cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Teachers Unions and Public Education: A Discussion of Terry Moe's Special Interest: Teachers Unions and America's Public Schools

Public education is one of the most important “public goods” of a democratic society. In recent decades, public policy analysts, public intellectuals, and politicians have debated the state of public education in the United States and have argued about the sorts of public policies that might best promote the academic achievement, educational success, and political socialization of youth. Terry Moe and John Chubb have been important contributors to these debates. Their 1990 book, Politics, Markets, and America's Schools , set the terms of much subsequent discussion about the importance of school autonomy and “educational choice.” Moe's Special Interest extends these arguments through a more frontal critique of the role of teachers unions. This book represents an important contribution to public discussion of school reform. It also incorporates a distinctive perspective on the relationship between power and public policy, and between the role of states and that of markets in the provision of public goods and services. In this symposium, we feature a range of serious commentaries on the book's central arguments about educational policy and politics and on its approach to “engaged” or “applied” political science.
Evidence for the role of natural immunity in the control of metastatic spread of head and neck cancer.

Deficient natural killer (NK) cell activity may contribute to the development of distant metastases in the head and neck cancer patient. A total of 246 previously untreated patients expressed deficient NK activity against K562 target cells when compared to 110 age-matched healthy controls (70±48 lytic units (LU) versus 95±52 LU) (P<0.001). Some 164 consecutive patients have undergone definitive therapy subsequent to NK cell assessment and have been followed for a minimum of 12 months (median=16 months), and 23 have developed recurrent disease in distant sites. The risk of subsequently (1) developing distant metastases, (2) developing regional metastases, and (3) dying of progressive cancer was inversely related to pretreatment NK LU values (P<0.02, <0.02, <0.005, respectively, by the Cox proportional hazards model). NK cell function within the peripheral blood of the patient with head and neck cancer could be related to the percentage of Leu 11+ NK cell subsets (P<0.01 by linear regression analysis) as determined by both single-parameter and multiparameter flow cytometric assessment. Contrastingly, no relationship could be identified between NK function with the percentage of circulating Leu 7+ cell subsets. In vitro measured NK cell function identifies a population at increased risk for developing distant metastases, thus supporting the role of natural immunity as defense mechanism against blood-borne disease.
Freedom to Break the Laws

334 Philosophers are unable to agree about free will. Some are determinists 1 who deny free will, some determinists who affirm free will. Some philosophers think that free will is incompatible with determinism and with indeterminism—and hence that free will is impossible—while others say that we are free and that our free actions are and must be undetermined; yet others say that we are free and that our free actions are and must be determined. Some philosophers believe that acts of free will involve a special kind of causation, agent causation (whereby a substance causes alterations in the world without itself undergoing any alteration), and others respond to appeals to agent causation with incredulous stares. Some say that free will is an unintelligible notion, and others say that, whether the thing free will exists or not, the concept “free will” is a paradigm of intelligibility. Some say that although free will is incompatible with determinism, this fact is of little consequence because moral responsibility (which is what is really at issue in debates about free will) is compatible with determinism; their opponents reply that it is evident that moral responsibility cannot exist without free will. I could go on, but I trust I have made my point: the problem of free will is a typical philosophical problem.
Development and Preliminary Impacts of the Implementation of an Authentic Research-Based Experiment in General Chemistry

Incorporating research-based lab activities into general chemistry at a large university can be challenging, considering the high enrollments and costs typically associated with the courses. Performing sweeping curricular overhauls of the general chemistry laboratory can be difficult, and in some cases discouraged, as many would rather maintain the status quo. This paper describes the development, implementation, and evaluation of a research-based lab that fits into a two-hour general chemistry laboratory period. The new lab involves testing an imprinted polymer for removal of heavy-metal ions in wastewater, and both highlights and adds to the current research of a faculty member. Also discussed are the evaluation results of the first three years of implementation in the honors general chemistry lab section. A lab questionnaire was developed to measure effects on students on seven aspects, including learning gains, attitudes toward chemistry, and level of research interest. Evaluation results suggest posi...
Determination of phenolic composition and antioxidant capacity of blood orange juices obtained from cvs. Moro and Sanguinello (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) grown in Turkey

Abstract The phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacities of orange juices obtained from cvs. Moro and Sanguinello (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) were determined. A high-performance liquid chromatographic method coupled with diode-array detection was used to identify and quantify phenolic compounds of the orange juices. A total of 18 phenolic compounds were identified and quantified in Moro and Sanguinello orange juices, including hydroxybenzoic acids (2), hydroxycinnamic acids (5), flavanones (5), and anthocyanins (6). It was observed that total phenolic content of Moro juice was higher than that of Sanguinello juice. Ferulic acid was the most dominant hydroxycinnamic acid and cyanidin 3-(6″-malonyl glucoside) and cyanidin 3-glucoside were the most dominant anthocyanins in both cultivars. Antioxidant activities of orange juices were measured using the DPPH· (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) method. According to DPPH· assays, the antioxidant capacity of Moro juice was found to be higher than that of Sanguinello juice.
On the stages of chlorination operational in laser etch patterning of copper films

