cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inequality Generation and Persistence as Multidimensional Processes: An Interdisciplinary Agenda

The papers included in this issue are the result of sustained collaborations within the Successful Societies program, which has meet three times a year since 2003. Each team of authors developed their contribution through extensive discussions at meetings of the entire group over two years. Program members (Bloemraad, Grusky, Hall, Jenson, Kymlicka, Lamont, Pierson, Polletta, Raibmon, Son Hing, and Wilson) and advisory committee members (Gourevitch, Le Gales, and Markus) have created teams to attack a question of mutual interest. In all cases, authors focus on the core set of questions and theoretical concerns outlined in this introductory essay, and their contributions draw on a continuing conversation among members of the group. This results in a productive yet all too rare conversation drawing on insights from sociology, political science, social psychology, and history.
Interprofessional teamwork is the foundation of effective psychosocial work in organ transplantation

Interprofessional teamwork (IPT) is a well-established idea spanning multiple professional fields and supported by decades of literature. IPT is underemphasized in the medical literature despite its known impact on patient safety and care delivery. While many transplant teams adeptly work together, little has been written about team dynamics in organ transplantation and less on how IPT principles apply to transplant psychosocial clinicians. This editorial summarizes IPT principles, extrapolates key elements to psychosocial work in organ transplantation, flags potential barriers, collates practical strategies for teamwork enhancement, and identifies areas for future study.
Response to sertraline is associated with reduction in anxiety-potentiated startle in premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

Women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) appear to have altered central nervous system sensitivity to neuroactive steroid hormones, manifesting as affective symptoms and heightened arousal in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. In particular, women with PMDD appear less sensitive to allopregnanolone, a positive allosteric GABA-A receptor (GABA-A-R) modulator. This study evaluated psychophysiologic reactivity in women with PMDD in the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle, utilizing anxiety-potentiated startle (APS), a potential translational marker of GABA-A-R sensitivity. The study also assessed APS response to low-dose sertraline treatment in women with PMDD. Participants’ APS and fear-potentiated startle (FPS) were assessed in the follicular and luteal phases. Women with PMDD received 50 mg sertraline in the following luteal phase to examine impact on APS and FPS. There were no significant differences between controls (n = 41) and PMDD participants (n = 36) in change from follicular to luteal phases in baseline startle, APS nor FPS. However, among participants who responded to sertraline, APS was higher in the untreated luteal phase than the follicular phase, but lower in the treated luteal phase than the follicular phase. These data demonstrate elevated psychophysiologic arousal in the luteal phase among some women with PMDD, suggesting impaired ability to modulate arousal reactivity. Specifically, alterations in APS suggest potential GABA-A-R changes across the menstrual cycle and in response to sertraline among treatment responders.
Once and Future Gift Taxation of Transfers to Section 501(c)(4) Organizations: Current Law, Constitutional Issues, and Policy Considerations

The applicability of the gift tax for transfers to section 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations, entities that are permitted to intervene in political campaigns to a significant extent while keeping their donors anonymous, has long been a matter of uncertainty. Applicability of the gift tax to contributions to section 501(c)(4) organizations is of great importance to these organizations because if the gift tax applies and were to be enforced, the amounts such organizations receive are likely to be significantly reduced. In many cases, donors would be expected to take such cost into account and reduce the amount of their contributions. This issue has gone without resolution because for decades the IRS has not enforced the gift tax in such situations. Recently, however, a furor arose about application of the gift tax to donors to section 501(c)(4) that engage in campaign intervention, only to die down soon after it appeared. The IRS acknowledged in May that it had audits underway for five such donors, only to suspend the audits after receiving letters from Republican members of the Senate Finance Committee and House Ways and Means Committee objecting to the audits. In July, Steven T. Miller, Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement, wrote a memo stating that his office would be coordinating with the Office of Chief Counsel as to whether there is a need for further guidance in the area, closing any outstanding efforts and stating that no examination resources would be expended on the issue until further notice. The purpose of this piece is to scrutinize the issues raised in connection with applying the gift tax to contributions to section 501(c)(4) organizations. It examines the status of such taxation under current law, the constitutionality of such taxation, and policy considerations. It concludes that, despite precedents that might be interpreted to the contrary, the better view is that such gifts are taxable under current law and that, despite Supreme Court campaign finance reform precedents, such taxation is constitutional under Supreme Court tax law precedents. Nonetheless, important constitutional values are at stake, and Congress should enact a provision explicitly exempting such contributions from the gift tax, as well as a provision taxing donations of appreciated property and a provision requiring donor disclosure. Failure by the IRS to enforce the law is not a satisfactory solution. Part I explains the structure, history and purpose of the gift tax. Part II describes section 501(c)(4) organizations. Part III presents administrative and judicial precedents. Part IV sets forth constitutional arguments both against and in favor of applying the gift tax to section 501(c)(4) organizations. Part V adds the policy calculus that calls for Congress to enact a provision adding an exemption from the gift tax for section 501(c)(4) organizations. Part VI concludes.
The influence of a fibrous diesel particulate trap on the size distribution of emitted particles

