cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Progress in resident education on serving the underserved.

The need to train primary care physicians to meet the health needs of our nation continues to make frontpage news. The reasons why we, as a nation, have fallen short in this area are multiple. 1,2 Likewise, the means by which we can correct this deficiency include a multipronged approach. 3 The key in this approach is the training of house staff in a curriculum focusing on the health care needs of the underserved. 4 That such a formalized curriculum is missing from most training programs was confirmed by a recently conducted survey of pediatric program directors in the United States and Canada. The survey consisted of 36 items, all related to the utility of a formal residency curriculum on the care of underserved populations. One hundred twenty-two programs completed the survey. Surveys were grouped according to answers to the following three questions: Are underserved children cared for in
Grazing of Acartia hudsonica (A. clausi) on Skeletonema costatum in Narragansett Bay (USA): Influence of food concentration and temperature

Grazing experiments were performed with temperatureacclimated Acartia hudsonica fed the diatom Skeletonema costatum in concentrations ranging from 50 to 3×104 cell ml-1 at 5°, 10° and 15°C. The ingestion data were best fit by an Ivlev equation. Feeding threshold values of 39 and 59 cells ml-1 were not significantly different from zero; however, filtration rates were depressed at low food concentrations. Maximum filtration rates increased exponentially with temperature, reaching a maximum with copepods collected at 14°–15°C, and then declining. Both the increase in ingestion rate with increasing food concentration and the maximum ingestion rate were significantly greater as experimental temperature was increased. Maximum ingestion rates were reached at concentrations greater than 6×103 cells ml-1. Percent of body carbon ingested per day at 5 μg C L-1 increased from 1.5% at 5°C to 6.7% at 15°C. At 500 μg C L-1, the ingestion increased from 84% (5°C) to 660% (15°C). Percent of body nitrogen at 0.5 μg N L-1 increased from 0.6% per day at 5°C to 2.5% per day at 15°C. At 50 μg N L-1, the ingestion was 42% body nitrogen at 5°C and 250% at 15°C. The influence of grazing by A. hudsonica on phytoplankton in Narragansett Bay, USA was estimated for 1972–1977. The percent of standing stock removed by grazing rarely exceeded 5% per day except during the late spring when S. costatum growth becomes nutrient limited and higher temperatures favor the rapid population growth of A. hudsonica.
The Cost of Carbon: Capital Market Effects of the Proposed Emission Trading Scheme (ETS)

Capitalising on a unique setting, the authors are able to analyse the impact of a proposed emissions trading scheme (ETS) in Australia on the market value of firms participating in the Australian S...
Systemic movement of an RNA plant virus determined by a point substitution in a 5' leader sequence.

Abstract The ability of viruses to move through infected plants is an important determinant of host range and pathogenicity. We have investigated the genetic basis for the inability of the Type strain of barley stripe mosaic hordeivirus to undergo long-range systemic movement in the tobacco Nicotiana benthamiana. We show that, in this model system, a short open reading frame in the 5' leader of the smallest viral genomic RNA prevents long-range vascular movement. As predicted by the ribosome scanning model, the leader open reading frame decreases the efficiency with which the 5'-proximal gene is translated in vitro. Thus, systemic pathogenicity in this system may be determined by the efficiency of translation of a viral gene in vivo and is not determined by the primary sequence of the encoded protein.
A graphical technique for determining the ultimate (Long time outcome of a competitive interaction within a two-group society

Abstract In studying competitive interaction characterized by Volterra's equations of growth (e.g., between two species in a closed society), a major concern is with the ultimate outcome of the competition (i.e., after a long time has lapsed from the initial point). This paper advances a procedure for expediently determining this ultimate (long-time) outcome. The basic theory is developed concisely by use of certain isoclines, and application of it in practice is illustrated with a detailed numerical example.
Titrimetric determination of tetraphenylboron by thalliumI

Abstract A titrimetric procedure for the determination of sodium tetraphenylboron, based upon its precipitation by a known excess of thalliumI and back-titration of the excess with standard potassium iodate, is described.
Anti-americanism, authoritarian politics, and attitudes about women's representation: : Evidence from a survey experiment in jordan

A pillar of American foreign policy in the Middle East since September 11, 2001, has been promoting democracy, with particular emphasis on support for women's representation. Given high levels of anti-Americanism in the region, does foreign pressure for policy reform undermine this project? Evidence from a nationally representative survey experiment in Jordan shows that an American endorsement of women in politics has no average effect on popular support for women's representation. Instead, domestic patterns of support and opposition to autocrats determine citizens' receptivity to policy endorsements, with policy endorsements of foreign-supported reforms polarizing public opinion. Both foreign and domestic endorsements of women in politics depress support among Jordanians who oppose their regime significantly more than among Jordanians who support it.
Designing polyHEMA substrates that mimic the viscoelastic response of soft tissue

