cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Aggregate formation from vaporized ash during pulverized coal combustion

The mechanisms governing the formation of inorganic aerosols during coal combustion have been investigated by studying the aerosol produced during the combustion of coals and synthetic chars in a laminar flow laboratory furnace. Three fundamental processes which determine the final ash particle size distribution have been identified. (1) The nucleation and coalescence of submicron primary ash particles occurs entirely within a boundary region surrounding the burning char particle. This is demonstrated by the combustion of a mixture of carbon particles impregnated with either iron or magnesium salts, which produced ash particles consisting entirely of either pure iron oxide or pure magnesium oxide. (2) Large clusters (0.3–0.6 μm aerodynamic diameter) of these submicron primary particles are formed in a high concentration region near the burning char surface. This is explainable by a convective diffusion model which accounts for reduction in ash particle diffusivity as the size increases. (3) from 200 to 500 micrometer sized ash particles are generated per coal particle, as a consequence of both shedding of fused ash inclusions and char fragmentation during combustion.
Test of an Argumentative Skill Deficiency Model of Interspousal Violence.

A model of interpersonal physical violence is derived from the aggression literature and then is utilized to investigate interspousal violence. The model posits that verbal aggression is a catalyst to violence when societal, personal, and situational factors are strong enough to produce a hostile predisposition. Unless aroused by verbal aggression, a hostile disposition remains latent in the form of unexpressed anger. The framework suggests that persons in violent, marriages are more verbally aggressive than other people, and also produces the counterintuitive prediction that violent spouses are less argumentative than people in nonviolent marriages. A study is reported which compared clinical cases of abused wives and abusive husbands to a nonclinical population of husbands and wives. Strong support for the hypothesis was observed. Implications of the results are discussed in terms of understanding communication in violent marriages.
The utility of mentoring homeless adolescents: a pilot study.

Background: Despite the intuitive appeal and popularity of mentoring programs, mentoring has shown only limited success for positively impacting children’s psychosocial functioning. Furthermore, we were not able to identify a study that examined the potential utility of mentoring for homeless adolescents. Objective: The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the impact of mentoring among a group of homeless adolescents who were also receiving substance abuse treatment. Methods: This pilot study examined the impact of mentoring among homeless adolescents (n = 90) between the ages of 14 and 20 years who also received substance abuse treatment. A longitudinal design was used in which adolescents were assessed at baseline, 3 months, and following the completion of treatment at 6 months postbaseline. Results: Findings showed that adolescents with a history of physical or sexual abuse attended more mentoring sessions. Also, mentoring in addition to treatment was associated with a decrease in problem consequ...
Subpixel Edge Detection And Estimation With A Line Scan Camera

A microprocessor-controlled line scan camera system for measuring edges and lengths of steel strips is described, and the problem of subpixel edge detection and estimation is considered based on measurements of gray values of the line images at a limited number of pixels. The true edge locations may be between pixels. A two-stage approach is presented. At the first stage, a simple template matching method is used to place the estimated edge point to the nearest pixel value. Three second-stage methods are examined, which are designed for subpixel estimation. In the case of nonstationary Poisson noise, a recursive maximum likelihood method is proposed. Monte Carlo simulations for Gaussian and Poisson noise indicate that subpixel estimation accuracy can be obtained if the noise level is not very high.
THE EXTRACTION OF TETRABUTYLAMMONIUM NITRATE AND THE SOLVATION OF THE NITRATE ION

Abstract The extraction of tetrabutylammonium nitrate into dilute solutions of 1-decanol, ROH, in 1,2-dichloroethane has been studied and the nature of the extracted species has been determined. Over the entire accessible concentration range, the organic-phase species is an ion pair of the tetrabutylammonium cation and the monosolvated nitrate ion, NO3−·ROH. These results have been compared to those for tetraheptylammonium fluoride where substantial differences in solvation arise.
E-Center: A Collaborative Platform for Wide Area Network Users

The E-Center is a social collaborative web-based platform for assisting network users in understanding network conditions across network paths of interest to them. It is designed to give a user the necessary tools to isolate, identify, and resolve network performance-related problems. E-Center provides network path information on a link-by-link level, as well as from an end-to-end perspective. In addition to providing current and recent network path data, E-Center is intended to provide a social media environment for them to share issues, ideas, concerns, and problems. The product has a modular design that accommodates integration of other network services that make use of the same network path and performance data.
Making Sense of NGOs: The Mice That Roar?

