cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interplay between Structure and Mechanism in Reductive Dissociative Electron Transfers to α,β -Epoxyketones.

The electrochemical reduction of several α,β -epoxyketones was studied using cyclic (linear sweep) voltammetry, convolution voltammetry, and homogeneous redox catalysis. The results were reconciled to pertinent theories of electron transfer. α,β -Epoxyketones undergo dissociative electron-transfer reactions with C-O bond cleavage, via both stepwise and concerted mechanisms, depending on their structure. For aliphatic ketones, the preferred mechanism of reduction is consistent with the "sticky" concerted model for dissociative electron transfer. Bond cleavage occurs simultaneously with electron transfer, and there is a residual, electrostatic interaction in the ring-opened (distonic) radical anion. In contrast, for aromatic ketones, because the ring-closed radical anions are resonance-stabilized and exist at energy minima, a stepwise mechanism operates (electron transfer and bond cleavage occur in discrete steps). The rate constants for ring opening are on the order of 108 s-1 , and not significantly affected by substituents on the 3-membered ring (consistent with C-O bond cleavage). These results and conclusions were fully supported and augmented by molecular orbital calculations.
Statically optimal dynamic soft real-time semi-partitioned scheduling

Semi-partitioned scheduling is an approach to multiprocessor real-time scheduling where most tasks are fixed to processors, while a small subset of tasks is allowed to migrate. This approach offers reduced overhead compared to global scheduling, and can reduce processor capacity loss compared to partitioned scheduling. Prior work has resulted in a number of semi-partitioned scheduling algorithms, but their correctness typically hinges on a complex intertwining of offline task assignment and online execution. This brittleness has resulted in few proposed semi-partitioned scheduling algorithms that support dynamic task systems, where tasks may join or leave the system at runtime, and few that are optimal in any sense. This paper introduces EDF-sc, the first semi-partitioned scheduling algorithm that is optimal for scheduling (static) soft real-time (SRT) sporadic task systems and allows tasks to dynamically join and leave. The SRT notion of optimality provided by EDF-sc requires deadline tardiness to be bounded for any task system that does not cause over-utilization. In the event that all tasks can be assigned as fixed, EDF-sc behaves exactly as partitioned EDF. Heuristics are provided that give EDF-sc the novel ability to stabilize the workload to approach the partitioned case as tasks join and leave the system.
Effects of New Jersey's Abbott preschool program on children's achievement, grade retention, and special education through tenth grade

Abstract Relatively few studies provide rigorous estimates of the long-term effects of large-scale public preschool programs, and their findings vary greatly. This study investigates the effects in third through tenth grade of New Jersey's Abbott preschool program which has many of the features and contexts hypothesized to mitigate fadeout. The program was designed and implemented in the context of a Court mandated systemic reform of education and its funding from preschool through high school. We describe in detail the program's features including an extensive, multitiered continuous improvement system. Sample size for analyses ranged from 426 to 785 depending on the grade and assessment. Participants were primarily Black and Hispanic students living in 31 communities with high concentrations of poverty. Inverse weighting by propensity scores was employed with multiple imputation for missing data to estimate effects on achievement, grade retention, and special education. Substantial positive effects were found in language arts and literacy, mathematics, and science on statewide assessments. Effects did not fade after grade 3. Achievement effects appear to be larger for 2-year than 1-year of the preschool program. Grade retention was significantly lower through grade 10. Effects on special education placement were imprecisely estimated but consistent with other findings of reduced special education. Results were robust with respect to alternative methods to control for measured and unmeasured differences between preschool and comparison groups and for missing data. This study adds to the evidence on preschool program features and contexts associated with long-term effects.
ZnO nanorods as catalyts for biodiesel production from olive oil

The motivation to determine a viable alternative to petroleum based energy has risen in recent years due to increased greenhouse gas emissions, environmental pollution, and the fear of exhausting oil and natural gas reserves. Biodiesel derived from the transesterification of vegetable oils or animal fats has emerged as a viable alternative to petroleum diesel. However, for this to become an option available to the average consumer it is vital to find an effective catalyst. Metal oxides have emerged as potential heterogeneous catalysts. ZnO in particular is attractive because it is abundant. The use of nanostructures has been shown to improve the catalytic performance of ZnO. ZnO nanorods were synthesized using a solution approach. The crystalline structure, morphology, and surface area were confirmed using XRD, SEM, and BET surface area respectively. The characterized nanorods were used as catalysts for the production of biodiesel. The nanorods achieved conversions of 94.8% at 150oC for reaction times of eight hours. They also demonstrated better catalytic performance, attributed to their increased degree of crystallinity, than conventional ZnO. A kinetic study at 150oC to determine the reaction rate parameters was also conducted. Due to the presence of three distinct phases in the reaction, initially the reaction rate is dominated by mass transfer limitations. However, these are eventually overcome and the reaction proceeds with a pseudo-first order with respect to the oil and a reaction rate constant of 0.5136 h-1.
Abstract T MP19: Intreped Registry: Association of Procedure Time With Complications