Matching the mechanical properties of a biomaterial to soft tissue is often overlooked despite the fact that it’s well known that cells respond to and are capable of changing their mechanical environment. In this paper, we used NaCl and alginate beads as porogens to make a series of micro- and macro-porous pHEMA substrates [poly(2-hydroxyethly methacrylate)] and quantified their mechanical behavior under low-magnitude shear loads over physiologically relevant frequencies. Using a stress-controlled rheometer, we performed isothermal (37°C) frequency response experiments between 0.628 and 75.4 rad/s [0.01–12Hz] at 0.1% strain. Both micro- and macro-porous pHEMA substrates were predominately elastic in nature with a narrow range of G′ and G″ values that mimicked the response of human skin. The magnitude of the G′ and G″ values of the macro-porous substrates were designed to closely match human skin. To determine how cell growth might alter their mechanical properties, pHEMA substrates were functionalized and human skin fibroblasts grown on them for fourteen days. As a result of cell growth, the magnitude of G′ and G″ increased at low frequencies while also altering the degree of high frequency dependence, indicating that cellular interactions with the micro-pore infrastructure has a profound effect on the viscoelastic behavior of the substrates. These data could be fit to a mathematical model describing a soft solid. A quantitative understanding of the mechanical behavior of biomaterials in regimes that are physiologically relevant and how these mechanics may change after implantation may aid in the design of new materials.
A population pharmacokinetic model for pentadecanoic acid (PA) and triheptadecanoic acid (THA) exposure following administration of a malabsorption blood test (MBT) to quantify steatorrhea

Background Metabolism of THA to heptadecanoic acid (HA) requires pancreatic lipase, which is known to be deficient in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. We developed a preliminary pharmacokinetic model to explore the PA and HA time course following administration of the MBT. We will use this model to develop guidance on MBT administration and optimal sampling for discerning the degree of fat malabsorption. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed using plasma concentrations from 31 healthy and 11 CF subjects. Data were analyzed via nonlinear mixed effect modeling using NONMEM. Results The structural pharmacokinetic model was based on 2 compartments with first order elimination, Weibull absorption kinetics, and a term for endogenous PA and HA levels. The HA bioavailability in CF patients relative to healthy subjects was 42.4%. Mean (CV%) HA population estimates for Vc, ke, k12, k21, and ka were 17.2 (50.8) L, 0.596 (85.8) hr−1, 0.439 hr−1, 0.0330 hr−1, and 0.336 (37.7) hr−1. Fasting, enzyme administration and the presence of CF significantly affected the HA absorption rate. Conclusions This preliminary model provides good prediction for systemic PA and HA exposure following administration of the MBT to healthy subjects and CF patients. We are conducting additional studies to further improve the model to predict exposure in pediatric populations and refine the influence of gastric emptying on the absorption process. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2005) 77, P50–P50; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2004.12.082
The "quad-partite" synapse: microglia-synapse interactions in the developing and mature CNS.

Microglia are the resident immune cells and phagocytes of our central nervous system (CNS). While most work has focused on the rapid and robust responses of microglia during CNS disease and injury, emerging evidence suggests that these mysterious cells have important roles at CNS synapses in the healthy, intact CNS. Groundbreaking live imaging studies in the anesthetized, adult mouse demonstrated that microglia processes dynamically survey their environment and interact with other brain cells including neurons and astrocytes. More recent imaging studies have revealed that microglia dynamically interact with synapses where they appear to serve as “synaptic sensors,” responding to changes in neural activity and neurotransmitter release. In the following review, we discuss the most recent work demonstrating that microglia play active roles at developing and mature synapses. We first discuss the important imaging studies that have led us to better understand the physical relationship between microglia and synapses in the healthy brain. Following this discussion, we review known molecular mechanisms and functional consequences of microglia-synapse interactions in the developing and mature CNS. Our current knowledge sheds new light on the critical functions of these mysterious cells in synapse development and function in the healthy CNS, but has also incited several new and interesting questions that remain to be explored. We discuss these open questions, and how the most recent findings in the healthy CNS may be related to pathologies associated with abnormal and/or loss of neural circuits.
Regulation of adenylyl cyclase in rabbit iris ciliary body.

The enzyme adenylyl cyclase has been shown to be important in the regulation of intraocular pressure. We therefore studied the activity of adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity in the rabbit iris/ciliary body (I/CB) after pre-treatment with the β-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol (ISO) which activates cAMP dependent protein kinase A, and phorbol 12, 13 dibutyrate (PDB) which activates protein kinase C. When I/CB was pre-treated with ISO (1μM) or PDB (1μM), attenuated AC activity (∼35%) resulted when the activity of the enzyme was assessed by rechallenge with isoproterenol. However, when AC activity was assessed by rechallenge with forskolin or prostaglandin, enhanced activity resulted. In an effort to identify the mechanism of this apparent heterologous regulation of AC, studies were performed that showed no significant changes in the density of β-adrenergic receptors or the affinity of the receptors for the ligand (125I)-Iodopindolol occurred in ISO or PDB treated tissue. Similarly, in membranes prepared from IS...
Tin Clathrates with the Type II Structure