Nongovernmental Organizations in International Society: Struggles over Recognition. By Volker Heins. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2008. 211 pp., $74.95 hardcover (ISBN-13: 978-0-230-60036-2). Victims of war, poverty, and other injustices have usually endured additional victimization through marginalization, neglect, and a fundamental lack of acknowledgement of suffering, but the arrival of non-governmental organizations on the international scene has given a new voice to their plight. However, the question asked in all quarters—from donors, governments, multilateral agencies, critics, and intended beneficiaries—relates to the bottom-line of power. In a political order predicated on state sovereignty, what does this new generation of bureaucracy to improve human welfare ultimately mean? Do non-governmental organizations (NGOs) change the behavior of actors so as to alter the causes of harm? Can these mice roar? Nongovernmental Organizations in International Society by Volker Heins ably tackles this issue and captures the essence of the NGO phenomenon in international politics with a thoughtful treatment of the theoretical literature paired with an empirical grounding of case studies. The book explains the emergence and evolution of NGOs in order to understand their special position relative to states and international organizations by blending the English School of International Relations (which examines the norms of international society that shape political outcomes) and the Frankfurt School of communicative action (which posits the importance of “recognition,” or building norms that engender mutual respect and concern for people of different cultures and nationalities). Heins's exploration of non-state political spaces and actors follows the basic steps of scientific investigation, first defining and describing before turning to an analysis and assessment of NGOs. The book begins with a discussion of his approach …
Goracle’s Travels: En-Visioning Global Communities for Climate Change in An Inconvenient Truth

The uniquely global phenomenon of climate change requires a radical rethinking of dominant categories of social belonging and responsibility. One barrier facing policy-makers, activists, and scientists alike in their attempts to combat climate change is the lack of a coherent and persuasive discourse of global identification that connects geographically, culturally, and economically diverse communities. This essay explores one successful attempt at creating climate change awareness, Al Gore's 2006 documentary film, An Inconvenient Truth, in terms of its rhetorical appeals to global forms of identification, noting specifically how the film articulates common places wherein the audience might locate more global forms of identity and community.
Compact failure modeling for devices subject to electrostatic discharge stresses – A review pertinent to CMOS reliability simulation☆

Abstract This paper reviews the physical mechanisms and compact modeling approaches of two physical damages in MOS devices induced by electrostatic discharge (ESD) stresses; namely gate oxide breakdown and thermal failures. Theories underlying the failure mechanism are discussed and compact models that can be used to monitor ESD induced gate oxide breakdown and thermal failure are developed. Related work reported in the literature is discussed, and benchmarking of measurement data versus simulation results are included in support of the modeling work.
VLA Spectral Line Observations of a Shocked Cold H II Region in G70.7+1.2

We have observed the molecular globule G70.7+1.2 at 1375 MHz using the C configuration of the VLA, and have imaged a peculiar H168α recombination line detected at the Arecibo radio telescope. The narrow width of the recombination line (Δv ~ 3 km s-1) indicates gas cooler than 185 K and suggests that the globule harbors the coldest known H II region. Previous work showed that the recombination line came either from newly ionized gas outside a bow shock produced by supersonic motion of an early-type star through the molecular globule, or from a cold H II region inside the globule. The 20'' angular resolution of the VLA image of G70.7+1.2 was sufficient to resolve the separation between the nonthermal radio-emitting bow shock and the thermal H II region. The spectral line images show that the radio recombination line comes from cold gas near the outer boundary of the bow shock and that the line intensity is enhanced by stimulated amplification of the nonthermal continuum emanating from the bow shock.
Eye color, hair color, blood type, and the rhesus factor: exploring possible genetic links to sexual orientation.

The present study sought to expand the limited evidence that sexual orientation is influenced by genetic factors. This was accomplished by seeking statistical differences between heterosexuals and homosexuals for four traits that are known to be genetically determined: eye color, natural hair color, blood type, and the Rhesus factor. Using a sample of over 7,000 U.S. and Canadian college students supplemented with additional homosexual subjects obtained through internet contacts, we found no significant differences between heterosexuals and homosexuals regarding eye color or hair color. In the case of blood type and the Rh factor, however, interesting patterns emerged. Heterosexual males and females exhibited statistically identical frequencies of the A blood type, while gay men exhibited a relatively low incidence and lesbians had a relatively high incidence (p < .05). In the case of the Rh factor, unusually high proportions of homosexuals of both sexes were Rh− when compared to heterosexuals (p < .06). The findings suggest that a connection may exist between sexual orientation and genes both on chromosome 9 (where blood type is determined) and on chromosome 1 (where the Rh factor is regulated).
Talin Can Crosslink Actin Filaments into Both Networks and Bundles

The talin-actin interaction was examined by using negative staining and cosedimentation assays. At pH 6.4 and low ionic strength, talin extensively crosslinked actin filaments into both networks and bundles. The bundles consist of parallel actin filaments with a center-to-center distance of 13 nm, and talin crossbridges spaced at 36-nm intervals along the bundles. As pH was increased stepwise from 6.4 to 7.3, talin's bundling activity was decreased first, then its networking activity. Qualitatively similar results were obtained at pH 6.4 by increasing ionic strength. Chemical crosslinking indicated talin was present as a dimer from pH 6.4 to 7.3, with or without added KC1. The results show that talin can interact directly with actin filaments by formation of actin filament networks and bundles, with the bundles more sensitive to dissolution by increase in pH or ionic strength.
Attempt to determine the largest scale of primordial density perturbations in the universe

