cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Paths to improving engagement among racial and ethnic minorities in addiction health services

Members of racial and ethnic minority groups are most likely to experience limited access and poor engagement in addiction treatment. Research has been limited on the role of program capacity and delivery of comprehensive care in improving access and retention among minorities with drug abuse issues. The goal of this study was to examine the extent to which access and retention are enhanced when racial and ethnic minorities receive care from high-capacity addiction health services (AHS) programs and via coordination with mental health and receipt of HIV testing services. This multilevel cross-sectional analysis involved data from 108 programs merged with client data from 2011 for 13,478 adults entering AHS. Multilevel negative binomial regression models were used to test interactions and indirect relationships between program capacity and days to enter treatment (wait time) and days in treatment (retention). Compared to low-capacity programs and non-Latino and non-African American clients, Latinos and African Americans served in high-capacity programs reported shorter wait times to admission, as hypothesized. African Americans also had longer treatment retention in high-capacity programs. Receipt of HIV testing and program coordination of mental health services played an indirect role in the relationship between program capacity and wait time. Program capacity and coordinated services in AHS may reduce disparities in access to care. Implications for supporting low-capacity programs to eliminate the disparity gap in access to care are discussed.
An optimizing Fortran D compiler for MIMD distributed-memory machines

Massively parallel MIMD distributed-memory machines can provide enormous computational power; however, the difficulty of developing parallel programs for these machines has limited their use. Our thesis is that an advanced compiler can generate efficient parallel programs, if data decompositions are provided. To validate this thesis, we have implemented a compiler for Fortran D, a version of Fortran that provides data decomposition specifications at two levels: problem mapping using sophisticated array alignments, and machine mapping through a rich set of data distribution functions. The Fortran D compiler is organized around three major functions: program analysis, program optimization, and code generation. Its compilation strategy is based on the "owner computes" rule, where each processor only computes values of data it owns. Data decomposition specifications are translated into mathematical distribution functions that determine the ownership of local data. By composing these with subscript functions or their inverses, the compiler can efficiently partition computation and determine nonlocal accesses at compile-time. Fortran D optimizations are guided by the concept of data dependence. Program transformations modify the program execution order to enable optimizations. Communication optimizations reduce the number of messages and overlap communication with computation. Parallelism optimizations detect reductions and optimize pipelined computations to increase the amount of useful computation that may be performed in parallel. Empirical evaluations show that exploiting parallelism is vital, while message vectorization, coarse-grain pipelining, and collective communication are the key communication optimizations. A simple model is constructed to guide compiler optimizations. Loop indices, bounds, and nonlocal storage are managed by the compiler during code generation. Interprocedural analysis, optimization, and code generation algorithms limit compilation to only one pass over each procedure by collecting summary information after edits, then compiling procedures in reverse topological order to propagate necessary information. Delaying instantiation of the work partition, communication, and dynamic data decomposition enables interprocedural optimization. Interactions between the compiler and other elements of the programming system are discussed. Empirical measurements show that the output of the prototype Fortran D compiler is comparable to hand-written codes on the Intel iPSC/860 and significantly outperforms the CM Fortran compiler on the Thinking Machines CM-5.
Características individuales y actitudes discriminatorias hacia la mujer en México: ¿existen diferencias entre las regiones?

Con base en los resultados de la Primera encuesta nacional sobre discriminacion en Mexico, en este articulo se examina la relacion entre factores individuales y las actitudes discriminatorias hacia la mujer. El objetivo es evaluar empiricamente la influencia de estos factores en lo individual, y descubrir si existe alguna diferencia entre las regiones que lleve a la persistencia de actitudes discriminatorias. Los resultados concuerdan con las expectativas en cuanto a los factores individuales, y revelan que los habitantes del norte y centro de Mexico mantienen actitudes discriminatorias mas intensas que la poblacion del sur del pais.
Bioelectromagnetic and Subtle Energy Medicine

The concept of a "life energy" can be found in many cultures in the present time, as well as in past eras reaching back to the ancients. Variously called qi (chi), ki, the "four humors,"prana, "archaeus,""cosmic aether,""universal fluid,""animal magnetism," and "odic force," among other names, this purported biofield is beginning to yield its properties and interactions to the scientific method. Subtle energy is the term used in this chapter, which traces the recent history of subtle energy studies from Harold Saxton Burr and Bjorn Nordenstrom to Jim Oschman and Jacques Benveniste. This work takes signaling in living systems from the chemical/molecular to the physical/atomic level of communication. Effects on heart rate variability, stress response, inflammation, and the vagus nerve have been demonstrated and raise the question--Can the power of subtle energies be harnessed for health enhancement? It is fully accepted that good health depends on good communication both within the organism and between the organism and its environment. Sophisticated imaging procedures brought to bear on telomere, stem cell, and genetic research are confirming the ability of meditation and some other traditional practices to promote optimal health through stress reduction.
Construction Litigation for the U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Command, 1982–2002