For a very long time, Ba16Ga32Sn104 has been the sole representative of tin clathrates with the type II structure. Herein, we present several new members of this structural family: Cs8Ba16Ga39.7(3)Sn96.3(3), Rb9.9(5)Ba13.3(2)Ga36.4(3)Sn99.6(3), and K2.0(4)Ba14.0(4)Ga30.4(2)Sn105.6(4). The successful synthesis of these novel compounds was facilitated through the use of alkali and alkaline-earth metals, which selectively fill the available cages.
The Function of Multisite Splicing Enhancers

Abstract Splicing enhancers are RNA sequences consisting of one or more binding sites (enhancer elements) for specific serine/arginine (SR)–rich proteins. When associated with these elements, SR proteins activate splicing by recruiting the splicing machinery to the adjacent intron through protein–protein interactions. Here, we show that the rate and efficiency of splicing increases linearly, rather than synergistically, as the number of identical or nonidentical enhancer elements present on pre-mRNA is increased. We conclude that only one splicing enhancer complex at a time is capable of interacting with the constitutive splicing machinery. Thus, the function of multisite enhancer elements is to increase the probability of an interaction between the enhancer complex and the splicing machinery rather than to promote functional synergy.
The Use of Public Health Grid Technology in the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention H1N1 Pandemic Response

Historically in public health surveillance systems have been designed and operated as registries targeting specific health issues. These systems included data from specifically targeted segments of the population, with data elements designed to answer specific programmatic questions. The result has been a collection of silo information systems that rarely can be used to address new needs without extensive revision, rework, or redesign. This decreases the opportunities for cross communication between programmatic areas, and limits the ability of public health professionals to examine issues that cross traditional programmatic boundaries. Emerging public health threats often require the coordination of stakeholders from different areas of public health practice. 2009 H1N1 influenza provided a similar challenge. In order to avoid the problems of silo information systems, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) National Center for Public Health Informatics (NCPHI) and its partners began exploring and developing research for de-centralized information architecture through a Public Health Grid (PHGrid). Through systems research and the exploration of PHGrid capabilities, the CDC was able to develop a pilot project that enabled secure and timely exchange of information across multiple programmatic areas. This paper describes the process and results for the pilot project.
New agents for managing hyponatremia in hospitalized patients.

Purpose. An overview of hyponatremia is provided, including its pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, signs and symptoms, and treatment, particularly with arginine vasopressin (AVP)-receptor antagonists. Summary. Hyponatremia (generally defined as a serum sodium concentration of <135 meq/L) is one of the most common electrolyte disorders in hospitalized and clinic patients. It may be caused by a number of conditions, including infections, heart disease, surgery, malignancy, and medication use. Clinical signs and symptoms such as hallucinations, lethargy, weakness, bradycardia, respiratory depression, seizures, coma, and death have been reported. Conventional treatment consists of fluid restriction and administration of hypertonic saline and pharmacologic agents, such as demeclocycline, lithium carbonate, and urea. These treatment options are often of limited effectiveness or difficult for patients to tolerate. AVP promotes the reabsorption of water in the renal collecting ducts by activation of V2 receptors, resulting in water retention and dilution of serum solutes. The AVP-receptor antagonists, conivaptan, lixivaptan, and tolvaptan, are being studied for the treatment of hyponatremia. Conivaptan has been shown in clinical trials to increase free-water excretion and safely normalize serum sodium concentrations in patients with hyponatremia and is well tolerated. Also in clinical trials, lixivaptan and tolvaptan have safely improved serum sodium concentrations in patients with hyponatremia. Conclusion. Hyponatremia is a serious health condition for which treatment should be carefully performed. As new agents for treating hyponatremia, AVP-receptor antagonists have demonstrated efficacy and safety in clinical trials and may serve as significant improvements in the current treatment options for managing this disorder.
Use of a Behavior Rating Scale to Aid in the Identification of Developmentally and Culturally Different Gifted Children

This investigation was designed to determine whether there were similarities in the behavioral ratings of developmentally and culturally different gifted children, and whether norms could be developed for the Scales for Rating the Behavioral Characteristics of Superior Students (SRBCSS). The SRBCSS was used by teachers to rate gifted students' learning, motivational, creative, and leadership characteristics. The effects of ethnicity, grade, sex, and SES were examined and found to influence teachers' behavior ratings of gifted students significantly. It was concluded SRBCSS norms, local or national, when constructed should consider these variables.
Communicating Negative Campaign Messages: The Role of Consultants' Individual Characteristics

This paper analyzes differences among political consultants, such as party, gender, age and experience, in order to discover if these characteristics help explain variations among consultants in their evaluation and use of negative campaigning. Multiple regression did not yield significant findings, but a discriminant analysis found that age, experience, and attitude toward the potential backlash of using negative tactics lead to significant differences in the types of media chosen to communicate negative messages.
Calcium-dependent inactivation of a potassium current in the Aplysia neuron R15