Abstract For time intervals applicable in pulse laser etching, the penetration depth dh of CuCl into copper films obeys the relation dh = AP m t n , where P is the vapor pressure of chlorine. It has been found that 0.5≤ m ≤1 and 0.27≤ n ≤1 over the chlorine pressure and temperature range studied, with m and n increasing with temperature. Also, n was found to be sensitive to film deposition conditions and chlorine pressure. Possible rate-limiting mechanisms consistent with these results are described.
Synthesis of a Phosphoserine Mimetic Prodrug with Potent 14-3-3 Protein Inhibitory Activity

Summary Many protein-protein interactions in cells are mediated by functional domains that recognize and bind to motifs containing phosphorylated serine and threonine residues. To create small molecules that inhibit such interactions, we developed methodology for the synthesis of a prodrug that generates a phosphoserine peptidomimetic in cells. For this study, we synthesized a small molecule inhibitor of 14-3-3 proteins that incorporates a nonhydrolyzable difluoromethylenephosphoserine prodrug moiety. The prodrug is cytotoxic at low micromolar concentrations when applied to cancer cells and induces caspase activation resulting in apoptosis. The prodrug reverses the 14-3-3-mediated inhibition of FOXO3a resulting from its phosphorylation by Akt1 in a concentration-dependent manner that correlates well with its ability to inhibit cell growth. This methodology can be applied to target a variety of proteins containing phosphoserine and other phosphoamino acid binding domains.
Improving retrieval of short texts through document expansion

Collections containing a large number of short documents are becoming increasingly common. As these collections grow in number and size, providing effective retrieval of brief texts presents a significant research problem. We propose a novel approach to improving information retrieval (IR) for short texts based on aggressive document expansion. Starting from the hypothesis that short documents tend to be about a single topic, we submit documents as pseudo-queries and analyze the results to learn about the documents themselves. Document expansion helps in this context because short documents yield little in the way of term frequency information. However, as we show, the proposed technique helps us model not only lexical properties, but also temporal properties of documents. We present experimental results using a corpus of microblog (Twitter) data and a corpus of metadata records from a federated digital library. With respect to established baselines, results of these experiments show that applying our proposed document expansion method yields significant improvements in effectiveness. Specifically, our method improves the lexical representation of documents and the ability to let time influence retrieval.
Ray-optical analysis of cylindrical unstable resonators

A study of unstable cylindrical strip resonators is carried out here by utilization solely of the fundamental constructs of ray optics. The analysis combines individual as well as collective treatment of reflected and diffracted rays via the geometrical theory of diffraction and the ray theory of guided modes, respectively. It is found that various propagation parameters and relations so derived resemble closely those appearing in the postulative approach of Horwitz for the asymptotic solution of the resonator integral equation. Subject to stated approximations, the ray-optical results can be reduced completely to those of Horwitz and thereby furnish for the Horwitz solutions a previously lacking deductive and systematic interpretation. Because of the general applicability of ray methods to nonideal mirror shapes and media with local inhomogeneities, it is suggestive that the analysis presented here can be extended to more complicated resonator configurations.
Allocating extremely-low-frequency magnetic-field exposure between sources

Where a person is exposed to extremely-low frequency magnetic fields from a number of sources, the question of how to allocate their total exposure between the sources may arise. This is not trivial, because the total magnetic field is the square root of the sum of the squares of the resultants of the phasor addition of the three spatial components of field, i.e. is not simply the linear addition of the field from each source in isolation. Each source produces an alternating field in three dimensions of space with a certain phase. In other words, the resulting field is described by a vector. An expression attributes the field between sources in a way that treats all sources equivalently. It can be applied in carrying out detailed exposure assessments of a person subject to fields from a number of appliances and background sources.
Integral measurements in a simulated fast breeder reactor blanket

Abstract Much of the breeding of fissile material and a significant fraction of the energy production in proposed fast breeder reactors will occur in a blanket of fertile material surrounding the reactor core. Current uncertainties in neutron cross sections and calculational methods have much greater significance for blanket design than for core design. The Purdue University Fast Breeder Blanket Facility (FBBF), designed to simulate the neutron behavior in fast breeder reactor blankets, has recently been completed. The facility is now being used to perform integral neutron reaction rate measurements. Such measurements provide tests of nuclear cross sections and calculational methods used in the design of fast breeder reactor blankets.
Note on the Theory of Resistance of a Cubic Semiconductor in a Magnetic Field

The theory of the behavior of a classical electron gas in combined electric and magnetic fields, developed by Gans and extended by Sommerfeld and Davis, is applied to a system possessing cubic symmetry. The problem is limited to that case in which terms involving the magnetic field to higher than the second power are neglected.
Analysis of genetic variation affecting the relative activities of fast and slow ADH dimers in Drosophila melanogaster heterozygotes