Particle mass concentrations and size distributions have been measured upstream and downstream of a ceramic-coated metal fiber filter. The filter has been used to process the exhaust of a 1.5 liter light-duty indirect injection diesel engine. At light filter loadings, the collection efficiency was typically found to range from 50 to 60%. As the trap was loaded, the efficiency slowly increased to a maximum value between 70-80% and then slowly declined. At the same time, the pressure drop across this filter continously increased. The trap was periodically regenerated to prevent excessive pressure drop. When lightly loaded, the trap was found to reduce the particle concentration without having a significant impact on the size distribution. However, a heavily loaded trap significantly shifted the particle size distribution upward. Under some conditions, the trap actually generated coarse, greater than 1.0 ..mu..m, diameter, particles. The trap thus acts as a particle agglomerator. This behavior is explained in terms of collection, surface agglomeration, and subsequent reentrainment of the agglomerated material.
Tumor neutralization, immunotherapy, and chemoimmunotherapy of a friend leukemia with cells secondarily sensitized in vitro.

The aim of our study was to induce in vitro a secondary response to a C57BL/6 Friend leukemia (FBL-3) by C57BL/6 lymphoid cells, to document their enhanced anti-tumor cytotoxicity in vitro and to study their anti-tumor effect in vivo by tumor neutralization (Winn assay) and tumor therapy of progressive FBL-3 in C57BL/6 mice. Spleen cells (Ci) from mice immunized once in vivo with FBL-3 were cultured for 5 days with either x-irradiated FBL-3 (CiFx), C57BL/6 spleen cells (CiCx), BALB/c spleen cells (CiBx) or without any x-irradiated cells (Ci-cult.) and their activity subsequently was assayed in vitro and in vivo . CiFx cells were markedly more cytotoxic in vitro by the 51 Cr release assay than were CiCx or CiBx and were most effective in tumor neutralization (Winn assay). For adoptive immunotherapy, mice given lethal (10 4 ) FBL-3 i.p. on day 0 received the cultured spleen cells on day 1. Treatment with 5 × 10 6 CiFx cured 14 of 14 mice whereas 19 of 20 mice given 5 × 10 6 CiCx or CiBx died with tumor. For adoptive chemoimmunotherapy of advanced leukemia, mice were given 10 7 FBL-3 i.p. on day 0. On day 5, they received cyclophosphamide (CY) plus cultured spleen cells. Untreated mice died by day 14. CY alone prolonged survival but all mice died within 4 weeks. Treatment with CY plus 5 × 10 6 Ci-cult. or CiBx was no more effective than CY alone—40 of 40 mice died with tumor. However, CY plus 5 × 10 6 CiFx cured 16 of 22 mice. Thus, cells generated in a secondary response in vitro were not only cytotoxic in vitro and effective in tumor neutralization, but were also curative in immunotherapy of an early leukemia and in chemoimmunotherapy of an advanced leukemia.
Senescence and Arrhythmogenesis

Aging is associated with an increased incidence of cardiac arrhythmias that contributes significantly to the increased morbidity and mortality of old age.1, 2, 3 The increased susceptibility to both ventricular and atrial arrhythmias in the senescent heart occurs despite the absence of apparent disease and is exaggerated in the presence of underlying comorbidities.4,5 Cardiac dysrhythmias not only adversely affect the quality of life but also contribute to deterioration in myocardial function, increasing the susceptibility to heart failure, stroke, and sudden death.5, 6, 7 With the rapid increase in the elderly population and the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in the elderly, it is projected that the number of patients with cardiac arrhythmias and associated disability will more than double in 30 years, placing an enormous burden on health care resources.8, 9, 10 Although progress is being made in understanding the pathogenesis of age-related cardiac diseases and therapies are being developed for these diseases, advanced age by itself poses significant dilemmas in therapy due to the lack of a full understanding of the molecular basis for the aging-associated increase in the susceptibility of the heart to arrhythmogenesis and the paucity of outcome studies in the very elderly.6,11 This chapter summarizes the epidemiology, aging-associated changes in cardiac structure and function, basis for arrhythmogenesis, and evaluation and management of elderly patients with ventricular tachyarrhythmias causing sudden death.
Exploring How Teachers’ Emotions Interact With Intercultural Texts: A Psychoanalytic Perspective

AbstractA major goal of this study was to inquire into and gain an understanding of teachers’ emotional responses to cultural differences by investigating how teachers handle stories with intercultural themes. The broader goal was to inquire into teachers’ emotional lives that though not necessarily visible to them, nonetheless affect what they perceive as necessary factors in productive intercultural relations and multicultural education. Given such goals, the study is grounded in psychoanalytic theory (Lacan, 1949/2004). The study also employs postcolonial theory (Bhabha, 1999, 2005; Said, 1994) which attends to the dynamics of the intercultural relations and discourse of difference to complement psychoanalytic theory in the data analysis. The conclusion suggests future directions for the psychoanalysis of education of teachers in increasingly diverse societies and schools. In the final section, the author takes into account the nature of the countertransference to question the emotional life of the res...
Applying machine learning for prediction, recommendation, and integration