Purpose: To assess the association of procedure time with neurologic adverse events post Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) placement for intracranial aneurysm treatment. Methods: In the IntrePED Registry, a retrospective review was performed at 17 centers to identify consecutive intracranial aneurysms treated with the PED following regulatory approval in the given country. All patients in whom at least one PED was placed and follow-up was available prior to IRB approval were enrolled. “Primary adverse events” included major stroke, major hemorrhage, and neurological mortality. Results: 793 patients with 906 aneurysms, including 311 large ICA, 536 other anterior and 59 posterior circulation aneurysms were enrolled and followed for a mean duration of 19.3 months. 689 (77%) of 906 aneurysms were saccular and 116(13%) were fusiform. 824 (91%) were unruptured. 308 (34%) treated with multiple PEDs. Incidence of major hemorrhage, stroke and neurological mortality was 2.4%, 4.7% and 3.8% respectively. Heparin was administered in 89% of the patients during the procedure. An average of 1.5 PEDs were utilized per case. The mean procedure time was 101.5 ± 50.5 mins. Patients with a major complication (major stroke, major hemorrhage, neurological mortality) had procedure time of 138.2 + 81.5 min, and those without a major complication had procedure time of 98.3 + 45.5 min (p< 0.001). A logistic regression incorporating aneurysm size and number of PEDs used still showed a highly significant relationship between major complications and procedure time (p<0.001) and also found aneurysm size to be an independent predictor of longer procedures (p=0.007). Conclusions: The present analysis of IntrePED Registry subjects demonstrates a strong association of procedure time with complication rates. Further analyses of factors leading to longer procedure times is needed.
Valuing non-market benefits of human dominated small mangrove forests in Sri Lanka

The inabi lity of economists and policy makers to recognize the values of non-market benefits includingcritical ecological, socio-economic and non-use functions of mangroves has been one of the majorreasons for large scale conversion of mangroves into destructive uses. Recent attempts byenvironmental economists to put values to non-market benefits of ecosystems are far from complete.Non-market benefits of Sri Lankan mangroves have not been studied adequately. Using contingentvaluation method, this study estimated the economic values of non-use benefits of mangroves in SriLanka, local existence value at US$I.7/hh/yr (US$883 ha+yr'); global existence value at US$24/hh/yr (US$1398 ha+yr'); local option value at US$2.9/hh/yr (US$1491 halyr'); global option value atUS$18/hhiyr (US$l 039 hal/yr"); local bequest values at US$3 .3/hh/yr (US$1714 halyr"); foreignbequest value at US$l . I/hh/yr (US$562 halyr'). The socio-economic factors affecting the WTPwere established using tobit model. Using benefit transfer method, economic values of ecologicalfunctions of mangroves were estimated as fish breeding at US$0.55/hh/yr (US$218/ha'lyr'I); erosioncontrol at USO.O l/.hh/yr (US$3 .6/ha'ly['I); biodiversity maintenance at US$0.05/hh/yr (US$18/ha'lyr'I); carbon sequestration at US$0.19/hh/yr (US$75.5ha'lyr,l) and the storm protection at US$0.19/hh/yr (US$76.8/ha,1 yr"), Destruction of small mangroves can be reversed by recognizing the non-marketvalues in mangroves forest use decision making.
Report on the 30th Anniversary Charleston Conference

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report on a conference and the individual presentations, as well as to make general observations, and relate them to important issues in acquisitions and collection development.Design/methodology/approach – The design is to describe the conference by individual presentations and general observations at this conference and preceding Charleston conferences from the viewpoint of an attendee.Findings – The findings are that acquisitions and collection development are undergoing fundamental changes that are changing operations and services rendered to faculty and students.Practical implications – The reporting of conference presentations on the important changes, both formal presentations and informal discussions, furthers the knowledge of the important current challenges in the field. Through these means information will be relayed to readers to help them enact their own changes.Originality/value – Reporting on this conference cites the new trends and important issues...
Thermal properties of 16O and 40Ca with a realistic effective Hamiltonian.

A realistic microscopic effective nuclear Hamiltonian, ${H}_{\mathrm{eff}}$, is employed with the spherical finite temperature Hartree-Fock approximation to evaluate the thermodynamic properties of $^{16}\mathrm{O}$ and $^{40}\mathrm{Ca}$. We introduce a simple method to scale ${H}_{\mathrm{eff}}$ to accommodate the A-dependent effects. We then adjust the Hamiltonian slightly to reproduce appropriate ground state properties within spherical Hartree-Fock theory. A range of acceptable temperatures for each model space size can then be determined. The binding energy, free energy, density distributions, entropy, neutron and proton chemical potentials and single particle energies, occupation probabilities, and other properties are evaluated for temperatures T\ensuremath{\le}7 MeV. We provide convenient parametrizations for the excitation energy, rms radius, average density, and entropy as a function of T. We find the thermal response of these nuclei to be substantially greater than that obtained with zero range phenomenological forces.
Chiral Pesticides and Polychlorinated Biphenyl Congeners in Environmental Samples, Analysis of