When AdhF/AdhS heterozygote homogenates are stained after electrophoresis, considerable variation is observed in the activity ratio of the FF dimer to the SS dimer. Two AdhS strains showed a sharp, consistent difference when crossed to a common AdhF strain. Optical scanning and genetic analysis confirmed that this difference originates close to the Adh locus. Since the morphs varied concordantly in their activities on numerous alcohols, and since aging and heat-treatment experiments failed to reveal a stability difference, it is proposed that the difference is regulatory in nature, affecting ADH synthesis and primarily cis-acting. A survey of wild flies revealed additional variation in the FF/SS activity ratio. Further genetic analysis showed that the basis of this variation is not restricted to the second chromosome. Furthermore, modification of the activity ratio implies some degree of allelespecificity on the part of the modifiers.
On the growth of populations with narrow spread in reproductive age: III. Periodic variations in the environment

The theory discussed in the first two papers, I and II, of this series is here generalized so that it is applicable to a population which obeys, at each instant t, the following two assumptions: (i) the rate- Dx(a, t) at which the population loses individuals of age a through death and dispersal is given by a function γt of a and the number x(a, t) of individuals which have age a, i.e.-Dx(a, t)=γt(x(a, t), a) and (ii) the number x(0, t) of newly born individuals is given by a function Ft of the number x(af, t) of individuals at a specified age af of fecundity, i.e. x(0, t)=Ft(x(af, t)). The ‘autonomous case’ in which the functions γt and Ft are independent of the subscript t corresponds to the theory developed in I and II. The present article contains a treatment of the case in which the population is in a ‘periodic environment’ in the sense that the mapping t ↦ (γt, Ft) is periodic with a period which is an integral multiple N of af. Under the assumption that for each pair (t, a) the function γt(·, a) is convex and the function Ft(·) is strictly increasing and concave, it is shown that when the environment is periodic, a given population can be expected to belong to one of three classes, regardless of initial conditions: (A) the class of ‘endangered populations’ for which the abundance function x eventually decays to zero, (B) the class of ‘asymptotically periodic populations’ for which as time increases x approaches a non-zero function x* which is periodic in time with period Naf, and (C) the class of populations which exhibit unbounded growth. The properties of the loss functions γt and fecundity functions Ft which determine the class to which a population belongs are found and discussed, and formulae are given for the stable periodic abundance function x* of a population in class B. In a discussion of the domain of application of the theory, it is pointed out that when reproduction is seasonal and is followed by mortality, the assumption that an individual interacts only with others of the same age is a reasonable one.
Processing of a minimal antigenic peptide alters its interaction with MHC molecules.

Before their recognition by T lymphocytes, protein antigens gen-erally require processing by antigen-presenting cells1. In a poorly understood series of events, the protein antigen is internalized, transformed and re-expressed on the surface of the antigen-pres-enting cell in association with gene products of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Small peptides derived from the native protein can be recognized in the absence of antigen processing2–5, suggesting that processing involves proteolytic degradation. These peptides are thought to mimic the naturally produced peptide fragment. We describe here a synthetic peptide antigen of this type which does not require processing but which is nevertheless further processed by splenic antigen-presenting cells. Interestingly, this processing event specifically alters the interaction of the peptide with the class II MHC (la) molecule, markedly affecting both its potency as an antigen in vitro and its immunogenicity in vivo (IR gene control).
Dynamic Modeling of Hybrid Rocket Combustion

The combustion dynamics in hybrid rockets is studied to provide a basic input into transient motor processes. The model treats the time-dependent heat e ow into the ablating fuel surface. A variable surface temperature is considered with an effective activation energy to describe the surface-temperature variation during the transient. Two time scales are observed for throttling: a short lag near the surface related to the activation energy, and the larger well-known thermal lag as a result of conductivity. The model is also applied to an oscillating surface heate ux input. Weobserved an amplie cation oftheregression-rateoscillations for low frequencies.Although thiseffect is not the cause of instability, it can aggravate existing oscillations at these low frequencies. We next formulated a quasisteady combustion model, which is then coupled with thethermal lag system with boundary-layer delaysthat account for the adjustment of the boundary layer to the changes in the freestream conditions and blowing from the surface. A linearized treatment of this coupled system evidences some low-frequency instabilities. The scaling of the oscillation frequencies and the erratic character of the experimentally observed instabilities are successfully explained.
MO-G-18C-05: Real-Time Prediction in Free-Breathing Perfusion MRI