The principle of causality requires that a pure power-law spectrum of cosmological density perturbations possess a super-Hubble suppression scale. We search for evidence of such suppression by performing a three parameter likelihood analysis of the COBE-DMR 4-year sky maps with respect to the amplitude, the spectral index, and the suppression scale. It is found that all suppression scales larger than ${c/H}_{0}$ are consistent with the data, but that scales of order ${c/H}_{0}$ are slightly preferred, at roughly the one-sigma level. Super-Hubble density fluctuations on very large scales $(\ensuremath{\gg}{c/H}_{0})$ can only be explained in the context of present theory by a de Sitter expansion phase, whereas those that are ``small'' $(\ensuremath{\sim}{c/H}_{0})$ can also be explained within the standard hot big-bang model. Density perturbations originating after any conceivable de Sitter expansion phase or during non-isentropic de Sitter expansion have natural kinematic constraints which could explain a small super-Hubble suppression scale. Standard inflationary cosmology, which is characterized by isentropic de Sitter expansion, generically predicts that the particle horizon should be much larger than the present-day Hubble radius, ${c/H}_{0}$. For such scenarios, a small super-Hubble suppression scale would require the duration of the inflation epoch to be fairly short. Suppression scales smaller than ${c/H}_{0}$ are strongly excluded by the COBE data.
Simultaneous determination of 38 phosphodiestrase-5 inhibitors in illicit erectile dysfunction products by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry.

Abstract This paper describes the development and validation of simultaneous analytical method for 38 compounds, sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil and their analogues in illicit erectile dysfunction (ED) products by the liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization-tandem mass method (LC–ESI-MS/MS). Chromatographic separation was performed on a C18 reversed-phase column using a gradient of solvent A: aqueous 2 mM ammonium formate solution and solvent B: acetonitrile (ACN). All components were monitored under time-scheduled multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The limits of detection (LOD) ranged from 0.004 ng/ml to 0.455 ng/ml and the limits of quantification (LOQ) ranged from 0.012 ng/ml to 1.5 ng/ml. Calibration curves were linear with correlation coefficients over 0.9991. Mean recoveries ranged from 73.6% to 111.3%, and relative standard deviation (RSD) was less than 10%. The intra- and inter-day precision ranged from 0.2% to 16.3% and from 0.2% to 17.0%, respectively. The proposed method was applied to investigate the 52 illicit ED products.
Lysophosphatidylcholine regulates human microvascular endothelial cell expression of chemokines

The role of lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) in the induction of MCP-1, IL-8 and RANTES, which are chemotactic factors to monocytes, neutrophils and lymphocytes, respectively, by human vascular endothelial cells (EC), was examined. LPC induced the expression of MCP-1 and IL-8 in a concentration- and time-dependent manner in microvascular EC (MVEC) and in large vessel EC from aorta, pulmonary artery and umbilical vein. LPC also induced RANTES in MVEC but not in large vessel EC. Signaling pathways responsible for LPC induction of chemokines were examined in MVEC. LPC and TNFα, a cytokine secreted in sites of inflammation, additively stimulated RANTES expression. LPC did not augment TNFα induction of MCP-1 or IL-8. A platelet-activating factor receptor antagonist (BN52021) failed to block LPC induction of MVEC chemokines, but the Gi-protein inhibitor pertussis toxin partially blocked LPC induction of RANTES and IL-8. LPC activated multiple kinases in MVEC; it increased the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, AKT and p38 MAP kinase in a time-dependent manner. An inhibitor of the MAPK/ERK pathway, PD98059, blocked the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and RANTES induction by LPC, but augmented IL-8 induction. LY294002, a specific inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3 kinase), blunted the phosphorylation of AKT and inhibited LPC induction of RANTES more strongly than IL-8. Inhibition of p38 MAP kinase pathway by SB202190 also blocked LPC-induced expression of IL-8 and RANTES. Our results suggest that LPC induction of chemokines in MVEC is distinct from that in large vessel EC, and required the activities of MAP kinases and PI3 kinase for the induction of RANTES and IL-8. We speculate that the presence of LPC, a bioactive lipid product of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and a constituent of oxidized low-density lipoprotein, can differentially influence the chemotaxis of particular leukocyte subpopulations during inflammation.
Molecular-beam epitaxy growth of low-threshold cw GaInNAsSb lasers at 1.5 μm