Evaluation of construction claims history can provide an understanding of improvement opportunities in a capital projects portfolio. This study analyzed cases of construction litigation involving the U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) for the period of 1982–2002, extracted from the historical trial decision record of the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals (ASBCA). The study provides trend data for all “first time” construction litigation cases brought before the Board over the last 21 years and a total of 666 cases involving NAVFAC construction contracts were identified over this period. The characterization of these cases was accomplished through a review and tabulation of ASBCA identified “primary” causes and a subjective analysis of “root” causes from a random sample extracted from the total population. The random sample data set totals 30 cases and was taken from cases litigated in the last 10 years (1993–2002). Findings and recommendations based on root causes, including specifi...
The interaction of methylenetriphenylphosphorane with tris(methylvinyl ketone)tungsten

Abstract Tris(methylvinyl ketone)tungsten is treated with methylenetriphenylphosphorane to give a complex W(CH2PPh3)3. No Wittig reaction products or rearranged ylide could be detected.
Match bus stops to a digital road network by the shortest path model

Abstract We investigate the bus stop matching problem that determines the associated road link of a bus stop whose latitude and longitude are available. The bus stop matching problem is challenging due to (1) the approximate representation of road maps; (2) the inaccurate location data of road maps and stops; (3) the complicated road geometry; and (4) the lack of dynamic vehicle information, such as vehicle trajectory, speed, turning, and heading. In order to exploit relational information between bus stops, we first organize the bus stops by route and list the stops in the order they appear in a given bus route. We then develop a network model that utilizes such relational information and transforms the stop matching problem into a shortest path problem. We also develop certain approaches to examine the potential mismatches by the proposed shortest path model. Case studies show that the average success rate of our approach is more than 98%. Our approach also performs robustly under a regular perturbation.
Effects of electron heating on conductance fluctuations in mesoscopic wires.

We analyze the contributions of electron heating to the generation of time-independent conductance fluctuations as a function of voltage in mesoscopic wires. We discuss both harmonic generation and direct measurements of differential conductance versus voltage. Electron heating may easily dominate the properties of the fluctuations. We propose that observations of conductance fluctuations with a small correlation voltage may be a consequence of heating, rather than being related to a small intrinsic energy scale such as the energy-eigenvalue spacing.
Spermatophore and sperm quality of the pink shrimp Farfantepenaeus paulensis fed with fresh food supplemented with pollen and paprika

Abstract An inadequate feeding strategy can compromise the larval production of penaeids through a decline in reproductive performance, including that of males. For Farfantepenaeus paulensis , it is known that the feed should contain fresh food to avoid a loss of spermatophore and sperm quality. However, new strategies need to be tested to improve male reproductive performance in captivity, particularly those aimed at decreasing melanization, which causes reproductive tract deterioration. Thus, the present study aims to evaluate the effect of supplementation of fresh food with pollen and paprika on the spermatophore and sperm quality of F. paulensis . An experiment was conducted composed of three dietary treatments: the control treatment, consisting of fresh foods (squid, blue crab and fish) without additional supplementation; the pollen treatment, consisting of fresh food supplemented with 2% pollen; and the paprika treatment, consisting of fresh food supplemented with 2% paprika. Food consumption was measured over three successive days for each treatment. Spermatophore and sperm quality was measured at the beginning (day zero) and at the end (day 30) of the experiment in terms of spermatophore weight, sperm count, percentage of normal sperm and presence of melanization. There was no significant difference in food consumption among the treatments. Shrimps fed with fresh food supplemented with pollen showed higher sperm counts, zero melanization and higher survival, whereas supplementation with paprika did not affect spermatophore or sperm quality.
The antecedents and consequences of product variety in new ventures: An empirical study

Despite the known benefits of greater product variety for large firms, less is known about how new ventures pursue product variety. Liabilities of newness and smallness could possibly impede the ability of new ventures to develop the product design capabilities needed to increase product variety. Drawing on the design principles of product modularity, we posit that new ventures with modular product designs tend to have higher product variety. The benefits of product variety, however, are not monotonic, and at higher levels of product variety, increasing internal operational costs lead to an inverted-U type relationship between product variety and operational performance. We posit that process modularity, a systems-level capability, and manufacturing flexibility, an operations capability, enhance the benefits from product variety and mitigate the costs that arise from increasing product variety further. Based on a sample of 141 new ventures and using latent moderated structural model (LMS), we find support for the proposed model. The findings are robust against alternate model specifications. Academic and managerial implications from the findings are discussed.
Online consumer market inefficiencies and intermediation