Purpose: The aim is to minimize frame-wise difference errors caused by respiratory motion and eliminate the need for breath-holds in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences with long acquisitions and repeat times (TRs). The technique is being applied to perfusion MRI using arterial spin labeling (ASL). Methods: Respiratory motion prediction (RMP) using navigator echoes was implemented in ASL. A least-square method was used to extract the respiratory motion information from the 1D navigator. A generalized artificial neutral network (ANN) with three layers was developed to simultaneously predict 10 time points forward in time and correct for respiratory motion during MRI acquisition. During the training phase, the parameters of the ANN were optimized to minimize the aggregated prediction error based on acquired navigator data. During realtime prediction, the trained ANN was applied to the most recent estimated displacement trajectory to determine in real-time the amount of spatial Results: The respiratory motion information extracted from the least-square method can accurately represent the navigator profiles, with a normalized chi-square value of 0.037±0.015 across the training phase. During the 60-second training phase, the ANN successfully learned the respiratory motion pattern from the navigator training data. During real-time prediction, the ANN received displacement estimates and predicted the motion in the continuum of a 1.0 s prediction window. The ANN prediction was able to provide corrections for different respiratory states (i.e., inhalation/exhalation) during real-time scanning with a mean absolute error of < 1.8 mm. Conclusion: A new technique enabling free-breathing acquisition during MRI is being developed. A generalized ANN development has demonstrated its efficacy in predicting a continuum of motion profile for volumetric imaging based on navigator inputs. Future work will enhance the robustness of ANN and verify its effectiveness with human subjects. Research supported by National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute Grant R01 CA159471-01
Low frequency double electron muon resonance (Demur) in fused quartz

Double electron muon resonance was studied with comparable amplitudes of the static and rf magnetic fields. The experiments were carried out in fused quartz and employed a resonant linearly-polarized rf field and a small static field. For small amplitudes of the rf field a three-line frequency spectrum was obtained consisting of a central line at the rf frequency and two weaker lines of equal amplitude symmetrically positioned about the central line. A symmetrical three line spectrum is predicted for muonium using the rotating wave approximation (RWA). For large rf fields the amplitudes of the three lines were not symmetric and depended on whether positrons were observed parallel or perpendicular to the beam. For very large rf fields the total amplitude of all the lines was less than for lower rf fields. These results do not agree with the theory using the RWA and no satisfactory theory currently exists.
LMX, Breach Perceptions, Work-Family Conflict, and Well-Being: A Mediational Model

ABSTRACTDespite research advances, work-family scholars still lack an understanding of how leadership constructs relate to an employee's ability to effectively manage the work–family interface. In addition, there remains a need to examine the process through which leadership and work-family conflict influence well-being outcomes. Using a sample of 312 workers, a mediated process model grounded in social exchange theory is tested wherein the authors seek to explain how leaders shape employee perceptions, which, in turn, impact organizational fulfillment of expectations (i.e., psychological contract breach), work-family conflict, and well-being. A fully latent structural equation model was used to test study hypotheses, all of which were supported. Building on existing theory, findings suggest that the supervisor plays a critical role as a frontline representative for the organization and that work-family conflict is reduced and well-being enhanced through a process of social exchange between the supervisor...
Synthesis of phenetidine-based telechelics and subsequent reactions with water-based curing reagents

The development of soluble telechelics based on aniline are highly desirable due to numerous applications that are possible, especially in the coatings and adhesive industry. Control of molecular length and ease of synthesis lends o-ethoxyaniline to be an ideal candidate for the synthesis of amino-terminated telechelic oligomers. Combined with the higher solubility and reactivity, curing of these functionally reactive oligomers has been accomplished using aqueous formaldehyde, as well as water-dispersed epoxy resins. Spectroscopic studies have been done to characterize the prepolymers, as well as the cured materials. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 67:1811–1817, 1998
Steep beach morphology changes due to energetic wave forcing

Abstract The three-dimensional variability of the sub-aerial beach is examined for Waimea Bay, Hawaii, a steep-slope pocket beach subject to energetic winter swell events. The beach is mapped using 32 Real-Time Kinematic Global Positioning System (RTK-GPS) surveys collected from March 1996 to July 1997. The survey method provides 4 m horizontal spacing and 2–3 cm vertical accuracy. The primary morphology change is the episodic removal and re-establishment of a foreshore dune during the winter swell season. The average sand volume flux between surveys reaches −8 and 4 m 2 /day during peak erosion and accretion periods. The sand volume of the sub-aerial beach is found to be highly correlated (0.96) with the position of the shoreline. Longshore variations in morphology include beach cusps with typical peak to trough amplitudes of 0.5–1.5 m and longshore wavelengths of 30–70 m. The relationships between the energetic swell forcing and the volume and flux of sand on the sub-aerial beach are examined. The highest correlation (−0.88) is found between the total sand volume and the wave energy flux after the latter is filtered following Wright et al. [Wright, L.D., Short, A.D., Green, M.O., 1985. Short-term changes in the morphodynamic states of beaches and surf zones: an empirical predictive model. Mar. Geol. 62, 339–364]. The filter is effective at capturing slow accretion phases following energetic erosion events.
Variability in coefficient of restitution in human facial skin