The solid-source molecular-beam epitaxial growth of low-threshold GaAs-based GaInNAsSb lasers is discussed. A general narrowing of the growth window was observed with increasing wavelength, due to the increased nitrogen required (⩾1%), and has historically made high-performance devices more difficult to achieve beyond ∼1.35μm. The introduction of antimony and reduction in plasma-related damage from the rf nitrogen source dramatically improved material quality and widened the growth window. We validate these observations with 1.5μm edge-emitting ridge-waveguide lasers with cw threshold current densities as low as 440A∕cm2, peak CW output powers of 431mW, peak cw wallplug efficiencies >16%, and pulsed output powers >1W.
Towards protein-crystal centering using second-harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy

The potential of second-harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy for automated crystal centering to guide synchrotron X-­ray diffraction of protein crystals was explored. These studies included (i) comparison of microcrystal positions in cryoloops as determined by SHG imaging and by X-ray diffraction rastering and (ii) X-ray structure determinations of selected proteins to investigate the potential for laser-induced damage from SHG imaging. In studies using β2 adrenergic receptor membrane-protein crystals prepared in lipidic mesophase, the crystal locations identified by SHG images obtained in transmission mode were found to correlate well with the crystal locations identified by raster scanning using an X-­ray minibeam. SHG imaging was found to provide about 2 µm spatial resolution and shorter image-acquisition times. The general insensitivity of SHG images to optical scatter enabled the reliable identification of microcrystals within opaque cryocooled lipidic mesophases that were not identified by conventional bright-field imaging. The potential impact of extended exposure of protein crystals to five times a typical imaging dose from an ultrafast laser source was also assessed. Measurements of myoglobin and thaumatin crystals resulted in no statistically significant differences between structures obtained from diffraction data acquired from exposed and unexposed regions of single crystals. Practical constraints for integrating SHG imaging into an active beamline for routine automated crystal centering are discussed.
Continuous monitoring of Hawaiian volcanoes with thermal cameras

Continuously operating thermal cameras are becoming more common around the world for volcano monitoring, and offer distinct advantages over conventional visual webcams for observing volcanic activity. Thermal cameras can sometimes “see” through volcanic fume that obscures views to visual webcams and the naked eye, and often provide a much clearer view of the extent of high temperature areas and activity levels. We describe a thermal camera network recently installed by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory to monitor Kīlauea’s summit and east rift zone eruptions (at Halema‘uma‘u and Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō craters, respectively) and to keep watch on Mauna Loa’s summit caldera. The cameras are long-wave, temperature-calibrated models protected in custom enclosures, and often positioned on crater rims close to active vents. Images are transmitted back to the observatory in real-time, and numerous Matlab scripts manage the data and provide automated analyses and alarms. The cameras have greatly improved HVO’s observations of surface eruptive activity, which includes highly dynamic lava lake activity at Halema‘uma‘u, major disruptions to Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater and several fissure eruptions.
Highly Stereoregular Syndiotactic Polypropylene Formation with Metallocene Catalysts via Influence of Distal Ligand Substituents

Highly stereoregular syndiotactic polypropylene is obtained with the catalyst systems Ph2C(Oct)(C5H4)ZrCl2/MAO (8/MAO) (Oct = octamethyloctahydrodibenzofluorenyl; MAO = methylaluminoxane) and Me2C(Oct)(C5H4)ZrCl2/MAO (12/MAO). The syndiotactic polypropylenes obtained are largely devoid of stereoerrors by 13C NMR analysis ([r] > 98%), and melting temperatures as high as 153 or 154 °C (from 8 and 12, respectively) are found for the thermally quenched polymers (without annealing). A related hafnium catalytic system, Ph2C(Tet)(C5H4)HfCl2/MAO (11/MAO) (Tet = tetramethyltetrahydrobenzofluorenyl), was found to be the most syndioselective of the hafnocenes tested (Tm = 141 °C). The metallocene dichloride precatalysts represent the first examples of transition metal complexes containing the Oct or Tet ligands. Reported are the solid state crystal structures of 8, the diprotio ligand precursor of 8 (Ph2C(OctH)(C5H5)), and the zirconium analogue of 11, Ph2C(Tet)(C5H4)ZrCl2 (10). Distal ligand influences are thus dem...
Impact of instruction on behavior disordered and learning disabled students' creative behavior

Ninety-eight pupils from intermediate-level behavior disordered and learning disabled self-contained classrooms served as subjects. The Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking were used as pretests and posttests to measure the effect of creativity instruction on the creative thinking skills of the subjects. For 14 weeks the Purdue Creative Thinking Program was used to stimulate the behaviorally disordered (BD) and learning disabled (LD) experimental group's creative behavior. Subjects in the BD and LD experimental group made significantly greater scores than did the control groups on the verbal and figural subtests of the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking.
SINUSOIDAL PATTERN ANALYSIS IN CRIMINAL INCIDENCE

This paper demonstrates a set of statistical techniques which can be used to assess variations in delinquency offensex The subjects are juveniles convicted of aggravated assault, aggravated battery, burglary, homicide, rape, and robbery. A statistically significant sinusoidal pattern was observed.
Some generalized conjugacy theorems and the concepts of fitness and survival in logistic growth models