This paper seeks to empirically unravel why consumers sometimes need to trust intermediaries in online markets. Notwithstanding assertions that online markets will eventually eliminate the need for intermediaries, intermediaries remain an active part of the online market landscape. This paper tries to understand this phenomenon from a view of a consumer lack of trust in online markets and seeks to unearth what ultimately causes a lack of consumer trust in online markets and the role played by intermediaries in the mix. The paper proposes a model and empirically validates it. Findings suggest that inherent inefficiencies in online markets lead to consumer uncertainty. Perceptions of uncertainty lead to a lack of consumer trust in online markets. Consumer trust in online markets is restored only by placing trust in intermediaries.
Optically controlled digital optical matrix processor

This paper describes a scheme for implementing a digital optical matrix processor including an all-optical control unit, using free-space interconnected optoelectronic integrated circuits (OEICs). Many digital optical processors have been proposed in the last decade or so, but if they involve any complexity, the control of the processor is either not discussed, or is regulated to an electronic host computer. An all optical processor has advantages in cost, complexity, and robustness over an optical processor that requires an electronic host computer. We have already developed the basic principles of operation, and several novel matrix manipulation algorithms, including one that accomplishes boolean matrix multiplication of two N X N matrices in N processor cycles, and arithmetic addition of N pairs of N- digit words in N cycles. We estimate the system throughput at over 1011 operations per second.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Micromechanics Prediction of the Shear Strength of Carbon Fiber/Epoxy Matrix Composites: The Influence of the Matrix and Interface Strengths

Presently there is great interest in understanding and improving the bond ing between the fibers and matrix in high performance composite materials. Indeed, the fiber-matrix adhesion in many recently-developed systems is poor. To improve bonding, various fiber surface treatments have been developed. These treatments are often evaluated by measuring their effect on a composite property sensitive to the interfacial bond strength (e.g., the composite shear strength). Such methods are, however, inferential, and do not provide a direct measure of the strength of the interfacial bond.A method is presented to estimate the influence of the matrix and the interfacial bond strength itself on the composite shear strength for a given fiber/matrix composite. Analyti cal prediction of these effects has been achieved using a finite element micromechanics model. Numerical results generated using this model have been shown to compare well with experimental data, which suggests that the micromechanics approach to predictin...
New synthetic routes to allylic germatranes

Abstract Allylic germatranes derived from triethanolamine can be prepared with moderate control of regioselectivity by two complementary routes. The first of these is through the preparation of the precursor allylic germanium trichlorides by a transmetallation reaction between germanium(IV) chloride and the corresponding allylic tributylstannanes followed by alcoholysis and reaction with triethanolamine. The second route is via the palladium-catalyzed hydrogermylation of conjugated dienes by germatrane, N(CH 2 CH 2 O) 3 GeH. The former route gives mixtures of E and Z stereoisomers, whereas the second route gives exclusively Z products.
Accurate microwave control and real-time diagnostics of neutral-atom qubits

We demonstrate accurate single-qubit control in an ensemble of atomic qubits trapped in an optical lattice. The qubits are driven with microwave radiation, and their dynamics tracked by optical probe polarimetry. Real-time diagnostics is crucial to minimize systematic errors and optimize the performance of single-qubit gates, leading to fidelities of 0.99 for single-qubit $\ensuremath{\pi}$ rotations. We show that increased robustness to large, deliberately introduced errors can be achieved through the use of composite rotations. However, during normal operation the combination of very small intrinsic errors and additional decoherence during the longer pulse sequences precludes any significant performance gain in our current experiment.
The structure of the canary's incubation patch

The gross morphology, histology and ultrastructure of the canary's incubation patch and the ventral apterium from which it arises are described. The apterium is vascularized by pectoral, external mammary, incubation, and prepubic arteries. It is innervated by cutaneous branches of spinal nerves. It has a surface area of 6 cm2. Its epidermis is a stratified squamous epithelium with basal, intermediate, transitional and cornified layers. Cells in the stratum germinativum contain a normal array of organelles, but are characterized by tonofilaments, desmosomes and interdigitating surfaces. Cellular organelles disappear in the stratum transitivum and are replaced by large vacuoles and keratohyalin bands. Nonmyelinated nerve fibers are abundant in the stratum germinativum. The dermis consists of (1) an avascular layer of dense collagen subjacent to the epidermis and containing many nonmyelinated nerves, and (2) an underlying layer of areolar connective tissue containing blood vessels, lamellar corpuscles and nerves. A layer of coarse elastic fibers, reinforced by collagen and smooth muscle, separates the dermis from subcutaneous tissue. In contrast to the ventral apterium, the incubation patch is featherless and visibly hypervascular and edematous. Its epidermis is both hypertrophic and hyperplastic. Large spaces separate cells in the stratum germinativum. The visible hypervascularity is due to hyperemia and increased number and size of blood vessels in the dermis. Visible edema is due to the accumulation of fluid interstitially. Although no histological differences exist among various regions of the ventral apterium, such differences are present in the incubation patch.
Effect of concentration on persistence of alachlor in soil