This dissertation explores the idea of applying machine learning technologies to help computer users find information and better organize electronic resources, by presenting the research work conducted in the following three applications: FolderPredictor, Stacking Recommendation Engines, and Integrating Learning and Reasoning. FolderPredictor is an intelligent desktop software tool that helps the user quickly locate files on the computer. It predicts the file folder that the user will access next by applying machine learning algorithms to the user’s file access history. The predicted folders are presented in existing Windows GUIs, so that the user’s cost for learning new interactions is minimized. Multiple prediction algorithms are introduced and their performance is examined in two user studies. Recommender systems are one of the most popular means of assisting internet users in finding useful online information. The second part of this dissertation presents a novel way of building hybrid recommender systems by applying the idea of Stacking from ensemble learning. Properties of the input users/items, called runtime metrics, are employed as additional meta features to improve performance. The resulting system, called STREAM, outperforms each component engine and a static linear hybrid system in a movie recommendation problem. Many desktop assistant systems help users better organize their electronic resources by incorporating machine learning components (e.g., classifiers) to make intelligent predictions. The last part of this dissertation addresses the problem of how to improve the performance of these learning components, by integrating learning and reasoning through Markov logic. Through an inference engine called the PCE, multiple classifiers are integrated via a process called relational co-training that improves the performance of each classifier based on information propagated from other classifiers.
Remote sensing of layered random media using the radiative transfer theory

[1] The radiative transfer (RT) approach is widely used in remote sensing applications. Although this approach involves approximations, they are often not explicitly stated or explained. The RT approach for random media with nonscattering boundaries has been well studied, and the underlying assumptions are clearly documented. In contrast, our problem has scattering boundaries which are randomly rough. In order to better understand the RT approach to our problem, we adopt a statistical wave approach for modeling multiple scattering in the combined problem of random media and rough surfaces. The geometry of our problem consists of a multilayer discrete random medium with rough boundaries which are planar on the average. The statistical characteristics of the random medium in each layer are independent of each other and independent of the statistics describing the rough interfaces. Using the Green's functions of the problem without the volumetric fluctuations, we represent our problem as a system of integral equations. Employing the T-matrix description, we first average with respect to volumetric fluctuations to obtain a system of integral equations. We next average with respect to surface fluctuations, apply the weak surface correlation approximation, and arrive at a closed system of integral equations for the first and second moments of the electric fields. We use the Wigner transforms to relate the coherence functions to radiant intensities. On applying the quasi-uniform field approximation, we hence arrive at a system of equations identical to those used in the RT approach. In this process, we find that there are more conditions involved in the RT approach to our problem than widely believed to be sufficient. The important additional conditions are the following: (a) the thickness of layers are larger than the mean free path of the layer medium, and (b) the character of interface roughness is such that weak surface correlation approximation is applicable.
Reversible Object-Oriented Interpreters

The "programs are data" philosophy of Lisp uses Lisp's S-expressions to represent programs, and permits a program written in Lisp itself to implement the interpreter for the language. Object-oriented languages can take this one step further: we can use objects to represent programs, and an object-oriented interpreter takes the form of responses to a protocol of messages for evaluating programs. Because objects are a richer data structure than simple S-expressions, the representation of programs can have more built-in intelligence than was feasible using simple list manipulation alone.This paper surveys techniques and applications for object-oriented interpreters. We focus particularly on object-oriented interpreters that are reversible, those that, unlike conventional interpreters, remember their history of evaluation. We illustrate the techniques involved with two applications of reversible object-oriented interpreters: a reversibIe stepper for Lisp, and a programming environment which constructs Lisp programs from examples.
Development of High Tc Superconducting Wire by Powder Method

Ag-sheathed high Tc superconducting wires of YBa2Cu3O7-x and Bi0.8Pb0.2SrCaCU1.5Ox were developed. Improvements in the density and the orientation of crystals brought about by press processing have been investigated, and by adopting adequate processing procedures the critical current densities were increased up to 4140A/ cm2 and 4400A/ cm2 for Ag-sheathed YBa2Cu3O7-x and Bi0.8Pb0.2SrCaCu1.5Ox superconductors, respectively.
Chapter 13 In Vivo and in Vitro Synthesis of Yeast Mitochondrial DNA

