGA treatment, quisqualate currents exhibit little desensitization and a 4- to 8-fold increase in steady-state amplitude. WGA also markedly augments the degree of acute, quisqualate-induced neuronal degeneration. These results suggest that non-NMDA desensitization serves a neuroprotective function in hippocampal neurons.
Elements of a Science of E-Learning.

A science of e-learning involves the scientific investigation of how people learn in electronic learning environments. Three elements of a science of e-learning are: a) evidence—a base of replicated findings from rigorous and appropriate research studies; b) theory—a research-based theory of how people learn in electronic learning environments, which yields testable predictions; and c) applications—theory-based principles for how to design electronic learning environments, which themselves can be tested in research studies. This article provides examples of these three elements from a program of research on multimedia learning.