To determine the behavior of alachlor [2-chloro-N-(methoxymethyl)-N-(2,6-diethylphenyl)-acetamide] at concentrations common with spill and waste disposal sites, alachlor degradation was determined over a concentration range of 10 to 10 000 mg kg -1 in a Webster clay loam (fine loamy, mixed, mesic Typic Haplaquoll) and an Estherville sandy loam (sandy, mixed, mesic Typic Hapludoll) in laboratory incubation experiments. Effect of concentration on the overall behavior of alachlor was similar in both soils. Based on percent of applied chemical, persistence of alachlor increased with increasing concentration. Mineralization and formation of degradation products and bound residues decreased at higher concentrations. At 10 000 mg kg -1 , alachlor was extremely persistent, with estimated 50% dissipation times (DT 50 ) of 12.6 and 13.5 yr in the Webster and Estherville soil, respectively. Although the DT 50 increased with increasing concentration, significant amounts of alachlor, in absolute mass, degraded at higher concentration. However, mineralization at 1000 and 10 000 mg kg -1 was similar to that at 100 mg kg -1 . Specific alachlor biodegradation mechanisms, limited water solubility, and kinetics of dissolution of precipitated alachlor and alachlor desorption are postulated as the rate-limiting factors for the degradation of alachlor at elevated levels. A field experiment also indicated alachlor dissipation at high concentration was extremely slow over the first 6 mo after application. Degradation and leaching increased by the following spring. It would appear that an effective remediation means to detoxify alachlor-contaminated soil would be to land-spread the soil, thereby diluting the concentration of alachlor in the soil to <100 mg kg -1 .
A MODEL FOR NON-LINEAR ROCK DEFORMATION UNDER COMPRESSION DUE TO SUB- CRITICAL CRACK GROWTH

Abstract Time dependency in rock deformation under compression is modelled by considering an elastic body containing cracks that grow under compressive stresses due to sub-critical crack growth. This is considered the prime mechanism for the time-dependent deformation of brittle rocks at low temperatures. The growth of cracks under compressive stresses is formulated using the “sliding crack” model, which considers extensile crack growth due to stress concentrations around pre-existing flaws. Subcritical crack growt is included into the sliding crack model by utilizing the empirical Charles power law relation between crack velocity and the crack tip stress intensity factor. The model is able to predict the dependence of the stress-strain curve on the applied strain rate, and agrees extremely well with experimental data. Also, the model is able to predict the occurrence of both transient and tertiary creep. The transient creep behavior is derived in closed-form, and is found to give creep that depends on the logarithm of time, which is similar to many empirical formulae for creep in brittle rocks. Tertiary creep in the model is due to crack interaction, and is found to occur at a critical value of crack density. This allows time-to-failure predictions to be made, which could be useful for underground structures required to remain open for long periods of time.
Georgius Agricola’s contributions to hydrology

Summary Georgius Agricola’s 1546 book De Ortu et Causis Subterraneorum (On the Source and Causes of What is Underground) was the first European work since antiquity to focus on hydrology and helped to shape the thought of Nicolaus Steno, Pierre Perrault, A.G. Werner, and other important figures in the history of hydrology and geology. De Ortu contains the first known expressions of numerous concepts important in modern hydrology: erosion as an active process, groundwater movement through pores and fissures, hydrofracturing, water-rock reaction, and others. The concepts of groundwater origins, movement, and nature in De Ortu were also the foundation for the theories of ore deposit formation for which Agricola is better known. In spite of their importance, most of Agricola’s contributions to the study of groundwater are unrecognized today because De Ortu , alone of his major works, has never been translated out of Latin and no existing vernacular summary of it is longer than two pages. This article presents the first detailed description of Agricola’s work on hydrology and discusses the derivation and impact of his ideas.
Synthetic Studies on Ezomycins: Stereoselective Route to a Thymine Octosyl Nucleoside Derivative

The ezomycins are Streptomyces-derived antifungal natural products, belonging to the complex peptidyl nucleoside family of antibiotics. Employing d-serine as a chiral platform, we report herein a novel synthetic route to the bicyclic octosyl nucleoside core of the ezomycins. A key step in the sequence involved a stereoselective 6-exo-trig oxymercuration—oxidation of a strategic δ-hydroxy alkene derivative, toward construction of the trans-fused furopyran ring system as present in the target products. In contrast to the known carbohydrate-based synthetic routes to the above furopyranyl fragment, the present amino acid chiral template approach is expected to offer a more flexible pathway toward potential SAR-targeted structural/stereochemical modifications of this central bicyclic nucleoside component of the ezomycins.
A Mixed Exponential Distribution Model for Retrieving Ground Flash Fraction from Satellite Lightning Imager Data