Over 25% of pesticides and other toxic organic pollutants are chiral, as are 19 of the 209 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners; that is, they exist as two mirror image species called enantiomers (PCB enantiomers are called atropisomers). The enantiomers of a chiral compound have identical physical and abiotic chemical properties, but usually differ in biological properties such as microbial degradation, uptake and transport across membranes, metabolism rate, and toxicity. Chirality in the environment has become recognized as an important phenomenon since the mid-1980s, and related research has centered on the need to understand the environmental fate and effects of pesticides and PCBs. This article provides a brief background on chiral chemistry in general and the importance of chirality in the drug industry, followed by a summary of examples of the enantioselectivity of pesticide and PCB occurrences and degradation in the environment as gleaned from the scientific literature. The main emphasis is on the analysis of these compounds, with the primary focus on chiral separations. Chiral separations are generally performed by gas chromatography (GC) or high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using chiral columns, or, to a lesser extent, by capillary electrophoresis (CE) using cyclodextrin (CD) or other chiral selectors in the run buffer. Summaries of these three separation methods are provided, with figures giving examples of pesticide and PCB enantiomeric separations. Finally, to show the usefulness of these separation methods, applications to several environmental chemistry problems involving chiral pesticides and PCBs are described and illustrated.
Battle of the sexes: An examination of male and female cyberbullying

Cyber bullying is defined as intentional, aggressive behavior toward another person that is performed through electronic means (i.e., computers, cell phones, PDAs) (Hinduja & Patchin 2007, 2008; Reekman & Cannard, 2009). In other words, it is behavior performed on the Internet that is intended to psychologically and emotionally harm someone. The present study will explore the differences in male and female cyber bullying in an undergraduate study, specifically in regard to posting gossip online with the intent to hurt others. The results indicate there are similar predictors of cyber bullying for the sexes, as well as unique predictors for male and female undergraduates.
Tandem Coagulase/Thermonuclease Agar Method for the Detection of Staphylococcus aureus

In optimizing previously reported coagulase agar media to obtain a rapid, reliable, and inexpensive coagulase test agar, variations in plasmas, pH, buffer system, fibrinogen, and fibrinolytic inhibitor were investigated. The agar with the following composition was determined best for the demonstration of coagulase production by Staphylococcus aureus: 25 ml of 15% bovine fibrinogen (fraction I, type I, citrated, Sigma Chemical Co.), 25 ml of rehydrated rabbit plasma (coagulase plasma ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, Difco), 10.0 mg of soybean trypsin inhibitor (Schwarz/Mann), and 450 ml of brain heart infusion agar (Difco). In additional studies involving 7 different temperatures and 11 heating times, the thermal destruction of microbial nucleases on plate count agar and coagulase test agar was investigated. Heating the plates for 2.5 h at 65°C destroyed all heatlabile nucleases, but not thermonucleases of S. aureus. A tandem agar plate method for the identification of S. aureus was developed. Coagulase and thermonuclease activity of 50 colonies can be detected on a single agar plate. Suspect S. aureus colonies isolated on various selective media are transferred to coagulase test agar, the plates are incubated at 37°C for 18 h, and the coagulase reaction is recorded. The plates are then heated at 65°C for 2.5 h, overlaid with toluidine blue-metachromatic diffusion agar, and reincubated at 37°C for 3 h, and the thermonuclease reaction is recorded. Studies based on 88 enterotoxigenic S. aureus strains and 133 and 48 suspect S. aureus strains isolated from fresh salami mixtures on mannitol salt and tellurite-polymyxin-egg yolk agars, respectively, demonstrated 100% agreement between the tandem agar plate method and standard coagulase and thermonuclease tests. Overall, the tandem agar plate method is a rapid and convenient approach contributing to the identification of S. aureus from foods.
Cell population tracking and lineage construction with spatiotemporal context

Automated visual-tracking of cell populations in vitro using phase contrast time-lapse microscopy is vital for quantitative, systematic and high-throughput measurements of cell behaviors. These measurements include the spatiotemporal quantification of migration, mitosis, apoptosis, and cell lineage. This paper presents an automated cell tracking system that can simultaneously track and analyze thousands of cells. The system performs tracking by cycling through frame-by-frame track compilation and spatiotemporal track linking, combining the power of two tracking paradigms. We applied the system to a range of cell populations including adult stem cells. The system achieved tracking accuracies in the range of 83.8%-92.5%, outperforming previous work by up to 8%.
The Genetics of Flowering Response in Cotton. IV. Quantitative Analysis of Photoperiodism of Texas 86, Gossypium Hirsutum Race Latifolium, in a Cross with an Inbred Line of Cultivated American Upland Cotton.