Publisher Summary This chapter describes in vivo and in vitro synthesis of yeast mitochondrial DNA. In yeasts and other fungi, the absence of thymidine kinase makes the specific labeling of DNA difficult. Thus, radioactive thymine and thymidine are ineffective as precursors. Mutants that can incorporate thymidine-5'-monophosphate specifically into DNA have been isolated, but their general usefulness has yet to be demonstrated. In in vivo synthesis, the haploid strain of S. cerevisiae (D 273-10B) is grown with vigorous aeration in 3.5% potassium lactate, 1% yeast extract, and 2% Bacto peptone at 30°C. Labeling is done with 3 μCi/ml of adenine- 3 H or 1 μCi/ml of adenine 14 C. For preferential labeling of mtDNA, cells are pretreated with 200 μg/ml of cycloheximide for 15 minutes and then labeled with radioactive adenine for 5 h in the presence of the antibiotic. After this time, about 90% of the incorporated label is in mtDNA, and the relative amount of mtDNA is doubled. The labeled DNA is then extracted from the mitochondrial fraction.
Thermoelectric properties of rhodates: Layered β − SrRh 2 O 4 and spinel ZnRh 2 O 4

Density functional calculations are used to obtain the electronic structure of $\ensuremath{\beta}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{\mathrm{SrRh}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ in comparison with spinel ${\mathrm{ZnRh}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$. Both materials are band insulators, with substantial crystal field induced band gaps, reflecting strong transition-metal--O hybridization. However, due to the bonding topology in these materials, the valence bands are very narrow. This leads to high thermopowers within standard Boltzmann transport theory, and indicates that they can be the basis of good thermoelectric materials provided that they can be doped into metallic states with reasonable carrier mobility. In the case of $\ensuremath{\beta}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{\mathrm{SrRh}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$, scattering due to Sr disorder is important. Also, again in $\ensuremath{\beta}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{\mathrm{SrRh}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$, the band gap may be large enough to be of interest for photoelectrochemical ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ production.
Phase 2 trial of induction and concurrent chemoradiotherapy with weekly irinotecan and cisplatin followed by surgery for esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative chemoradiation improves survival in esophageal and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer. We evaluated irinotecan and cisplatin as induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiation in esophageal cancer. METHODS: Patients with uT1N1M0 or uT2-4NanyM0 resectable squamous cancer or adenocarcinoma of the esophagus or GEJ received irinotecan 65 mg/m2 and cisplatin 30 mg/m2 for 4 treatments in weeks 1 through 5, followed by 4 treatments in weeks 7 through 11 with 50.4 Gy in daily fractions, followed by surgery. The primary endpoint was pathologic complete response (pCR). Positron emission tomography (PET) scan was performed prior to chemotherapy and as restaging prior to radiotherapy. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients were evaluable, 75% of whom had adenocarcinoma and 65% of whom had uT3N1 disease. Thirty-eight patients underwent R0 resection (69%). The incidence of pCR was 16% (95% confidence interval, 8%-29%). Median overall survival was 31.7 months. An exploratory analysis of PET response to induction chemotherapy indicated a correlation with pCR (32% vs 4%), R0 resection (84% vs 57%), progression-free survival (24.1 vs 7.7 months), and overall survival (40.2 vs 25.5 months). CONCLUSIONS: Weekly treatment with irinotecan, cisplatin, and radiation achieved results no better and potentially inferior to other phase 2 chemoradiotherapy trials with a low rate of pCR. The use of PET scan after induction chemotherapy to direct chemotherapy during subsequent radiotherapy merits further study. Cancer 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
An Object-Oriented Framework for Mesoscopic Modeling of Microstructure Evolution in Materials Processing

This paper addresses the design of a general-purpose, object-oriented simulation framework for mesoscopic modeling of microstructure evolution in material processing. Some new results obtained using a grain growth model, which was incorporated into this framework, are presented.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Further studies on a compact from of salt-soluble deoxyribonucleoprotein

Abstract An electron microscope examination of a salt-soluble deoxyribonucleoprotein isolated from rabbit thymus nuclei has confirmed the compact nature of the particle. Evidence is presented to indicate that the deoxyribonucleoprotein may possibly be derived in a relatively intact form from native chromatin fibres.
Syntheses and crystallographic studies of [Ir(η5-C5Me5)(L)(RF)I] (L = CO, PMe3; RF = CF2CF3, CF2CF2CF3, CF2C6F5, CF(CF3)2) complexes. Cone and solid angle steric parameters for perfluoroalkyl ligands

Oxidative addition of RFI (RF = CF2CF3, CF2CF2CF3, CF2C6F5, CF(CF3)2) to [Ir(η5-C5Me5)(CO)2] gave the iridium(III) complexes, [Ir(η5-C5Me5)(CO)(RF)I] 2a–d in good yield. Carbonyl substitution by PMe3 to give [Ir(η5-C5Me5)(PMe3)(RF)I] 3a–d was achieved by heating in refluxing toluene. Complexes 2a,c,d and 3a,b,d were studied by X-ray crystallography. The perfluoroalkyl Ir–C bonds were found to be shorter than alkyl Ir–C bonds, while the α-C–F bonds were longer than the C–F bonds in non-coordinated perfluorocarbons. The steric sizes of the perfluoroalkyl ligands were determined as Tolman cone angles, θ, and solid angles, Ω. The sizes of the ligands followed the expected trend, CF(CF3)2 > CF2C6F5 > CF2CF2CF3 ≈ CF2CF3, and were substantially larger than corresponding hydrocarbons.
Free-Energy Calculations Highlight Differences in Accuracy between X-Ray and NMR Structures and Add Value to Protein Structure Prediction