AbstractA Bayesian inversion method is introduced for retrieving the fraction of ground flashes in a set of flashes observed from a (low earth orbiting or geostationary) satellite lightning imager. The method employs a constrained mixed exponential distribution model to describe the lightning optical measurements. Because the method also retrieves certain population statistics of ground and cloud flash optical properties, the method can be applied to an arbitrary geographical region, including those regions where the lightning optical statistics either are not known or are difficult to obtain. The approach is tested by performing simulated retrievals, and retrieval error statistics are provided. A first-attempt retrieval of the global geographical distribution of ground flash fraction is obtained using the 5-yr Optical Transient Detector (OTD) dataset; the spatially averaged ground flash fraction over the global-scale domain studied was 0.151 with a standard deviation of 0.081. The ability to retrieve gro...
Manufacturing of composite structures with a built-in network of piezoceramics

Abstract A manufacturing method was developed for integrating a network of distributed piezoceramic actuators/sensors onto laminated carbon/epoxy composite structures. The network of built-in actuators/sensors is used to monitor the health of the host composite structure by acquiring information about the condition of the structure throughout its service life. The manufacturing method applies the printed circuit technique to fabricate a thin flexible layer with a network of piezoceramics. It is used as an extra ply that is either inserted into or bonded onto the surface of a composite laminate to give it actuating and sensing capabilities. This layer that provides the added functionality is referred to as the “SMART Layer” (Stanford Multi-Actuator-Receiver Transduction Layer). Using the developed method, several SMART Layer prototypes have been fabricated and embedded inside carbon fiber composite laminates successfully. Tests were conducted on composite panels integrated with the SMART Layer to validate the design and the manufacturing procedure.
The "Stepping Stone Phenomenon": Exploring the Role of Positive Attrition at an Early College Entrance Program.

This study explored the differences between students who remained at one early college acceleration program and those who left. Students who left appeared to seek what they perceived as a greater academic challenge or more specialized academic majors than were provided by the host college, a phenomenon that lends credence to the notion of positive attrition. Programs and their host institutions need to acknowledge and consider whether positive attrition is acceptable and then structure their screening policies accordingly. Programs would also do well to ensure that screening takes into account students' talents and interests, for by ensuring an appropriate match, or “fit,” between the candidate, the program, and the host college or university, administrators and staff may help to improve retention and the overall quality of the experience for the early college accelerant. Appropriate screening is the key to improving academic fit, and the first step in improving screening may be for an institution to dete...
Disaggregation and scientific visualization of earthscapes considering trends and spatial dependence structures

Earth attributes show complex, heterogeneous spatial patterns generated by exogenous environmental factors and formation processes. This study investigates various strategies to quantify the underlying spatial patterns of simulated fields resembling real earthscapes and to compare their performance for describing them. The approach is to disaggregate the variability of earth attributes into two components, deterministic trend m(xi) and spatial dependence e(xi), and determine the effects of m(xi) and e(xi) on prediction accuracy under various combinations of spatial fields of earth attributes encountered in different earthscapes. We illustrate that cross-dependencies exist between spatial and feature accuracy. Scientific visualization is used to transpose quantitative results into visual space.
Collagenase inhibitory activity in human breast milk

Abstract Numerous investigations have been made on the biochemistry of mammalian colostrum and milk, and previous studies have documented the presence of proteinase inhibitors in human and bovine milk (1–4). Collagenase inhibitors, however, have not yet been described in human breast milk. This preliminary report documents the presence of collagenase inhibitory activity in a fraction of human breast milk (molecular weight of 72,000 or less) collected 7 weeks postpartum.
Possible correlation of Io's posteclipse brightening with major solar flares

In 6 of the 7 instances where posteclipse brightening of Io has been reported by observers using blue filters, a major solar flare occurred within 10 degrees of the sub-Jovian longitude in the 100-day interval prior to observation. In none of the 18 instances where no posteclipse brightening was observed did such a flare occur. It is proposed that a phenomenon associated with a major solar flare causes an increase in the trapped particle flux at Io's orbit by an order of magnitude. The posteclipse brightening may be caused by thermoluminescence of Io's surface material upon emergence. Alternatively, it is possible that the increase in trapped particle flux would warm the surface, creating a temporary atmosphere which would precipitate during eclipse cooling and vaporize in the period of warming after reemergence.
Indicators of Spiritual Development in Recovery from Alcohol and Other Drug Problems