T H I S paper, the fourth in a series reporting the research on flowering response of cotton at College Station, Texas, presents the results of the quantitative analysis of an experimental strain of American Upland cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L. race latifolium, designated as Texas 86. Previous studies: In the first paper of this series, LEWIS and RICHMOND (1 957) reported observing three factors which were important in controlling the time of flowering in the cross involving G. hirsutum race marie-galante, a short-day photoperiodic perennial cotton. According to them the short-day photoperiodic response was under multigenic control, and, in addition to photoperiodic response, marie-galante carried factors for delayed flower initiation. Also pronounced facultative shedding of fruit forms occurred under field-grown conditions. In the second paper, (LEWIS and RICHMOND 1960), another allotetraploid species of cotton, G. barbizdense, was studied, and the photoperiodic response was found to be under monogenic control. The day-neutral response was recessive, and there was no pronounced shedding of fruit forms or a delayed flowering response. The third paper, (WADDLE, LEWIS, and RICHMOND 1961 ) , reported studies of two selections of the race latifolium. The Zatifolium cottons are classified as annuals, and in contrast to experience with perennial mrie-galante, no expression of lateness was found. At College Station, Texas they behaved similarly to marie-galante in that the photoperiodic response was under multigenic control and facultative shedding of fruit forms was pronounced. One of the latifolium parents was grown the same year at five widely separated stations in the U. S. Cotton Belt. Modification of the response to short-day photoperiod, by temperature and perhaps other factors, was demonstrated by the fact that: none of the Zatifolium parental plants flowered at College Station, Texas; all flowered at Shafter, California; and flowering at Lubbock, Texas, Sacaton, Arizona, and Brawley, California was late and sporadic.
Epithelial cells secrete the chemokine interleukin-8 in response to bacterial entry

Bacterial invasion of mucosal surfaces results in a rapid influx of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The chemotactic stimulus responsible for this response is not known. Since epithelial cells are among the first cells entered by many enteric pathogens, we investigated the ability of epithelial cells to provide an early signal for the mucosal inflammatory response through the release of chemotactic cytokines. As shown herein, the chemokine interleukin-8 (IL-8), a potent chemoattractant and activator of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, was secreted by intestinal and cervical epithelial cells in response to bacterial entry. Moreover, a variety of different bacteria, including those that remain inside phagosomal vacuoles, e.g., Salmonella spp., and those that enter the cytoplasm, e.g., Listeria monocytogenes, stimulated this response. Increased IL-8 mRNA levels could be detected within 90 min after infection. Neither bacterial lipopolysaccharide nor noninvasive bacteria, including Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecium, induced an IL-8 response. Moreover, tumor necrosis factor alpha, which is known to be expressed by some epithelial cells, was not detected in the culture supernatants after bacterial entry, and addition of anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha antibodies had no effect on the IL-8 response following bacterial entry. These data suggest the novel concept that epithelial cells serve as an early signaling system to host immune and inflammatory cells in the underlying mucosa following bacterial entry.
Incorporating practical application in graduate introductory public health courses

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the utility of a redesigned course assessment in a required, introductory Master of Public Health (MPH) course to demonstrate competency achievement through practical application. School of public health curricula are informed by competency-based education (CBE) to prepare students for the field. This is a challenge in introductory courses as traditional assessments do not translate into practical application of knowledge. Design/methodology/approach – This retrospective post-test-only evaluation examined a practice-based, multi-disciplinary assessment utilized in Fall 2014 (n = 63 students). Web-based surveys were administered three months after the course to participating students (n = 33), the teaching team or teaching teams (n = 7) and organization representatives (n = 3) to evaluate the utility of the assessment. Questions were analyzed descriptively using chi-square tests, where applicable responses were compared across groups. Findings – Results ind...
The DNA-content (Feulgen) of nuclei during mitosis in a root tip of onion

The microphotometric two-wavelength method is demonstrated to permit, even with only an improvised optical set-up, DNA-measurements which would not be possible, at any rate not with a comparable accuracy, with the conventional method. The data, in agreement with earlier results, show that the largest interphase nuclei in the root meristem have already completed their DNA-synthesis. The mean DNA-contents per set of chromatids at late interphase, prophase, and telophase, appeared to be virtually identical. A natural variation in DNA-content, if any, between individual nuclei at these stage would have a coefficient of variation of significantly less, and most likely much less, than 7.3%. The data from metaphase to middle anaphase are, for technical reasons, not yet conclusive. An indicated, moderate, excess of Feulgen-dye in these as compared with earlier and later stages may not be real. The results are fully compatible with a working hypothesis of strict constancy of the DNA-content per chromatid and of its precise doubling during DNA-synthesis (for necessary qualifications see the discussion). It is pointed out that apparently contradictory results by certain other authors do not, for methodological reasons, yet establish disproof of this hypothesis.
Robust and resilient critical infrastructure systems

Seven papers are included in this minitrack, presented in two sessions. First session concentrates on assessment of vulnerabilities in interconnected networked systems. Topics include a survey of interdependencies in critical infrastructure systems, assessment of performance and optimal investments in such interconnected architectures, assessment of vulnerabilities for robust design, and design of survivable distributed systems. The second session concentrates on failure modes in interdependent critical infrastructures, with focus on dynamic and probabilistic approaches to specific infrastructure systems such as blackout vulnerability of power transmission grid and load-dependent cascading failures power grids. In a more general setting, the session also considers control and state estimation techniques for building trustworthy systems.
LRCG: latch-based random clock-gating for preventing power analysis side-channel attacks