Abstract Current research into the dynamics of iterative ecological and biological models has lead to a number of theorems concerning the existence of various types of iterative dynamical behavior. In particular, much study has been done on the dynamical behavior of the “simplest dynamical system”f b (x)=bx(1−x), which is just the canonical discrete form of logistic growth equations found in ecology, sociobiology, and population biology. In this paper, we make use of some of the techniques and concepts of topological dynamics to construct a number of generalized conjugacy theorems. These theorems are then used to demonstrate that the mappingf b has a number of conjugacy classes in which the dynamics of the iterates is equivalent to within a change of variables. The concepts of fitness and survival in logistic equations are then shown to be independent, if we follow certain intuitive definitions for these concepts. This conclusion follows from a comparison of the conjugacy classes of the functionf b and the extinction sets off b .
Prevention of Milestone Formation in a High-Temperature-Short-Time Heater by Preheating Milk, Skim Milk and Whey

Summary 1. The formation of milkstone in a high-temperature-short-time heater was greatly decreased by preheating milk, skim milk and whey. 2. There appears to be a direct relationship between the heating conditions which render insoluble some of the proteins and salts of milk and the prevention of milkstone formation.
Pneumopericardium occurring as a complication of achalasia

Esophagopericardial fistula is a rare complication of benign esophageal disease. It has not previously been described occurring in achalasia. The authors present such a case. This cause should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pneumopericardium in patients with achalasia. Early diagnosis is stressed and esophagoscopic examination should be performed if the result of barium swallow test is negative.
Hypothesis: Targeted Ikkβ deletion upregulates MIF signaling responsiveness and MHC class II expression in mouse hepatocytes.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is causally related to the pathogenesis of chronic liver disease but its hepatocellular mechanisms of action are largely unknown. Scattered reports in the literature hint at functional connections between the expression of MIF and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Class II molecules. Not surprisingly, these relationships have not yet been explored in hepatocytes because MIF and MHC Class II cell surface receptors are commonly expressed by other cell types including various antigen presenting cells of the immune system. On the other hand, mounting evidence suggests that heteromeric MIF receptors share a common molecule with intracellular MHC Class II complexes, viz., CD74, which also serves as the MHC Class II chaperone; and, while it is unclear what cancer-related role(s) MHC Class II receptors might play, increasing evidence suggests that MIF and CD74 are also implicated in the biology of hepatocellular carcinoma. These reports are provocative for two reasons: firstly, IkkβΔhep mice carrying hepatocyte-targeted deletions of Ikkβ, an IκB kinase complex subunit required for the activation of the transcription factor NF-κB (nuclear factor-κB), have been shown to display heightened susceptibilities to hepatotoxins and chemical hepatocarcinogens; secondly, microarray profiling observations indicate that IkkβΔhep hepatocytes constitutively and “ectopically” overexpress genes, particularly CD74, CD44 (a MIF-receptor subunit) and MHC Class II I-A/E β and I-A α chains, and gene families that regulate host immune process and immune defense responses. These findings together suggest that IkkβΔhep mice might express functional MIF and MHC Class II receptors, leading to increased hepatocellular sensitivity to MIF signaling as well as to the unusual property of antigen presentation; both functions might contribute to the heightened liver disease phenotypes of IkkβΔhep mice. The findings raise questions about the potential existence of cohorts of human patients with genetic abnormalities of Ikkβ that might confer heightened susceptibility to liver disease including hepatocellular carcinoma.
Emergency Diagnosis of Opioid Intoxication

Opioids are widely used for analgesic purposes. If taken as prescribed, they are safe and effective. Overdosing, however, can cause coma and life-threatening respiratory depression. In the acute care setting, physicians often base treatment on the presence of classic “opioid syndrome” characteristics—mental status depression, hypoventilation, miosis (pinpoint pupils), and reduced bowel motility. Rather than identify and quantify the specific agent, laboratories should confirm opioid intoxication qualitatively with a urine drug screen. With this information, physicians may expedite treatment with opioid antagonists (naloxone), which help patients to resume spontaneous respiration. Because the drug level does not always correlate with the severity of illness, quantitative drug levels are rarely needed. Hypoglycemia, hypoxia, and hypothermia are also seen with opioid overdose.
Cytochemical Study of K+-p-Nitrophenyl Phosphatase (K+-NPPase) in Planum Semilunatum and Dark Cells of the Squirrel Monkey

We examined the ultrastructure of the planum semilunatum, and also cytochemically demonstrated K+-dependent p-nitrophenyl phosphatase (K+-NPPase) activity in planum semilunatum and ampullary dark cells of the squirrel monkey. K+-NPPase activity was found in the basal part of the planum semilunatum. The reaction products were limited to the cytoplasmic side of the plasma membranes. A more intense reaction was found in the basal infoldings and the lateral interdigitations of the dark cells. On the other hand, the apical cell surface of both cell types showed no K+-NPPase activity. The present results show that both the planum semilunatum and the dark cells may both be involved in maintaining endolymph homeostasis.
EXPLAINING U.S. COURTS OF APPEALS DECISIONS INVOLVING PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL: ACCURACY, FAIRNESS, AND VALIDATION