Abstract Participants (183 male, 69 female) from a variety of treatment settings completed the Spiritual Health Inventory (internal and external spiritual well being; Chappell, 1995), the Surrender Scale (Reinert et al., 1995); and the Life Orientation Test (a measure of optimism; Scheier & Carver, 1985). Although all three measures were significant predictors of perceived quality of recovery and the total number of 12 Steps completed, surrender, optimism, and internal spiritual well being (not external spiritual well being) differed significantly by (1) length of recovery (< 1 year vs. 1 year or more), (2) level of recovery behaviors (high vs. low), and (3) whether Steps 1-3 had been completed. The results indicate that spirituality is an important element in recovery and support the concept of including the practice of spirituality as part of recovery programs.
Effect of fiber optic probe geometry on depth-resolved fluorescence measurements from epithelial tissues: a Monte Carlo simulation

Developing fiber optic probe geometries to selectively measure fluorescence spectra from different sublayers within human epithelial tissues will potentially improve the endogenous fluorescence contrast between neoplastic and nonneoplastic tissues. In this study, two basic fiber optic probe geometries, which are called the variable aperture (VA) and multidistance (MD) approaches, are compared for depth-resolved fluorescence measurements from human cervical epithelial tissues. The VA probe has completely overlapping illumination and collection areas with variable diameters, while the MD probe employs separate illumination and collection fibers with a fixed separation between them. Monte Carlo simulation results show that the total fluorescence detected is significantly higher for the VA probe geometry, while the probing depth is significantly greater for the MD probe geometry. An important observation is that the VA probe is more sensitive to the epithelial layer, while the MD probe is more sensitive to the stromal layer. The effect of other factors, including numerical aperture (NA) and tissue optical properties on the fluorescence measurements with VA and MD probe geometries, are also evaluated. The total fluorescence detected with both probe geometries significantly increases when the fiber NA is changed from 0.22 to 0.37. The sensitivity to different sublayers is found to be strongly dependent on the tissue optical properties. The simulation results are used to design a simple fiber optic probe that combines both the VA and MD geometries to enable fluorescence measurements from the different sublayers within human epithelial tissues.
Physical activity in American schools and body mass index percentile.

The international physical inactivity epidemic among children has contributed to child obesity. Schools can be an effective source of physical activity opportunity. A cross-sectional sample of 1306 American children was drawn from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics – Child Development Supplement, 2007. The aim of this study was to determine the role of in-school physical activity on body mass index (BMI) percentile among middle and high school-aged children. Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess the associations between the independent variable, physical activity, and the dependent variable, BMI percentile. After adjusting for covariates, children who had no physical activity during physical education (PE) were much more likely to be obese than normal weight in comparison with those who met the US national requirements (odds ratio = 1.58, confidence interval = 1.14, 2.20). This study suggests that meeting US national guidelines for PE-related physical activity may be effective in preventing o...
Aβ Monomers Transiently Sample Oligomer and Fibril-like Configurations: Ensemble Characterization Using a Combined MD/NMR Approach

Amyloid β (Aβ) peptides are a primary component of fibrils and oligomers implicated in the etiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the intrinsic flexibility of these peptides has frustrated efforts to investigate the secondary and tertiary structure of Aβ monomers, whose conformational landscapes directly contribute to the kinetics and thermodynamics of Aβ aggregation. In this work, de novo replica exchange molecular dynamics (REMD) simulations on the microseconds-per-replica timescale are used to characterize the structural ensembles of Aβ42, Aβ40, and M35-oxidized Aβ42, three physiologically relevant isoforms with substantially different aggregation properties. J-coupling data calculated from the REMD trajectories were compared to corresponding NMR-derived values acquired through two different pulse sequences, revealing that all simulations converge on the order of hundreds of nanoseconds-per-replica toward ensembles that yield good agreement with experiment. Though all three Aβ species adopt highly heterogeneous ensembles, these are considerably more structured compared to simulations on shorter timescales. Prominent in the C-terminus are antiparallel β-hairpins between L17–A21, A30–L36, and V39–I41, similar to oligomer and fibril intrapeptide models that expose these hydrophobic side chains to solvent and may serve as hotspots for self-association. Compared to reduced Aβ42, the absence of a second β-hairpin in Aβ40 and the sampling of alternate β topologies by M35-oxidized Aβ42 may explain the reduced aggregation rates of these forms. A persistent V24–K28 bend motif, observed in all three species, is stabilized by buried backbone to side-chain hydrogen bonds with D23 and a cross-region salt bridge between E22 and K28, highlighting the role of the familial AD-linked E22 and D23 residues in Aβ monomer folding. These characterizations help illustrate the conformational landscapes of Aβ monomers at atomic resolution and provide insight into the early stages of Aβ aggregation pathways.
Approach to electron-impact ionization that avoids the three-body Coulomb asymptotic form