The endogenously bursting pacemaker neuron R15 of Aplysia exhibits an inwardly rectifying K+ current (IR) that was shown previously to be enhanced by various neurotransmitters via the intracellular second messenger, cyclic AMP (Drummond et al., 1980; Benson and Levitan, 1983; Levitan et al., 1987). Here we present evidence that Ca2+ influx, either caused by spontaneous bursting activity or elicited by depolarizing voltage-clamp pulses, causes a large, long-lasting inactivation of IR. The ionic current inactivated by bursts is identified as IR by several criteria: it activates steeply at membrane potentials more negative than the K+ equilibrium potential, has very fast kinetics, is reduced by lowering external K+ from 10 to 2 mM, and is blocked by adding 1 mM Ba2+, 10 mM Cs+, or 5 mM Rb+ to the bathing medium. The peak inactivation of IR is delayed following a single burst of spikes in R15, such that IR decreases maximally by about 20% after 60-90 sec, and then recovers gradually over more than 10 min. The inactivation caused by many bursts of spikes can reduce IR to less than 50% of its initial amplitude. The delay in onset and slow time course of recovery from inactivation of IR suggest that a complex biochemical mechanism underlies the effect of Ca2+ on IR. The effect of depolarization on IR is due specifically to the influx and intracellular accumulation of Ca2+. Depolarizing voltage-clamp pulses are maximally effective at reducing IR when they elicit a large influx of Ca2+, while pulses approaching the Ca2+ equilibrium potential have little effect.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Ovarian follicular populations during early pregnancy in heifers.

Ovarian follicles >/=2mm were studied in 14 pregnant and 14 nonpregnant Holstein heifers by daily ultrasound examinations. There were significant differences among days, from Day 0 (day of ovulation) to Day 21, in the diameter of the largest follicle and the diameter of the second largest follicle in pregnant and nonpregnant heifers. There was an interaction of day and reproductive status (P 13 mm, and the total number of follicles >/=2 mm. There was a significant main effect of reproductive status for the number of follicles 11 to 13 mm. An interaction of day and reproductive status was observed for the number of follicles >13 mm, but not for any of the other diameter categories. The effect of reproductive status for number of follicles 11 to 13 mm and the interactions for the number of follicles >13 mm and the diameter of the largest follicle seemed due to the selective growth and ovulation of the follicle destined to ovulate in nonpregnant heifers. The differences in ovarian follicular populations between pregnant and nonpregnant heifers were attributed solely to the presence of a physiological mechanism for the selection of an ovulatory follicle in nonpregnant heifers. There were no significant differences among days for any follicular endpoint during Days 22 to 60 in the pregnant heifers.
Influencing Strong Field Excitation Dynamics through Molecular Structure

We report the loss of discrete above-threshold ionization photoelectron peaks in the strong-field (800 nm, 60 fs, 3.6 - 9.0 10 13 W‚cm -2 ) excitation in a series of polyatomic molecules of increasing characteristic length. The molecules, biphenyl (C12H10), diphenylmethane (C13H12), and diphenylethane (C14H14), have two phenyl groups spaced by a bridge of zero, one, or two carbon atoms. The photoelectron spectra correlate with the characteristic lengths, not the number of atoms, of these molecules. The molecules having the smallest and largest numbers of atoms (but similar characteristic lengths) display a broad featureless distribution of photoelectron kinetic energies, peaked at lower kinetic energies and extending to many tens of electronvolts. Diphenylmethane, the molecule with intermediate number of atoms but the smallest characteristic length, displays a photoelectron spectrum containing discrete peaks in this range of laser intensities. The absence of discrete photoelectron peaks in the spectra of biphenyl and diphenylethane is interpreted using an eigenstate lifetime model based on calculated field ionization rates in an intense laser field. Finally, the abundance of photoelectrons with high kinetic energies suggests higher probability of electron rescattering in the polyatomic molecules in comparison with atomic intense field ionization.
The influence of early postnatal nutrition on retinopathy of prematurity in extremely low birth weight infants

Abstract Background Retinopathy of prematurity(ROP) is the most common serious ophthalmic disease in preterm infants. Human milk may provide a protective effect for ROP; however, beneficial effects of human milk preclude randomized trials. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective analysis comparing early postnatal nutrition with ROP development. Objective Evaluate relationship between early postnatal nutriture and ROP surgery. Design/methods Nutrition data was collected for inborn AGA infants, BW 700–1000 g. ROP surgery was the primary outcome variable. A single pediatric ophthalmologist supervised examinations. All infants received triweekly IM vitamin A as chronic lung disease prophylaxis (Tyson: NEJM, 1999). Results BW and gestational age were 867 ± 85 g and 26.3 ± 1.2 weeks (n = 77, mean ± 1SD). ROP surgery infants(n = 11) received more parenteral nutrition, 1648 mL, and less human milk, 13.8 mL/kg-day, and vitamin E, 1.4 mg/kg-day, during the second postnatal week. Human milk was a negative predictor for ROP surgery, odds ratio = 0.94. Both groups met vitamin A recommendations; however, 74% was administered via IM injections. Neither group met vitamin E recommendations. Conclusions Human milk feeding, parenteral nutrition volume and vitamin E intake were predictors for ROP surgery. IM vitamin A injections provided the majority of vitamin A; vitamin E administration was insufficient. Improving human milk feeding rates and vitamin dosing options may affect ROP surgery rates.
Arts Involvement Predicts Academic Achievement Only When the Child Has a Musical Instrument.