Accuracy and due process perspectives were used to extend policy-capturing research concerning employment discrimination case law. Two-hundred ninety-five usable U.S. Circuit Court decisions concerning performance appraisal were located from 1980–1995. In both chi-square and multivariate LOGIT analyses, decisions were explained by: use of job analysis, provision of written instructions, employee review of results, and agreement among raters. Contrary to hypotheses, appraisal frequency and type (traits vs. behaviors or results) were unrelated to judicial decision. Rater training approached significance in chi-square analysis. Of other variables checked (e.g., type of discrimination claim, statutory basis, class action status, year of decision, circuit court, type of organization, purpose of appraisal, evaluator race and sex), only circuit court approached significance. We conclude that issues relevant to fairness and due process were most salient to judicial decisions; issues pertaining to accuracy were important, yet validation was virtually ignored in this sample of cases.
Novel lanthanide-labeled metal oxide nanoparticles improve the measurement of in vivo clearance and translocation

The deposition, clearance and translocation of europium-doped gadolinium oxide nanoparticles in a mouse lung were investigated experimentally. Nanoparticles were synthesized by spray flame pyrolysis. The particle size, crystallinity and surface properties were characterized. Following instillation, the concentrations of particles in organs were determined with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The protein corona coating the nanoparticles was found to be similar to the coating on more environmentally relevant nanoparticles such as iron oxide. Measurements of the solubility of the nanoparticles in surrogates of biological fluids indicated very little propensity for dissolution, and the elemental ratio of particle constituents did not change, adding further support to the contention that intact nanoparticles were measured. The particles were intratracheally instilled into the mouse lung. After 24 hours, the target organs were harvested, acid digested and the nanoparticle mass in each organ was measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The nanoparticles were detected in all the studied organs at low ppb levels; 59% of the particles remained in the lung. A significant amount of particles was also detected in the feces, suggesting fast clearance mechanisms. The nanoparticle system used in this work is highly suitable for quantitatively determining deposition, transport and clearance of nanoparticles from the lung, providing a quantified measure of delivered dose.
Young Mothers, First Time Parenthood and Exclusive Breastfeeding in Kenya

Breastfeeding behaviour is explored in Kenya using data collected in the town of Eldoret, Kenya. This paper specifically examines duration of exclusive breastfeeding among young mothers below 20 years of age as compared to older cohorts. Additionally, focus is laid on the effect of first time motherhood and breastfeeding difficulties on exclusive breastfeeding. Results show that Eldoret mothers are aware of benefits of breastfeeding; nevertheless, the mean duration for exclusive breastfeeding in this sample is 2.4 months. Higher durations of exclusive breastfeeding are associated with increasing age and first time motherhood. Predictably, breastfeeding difficulties bear a negative association with exclusive breastfeeding. While HIV is transmissible through breastfeeding, breast milk remains a vital source of nourishment for infants in Sub-Saharan Africa. More research on mothering should examine the changing socio-economic milieu and its influence on women’s infant feeding decisions (Afr J Reprod Health 2008; 12[3]:125-138).
Redesign of the health care delivery system: a Bauhaus "form follows function" approach.

THE GOVERNING DESIGN PRINCIPLE OF THE US HEALTH care system has been described as an “edifice complex” and a “field of dreams” complex—if the health system builds it, the patients will come. This clinician-centric approach to the design of delivery of health care is obsolete, contributing to health care of inferior quality and excessive cost. To meet the patient-centered needs of a modern health care system, the United States should consider adopting the Bauhaus design principle of “form follows function.” Form follows function was the guiding principle of the Bauhaus school of crafts and architecture, founded in Germany in 1919 by Walter Gropius. The structure of a chair or house was to follow logically from the intended function of that form. The Bauhaus movement emphasized rational and simplified design, reconciling craftsmanship and technology under a spirit of populism and modernism. These principles are applicable to the design of a modernist health system. Traditionally, approaches to health care delivery design view the extravagantly rococo structure of the existing health care system and propose additions or minor alterations to this dysfunctional structure. What if there was a different starting point—the intended function of the health system— and planners worked backward to determine the form most suitable to that function?
Long-term effects of a single dose of methyl prednisolone on 35S levels in ocular and nasal tissue