Background If particles rebound on human facial skin, they can be re-entrained into the airflow and subsequently inhaled, increasing aspiration efficiency estimates. A realistic estimate of facial skin coefficient of restitution (CoR) is necessary to accurately model particle bounce. This study investigated the effects of sampling location, temperature, humidity levels, age, gender, and BMI on facial skin CoR. Methods A torsional ballistometer was used to measure facial CoR for 30 participants divided into three age groups (18–30, 31–40, and 41–65 years), at three temperatures and three humidity levels. The study was repeated twice: once in the late winter and once in the early summer to capture the seasonal variability. Results The CoR significantly varied across five facial locations, with values ranging from 0.55 to 0.75. Gender, sampling season and the interaction between sampling location and age were found to be significant, but changes in values were relatively small (0.05 at most) and are not considered practically significant. Conclusion CoR was non-uniform across the face. The use of uniform CoR value as modeling input parameters or for mannequin facial surfaces in experimental wind tunnel studies may not be accurate due to the high variability in CoR between facial sampling locations.
Gender characteristics among academic ophthalmology leadership, faculty, and residents: Results from a cross-sectional survey

Purpose: To determine if there is any association in ophthalmology between the gender of the chairperson and residency program director and the gender of faculty and residents.Methods: An anonymous electronic survey was sent to 121 ophthalmology residency program directors. Demographic information pertaining to size, location, academic or community affiliation, and gender distribution of the faculty, residents, residency program directors and chairs was obtained.Results: The response rate was 45.45% with 55 residency program directors responding to the survey. Academic programs comprised 53 (96%) of the programs studied. Male department chairs led all 53 (96%) programs. In terms of the residency program director gender, 37 (67%) were male, whereas 18 (34%) were female. Female faculty and residents comprised 313 (28%) and 270 (45%), respectively. Compared to departments with male chairs, departments with a female chair had a higher crude proportion of female faculty (35% vs. 28%; P = 0.300) and female resi...
The effect of a semisynthetic diet on the profile of urinary conjugates in male adults

Abstract The effect of a semisynthetic diet on urinary conjugate levels was determined in 18 male adults (22 to 40 years). Subjects consumed a self-selected diet for 3 days and a semisynthetic diet for 7 days. Glucuronides and mercapturates were quantified spectrophotometrically using naphthoresorcinol and Ellman's reagents, respectively. Atomic absorption was used to measure barium chloride-precipitated sulfate for sulfoconjugates. Conjugated amino acids were determined by high performance liquid chromatography of phenylisothiocyanate derivatives. A multivariate analysis of variance was used to compare the means of the dietary periods, and a repeated measures analysis with Helmert transformation was used to determine response to dietary change. Mercapturates and amino acid conjugates were most sensitive to dietary change, with quantities excreted decreasing by about 50% during the semisynthetic diet period (0.29 versus 0.16 mmol/24 hr; 5.99 versus 3.06 mmol/24 hr, respectively). Glucuronides were the least responsive to dietary change, with no significant difference between the means of the two diet periods (self-selected diet, 2.98; semisynthetic, 3.05 mmol/24 hr). Sulfoconjugate levels exceeded those of the other conjugates measured. Sulfoconjugates were initially decreased on the semisynthetic diet (5.28 versus 3.98 mmol/24 hr), but by day 4, sulfo-conjugate excretion began to increase. In summary, the quantity of conjugates excreted were found to be sensitive to dietary changes, with some pathways more responsive than others.
Engaging Faculty in the Assessment and Improvement of Students' Critical Thinking Using the Critical Thinking Assessment Test

Many assessment experts believe it is essential to develop faculty-driven assessment tools in order to engage faculty in meaningful assessment that can improve student learning. Tennessee Technolog...
Stationary Solutions for a boundary controlled Burgers' equation

This paper is concerned with the stationary solutions of a one-parameter family of boundary control problems for a forced viscous Burgers' equation. We assume that the forcing term possesses a special symmetry that greatly aids in our analysis. The parameter characterizing the family enters as a scalar gain in a proportional error boundary feedback control scheme. We show that as the gain varies from zero to infinity, the stationary solutions undergo an interesting bifurcation. Namely, when the gain is zero, there are infinitely many stationary solutions, the one-dimensional subspace of all constants. When the gain is positive, the constants are no longer solutions. For small positive values of the gain, there are three distinct nonconstant stationary solutions, and for sufficiently large values of the gain there is a single, asymptotically stable equilibrium.
A stress-induced anxious state in male rats: corticotropin-releasing hormone induces persistent changes in associative learning and startle reactivity.