We propose a general approach to the electron-impact ionization problem that involves two distinct steps. First, using exterior complex scaling, we calculate the outgoing portion of the scattering wave function without explicit use of boundary conditions for ionization or any other channel. Once that wave function is known for a finite region of space, we make use of a general formula for extracting the integral cross section for the breakup process from any wave function. That formula is a projected form of the optical theorem and has no relation to complex coordinates or other methods of computing the scattering wave function. A preliminary calculation on the s-wave radial limit form of electron{endash}hydrogen-atom ionization is presented in excellent agreement with calculations by other approaches. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Psychological Characteristics And Eating Behaviors Of Women Who Weight Cycle (wc) And Women Who Wc And Have Binge Eating Disorder

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To identify possible psychological and behavioral characteristics associated with We or Binge Eating Disorder in overweight women. Because maintenance of a healthy body weight is difficult for a substantial portion of the population, WC (defined as two weight loss and regains of ≥ of body weight with at least one cycle occurring in the last five years) often results. To better understand weight loss barriers, investigators used seven psychological questionnaires to examine the psychological characteristics and eating behaviors of 62 female, overweight (body mass index * 27.3 kg/m 2 ) WC. Thirty-six subjects (58%) met the criteria and 26 subjects (42%) did not meet the criteria for Binge Eating Disorder (BED, defined by DSMIV criteria). WC with BED showed greater binge eating severity (p≤0.01) than WC without BED. In addition, these subjects reported poorer perceived confidence in controlling their eating behaviors (or eating self-efficacy) (p≤0.01) than WC without BED. When subjects were grouped according to binge eating severity, WC with severe binge eating (n-21) showed greater psychological distress (p≤0.01), more depression (p≤0.01), lower self-esteem (p≤0.01), and less engaged coping strategies (p≤0.01) than WC with none to moderate binge eating problems (n=4l). Severe bingers also reported more hunger (p≤0.0005) and less cognitive restraint (p≤0.0024) than those subjects with none to moderate binge eating severity. The current research demonstrates psychopathology and problem eating behaviors among female WC.
The politics of meaning and the city brand: The controversy over the branding of Ankara

This article presents analysis of a period of public argumentation over the city logo of Ankara, the capital of Turkey. These arguments comprise a 17-year episode of controversy that reveals insights into the politics of meaning behind city ' s brand. Ankara ' s logo functions as a contested ' collective representation ' of the city ' s brand identity, and paved the way to further discussions on its history, cultural identity and politics by various internal stakeholders. The signifi cance of this research is two-fold. First, the Ankara case contributes to existing studies of place branding and semiotics, by examining the contending positions that complicate Ankara ' s historical identity and the range of stakeholders that make up the ' managerial apparatus ' of brand meaning. Drawing on communication studies, ' controversy ' provides an analytical vehicle to consider claims to brand ownership, legitimacy and authority by various stakeholders, as well as to demonstrate the potential of public argumentation to transform and shape the practice of place branding. Place Branding and Public Diplomacy (2012) 8, 133 - 146. doi: 10.1057/pb.2012.8
The Measurement of Productive Efficiency: A Reconsideration

The purpose of this paper is to generalize the Farrell indexes of productive efficiency to nonhomothetic production technologies, and at the same time maintain the cost interpretation of the Farrell measures. Since the generalized indexes rely heavily on recent developments in the estimation of frontier cost and production functions, several frontier models are reviewed. In addition to generalized indexes of technical, allocative, and overall productive efficiency, a variety of single-factor efficiency measures are discussed. The applicability of the proposed efficiency measures is illustrated with a numerical example of electric power generation.
Electric Propulsion Interactions Code (EPIC): Recent Enhancements and Goals for Future Capabilities

The Electric Propulsion Interactions Code (EPIC) is the leading interactive computer tool for assessing the effects of electric thruster plumes on spacecraft subsystems. EPIC, developed by SAIC under the sponsorship of the Space Environments and Effects (SEE) Program at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, has three primary modules. One is PlumeTool, which calculates plumes of electrostatic thrusters and Hall-effect thrusters by modeling the primary ion beam as well as elastic scattering and charge-exchange of beam ions with thruster-generated neutrals. ObjectToolkit is a 3-D object definition and spacecraft surface modeling tool developed for use with several SEE Program codes. The main EPIC interface integrates the thruster plume into the 3-D geometry of the spacecraft and calculates interactions and effects of the plume with the spacecraft. Effects modeled include erosion of surfaces due to sputtering, re-deposition of sputtered materials, surface heating, torque on the spacecraft, and changes in surface properties due to erosion and deposition. In support of Prometheus I (JIMO), a number of new capabilities and enhancements were made to existing EPIC models. Enhancements to EPIC include adding the ability to scale and view individual plume components, to import a neutral plume associated with a thruster (to model a grid erosion plume, for example), and to calculate the plume from new initial beam conditions. Unfortunately, changes in program direction have left a number of desired enhancements undone. Variable gridding over a surface and resputtering of deposited materials, including multiple bounces and sticking coefficients, would significantly enhance the erosion/deposition model. Other modifications such as improving the heating model and the PlumeTool neutral plume model, enabling time dependent surface interactions, and including EM1 and optical effects would enable EPIC to better serve the aerospace engineer and electric propulsion systems integrator. We review EPIC S overall capabilities and recent modifications, and discuss directions for future enhancements.
Effects of a reliability program on machine tool reliability