Abstract 35 S uptake was measured in corneal, scleral, and “filtration angle” tissue buttons, blood, aqueous humor, and 5-mg pieces of nasal mucosa after a single dose of 6-alpha-methyl prednisolone acetate. Rabbits received 8 mg. of the steroid, subconjunctivally, in one eye. Twelve hours before the animals were killed they received 750 μc. Na 2 35 SO 4 intraperitoneally. For about 20 to 25 days after the single steroid injection, the drug-treated tissue incorporated less 35 S than control tissue. For the following 15 to 20 days, the steroid-treated tissue incorporated more 35 S than control tissue. The alterations of 35 S in the tissues were directly related to 35 S levels in the blood. The data thus imply that a single injection of a “depot” steroid can cause an alteration in the level of sulfur for as long as 38 days.
Winter Flounder Larval Genetic Population Structure in Narragansett Bay, RI: Recruitment to Juvenile Young-of-the-Year

The genetic population structure of winter flounder larvae was examined in Narragansett Bay, RI. Winter flounder larvae collected from 20 stations within Narragansett Bay and one station outside of the Bay were analyzed for six microsatellite loci. When analyzed by geographic collection sites, there were 16 distinct genetic populations of winter flounder larvae (R ST values from 0.1 to 0.6). The presence of distinct genetic populations was supported by assignment of individual larvae to populations by Bayesian analysis. Bayesian analysis resulted in 14 distinct genetic populations that overlapped with the geographically distributed populations (R ST values from 0.1 to 0.6). Young-of-the-year juveniles collected in the same year as the larvae were also analyzed at the same six microsatellite loci. Juveniles were assigned to larvae populations by both a Bayesian approach and a neural network approach. Juveniles collected from within Narragansett Bay were found to arise from geographically adjacent Narragansett Bay winter flounder larval populations (>99%), suggesting no widespread movement of juveniles away from spawning grounds. These results are discussed in the context of winter flounder population biology in Narragansett Bay, RI.
Randomness Reconsidered: Modeling Random Judicial Assignment in the U.S. Courts of Appeals

Sunstein et al. (2006) utilized the random assignment of judges to cases in the U.S. Courts of Appeals to estimate the effect of partisanship on these judges without the possibility of bias from unobserved heterogeneity. This article critiques and improves their study by controlling for changes in circuit composition over time, including cases in issue areas that Sunstein et al. omitted, and omitting cases from circuits where judges were not randomly assigned. I find that Sunstein et al. slightly underestimated the effect of partisanship in the courts of appeals, failed to find evidence of partisan effects for issue areas in which judges are affected by partisanship, mistakenly found evidence of partisan effects for issue areas in which judges are not affected by partisanship, and underestimated the degree to which partisanship varies between circuits. Random judicial assignment offers promising possibilities for the study of judicial decision making, but care must be taken in order to reap the benefits of these natural experiments.
A short-stay unit for thyroidectomy patients increases discharge efficiency

Abstract Background Patients traditionally recover overnight on a general surgery ward after a thyroidectomy; however, these units often lack the efficiency and focus for rapid discharge, which is the goal of a short-stay (SS) unit. Using an SS unit for thyroidectomy patients, who are often discharged in Methods A retrospective review of 400 patients undergoing thyroidectomy at a single academic hospital. We analyzed postoperative discharge information and hospital cost data. Adult patients who stayed a single night in the hospital were included. We compared patients staying on a designated SS unit versus a general surgery (GS) ward. Results A total of 223 patients were admitted to SS, and 177 to GS. Trends of admission location were blocked based on time period, with most patients per time period going to the same location. Discharge times were significantly quicker for patients admitted to SS (P Conclusions A designated short-stay hospital unit is an effective model for increasing the efficiency of discharge for thyroidectomy patients compared with those admitted to a general surgery ward. It also serves to increase bed availability, which decreases hospital cost and may improve patient flow.
IH-109 An online bariatric information session is as effective as an in-person information session

weight loss. We sought to identify personality traits and eating habits that predict weight loss success following RYGB. Methods: A single psychologist prospectively evaluated 346 patients, who subsequently underwent laparoscopic RYGB. Psychological evaluation included Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory short form (MMPI-2 SS) and long form subscales (MMPI-2 RC) as well as Overeating Questionnaire (OQ). Demographic, anthropomorphic, and clinical data were collected before and after surgery. Results: The overall mean percent excess weight loss (%EWL) was 71.3 /-24.4%. Of the ten MMPI-2 SS scales, MasculineFeminine (MF), Hypochondriasis (HS), Schizophrenia (SZ), and Mania (MA) correlated to %EWL, but only MA reached statistical significance (r -0.24, p 0.005). Of the nine MMPI-2 RC scales, Somatic Complaints (SC), Cynicism (CY), Aberrant Experiences (AE), and Hypomanic Activation (HA) correlated to %EWL, with AE (r -0.17, p 0.05) and HA (r -0.15, p 0.005) reaching statistical significance. Of the ten OQ scales, Health Habits (HH), Rationalizations (RA), and Motivation to Lose Weight (MLW) correlated to EWL, with MLW reaching statistical significance (r -0.59, p 0.005). Conclusion: This study corroborates the effectiveness of RYGB in achieving weight loss and shows that psychological factors can impact weight loss success. While several personality traits and eating habits correlated with improved weight loss, MA, AE, HA, and MLW seemed to have particularly strong correlations with weight loss success. Further research is indicated to identify methods to optimize personality and eating traits in order to improve the weight loss outcomes of RYGB.
Comparison of Outcomes After Heart Replacement Therapy in Patients Over 65 Years Old