Abstract Background : While X-ray crystallography structures of proteins are considerably more reliable than those from NMR spectroscopy, it has been difficult to assess the inherent accuracy of NMR structures, particularly the side chains. Results: For 15 small single-domain proteins, we used a molecular mechanics-/dynamics-based free-energy approach to investigate native, decoy, and fully extended alpha conformations. Decoys were all less energetically favorable than native conformations in nine of the ten X-ray structures and in none of the five NMR structures, but short 150 ps molecular dynamics simulations on the experimental structures caused them to have the lowest predicted free energy in all 15 proteins. In addition, a strong correlation exists (r 2 = 0.86) between the predicted free energy of unfolding, from native to fully extended conformations, and the number of residues. Conclusions: This work suggests that the approximate treatment of solvent used in solving NMR structures can lead NMR model conformations to be less reliable than crystal structures. This conclusion was reached because of the considerably higher calculated free energies and the extent of structural deviation during aqueous dynamics simulations of NMR models compared to those determined by X-ray crystallography. Also, the strong correlation found between protein length and predicted free energy of unfolding in this work suggests, for the first time, that a free-energy function can allow for identification of the native state based on calculations on an extended state and in the absence of an experimental structure.
Within the Professional Household: Slave Children in the Antebellum South

“You ought to have seen her face & eyes when I gave her the pretty white glass beads which I had bought for her,” wrote the northern-born Tryphena Blanche Holder Fox in 1860 of Adelaide, an eight-year-old enslaved house servant. It was difficult to tell who was more delighted, the donor or recipient. By contrast, Harriet Jacobs, speaking of her difficult relationship with her owners when she was fourteen years old, recalled, “I resolved never to be conquered.” Such comments illustrate that the nature of interactions between slaveowners and enslaved children varied widely in the antebellum South. Acknowledging differing experiences of enslaved children is essential to understanding both their personality development and socialization. As Willie Lee Rose pointed out in 1982, “few historians have stressed this aspect of slavery, or described it adequately.” Since that time, this void has been partially redressed by Steven Mintz’s African American Voices, which in the chapter “Childhood” recounts the experiences of three ex-slave men, and my own Stolen Childhood: Slave Youth in Nineteenth-Century America.2
Social facilitation of reduced oxygen consumption in Mus musculus and Meriones unguiculatus

Abstract 1. 1. The short-term resting rates of oxygen consumption of laboratory white mice (Mus musculus) and Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) were measured by closed system manometry. 2. 2. Metabolic rates of animals tested individually were compared to those of huddled trios and trios in which the animals were tested simultaneously but prevented from physical contact (separated trios) at temperatures ranging from 9–25° C. 3. 3. Rates of increase of weight-specific resting metabolism were greatest for animals tested individually. 4. 4. There was no significant difference in the rates of increase of oxygen consumption between huddled and separated trios in cither species.
Quantum efficiency of the photochemical cycle of bacteriorhodopsin

Values in the literature for the quantum efficiency of the photochemical cycle of bacteriorhodopsin (bR) range from 0.25 to 0.79 and the sum of the quantum yields of the forward and back photoreactions [Formula: see text] has been proposed to be 1. In the present work, low intensity laser flashes (532 nm) and kinetic spectroscopy were used to determine the quantum efficiency of bR photoconversion, [UNK] bR , by measuring transient bleaching of bR at 610 nm in the millisecond time scale. Bovine rhodopsin (R) in 2% ammonyx LO was used as a photon counter. We find that the ratio of the quantum yields of bacteriorhodopsin photoconversion and bleaching of rhodopsin, [UNK] bR /[UNK] R , is 0.96±0.04. Based on the quantum yield of the photobleaching of rhodopsin, 0.67, the quantum efficiency of bR photoconversion was determined to be 0.64±0.04. The quantum yield of M formation was found to be 0.65±0.06. From the transient bleaching of bR at 610 nm with a saturating laser flash (28 mJ/cm 2 ) the maximum amount of bR cycling was estimated to be 47±3%. From this value and the spectrum of K published in the literature, the ratio of the efficiencies of the forward and back light reactions, [UNK] 1 /[UNK] 2 , was estimated to be 0.67±0.06 and so [UNK] 2 ≈ 1 (0.94±0.06). The sum of [UNK] 1 + [UNK] 2 ≈ 1.6. It was found that repeated high-intensity laser flashes (>20 mJ/cm 2 ) irreversibly transformed bR into two stable photoproducts. One has its absorption maximum at 605 nm and the other has a well-resolved vibronic spectrum with maxima at 342, 359 (main peak), and 379 nm. The quantum yield of the formation of the photoproducts is ≈ 10 -4 .
Product Specific Technical Assistance for Exports--Has It Been Effective?