This paper proposes a new ASIC design flow using latch retiming and random clock-gating to cope with power analysis side-channel attacks. We cast the side-channel attack problem as a combination of retiming and clock-gating problems and solve the problems using only existing EDA tool chains. In particular, we achieve light weight time-shifting obfuscation against DPA (Differential Power Analysis) and CPA (Correlation Power Analysis) attacks by changing when to latch randomly. Our proposed LRCG (Latch-based Random Clock-Gating) method incurs only 13% of hardware area overhead that is significantly smaller than other balancing and masking countermeasures which require 100% and 294% overhead, respectively. Our experimental results show that LRCG incurs only negligible performance and energy consumption penalty, while successfully preventing DPA and CPA attacks in all cases.
Bilingual Social Workers in Mental Health Service Provision: Cultural Competence, Language, and Work Experience

Many agencies actively recruit bilingual social workers. This study presents the reactions of 10 Chinese bilingual social workers to the expectations and demands of their agencies. The study employed a qualitative design with a phenomenological approach. The participants’ responses provide insight into how they manage ethnic and cultural mental health issues in Chinese populations. This study aims to improve social service delivery for clients with limited English proficiency by identifying effective, culturally competent services. The findings suggest that when hiring bilingual social workers, it is just as important for them to be culturally competent as it is for them to be an ethnic or language match with the client base. Having all of these qualities will result in staff members who can provide more effective services by making accurate diagnoses and identifying appropriate treatment plans. In addition to employing bilingual social workers, it is important to maintain good supervision as this will allow supervisees to have a unique perspective on what is involved in providing effective delivery of services to clients with limited English proficiency. Implications for research, practice, and policy are discussed.
Acid Deposition: A National Problem

The deposition of excessive quantities of sulfur and nitrogen from the atmosphere constitutes a problem encompassing all of the United States east of the Mississippi River. It also occurs in some areas of the western U.S. Calculations based on emission inventories and simplifying assumptions indicate electric utilities account for 66% of S02 emissions, 29% of NOx emissions and about half of precipitation acidity. Acidification of clearwater lakes and streams is a widespread problem only in areas receiving rain with an average acidity of pH ≤ 4.7. The dominant anion in such waters is SO2- 4 and concentrations of aluminum derived from watershed acidification may exceed 200 μg 1–1. Changes in assemblages of aquatic biota become increasingly apparent as pH decreases below 6.0, and elimination of fish from some waters has been documented. The sensitivity of surface waters is controlled by and represents an integration of biogeochemical processes in their edaphic settings. Changes in surface water chemistry imply changes in the terrestrial environment. Direct evidence of changes in terrestrial environments is sparse. Nevertheless, observations of forest dieback in the U.S. and abroad suggest that acid deposition may contribute to the problem. Very few credible studies are available which allow an evaluation of acid precipitation effects on crops.
Ovigerity, selective predation, and variable diel vertical migration in Euchaeta elongata (Copepoda: Calanoida).

We present a statistical analysis of a previously published (Yen, 1983) but heretofore unanalyzed data set on the vertical distributions and diel vertical migration (DVM) of adult females of the marine planktonic copepod Euchaeta elongata in Dabob Bay, Washington, USA. Non-ovigerous females were strongly migratory on all four dates sampled, residing between 75–175 m during the day and at shallower depths during the night, commonly entering the upper 50 m of the water column. In contrast, ovigerous females were non-migratory or weakly migratory, largely remaining between 100–175 m both day and night, and entering the upper 50 m of the water column only rarely. Thus non-ovigerous females always migrated much more strongly, as measured by both amplitude of migration and the proportion of animals migrating, than did ovigerous females. These results led us to hypothesize that differential susceptibility to visually orienting predators was the cause of these differences in DVM behavior in female E. elongata, and we subsequently undertook an experimental study of the feeding selectivity of the copepod's natural predator, Pacific herring (Clupea harengus pallasi). Pacific herring exhibited a highly significant preference for ovigerous over nonovigerous adult female E. elongata. The demographic consequences of variable DVM in adult female E. elongata were investigated by way of life table analyses. Results indicated that under conditions of thermal stratification of the water column there is a distinct demographic disadvantage (reduced rate of realized population growth) incurred by non-migratory or weakly migratory ovigerous females due to delayed egg development at cooler subsurface temperatures. We conclude that ovigerous female E. elongata remain at depth both day and night to avoid visually orienting predators, and that such behavior must afford the copepod a demographic advantage of no less than a 26% reduction in adult mortality to offset the demographic cost of delayed egg development.
Older Persons' Perceptions of the Quality of their Human Support Systems

Fifty elders, 61–91 years of age, identified and evaluated the important people in their lives. Characteristics which typified good relationships in general were reciprocity, trustworthiness, friendliness and responsibility. Highest mean scores on the semantic differential scale were found for friends, lowest for neighbours. Significant differences between these two groups indicates that they cannot be combined. Grandchildren did not appear to play a central role in the lives of this group of elders. Spouses gave each other low ratings relative to other groups of supporters. If replicated in a larger sample, the possibility should be investigated that respondents may evaluate intimate relationships on a different ‘psychological yardstick’ than other relationships and relatively low evaluations may not indicate marital dissatisfaction.
On the convergence of joint channel and mismatch estimation for time-interleaved data converters

Mostly digital architectures for communication transceivers rely on the use of accurate analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), which becomes a bottleneck in scaling to multi-Gigabit speeds. A promising workaround is to employ slower, power-efficient sub-ADCs in a time-interleaved ADC (TI-ADC) architecture. While mismatch between sub-ADCs can lead to performance floors, recent work shows that this can be mitigated using joint channel and mismatch compensation algorithms. In this paper, we investigate the scalability and convergence of a recently proposed iterative channel and mismatch estimation algorithm, and derive rules of thumb relating the required length of training to the number of sub-ADCs.
Modulation of RNA metal binding by flanking bases: 15N NMR evaluation of GC, tandem GU, and tandem GA sites.