We examined the associations between academic achievement and arts involvement (access to a musical instrument for the child at home, participation in unspecified after-school arts activities) in a sample of 2339 11–12-year-olds surveyed in the USA between 1998 and 2008. We compared the contributions of these variables to other kinds of cognitive stimulation at home (e.g. books), participation in after-school sports, and socioeconomic factors. Involvement in after-school arts was positively related to academic achievement only for those children who also reported access to a musical instrument. Access to a musical instrument predicted academic achievement independently of socioeconomic status. We consider the possibilities that the results may be indicative of differing parental attitudes in homes with musical instruments and/or a causal link between instrumental music learning and academic achievement.
Seasonal Abundance and Synchrony Between Laricobius osakensis (Coleoptera: Derodontidae) and Its Prey, Adelges tsugae (Hemiptera: Adelgidae), in Japan

ABSTRACT Laricobius osakensis Montgomery & Shiyake, native to Japan, is being measured as a potential biological control agent of the hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae Annand, in the eastern United States. Adelges tsugae, a destructive pest threatening the hemlock ecosystems in the eastern United States, was introduced from Japan. This is the first detailed study of the life history of L. osakensis, A. tsugae, and their interaction in Japan. The seasonal abundance of L. osakensis and A. tsugae was assessed in a field study conducted from December of 2007 to November of 2008 in Hyogo, Nara, and Osaka Prefectures (Japan). The sistentes generation of A. tsugae in Japan matured 2 mo later than that reported in British Columbia, Canada, but 1 and 2 mo earlier than in Virginia and in Connecticut, respectively. Timing of the sexuparae generation occurrence in Japan was similar to that observed in Connecticut and Virginia, but this generation has not been observed in British Columbia. Phenological difference...
The Market Impact of Mandatory Interactive Data: Evidence from Bank Regulatory XBRL Filings

ABSTRACT: We investigate the market impact of banks filing regulatory reports using eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) interactive data format. Specifically, we examine whether stock returns and trading volume exhibit abnormal behavior when banks are first required to file Call Reports in XBRL format and whether XBRL adoption causes a shift in systematic risk. We find that banks experienced significant positive abnormal returns and a subsequent reduction in systematic risk in connection with filing their regulatory reports in XBRL. Our results are more pronounced for larger banks. Our trading volume analysis provides additional support of increases in trading volume (primarily with respect to larger banks) at the time of XBRL adoption. We, therefore, document investor-based benefits in support of the conversion to mandatory XBRL filing requirements. Data Availability: The data used in this study are available from sources indicated in the paper.
Facilitating the evolution of resistance to avian malaria in Hawaiian birds

Abstract Research has shown that avian malaria plays an important role in limiting the distribution and population sizes of many Hawaiian birds, and that projected climate change is likely to eliminate most disease-free habitat in Hawai’i in the next century. I used a modeling approach, parameterized with demographic data from the literature and the field, to examine alternate management scenarios for the conservation of native Hawaiian birds. I examined the feasibility of using management in the form of rodent control to facilitate the evolution of resistance to malaria by increasing the survival and reproduction of native birds. Analysis of demographic data from seven native species, Akepa ( Loxops coccineus ), ‘Akohekohe ( Palmeria dolei ), Elepaio ( Chasiempis sandwichensis ), Hawai’i’amakihi ( Hemignathus virens ), Hawai’i creeper ( Oreomystis mana ), Omao ( Myadestes obscurus ), and Palila ( Loxioides bailleui ), suggest that differences in life history cause some species to be more susceptible to local extinctions from the transmission of malaria. Modeling results demonstrated that rodent control at middle, but not high, elevations can facilitate the evolution of resistance to malaria in several species of Hawaiian birds. Advocating a management approach that encourages evolutionary change in endangered species contrasts with the traditional conservation paradigm but it may be the best strategy to reduce the impacts of one of the multiple stressors that have devastated the native bird community of Hawai’i.
Ground Clutter as a Monitor of Radar Stability at Kwajalein, RMI