The international community is placing increasing emphasis on aid for trade to assist low income countries to integrate into the global economy and to address their domestic constraints to export driven growth. There is, however, scant information on the effectiveness of previous support for export development to inform the design of new initiatives. In this paper, we exploit information on product specific technical assistance for trade and estimate a simple partial equilibrium model to assess the impact on the key measurable outcome – exports of the product subject to assistance. We apply a difference in differences approach to isolate the impact of the policy interventions and draw four main conclusions: on average, export development (ED) programs have coincided with or predated stronger export performance; such programs appear to be more effective where there is already significant export activity; there is some concern about the additionality of the programs and that support may be being channeled t...
Hydrolysis Reactions at the Surface of Fluorozirconate Glass

The surface reaction products associated with the hydrolysis of ZBLA glasses have been characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The predominant surface reaction product in water and basic solutions is a zirconium (hydr)oxy-fluoride species. The compositional analyses indicate that the (hydr)oxyfluoride which forms in water has an average oxygen-to-fluorine ratio of ∼2/5. The Zr 3d binding energy of this (hydr)oxyfluoride species was interpreted on the basis of its Pauling charge; this verified the compositional analyses and suggested a seven-coordinate surface species of the form ZrO2F5 or Zr(OH)2F5. It is proposed that zirconium (hydr)oxyfluoride is created in all aqueous solutions because of attack of Zr–F bonds by molecular water. The extent of reaction in water influences the surface concentration of the oxyfluoride species, but not their composition. In very acidic solutions, the surface concentration of (hydr)oxyfluoride is minimal, whereas in highly basic solutions the (hydr)oxy-fluoride species exhibits an increased oxygen-to-fluorine ratio.
A case study examination of structure and function in a state health department chronic disease unit

Objectives. I explored the structural and operational practices of the chronic disease prevention and control unit of a state health department and proposed a conceptual model of structure, function, and effectiveness for future study.Methods. My exploratory case study examined 7 elements of organizational structure and practice. My interviews with staff and external stakeholders of a single chronic disease unit yielded quantitative and qualitative data that I coded by perspective, process, relationship, and activity. I analyzed these for patterns and emerging themes.Results. Chi-square analysis revealed significant correlations among collaboration with goal ambiguity, political support, and responsiveness, and evidence-based decisions with goal ambiguity and responsiveness.Conclusions. Although my study design did not permit conclusions about causality, my findings suggested that some elements of the model might facilitate effectiveness for chronic disease units and should be studied further. My findings...
Macromolecule transport across glomerular capillaries: application of pore theory.

Measurements of transport rates of various high-molecular-weight solutes across capillaries have contributed significantly to our understanding of the functional properties of both renal and extrarenal microcirculatory systems [1–7]. In addition to serum albumin and other plasma proteins, nonprotein polymers such as dextran and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) also have been used successfully as transport probes. Complementing these quantitative measurements of macromolecular transport are the more qualitative insights into permeation pathways gained from studies with macro-molecules as ultrastructural tracers [6, 8, 9]. As a result of these investigations, it has become apparent that several factors influence the transcapillary movement of macromolecules, including molecular size, molecular charge, and perhaps even "shape". In addition, transport rates are known also to be influenced by plasma flow rate and other hemodynamic variables. In an effort to better understand how these various factors combine to govern the transport of macromolecules, several theoretical descriptions of transcapillary exchange have been developed. Much of this work has been based on hydrodynamic models of solute transport through pores, first applied to capillaries by Pappenheimer [4] and Pappenheimer, Renkin, and Borrero [10]. This review will summarize the current status of the pore model, with emphasis on its application to the study of macromolecule transport across glomerular capillaries.
Universal seeds for cDNA-to-genome comparison.

To meet the needs of gene annotation for newly sequenced organisms, optimized spaced seeds can be implemented into cross-species sequence alignment programs to accurately align gene sequences to the genome of a related species. So far, seed performance has been tested for comparisons between closely related species, such as human and mouse, or on simulated data. As the number and variety of genomes increases, it becomes desirable to identify a small set of universal seeds that perform optimally or near-optimally on a large range of comparisons. Using statistical regression methods, we investigate the sensitivity of seeds, in particular good seeds, between four cDNA-to-genome comparisons at different evolutionary distances (human-dog, human-mouse, human-chicken and human-zebrafish), and identify classes of comparisons that show similar seed behavior and therefore can employ the same seed. In addition, we find that with high confidence good seeds for more distant comparisons perform well on closer comparisons, within 98–99% of the optimal seeds, and thus represent universal good seeds. We show for the first time that optimal and near-optimal seeds for distant species-to-species comparisons are more generally applicable to a wide range of comparisons. This finding will be instrumental in developing practical and user-friendly cDNA-to-genome alignment applications, to aid in the annotation of new model organisms.
alpha-Shape Based Classification with Applications to Optical Character Recognition