15N NMR chemical shift changes in the presence of Mg(H2O)6 2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, and Co(NH3)6 3+ were used to probe the effect of flanking bases on metal binding sites in three different RNA motifs. We found that: for GC pairs, the presence of a flanking purine creates a site for the soft metals Zn2+ and Cd2+ only; a GG·UU motif selectively binds only Co(NH3)6 3+, while a UG·GU motif binds none of these metals; a 3′ guanosine flanking the adenosine of a sheared GA·AG pair creates an unusually strong binding site that precludes binding to the cross-strand stacked guanosines within the tandem pair.
Reanalysis of a Castor model limit cycle calculation

The Castor equation is a third-order, nonlinear, ordinary differential equation that was derived to model pulsations for stars having oscillatory changes in their radii as reflected through their light output. A detailed study of this model was done by J.P. Cox, based on unpublished notes of J. Castor. The purpose of the current work is to re-examine these calculations and indicate that results different from those of Castor and Cox are obtained by use of a different method. An explanation for this is given.
Nonlinear Hydrostatic Adjustment

Abstract The final equilibrium state of Lamb's hydrostatic adjustment problem is found for finite amplitude heating. Lamb's problem consists of the response of a compressible atmosphere to an instantaneous, horizontally homogeneous heating. Results are presented for both isothermal and nonisothermal atmospheres. As in the linear problem, the fluid displacements are confined to the heated layer and to the region aloft with no displacement of the fluid below the heating. The region above the heating is displaced uniformly upward for heating and downward for cooling. The amplitudes of the displacements are larger for cooling than for warming. Examination of the energetics reveals that the fraction of the heat deposited into the acoustic modes increases linearly with the amplitude of the heating. This fraction is typically small (e.g., 0.06% for a uniform warming of 1 K) and is essentially independent of the lapse rate of the base-state atmosphere. In contrast a fixed fraction of the available energy generate...
End region and current consolidation effects upon the performance of an MHD channel for the ETF conceptual design

The effects of MHD channel end regions on the overall power generation were considered. The peak plant thermodynamic efficiency was found to be slightly lower than for the active region (41%). The channel operating point for the peak efficiency was shifted to the supersonic mode (Mach No., M sub c approx. 1.1) rather than the previous subsonic operation (M sub c approx. 0.9). The sensitivity of the channel performance to the B-field, diffuser recovery coefficient, channel load parameter, Mach number, and combustor pressure is also discussed. In addition, methods for operating the channel in a constant-current mode are investigated. This mode is highly desirable from the standpoint of simplifying the current and voltage consolidation for the inverter system. This simplification could result in significant savings in the cost of the equipment. The initial results indicate that this simplification is possible, even under a strict Hall field constraint, with resonable plant thermodynamic efficiency (40.5%).
Nonlinear guided waves in plates: a numerical perspective.

Abstract Harmonic generation from non-cumulative fundamental symmetric ( S 0 ) and antisymmetric ( A 0 ) modes in plate is studied from a numerical standpoint. The contribution to harmonic generation from material nonlinearity is shown to be larger than that from geometric nonlinearity. Also, increasing the magnitude of the higher order elastic constants increases the amplitude of second harmonics. Second harmonic generation from non-phase-matched modes illustrates that group velocity matching is not a necessary condition for harmonic generation. Additionally, harmonic generation from primary mode is continuous and once generated, higher harmonics propagate independently. Lastly, the phenomenon of mode-interaction to generate sum and difference frequencies is demonstrated.
Alterations in Ionic Currents and Gap Junctional Coupling by Pan-Histone Deacetylase Inhibition