There are many applications in which the absolute and day-to-day calibration of radar sensitivity is necessary. This is particularly so in the case of quantitative radar measurements of precipitation. While absolute calibrations can be done periodically using solar radiation, variations that occur between such absolute checks are required to maintain the accuracy of the data. The authors have developed a method for h s purpose using the radar on Kwajalein Atoll, which has been used to provide a baseline calibration for control of measurements of rainfall made by the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission 0T.he method u ses echoes from a multiplicity of ground targets. The average clutter echoes at the lowest elevation scan have been found to be remarkably stable from hour to hour, day to day, and month to month within better than +1 dB. They vary significantly only after either deliberate system modifications, equipment failure or unknown causes. A cumulative probability distribution of echo reflectivities (Ze in dBZ) is obtained on a daily basis. This CDF includes both the precipitation and clutter echoes. Because the precipitation echoes at Kwajalein rarely exceed 45 dBZ, selecting an upper percentile of the CDF associated with intense clutter reflectivities permits monitoring of radar stability. The reflectivity level at which the CDF attains 95% is our reference. Daily measurements of the CDFs have been made since August 1999 and have been used to correct the 7 M years of measurements and thus enhance the integrity of the global record of precipitation observed by TRMM. The method also has potential applicability to other pound radar sites.
High-reliability space power converters: design and analysis issues

Design and analysis issues for high reliability space power converters are addressed. Several analysis packages are essential part of high-reliability design as required per subcontractor's data requirements list (SDRL). Concepts and approaches to derating (electrical stress), radiation, worst-case circuit performance, reliability, and failure modes, effects and criticality analyses typically performed by an electrical engineer are presented herein. Relationship of electrical analysis to thermal analysis is clearly pointed out. The use of MIL-STD and MIL-HDBK documents for electrical analysis is also addressed.
The Effectiveness of Prices as a Smoking Reduction Mechanism

In this paper we evaluate the effectiveness of prices as a mechanism to reduce smoking rates among adolescents. The paper contributes to the adolescent smoking literature by estimating models of cigarette consumption that incorporates peer effects, family effects, prices and state polices simultaneously. In our model we categorize individuals by their smoking frequencies and intensities instead of relying on the widely used dichotomous measure of smoking. Moving beyond the conventional definition of smoking to a definition that recognizes the complex nature of addiction by categorizing smoking into various stages and also by controlling for peer and family effects together, we learn that adolescents are necessarily not most responsive to prices as an instrument to curtail smoking. Peers and family plays a more significant role in influencing adolescent smoking than any other factors and such effects are prevalent across the various stages of addiction. Our result also hold true after controlling for the potential endogeneity of peer effects.
Measuring the Research Performance of Postsecondary Institutions

Now more than ever, interest in measuring the research performance of colleges and universities is at an all-time high across the globe. There are several factors that have precipitated this growth of interest in assessing research productivity, particularly in the United States. First, colleges and universities are increasingly competing with each other for reputation and prestige, and enhancing research productivity is often viewed as a means to accomplish this goal. Based on expenditures for academic research, scientific production grew exponentially over the twentieth century (Geiger 2004) and current levels of research funding indicate the trend continues in the new century. As a result, the system of higher education in the United States has experienced considerable “mission drift” in recent years, as institutions that previously may have focused more on the teaching dimension of their mission have ratchetted up their research production and expectations of faculty. Some scholars including Geiger (2004) and Slaughter and Rhoades (2004) purport that universities today are highly reliant on federal and industry funding for research and development (R&D) funding, leading to “academic capitalism” and the possibility of research for financial gain more than for authentic discovery of knowledge. The benefits of funding and visibility that come from academic research are sought by many and factor into institution rankings as well. China’s “2020 Plan,” Korea’s plan to create more world-class universities (Shin 2009), and the zealous grab for higher institutional rankings continues with annual releases of publications from such groups as US News & World Report, The Academic Ranking of World Universities (from Shanghi Jiao Tong University), and Thomson Reuters.
Reconnecting Education: Replacing the Pedagogy of Racism with a New Pedagogy of Humanity

This nation goes through spasms of educational reform cyclically. The current cry is "back to basic skills" and teacher accountability. Reactionary forces pose the problem as one of social promotion versus basic skills. Unlike previous swings of the pendulum, however, the current movement is a desperate effort to prevent critical teaching strategies from becoming firmly rooted in schools. Proponents of the "back to basics" movement view the slowly growing impetus toward instructional strategies that foster student-centered learning as a threat to control over student behavior. They are quick to use the fear of poor academic achievement to preserve the educational system for the reproduction of social inequities.
Gas-phase formaldehyde adsorption isotherm studies on activated carbon: correlations of adsorption capacity to surface functional group density.