Background Exposure to intense inescapable stressors induces a persistent anxious state in rats. The anxious state is evident as increased sensory reactivity and enhanced associative learning. Methods We examine whether similar neurobehavioral changes are observed after intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH). Two behaviors were observed: acoustic startle responses (ASRs) and acquisition of the classically conditioned eyeblink response. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were administered ICV CRH either in a single dose (1.0 μg/rat) or in three doses each separated by 30 min. Results Exaggerated ASRs were evident 2 hours after either CRH treatment; however, only the rats given three injections exhibited a persistently exaggerated ASR apparent 24 hours after CRH treatment. Rats administered three injections of CRH also exhibited faster acquisition of the eyeblink conditioned response beginning 24 hours after treatment. Yet, we did not find evidence for a persistent activation of the HPA-axis response; three CRH injections did not lead to elevated basal plasma corticosterone levels the following morning. Conclusions Repeated treatment with CRH over a 1.5-hour period models some of the behavioral changes observed after exposure to intense inescapable stressors.
Prize-based contingency management for the treatment of substance abusers: a meta-analysis.

Aim To review randomized controlled trials to assess efficacy of a prize-based contingency management procedure in reducing substance use (where a drug-free breath or urine sample provides a chance of winning a prize). Methods A meta-analysis was conducted on papers published from January 2000 to February 2013 to determine the effect size of studies comparing prize-based contingency management to a treatment-as-usual control condition (k = 19 studies). Parallel analyses evaluated the efficacy of both short- (k = nine studies) and long-term outcomes (k = six studies) of prize-based contingency management. Results The average end-of-treatment effect size (Cohen's d) was 0.46 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.37, 0.54]. This effect size decreased at the short-term (≤3-month) post-intervention follow-up to 0.33 (95% CI = 0.12, 0.54) and at the 6-month follow-up time-point there was no detectable effect [d = −0.09 (95% CI = −0.28, 0.10)]. Conclusion Adding prize-based contingency management to behavioral support for substance use disorders can increase short-term abstinence, but the effect does not appear to persist to 6 months.
The Evolution of the 10-11 June 1985 PRE-STORM Squall Line: Initiation, Development of Rear Inflow, and Dissipation

Abstract Mesoscale analysis of surface observations and mesoscale modeling results show that the 10–11 June squall line, contrary to prior studies, did not form entirely ahead of a cold front. The primary environmental features leading to the initiation and organization of the squall line were a low-level trough in the lee of the Rocky Mountains and a midlevel short-wave trough. Three additional mechanisms were active: a southeastward-moving cold front formed the northern part of the line, convection along the edge of cold air from prior convection over Oklahoma and Kansas formed the central part of the line, and convection forced by convective outflow near the lee trough axis formed the southern portion of the line. Mesoscale model results show that the large-scale environment significantly influenced the mesoscale circulations associated with the squall line. The qualitative distribution of along-line velocities within the squall line is attributed to the larger-scale circulations associated with the le...
Trend/Cycle Decomposition of Regime-Switching Processes

Abstract We present a new approach to trend/cycle decomposition of time series that follow regime-switching processes. The proposed approach, which we label the “regime-dependent steady-state” (RDSS) decomposition, is motivated as the appropriate generalization of the Beveridge and Nelson decomposition [Beveridge, S., Nelson, C.R., 1981. A new approach to decomposition of economic time series into permanent and transitory components with particular attention to measurement of the business cycle. Journal of Monetary Economics 7, 151–174] to the setting where the reduced-form dynamics of a given series can be captured by a regime-switching forecasting model. For processes in which the underlying trend component follows a random walk with possibly regime-switching drift, the RDSS decomposition is optimal in a minimum mean-squared-error sense and is more broadly applicable than directly employing an Unobserved Components model.
Domain Structure of a Unique Bacterial Red Light Photoreceptor as Revealed by Atomic Force Microscopy

Bacteriophytochromes (BphPs) are red-light photoreceptors found in photosynthetic and nonphotosynthetic bacteria that have been recently engineered as infrared fluorescent tissue markers. Light-induced, global structural changes are proposed to originate within their covalently bound biliverdin chromophore and propagate through the protein. Classical BphPs undergo reversible photoconversion between spectrally distinct light absorbing states, red (Pr) and far-red (Pfr), respectively. RpBph3 (P3), from Rhodopseudomonas palustris, photoconverts between a Pr and a unique near-red (Pnr) light-absorbing state. Due to size and photosensitivity of BphPs, structures of the intact proteins have not been resolved by nuclear magnetic resonance and/or X-ray crystallography. Therefore, structural details about the light and dark-adapted structures of the intact BphPs are not well understood at the molecular level. We have utilized fluid cell atomic force microscopy (AFM) to investigate the domain structure of intact P3 in its light-adapted state (Pnr). By varying the concentration of the protein, deposition time, and the ionic strength of the buffer, the aggregation of P3 on a mica surface can be controlled and single dimers may be observed in a biologically relevant media. Domain resolution has been achieved for several orientations of the dimer on the surface. The structural dimensions of the dimer have been compared to a modeled BphP in its intact form generated using PyMOL software. AFM experiments are currently underway to analyze the dark-adapted state (Pr) of P3 in order to observe the anticipated structural changes. Ultimately, the goal is to use AFM and other surface analytical methods such as scanning tunneling microscopy and electron microscopy to gain new insight into the unique photochemistry of P3.
Fast solution of mixed-potential time-domain integral equations for half-space environments