Dynamic balance of histone acetyl transferase and histone deacetylases (HDACs)is maintained in multiple signaling pathways determining expression and repression of genes. Pan-HDAC inhibitors like Vorinostat(VOR, ZolinzaTM) and Romidepsin (Istodax(r)) have been approved for treatment of peripheral and cutaneous T-cell lymphomas. On rare occasions during clinical trials,HDACi has been associated with symptomatic ECG alterations, cardiac arrhythmias, and even sudden cardiac death for unknown reasons. Rationale of this study is to identify electrophysiological and molecular determinants involved in asymptomatic cardiac abnormalities in patients treated with HDACi during clinical trials. We investigated the effects of VOR on ionic currents and gap junctions responsible for cardiac excitability and propagation. Cultured neonatal mouse ventricular myocytes (NMVM) were treated with 1-5μM VOR overnight and patch clamp experiments were performed to measure the transient (Ito) and steady state (IK) outward K+, peak inward Na+ (INa), and peak inward L-type Ca2+ (ICa,L) current densities. Dose-dependent decreases in INa density and NaV1.5 protein levels occurred along with +10mV shift in INa activation in myocytes treated with 1-5μM VOR. Conversely, ICa,L density increased significantly without concomitant change in CaV1.2 protein expression levels. Moreover, augmentation of ICa,L byVOR was independent of stimulation with 5μM isoproterenol, suggesting discrete acetylation and phosphorylation dependent mechanisms for modulation of cardiac ICa,L However, VOR did not alter any IK or Ito current densities. Also, VOR dose dependently reduced gap junction coupling and protein expression of connexin43. Pan-HDACi treatment significantly reduces Cx43 protein expression and coupling along with salient alterations in INa and ICa,L densities. These ion channel changes present possible etiologies for cardiac abnormalities in patients. VOR being a pan-HDAC inhibitor, we plan to determine the effects of isoform-selective HDACi on ionic currents and APD in human cardiomyocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells.
ENERGY LEVELS IN CHROMIUM-52

The excited states of ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{52}$ have been studied through the ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{55}(p, \ensuremath{\alpha}){\mathrm{Cr}}^{52}$ reaction and by an investigation of inelastic proton scattering from chromium. A 6.51-Mev proton beam from an electrostatic generator and a high-resolution magnetic spectrograph were used. Excited states in ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{52}$ were found at 1.433, 2.368, 2.648, 2.767, 2.965, and 3.161 Mev. The $Q$-value for the ground-state transition in ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{55}(p, \ensuremath{\alpha}){\mathrm{Cr}}^{52}$ is 2.568\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.008 Mev.
Dissociation of supraspinal and spinal actions of morphine: A quantitative evaluation

Abstract Opiate suppression of spinal withdrawal reflexes was tested in rats with lesions of several spinal funiculi to determine the relative contribution of supraspinal descending systems. The latency of tail-flick to noxious heat was used to assess ‘analgesia’. The effect of lesions of dorsolateral funiculus (DLF), dorsal columns (DC) and ventral quadrant (VQ) were compared to that of sham operations. None of the lesions produced a change in baseline latency. Each animal was tested with varying doses of morphine sulfate over several weeks. Only DLF lesions consistently antagonized tail-flick suppression by morphine across the dose range studied (5–15 mg/kg i.p.), although VQ lesions were somewhat effective. The reduction of morphine's action was proportionally greater for lower doses. The results indicate that both spinal and supraspinal sites contribute significantly to the analgesia produced by systemic administration of opiates.
Conditional signalling strategies: effects of ontogeny, social experience and social status on the pheromonal signal of male cockroaches

Abstract Social interactions amongNauphoeta cinerea(Dictyoptera: Blaberidae) are mediated primarily through pheromonal signals. Males produce a three-component pheromone blend that attracts females and influences the close-range interactions between the sexes. Ontogenetic changes were documented in the quantity of pheromone produced by socially isolated males that ranged in age from adult emergence to 50 days after emergence. Pheromone quantity paralleled the development of male attractiveness to females, male sexual competence and male agonistic behaviour. Although males are sexually mature at 6 days of age, the quantity of 2-methylthiazolidine and 4-ethyl-2-methoxyphenol in their glands continued to increase beyond that age, while the quantity of 3-hydroxy-2-butanone reached a plateau by 4 days of age. The quantity of the former two components returned to a baseline level after long-term isolation. In addition to ontogenetic changes, social experience altered the quantity of pheromone produced. Both winning in male-male agonistic encounters and mating apparently stimulate the production and/or release of male pheromone. The quantities of 2-methylthiazolidine and 4-ethyl-2-methoxyphenol were reduced in the glands of dominant males but not subordinate males. Although the quantities changed, the ratio of 2-methylthiazolidine to 4-ethyl-2-methoxyphenol was not different between dominant and subordinate males. All males showed reduced quantities of 2-methylthiazolidine and 4-ethyl-2-methoxyphenol 48 h after mating but showed no change in 3-hydroxy-2-butanone or the ratio of 2-methylthiazolidine to 4-ethyl-2-methoxyphenol. Potential functional integration for two of the three pheromonal components is suggested by the similar pattern of synthesis and depletion of 2-methylthiazolidine and 4-ethyl-2-methoxyphenol. The unique pattern of synthesis and lack of depletion of 3-hydroxy-2-butanone suggests there may be an independent role for this compound. The differential depletion of these components suggests that the active release of the pheromone byN. cinereamales may be a conditional strategy, with the specific tactic depending on previous social experiences.
Multi-wavelength phase imaging interference microscopy