We present a new classification engine based on the concept of $\alpha$-shapes. Our technique is easy to implement and use, time-effective and generates good recognition results. We show how to efficiently use the concept of $\alpha$-shapes of low dimension to support data in arbitrary dimension, thus overcoming the lack of $\alpha$-shape algorithms in high dimensions. We further show how to inelegantly choose suitable $\alpha$'s to capture desirable shapes that tightly bound the data. We present experiments showing that our technique generates good results with Optical Character Recognition (OCR) tasks. Based also on strong theoretic properties, we believe that our technique can serve as a desirable classification engine for various domains in addition to OCR.
Commensurate-incommensurate transition and associated collective modes in the stripe state of cuprates near 1/8 hole-doping

We analyze the anomalous behavior in hole-doped cuprates near $\frac{1}{8}$ doping in terms of the commensurate-incommensurate transition of a stripe phase. Based on an effective Ginzburg-Landau theory appropriate for weak pinning, we calculate the commensurate-incommensurate transition point and the energies of the phason and amplitudon collective modes. Using experimentally available parameters, we estimate the phason gap (pinning frequency), the conductivity, and the contribution of the phason mode to the dielectric function.
Can computerized reminder systems have an impact on preventive services in practice

This report reviews computerized reminder systems for tracking health maintenance in clinical practice and discusses the features of a useful, cost-effective system. Systems presently available are predominantly designed for large groups. The primary product of these systems is a health maintenance status report for the provider that is generated at each patient visit. Systems for smaller groups that will generate reminders for providers and patients at specified appropriate intervals and will easily send reminders to patients who do not have appointments or are inactive are not available. Necessary features of such "ideal" computerized tracking systems include: 1) Demographic data must be obtainable from the practice's billing system and not require separate data entry. 2) Data entry must be quick, preferably single-screen. 3) Multiple-entry options must be available for each procedure. 4) The system must generate reminders regardless of whether a patient has an appointment. 5) Providers must be able to specify or cancel patient reminders. 6) A status report must be created for the chart at specified intervals. 7) The frequency and description of indicated procedures must be modifiable without programmer assistance.
Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase in the Prognosis of Patients with Uveal Malignant Melanoma

A study of 116 patients with histologically proven uveal malignant melanoma suggested that hepatic metastases were present at the same time that the ocular tumor was diagnosed in 15 patients (13%) by serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase assay. The average pretherapy gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase levels were statistically higher (P
Non-premixed acoustically perturbed swirling flame dynamics

An investigation into the response of non-premixed swirling flames to acoustic perturbations at various frequencies (f{sub p}=0-315 Hz) and swirl intensities (S=0.09 and 0.34) is carried out. Perturbations are generated using a loudspeaker at the base of an atmospheric co-flow burner with resulting velocity oscillation amplitudes vertical stroke u'/U{sub avg} vertical stroke in the 0.03-0.30 range. The dependence of flame dynamics on the relative richness of the flame is investigated by studying various constant fuel flow rate flame configurations. Flame heat release rate is quantitatively measured using a photomultiplier with a 430 nm bandpass filter for observing CH* chemiluminescence which is simultaneously imaged with a phase-locked CCD camera. The flame response is observed to exhibit a low-pass filter characteristic with minimal flame response beyond pulsing frequencies of 200 Hz. Flames at lower fuel flow rates are observed to remain attached to the central fuel pipe at all acoustic pulsing frequencies. PIV imaging of the associated isothermal fields show the amplification in flame aspect ratio is caused by the narrowing of the inner recirculation zone (IRZ). Good correlation is observed between the estimated flame surface area and the heat release rate signature at higher swirl intensity flame configurations. A flame responsemore » index analogous to the Rayleigh criterion in non-forced flames is used to assess the potential for a strong flame response at specific perturbation configurations and is found to be a good predictor of highly responsive modes. Phase conditioned analysis of the flame dynamics yield additional criteria in highly responsive modes to include the effective amplitude of velocity oscillations induced by the acoustic pulsing. In addition, highly responsive modes were characterized by velocity to heat release rate phase differences in the {+-}{pi}/2 range. A final observed characteristic in highly responsive flames is a Strouhal number between 1 and 3.5 based on the burner co-flow annulus diameter (St = f{sub p}U{sub avg}/d{sub m}). Finally, wavelet analyses of heat release rate perturbations indicate highly responsive modes are characterized by sustained low frequency oscillations which accompany the high amplitude velocity perturbations at these modes. Higher intensity low frequency heat release rate oscillations are observed for lean flame/low pulsing frequency conditions. (author)« less
Auto- and cross-correlation analysis of subthalamic nucleus neuronal activity in neostriatal- and globus pallidal-lesioned rats