Background There are currently no well-defined, evidence-based guidelines for management of end-stage heart failure in patients over 65, and the decisions to use mechanical circulatory support with left ventricular assist device (LVAD), either as a bridge to transplantation or destination therapy, or isolated heart transplantation (HTx) remain controversial. We aimed to compare the outcomes after the implementation of three heart replacement strategies in this high-risk population. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all patients between the ages of 65 and 72 receiving a continuous-flow LVAD as bridge to transplantation or destination therapy or isolated HTx at our center between 2005 and 2012. The patients were stratified according to treatment strategy into three groups: group D (destination LVAD, n = 23), group B (bridge to transplantation LVAD, n = 43), and group H (HTx alone, n = 47). The primary outcomes of interest were survival to discharge and 2-year overall survival. Results The patients in group D were significantly older, had a higher prevalence of ischemic cardiomyopathy, and had a higher pulmonary vascular resistance than did patients in groups B or H. There were no significant differences between groups in survival to discharge (87% D vs 83.7% B vs 87.2% H, p = 0.88) or 2-year overall survival (75.7% D vs 68.7% B vs 80.9% H, log-rank p = 0.47). The incidence rates of readmission were 1.1 events/patient·year in group D and 0.5 events/patient·year in group H. Conclusions There was no significant difference in perioperative, short-term, and medium-term survival between the treatment groups. However, the LVAD patients had a higher incidence of readmission. Larger trials are needed to refine differences in long-term survival, quality of life, and resource utilization for elderly patients requiring heart replacement therapy.
Defining the cyber domain for wireless communications security

With an emphasis on the role of wireless communications, this paper defines the cyber domain from a technical point of view. It divides the domain into three functional layers: the core, wireless and cross-domain interface. This paper highlights the role and security vulnerabilities of the wireless layer and asserts the need for increasing research in this area.
Optimal vitamin D status and serum parathyroid hormone concentrations in African American women

Background Optimal vitamin D status for the prevention of osteoporosis has been inferred from examinations of the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration below which there is an increase in serum parathyroid hormone (PTH).
The discriminability of nearly merged sounds

In a near-merger, speakers produce two contrasting words differently, without reliably being able to discern the contrast in their own speech or in the speech of others. Acoustic measurements typically reveal small differences between the elements of near-merged minimal pairs along several acoustic dimensions. We argue that statistical evaluation of the potential distinctiveness of these near-merged elements must simultaneously take into account all of these dimensions. For this reason, discriminant analysis is used to assess the differences between near-merged/il–Il/, /el–el/, and /ul–υl/ for five Utah speakers. In contrast with independent univatiate analyses of variance of F1, F2, f0, and spectral slope, the multivariate discriminant analyses suggest that all three contrasts are preserved by all five speakers. However, hompohones like heel and heal are not distinguished by the discriminant analyses. Discriminant analysis is thus a powerful technique for assessing whether a reliable basis exists for the claim that two potentially contrastive items are in fact distinctive.
High Volume Software Testing using Genetic Algorithms

The potential cost savings from handling software errors within a development cycle, rather than the subsequent cycles, has been estimated at nearly 40 billion dollars by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. This figure emphasizes that current testing methods are often inadequate, and that helping reduce software bugs and errors is an important area of research with a substantial payoff. This is particularly true for the increasingly complex, distributed systems used in many applications from embedded control systems to military command and control systems. These systems may exhibit intermittent or transient errors after prolonged execution that are very difficult to diagnose. This paper explores strategies that combine automated test suite generation techniques with high volume or long sequence testing. Long sequence testing repeats test cases many times, simulating extended execution intervals. These testing techniques have been found useful for uncovering errors resulting from component coordination problems, as well as system resource consumption (e.g. memory leaks) or corruption. Coupling automated test suite generation with long sequence testing could make this approach more scalable and effective in the field.
Religious Culture and Economic Performance: Agricultural Productivity of the Amish, 1850–80

Historians and sociologists have extensively studied the origins, evolution, and significance of Amish customs. The effect of Amish beliefs on economic activities and performance, however, has received little systematic analysis. In this article I investigate the agricultural practices and productivity of Amish farmers in a comparative framework, focusing particularly on Amish settlements around Kalona, Iowa, during the period 1850 to 1880. The analysis is based primarily on the information recorded in the agriculture and population schedules of the U.S. Censuses. Comparisons between the Amish and other farmers reveal various persistent differences in farming that reflect some of the