A fast Fourier transform-accelerated integral-equation based algorithm to efficiently analyze transient scattering from planar perfect electrically conducting objects residing above or inside a potentially lossy dielectric half-space is presented. The algorithm requires O(N/sub t/N/sub s/(logN/sub s/+log/sup 2/N/sub t/)) CPU and O(N/sub t/N/sub s/) memory resources when analyzing electromagnetic wave interactions with uniformly meshed planar structures. Here, N/sub t/ and N/sub s/ are the numbers of simulation time steps and spatial unknowns, respectively. The proposed scheme is therefore far more efficient than classical time-marching solvers, the CPU and memory requirements of which scale as O(N/sub t//sup 2/N/sub s//sup 2/) and O(N/sub t/N/sub s//sup 2/). In the proposed scheme, all pertinent time-domain half-space Green functions are (pre) computed from their frequency-domain counterparts via inverse discrete Fourier transformation. In this process, in-band aliasing is avoided through the application of a smooth and interpolatory window. Numerical results demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed algorithm.
125I-Fibrinogen Uptake and Bilateral Impedance Rheography: Diagnosis of Postoperative Venous Thrombosis

The detection of venous thrombosis by 125 I-fibrinogen uptake and impedance rheography was compared in 80 randomly selected postoperative patients. The 125 I-fibrinogen test was positive in ten (12.5%). Phlebography in nine of these patients showed thromboses in seven and possible thromboses in two. The impedance test was positive in three patients who also had abnormal results from the 125 I-fibrinogen test. Phlebograms showed clots above the popliteal vein in these three. The 125 I-fibrinogen method is better for studying the pathogenesis and prevention of thrombosis in a group of patients. The impedance method is better for studying patients with existing thombosis.
CONTROL OF THE COORDINATION MODE OF NO2 − BY THE NATURE OF THE AMINE LIGAND. CRYSTAL STRUCTURE OF THE NEUTRAL ZIGZAG POLYMERIC COMPOUND [mer-Ni(N-(2-Aminoethyl)-1,3-Propanediamine)-(NO2)2] (I)

Abstract A polymeric zigzag complex, [mer-Ni(N-(2-aminoethyl)-l,3-propanediamine)(NO2)2] (I), containing a bridging u-nitro(N,0), was obtained and its crystal structure was determined. Magnetic studies show the compound is antiferromagnetic. These results contrast to those for [Ni(3,3′-diamino-N-methyldipropylamine)(NO2)2] (II), which is a monomer.
Nanotribological evaluations of hydrogenated carbon films as thin as 5 nm on magnetic rigid disks

Nanotribological characterization techniques including nano-wear tests and nano-friction tests are used to evaluate mechanical and tribological properties of 5, 10 and 25 nm thick hydrogenated carbon films deposited as protective coatings on super smooth magnetic disks. Effects of film thickness and substrate materials are investigated. It is found that the film with a higher thickness has a larger critical cycle for film break-through. The 5 nm thick film has the smallest wear depth before the critical cycle, the largest critical load for wear, and the largest friction coefficient in the low friction regime. No significant differences are observed between the 10 nm and 25 nm thick films with respect to these three parameters. The film on the magnetic layer is removed with fewer wear cycles than on the silicon substrate. But the effect of substrate is not significant on the wear depth before the critical cycle, the critical load for wear initiation, and the friction coefficient in the low friction regime.
LI-MN-O AEROGELS

The materials described here were obtained by drying liquid gels at low‐surface tension conditions, a process which produces high surface area disordered materials in which the microporous structure can be controlled with simple manipulations of the parent gel. The technique of synthesis is simple, inexpensive, and in general may be applied to other intercalation compounds synthesized via sol‐gel routes. The aerogels offer a direct way to study the interconnected solid network assembled by sol‐gel processes, which would collapse if processed by normal dehydration. Since the interconnected solid network is preserved in the aerogel, the properties such as high specific surface area and high specific energy observed in the aerogel represent inherent properties of the network formed in the liquid gel stage. ©1999 The Electrochemical Society
Representing and generating uncertainty effectively

Stochastic simulations involve at least some random inputs. This introductory tutorial is meant to call attention to the need to model and generate such inputs in ways that may not be the standard or defaults in simulation-modeling software. There are both dangers involved with doing things inappropriately, as well as opportunities to do things better, making for more accurate and more precise results from simulations. Specific issues include possible dependence across and within random inputs, use of empirical distributions, and non-default use of the underlying random-number generator. Suggestions for novel ways of implementing some of these ideas in simulation-modeling software are offered.
Preparation and Properties of Oxynitride Glasses Made from Potassium Metaphosphate