Formaldehyde (HCHO) adsorption isotherms were developed for the first time on three activated carbons representing one activated carbon fiber (ACF) cloth, one all-purpose granular activated carbon (GAC), and one GAC commercially promoted for gas-phase HCHO removal. The three activated carbons were evaluated for HCHO removal in the low-ppmv range and for water vapor adsorption from relative pressures of 0.1–0.9 at 26 °C where, according to the IUPAC isotherm classification system, the adsorption isotherms observed exhibited Type V behavior. A Type V adsorption isotherm model recently proposed by Qi and LeVan (Q–L) was selected to model the observed adsorption behavior because it reduces to a finite, nonzero limit at low partial pressures and it describes the entire range of adsorption considered in this study. The Q–L model was applied to a polar organic adsorbate to fit HCHO adsorption isotherms for the three activated carbons. The physical and chemical characteristics of the activated carbon surfaces wer...
S-N Compounds as Delayed Action Chemicals in Vulcanization

Abstract Since the discovery by Goodyear in 1839 that the physical properties of rubber may be improved with sulfur, it has been the most commonly used crosslinking agent. The rubber industry is concerned with the production of homogeneous products with appropriate physical properties, by compounding rubber with ingredients, including crosslinking agents, followed by processing, molding, and introduction of chemical bonds. Economically, it is advantageous to apply high temperature which reduces processing and curing time. However, application of high temperatures frequently causes premature cure. Compounding adjustments are often required in the plants to prevent scorch, especially by the use of compounds with S—N bonds as accelerators, vulcanizing agents, and also as prevulcanization inhibitors or retarders which delay the crosslinking reaction of sulfur and rubber. There are several reviews relating to accelerators, retarders, and vulcanization, which discuss S—N compounds as delayed action curing agent...
A Contribution to the Higher Classification of the Megalonotinae (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae)

Earlier classifications of the Megalonotinae are discussed. Based in most part upon characters of the nymphal stages, modifications in the tribal classification are proposed. The Drymini and the Lethaeini are retained in their former sense: the Myodochini, the Gonianotini, and the Megalonotini are restored as tribes; the Beosini is separated from the Megalonotini; and the new tribe Plinthisini is proposed. The Cleradini (=Stygnocorini of Scudder) probably is still polyphyletic, but it can not be further evaluated as most of its genera are tropical and their nymphs are unknown.
Thoughts on the UN at Fifty

Studies of the United Nations seem to have come full circle. In the years that followed the adoption of the Charter in San Francisco, most of them dealt with the functions that were stressed in the Charter the maintenance of peace and security, which the League of Nations had signally failed to ensure. The outbreak of the cold war and its effects on an organization whose most important body, the Security Council, could only function if the permanent members the victors of World War Two remained in agreement inspired many works that examined the ways in which the UN was managing to avoid total paralysis. Gradually, after the Korean war, the Suez crisis, and the protracted drama of decolonization in the Belgian Congo, the scholars' attention moved away from the rather unrewarding scene of Chapters VI and VII, toward the other activities of the UN. This shift coincided with the vast increase in membership that resulted from decolonization, and with the growing importance of the developing and non-aligned countries that now made up the majority of the General Assembly. In the 1970s, scholarly explorations of international economic interdependence and of the 'regimes' which were being set up to regulate and manage it thus led to a view of the UN in which the central 'peace and security' functions had dwindled almost to the point of disappearance. It is as if the study of world affairs had been split into two halves. The dark half was accounted for by a Realist (or Neo-realist) theory that emphasized the inescapable security dilemma faced by States competing in an anarchic system where the distribution of power largely determined their strategies, and where international and regional organizations other than military alliances were of little significance, except as arenas and echo chambers for the major contests. The light or more cheerful half was the domain of a theory that called itself institutionalism (or, sometimes, liberal institutionalism). It stressed both the services that international and regional institutions and regimes could perform
Application of elastic variable-section pressure-equalizing groove in the structural design of high-stiffness aerostatic thrust bearing

The concept of elastic variable-section pressure-equalizing groove is proposed.And based on the concept,it is proposed to realize the combination action of variable-section pressure-equalizing groove with variable flow-controller by an elastic circular sheet,and the elastic circular sheet is used in the structural design of thrust bearing.In the thrust bearing,the variable-section pressure-equalizing groove acts together with rigid pressure-equalizing groove.The detection results of the elastic deformation of the elastic circular pressure-equalizing groove of the new aerostatic thrust bearing show that,the width and the depth of the pressure-equalizing groove all will produce the variations to meet requirements with the change of the designed pressure,which shows that the design and the manufacture of the structure are very successful.The measurement results of the load performance of the new aerostatic thrust bearing show that,the stiffness of the aerostatic thrust bearing is higher everywhere in the detection range,and it can reach to 150 N/μm.The bearing may be used in the situation of greater load variation,and therefore,it will have good application prospects.
Thermal volume change of poorly draining soils I: Critical assessment of volume change mechanisms

Abstract The thermal volume change of soils is typically interpreted using the stress history and changes in yield stress with temperature (thermal softening). However, the path followed to reach a given stress state may lead to different thermal volume changes. Alternative mechanisms of thermal volume change are explored using data from the literature and isotropic, drained heating tests on compacted silt. No relationship between thermal volume change and degree of saturation was observed. However, a clear relationship with the secondary compression prior to heating was observed, indicating that thermally accelerated creep may provide better thermal volume change predictions than thermal softening.
108 – Cancer Management in Older Women