Multi-wavelength phase imaging interferography is a technique that combines phase-shifting interferometry with multi-wavelength phase unwrapping. It can be used to obtain phase profile of an object without 2π ambiguities inherent to single wavelength phase images. In this technique, a Michelson-type interferometer is illuminated by an LED and the reference mirror is dithered for obtaining interference images at four phase quadratures, which are combined to calculate the phase of the object surface. The 2π discontinuities are removed by repeating the experiment using two or three LEDs at different wavelengths, which yields phase images of effective wavelength much longer than the original. The resulting image is a profile of the object surface with a height range of several microns and noise levels of 10's of nm. The technique is applied to imaging of phase profile of microscopic objects. The interferographic images using broadband source are significantly less affected by coherent noise, and there are a number of other advantages, such as lower cost and ease of operation.
Hydrocephalus with cerebral aqueductal dysgenesis and craniofacial anomalies

A pre-term infant was born with multiple limb and craniofacial anomalies, including craniosynostosis and a nasopharyngeal adenohypophysis. Severe hydrocephalus of the lateral and third ventricles was attributed to cerebral aqueductal dysgenesis. Scattered aqueductules and ependymal rosettes were found throughout the midbrain and pontine tegmentum. An hypothesis to explain the unique constellation of craniocerebral findings is discussed.
Elimination of self-reactive T cells in the thymus: a timeline for negative selection.

The elimination of autoreactive T cells occurs via thymocyte apoptosis and removal by thymic phagocytes, but the sequence of events in vivo, and the relationship between thymocyte death and phagocytic clearance, are unknown. Here we address these questions by following a synchronized cohort of thymocytes undergoing negative selection within a three-dimensional thymic tissue environment, from the initial encounter with a negative selecting ligand to thymocyte death and clearance. Encounter with cognate peptide–MHC complexes results in rapid calcium flux and migratory arrest in auto-reactive thymocytes over a broad range of peptide concentrations, followed by a lag period in which gene expression changes occurred, but there was little sign of thymocyte death. Caspase 3 activation and thymocyte loss were first detectable at 2 and 3 hours, respectively, and entry of individual thymocytes into the death program occurred asynchronously over the next 10 hours. Two-photon time-lapse imaging revealed that thymocyte death and phagocytosis occurred simultaneously, often with thymocytes engulfed prior to changes in chromatin and membrane permeability. Our data provide a timeline for negative selection and reveal close coupling between cell death and clearance in the thymus.
Radioactive Br Isotopes

A radioactive isotope of 2.4-day half-life has been produced in bromine by deuteron bombardment of electromagnetically enriched ${\mathrm{Se}}^{76}$, and by alpha-particle bombardment of electromagnetically enriched ${\mathrm{Se}}^{74}$. Assignment of the isotope is made to ${\mathrm{Br}}^{77}$. A positron end point of 0.4 Mev is determined. In addition to annihilation radiation, gamma-rays and $K$-capture are observed. The ratio of $K$-capture to positron emission is determined to be 20. The cross-section ratio of the $d,n$ to the $d,2n$ reaction producing the isotope is 0.3. The ratio of the sum of the cross sections for formation of ${\mathrm{Br}}^{77}$ by ${\mathrm{Se}}^{76}(d,n)$ and ${\mathrm{Se}}^{77}(d,2n)$ to the cross section for ${\mathrm{Br}}^{82}$ by ${\mathrm{Se}}^{82}(d,2n)$ is 0.4. A radioactive isotope of 1.7-hour half-life has been produced in bromine by deuteron bombardment and by proton bombardment of enriched ${\mathrm{Se}}^{74}$. Assignment of the isotope is made to ${\mathrm{Br}}^{75}$. A positron end point of 1.6 Mev is determined. $K$-capture is observed in the activity. No gammaray activity other than that due to annihilation is found. The ratio of $K$-capture to positron emission from the ${\mathrm{Se}}^{74}(d,n)$ reaction is determined to be 4.4. The ratio of the cross section for formation of ${\mathrm{Br}}^{75}$ by ${\mathrm{Se}}^{74}(d,n)$ to that of ${\mathrm{Br}}^{82}$ by ${\mathrm{Se}}^{82}(d,2n)$ is 2.1. The 4.4-hour ${\mathrm{Br}}^{80}$ isotope has been produced by a $\mathrm{Se}(\ensuremath{\alpha},p)$ reaction and found to emit positrons with an end point of 0.8 Mev. In producing ${\mathrm{Br}}^{77}$ by proton bombardment of Se the $p,\ensuremath{\gamma}e$ reaction is observed to be two-thirds as probable as the $p,n$ reaction.
Major Changes in School Integration Litigation, 1954-1979:

Since the United States Supreme Court's 1954 decision, which declared racially segregated schools unconstitutional, subsequent litigation in that area before the Court has resulted in several major changes. This paper assesses the nature of those changes as well as modifications in the Court's attitude toward equal rights issues. The changes are: standing to sue — the Court has narrowed qualifications for individuals who may sue a school district and has made it more difficult to bring class ac tion suits; test to evidence — in several school integration cases, the Court has shifted the burden of proof from the school district to the plaintiffs; de jure/de facto distinction — the Court has narrowed the distinction and has determined that de facto school segregation is not illegal unless plaintiffs can prove intent by the school district to segregate; and remedies required to integrate a segregated school district are now limited to the amount of the infraction. Current attitudes of the Court toward other ...