Statistical analyses (autocorrelation and first-order interstimulus interval) were conducted on the spontaneous activity of over 420 subthalamic neurons recorded in 5 groups (control, large globus pallidus kainic acid lesion, partial globus pallidus kainic acid lesion, partial globus pallidus ibotenic acid lesion and neostriatal lesion) of anesthetized rats. Cross-correlation and peristimulus time histogram (to frontal motor cortex stimulation at 0.7 mA) analyses were conducted on pairs (n = 58) of subthalamic neurons recorded simultaneously on a single microelectrode. Lesion of the globus pallidus increased spontaneous firing rate as compared to controls and shifted the pattern of spontaneous activity from either a regular or irregular pattern to a markedly bursting pattern. Neostriatal lesion reduced firing rate and reduced the likelihood of highly regular firing. In control, neostriatal and partial lesioned animals, approximately 1 in 3 pairs of neurons showed correlated firing. The correlations were joint increased probabilities of firing over intervals of 200-400 ms, suggesting a shared excitatory input. No short-interval (less than 10 ms) correlations were seen. Large globus pallidus lesion increased the likelihood of correlated firing (12 of 16 pairs). In all groups of animals the peristimulus time histograms (PSTHs) to motor cortex stimulation were more similar than would be expected by chance and pairs of neurons showed the same increases in response following globus pallidus lesion. Thus adjacent neurons share common cortical inputs and responsiveness to those inputs. These changes indicate that the globus pallidus influences the spontaneous firing rate and pattern of subthalamic neurons as well as the degree of correlated firing of adjacent neurons.
Municipal conjunctive water use on the texas high plains

Abstract On the semiarid, water-short High Plains of West Texas, cities often make conjunctive use of water from widely dispersed sources, specifically groundwater from the dwindling Ogallala aquifer and the meager flow of streams rising in or crossing the area. Nineteen High Plains towns and cities, including Lubbock and Amarillo, receive most of their water supply from municipal water authorities which distribute surface water from Lake Meredith and the much smaller Mackenzie and White River reservoirs to a population of almost 500,000. Most of these communities continue to use preexisting groundwater reserves to improve quality or supplement their surface supply, and the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority has acquired extensive groundwater rights so that it can augment and improve the quality of water it dispenses from Lake Meredith. Although Texas water law has hindered rather than encouraged this conjunctive use, integrated water use, if not integrated water management, is widely practiced on the High Plains.
Feeding behavior of dairy cattle

Abstract Feed accessibility may be more important to cows than the actual amount of nutrients provided. Competition for feed, water, and space can be reduced by fenceline feeding of TMR, which allows all cows to eat at once. Holstein cows that were fenceline fed a TMR of corn silage and concentrates ate 26% longer following feeding than the same size group eating from bunks around which they traveled. Many dairies practice fenceline feeding during which cows’ heads are in the natural grazing position. Cows eating with their heads in the downward position produce 17% more saliva, which directly affects rumen function, than cows eating with heads held horizontally. When fed in shallow, elevated bunks, 10% of cows exhibited year-round rooting, sorting, feed tossing behavior, and feed wastage (0 to 5%). Groups fed at ground level or in headlocks showed little or no feed tossing behavior. This apparent livestock engineering problem is remedied easily by feeding cows in the natural head down position. Concrete mangers renovated with epoxy-type finishes, wood, or tile aid feed consumption. Social facilitation strongly influences eating bouts and feed consumption in cows reared in group housing compared with isolated cows. Palatability has a major influence on feed intake in ruminants, and the sense of taste is highly developed in cattle. Pasturing supposedly would reduce stocking density, environmental pollution (waste disposal, odor, nuisance), energy costs, and use of housing. Detailed observations, using intact and ruminally cannulated cows, suggest a behavioral need for the cow to rest and to ruminate on her left side.
X-ray structure and solid state 29Si NMR spectroscopy of the octahalocyclotetrasilanes, Si4Cl8 and Si4Br8

Abstract The crystallographic and solid state 29Si NMR characterisation of octachlorocyclotetrasilane, 1, and octabromocyclotetrasilane, 2, are described. In the solid state, 1 and 2 exists as centrosymmetric square planar molecules.
On the evaluation of radiographic techniques

I n 1968 new radiation-control legislation was enacted in the United States of America. There also was an increase in published material pertaining to radiation hazards and protection. As a result, dentists will once again be asked to look carefully at their radiographic techniques. In the analysis of any technique, it is desirable that all factors involved be considered and that criteria be developed by which all techniques can be evaluated. The present article represents an attempt to develop criteria, for the evaluation of oral radiographic techniques. While all the criteria involved in evaluating radiographic techniques may not yet be identified, the following factors can be established : (1) conservation of time, (2) conservation of effort, (3) minimal use of radiation, (4) degree of accuracy needed, (5) ability of the operator, (6) ability of the diagnostician, (‘7) condition of the patient, and (8) equipment.
Enhancing the value of a project in the database course

Data management is a crucial issue for the new millennium. A database course can reflect current issues and new technologies plus teach the basic concepts through the use of a multiple component project and reflection. This paper describes a methodology to expose students to the dynamics of a database environment and teach them to tract theoretical principles from their experiences.