This chapter discusses the issues related to screening, treatment, and management of cancers in elderly women. The behavior of some cancers appears to be age- and gender-related. It is well established that older patients with acute myelocytic leukemia (AML), lymphoma, and ovarian and brain cancer have a worse prognosis compared with younger patients. On the other hand, women with lung cancer and melanoma have a better prognosis in comparison with men. Approximately 40% of all newly diagnosed breast cancers in the United States occur in women older than the age of 65. Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in women and ranks third in cancer deaths. In women of age more than 80 years, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death, surpassing even breast cancer. Ovarian cancer is the seventh most common cancer in women, but it is the number one cause of death from gynecologic cancer. The median age for ovarian cancer is about 63 years and its incidence increases with age, peaking in the age group of 70 to 74 years. Women are more likely to get small cell carcinoma, and female gender is associated with a better prognosis. Within the non-small cell lung cancer group, there is an increasing incidence of adenocarcinomas. Women are more likely to have adenocarcinoma than men.
Compressed sensing for the multiplexing of PET detectors

Compressed sensing can be used to multiplex a large number of individual readout sensors to significantly reduce the number of readout channels in a large area PET block detector. The compressed sensing framework can be used to treat PET data acquisition as a sparse readout problem and achieve sub-Nyquist rate sampling, where the Nyquist rate is determined by the pixel pitch of the individual SiPM sensors. The sensing matrix is fabricated by using discrete elements or wires that uniquely connect pixels to readout channels. By analyzing the recorded magnitude on several ADC channels, the original pixel values can be recovered even though they have been scrambled through a sensing matrix. In a PET block detector design comprising 128 SiPM pixels arranged in a 16 × 8 array, compressed sensing can provide higher multiplexing ratios (128∶16) than Anger logic (128∶32) or Cross-strip readout (128∶24) schemes while resolving multiple simultaneous hits. Unlike Anger and cross-strip multiplexing, compressed sensing can recover the positions and magnitudes of simultaneous, multiple pixel hits. Decoding multiple pixel hits can be used to improve the positioning of events in light-sharing designs, inter-crystal scatter events, or events that pile up in the detector. A Monte-carlo simulation of a compressed sensing multiplexed circuit design for a 16 × 8 array of SiPM pixels was done. Noise sources from the SiPM pixel (dark counts) and from the readout channel (thermal noise) were included in the simulation. Also, two different crystal designs were simulated, a 1×1 coupled design with 128 scintillation crystals, and a 3∶2 light-sharing design with 196 crystals. With an input SNR of 37dB (experimentally measured from a single SiPM pixel), all crystals were clearly decoded by the compressed sensing multiplexing with a decoded SNR of the sum signal a 30.6 ± 0.1 dB SNR for the one-to-one coupling, and 26.1 ± 0.1 dB three-to-two coupling. For a 10% energy resolution, and SNR of greater than 20 dB is needed to accurately recover the energy.
Um Tribunal Constitucional Internacional para garantir os direitos democráticos e os Direitos Humanos

Through practical case studies, the comparative analysis of international constitutions, treaties, conventions, experiences and practices, as well as studies by international institutions, such as the International Court of the Hague, and the Criminal Court, in particular, demonstrates the existing weaknesses and gaps that can be remedied and eliminated with a new international legal institution, that has to be capable of strengthening already existing institutions and achieving the unfulfilled requirements. The main international legal criticisms of institutions and concepts, such as sovereignty and immunity, are raised to question the fragility of resistance to this project.
Deriving predicate statistics for logic rules

Database query optimizers rely on data statistics in selecting query execution plans and rule-based systems can greatly benefit from such optimizations as well. To this end, one first needs to collect data statistics for base and propagate them to derived predicates. However, there are two difficulties: dependencies among arguments and recursion. Earlier we developed an algorithm, called SDP, for estimating Datalog query sizes efficiently by estimating statistical dependency for both base and derived predicates [16]. Base predicate statistics were summarized as dependency matrices, while the statistics for derived predicate were estimated by abstract evaluation of rules over the dependency matrices. This previous work had several limitations. First, it only considered Datalog predicates. Second, only predicates of arity at most 2 were allowed--a very serious limitation of the approach. The present paper extends SDP to general rules and n-ary predicates. It also handles negation and mutual recursions as well as other operations. We also report on our experiments with SDP.
Labor, capital, and the Arab uprisings: Synthesizing research in the Mediterranean and beyond

Scholars of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) have sought to understand the surprising uprisings and mass movements that gripped the region in the last half decade. Countries once considered ...
The Value of Voice (to Managers): Employee Identification and the Content of Voice

Previous research has aimed to understand the antecedents and outcomes of the frequency of employee voice. Yet, these antecedents and outcomes may differ depending on the content of what employees ...