The basic reason to consider Reliability and Maintainability in manufacturing systems is to ensure maximization of production throughput. A well-defined R&M program can be shown to contribute to this goal by increasing the availability of the machines on which such production systems are based
Retrometabolic drug design concepts in ophthalmic target-specific drug delivery

Abstract Most ophthalmic drugs were not developed originally for the treatment of eye diseases. The specific anatomical, biochemical and transport, enzymatic features of the eye have to be taken into account to successfully design safer specific ophthalmic drugs. Two major novel metabolism-based drug design concepts were developed, which have significant advantages when used in the design of specific ophthalmic drugs. One approach is based on predictable enzymatic activation processes by enzymes found primarily, exclusively or at higher activity at the site of action — in this case within the eye, primarily in the iris-ciliary body. This is called the chemical delivery systems (CDS) approach. This approach involves designing an inactive chemical precursor of an active drug, which is then activated within the eye and only within the eye. An example is given by site and stereospecific enzymatic sequential activation of oxime/alkoxime precursors of β-adrenergic antagonists. The second major retrometabolic design technique involves soft drug approaches. Among the various soft design strategies, the ‘inactive metabolite’ and the ‘soft analog’ approaches prove to be most useful to design safe and selective ophthalmic drugs. Accordingly, the design process starts from a known inactive metabolite (Mi) of the drug (D). This Mi is structurally modified to provide the soft drug (SD), which is isosteric and/or isoelectronic with (D). Accordingly, it provides good receptor binding properties and it is an active analog of (D). However, by design, SD is subject to a facile, predictable (generally hydrolytic) metabolism, leading in one step to its deactivation to the original inactive Mi. As this deactivation takes place everywhere in the body, the desired activities are produced exclusively at the target site at or near the application. This approach is exemplified by soft β-blocker design, which clearly shows the design principles opposite to the CDS approach; soft anticholinergics for short mydriatic-cycloplegic activity; and soft corticosteroids which have the major benefit of providing good anti-inflammatory activity in the eye but essentially lack side effects like elevation of intraocular pressure or cataract formation. These concepts and approaches are general in nature and are possible to apply to design of various novel and safe ophthalmic drugs.
Internal structure of a turbulent premixed flame using Rayleigh scattering

Abstract The flame-turbulence interaction in a premixed 0.75-equivalence-ratio rod-stabilized propane-air flame was investigated using an instantaneous Rayleigh scattering method. The experimental technique permitted the structure of the flame to be evaluated independently of the flame-front oscillations, thereby providing a means of estimating the effect of flame movement on the measured statistical turbulence characteristics of the flame. The measurements show that the thickness of the instantaneous flame is essentially constant with downstream distance and is of the same order of magnitude as the laminar flame thickness. Flame-front movements are found to be largely responsible for the high values of density fluctuation intensities in the time-averaged flame. The nature of the instantaneous reaction profile and the spatial structure of the flame change with increased distance from the flameholder. Comparison of the experimental density fluctuations with those predicted by the Bray-Moss-Libby model indicates that flame breakup influences the nature of the assumed probability distribution functions in theoretical models.
Corporate Restructuring and Sex Differences in Managerial Promotion

Women have made significant inroads into management in recent decades, yet remain underrepresented in leadership positions in large firms. In this article, I assess the critical but seldom analyzed...
An Updated Examination of the Effects of Illegal Drug Use in the Workplace

Illegal drug use in the workplace is a pervasive and serious problem that affects the corporate world, particularly with respect to the impairment of employee communication in their occupational settings. Because of the diversity of illegal drugs that are available (e.g., stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens) to general employees in the workforce, various effects can occur on the users that can affect their communication styles and patterns. The purpose of this article is to compile, examine, and display the most recent literature and statistical data on illegal drug use in the workplace and its effects on human communication and the behavioral effects of illegal drug use on employees. This issue has received substantial attention over the past generations. More specifically, this area of inquiry has been a hot, scholarly topic in business and communication studies for the past few decades.