Potassium phosphate oxynitride (KPON) glasses were made by heating crystalline KPO3 at 702° to 775°C in dry ammonia. The softening temperature, thermal expansion coefficient, refractive index, and dissolution rate in water were measured as a function of nitrogen content and compared with the properties of oxynitride glasses made from LiPO3 and NaPO3.
Diffusion Least-Mean Squares Over Adaptive Networks

Distributed adaptive algorithms are proposed to address the problem of estimation in distributed networks. We extend recent work by relying on static and adaptive diffusion strategies. The resulting adaptive networks are robust to node and link failures and present a substantial improvement over the non-cooperative case asserting that cooperation improves estimation performance. The distributed algorithms are peer-to-peer implementations suitable for networks with general topologies.
Advances in Psychological Science, Vol. 2: Biological and Cognitive Aspects. Edited by Michel Sabourin, Fergus Craik, and Michèle Robert. East Sussex, UK: Psychology Press, 1998. 633 pages.

William James famously described the infant's perceptual world as a “blooming, buzzing confusion,” and a century later, the same words might apply to the field of psychology. With historical roots in both physiology and philosophy, psychology has proliferated into a multitude of subdisciplines served by specialized journals and conferences. In the face of such diversity, a few conferences and publications hold fast to the goal of presenting psychological research across the broad spectrum of subdisciplines. This edited volume, together with its companion volume (Vol. 1: Social, Personal, and Cultural Aspects), represents the proceedings of the XXVIth International Congress of Psychology, convened in Montreal in 1996, with the goal of providing “the latest research developments in psychology from around the world.” The volume contains quality reviews by an international roster of authors, and demonstrates at once both the sophisticated “blooming and buzzing” of many individual research programs in cognitive and biological psychology, and a largely untapped potential for the development of unifying themes and principles across the discipline.
Estimating Volume of Cervicovaginal Secretions in Cervicovaginal Lavage Fluid Collected for Measurement of Genital HIV-1 RNA Levels in Women

ABSTRACT To assess the volume of genital fluid collected for measuring the HIV-1 RNA level in cervicovaginal fluid, phosphate-buffered saline containing 10 mM LiCl was used. Thirty-eight women provided 275 cervicovaginal specimens. The estimated median volume of cervicovaginal fluid was 0.51 ml (interquartile range, 0.33, 0.69).
Chinese Religious Reform : The Christian Patriotic Education Campaign

Abstract The Chinese Christian Patriotic Education campaign demonstrates that the party-state has adapted itself to the religious politics among various public and private institutional actors, pivotally coordinated by the relatively liberal State Administration for Religious Affairs. Consequentially, religious freedom in China has made slow but significant progress in the past decade.
Cognitive Impairment in Heart Failure: Issues of Measurement and Etiology

• BACKGROUND Clinicians need easy methods of screening for cognitive impairment in patients with heart failure. If correlates of cognitive impairment could be identified, more patients with early cognitive impairment could be treated before the problem interfered with adherence to treatment. • OBJECTIVES To describe cognitive impairment in patients with heart failure, to explore the usefulness of 4 measures of cognitive impairment, and to assess correlates of cognitive impairment. • METHODS A descriptive, correlational design was used. Four screening measures of cognition were assessed in 42 patients with heart failure: Commands subtest and Complex Ideational Material subtest of the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination, Mini-Mental State Examination, and Draw-a-Clock Test. Cognitive impairment was defined as performance less than the standardized (T-score) cutoff point on at least 1 of the 4 measures. Possible correlates of cognitive impairment included age, education, hypotension, fluid overload (serum osmolality <269 mOsm/kg), and dehydration (serum osmolality ≥ 295 mOsm/kg). • RESULTS Cognitive impairment was detected in 12 (28.6%) of 42 participants. The 4 screening tests varied in effectiveness, but the Draw-a-Clock Test indicated impairment in 50% of the 12 impaired patients. A summed standardized score for the 4 measures was not significantly associated with age, education, hypotension, fluid overload, or dehydration in this sample. • CONCLUSIONS Cognitive impairment is relatively common in patients with heart failure. The Draw-aClock Test was most useful in detecting cognitive impairment, although it cannot be used to detect problems with verbal learning or delayed recall and should not be used as the sole screening method for patients with heart failure. Correlates of cognitive impairment require further study. (American Journal of Critical Care. 2002;11:520-528)
Spectrum of neutral helium in strong magnetic fields

We present extensive and accurate calculations for the excited-state spectrum of spin-polarized neutral helium in a range of magnetic field strengths up to 10{sup 12} G. Of considerable interest to models of magnetic white dwarf stellar atmospheres, we also present results for the dipole strengths of the low-lying transitions among these states. Our methods rely on a systematically saturated basis set approach to solving the Hartree-Fock self-consistent field equations, combined with an {open_quotes}exact{close_quotes} stochastic method to estimate the residual basis set truncation error and electron correlation effects. We also discuss the applicability of the adiabatic approximation to strongly magnetized multielectron atoms. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}