cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dying to Know: A Historical Analysis of the Right-to-Know Movement:

The history of the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard is presented, with the implications for the role of government in regulation of job health and safety. The gaining of the Right-to-Know about chemical exposure was a significant achievement for labor, although it took fifteen years to gain a national standard. Labor and community group coalitions, divisions between chemical producers and chemical users, economic forces, third-party law-suits, and the difficulties in NIOSH/OSHA obtaining chemical identities were all important factors in gaining a standard. Chemical producers shifted from an ideology of “everything is safe” to “everything is dangerous,” and finally had to mount a campaign to get the Reagan administration to issue a national standard as a way to pre-empt state and local laws. The case illustrates the relatively greater power of industry, but that workers were able to gain increased control over their work through organizing.
The English School and ASEAN

Abstract This paper argues that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) can be credibly and usefully described and explained using an analysis based in the English School (ES) of International Relations (IR). Recent efforts to use constructivist theory to explain ASEAN have focused on changes in Southeast Asian regional identity to explain the durability of ASEAN. However, while ASEAN is the basis of a regional identity, this identity is too weak to explain intra-ASEAN cooperation. Indeed, East Asia remains a region committed to the primacy of state sovereignty, territoriality and nationalism. The ES offers an explanation of ASEAN's durability that focuses on the organization's symbolic importance as a representation of Southeast Asia's commitment to national sovereignty and the norms of the Westphalian system. The ES approach offers insights into the operation of the international system that distinguish it from Wendtian constructivism, and which are more in accordance with the realities of re...
A set of identities for a theta function at unit argument

An infinite set of identities relating derivatives of a theta function at unit argument is obtained explicitly. Our result holds for arbitrary order and shows that the odd order sequence is independent. This sequence of results has application in the theory of the Riemann zeta function.
Corporate Farm Performance in Russia, 1991–1995: An Efficiency Analysis☆

Abstract In this paper, we consider how Russian corporate farm efficiency has changed in the period from 1991 to 1995 and why, using oblast level data. Both time series and cross-section efficiency results point to the overwhelming importance of initial conditions in predicting farm efficiency performance. Efficiency scores can be explained by several economic and institutional factors, including farm size, softness of the budget constraint, deterioration in farm terms of trade and oblast-level specialization of production. The overall results of the study are more consistent with a corporate farm sector that follows a policy of oblast self-sufficiency than with one engaged in actual restructuring. J. Comp. Econom., September 1999, 27(3), pp. 514–533. Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011-1070 and Economic Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 1800 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036-5795.
Effect of allatectomy on lipid biosynthesis and turnover in the female American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (L.)

Abstract The control of the corpora allata over lipid biosynthesis and turnover was studied in the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (L.), by using 1- 14 C-acetate as a precursor. The labelled acetate was injected into allatectomized and control roaches and the time-curve of the appearance of label in lipid fractions was determined. It was found that the greatest effect was in the triglyceride fraction, which was more than twice as much per roach in the operated insects, whereas no obvious effect was noted on the hydrocarbon fraction. Allatectomy noticeably slowed the turnover of both triglyceride and phospholipids.
Nutrient-contaminant (Pu) plant accumulation model

Abstract A plant model was developed to simulate total contaminant accumulation and resulting concentration in each plant compartment anytime during the growing season. Nutrient-contamination accumulation was calculated from the specified thermodynamic activity of the bioavailable contaminant species in the soil assuming accumulation was proportional to the daily increase in plant biomass. A logistic growth equation is used to simulate biomass increase. Linear differential equations with time invariant coefficients are used to simulate movement from soil through plant. The model parameters were estimated from data obtained in laboratory studies of plutonium uptake by soybeans. Model sensitivity to variation in parameters was examined with Monte Carlo simulation techniques. The model provides a straight-forward, usable method to look beyond simple concentration ratio calculations in evaluating consequences of soil contamination.
Generalized isotropic-nematic phase transitions: Critical behavior of 3D PN models☆

Abstract Using analytic and Monte Carlo techniques, we determine the critical behavior of a class of 3D lattice models for generalized isotropic-nematic phase transitions based on the spaces P N = S N /Z 2 . We find that for all N ⩾ 2, these models have first order phase transitions with discontinuities in the order parameter and internal energy which are monotonically increasing functions of N . For comparison, an exact solution of the theory in 1D is given.
Physicians' Adoption of Pharmaceutical E-Detailing: Application of Rogers' Innovation-Diffusion Model

Electronic detailing (e-detailing) means using digital technology by pharmaceutical companies as a means of relaying information about pharmaceutical products to physicians. This study addresses the factors that could affect the decision of physicians to adopt e-detailing technology. Based on the theoretical foundations of technology adoption models, Rogers' work on diffusion of innovations could be useful to study physicians' adoption of e-detailing. The authors propose a revised model to help explain physicians' adoption of e-detailing.
Student and faculty observations and perceptions of professionalism in online domain scenarios.

Objectives. To relate common online scenarios to tenets of professionalism, assess frequency of observed scenarios in 4 online domains, and compare second-year (P2) pharmacy students, fourth-year (P4) pharmacy students’, and faculty members’ perceptions of professionalism.Methods. A 63-item survey instrument consisting of scenarios of behavior in online domains was developed. Using a Likert scale, participants reported whether they had observed each scenario and whether each scenario was professional.Results. Of the 296 participants who completed the survey instrument, 53% were P2 students, 49% were P4 students, and 68% were faculty members. Most of the observed scenario responses were for social networking sites. There were statistical differences among the 3 cohorts’ perception over whether a scenario demonstrated professional behavior in 6 of the 10 most frequently observed scenarios, and 4 out of 6 of these scenarios were in the social networking domain.Conclusion. Second-year pharmacy students and fa...
Estimation, Rather Than Direct Measurement, of Resting Oxygen Consumption Yields Inaccurate Hemodynamic Measurements during Right Heart Catheterization

Oxygen consumption (VO2) is typically estimated rather than measured during right heart catheterization (RHC). Recent development of small portable metabolic carts has made direct measurement of resting VO2 possible. We hypothesized that estimation of VO2 might lead to significant errors in hemodynamic calculations. In this study, we compared measured and estimated VO2 and analyzed the impact on cardiac output (CO) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) in patients undergoing RHC. Resting VO2 was measured in 10 transplant and 3 heart failure patients using the Innocor device at the time of right heart catheterization (VO2 ). Breath-by-breath data were averaged over 2 minutes after a 50 second equilibration period. VO2 was also estimated from the LaFarge equation (VO2 ). CO was calculated by the Fick equation using both VO2 IN (CO) and VO2 LF (CO). CO was also measured by the thermodilution method (CO). PVR was calculated utilizing CO, CO, and CO. Measured VO2 IN and calculated VO2 LF did not correlate (r5 0.42; p5 0.18). In most patients, VO2 LF significantly underestimated VO2 IN by 840% (235 6 43 vs 280 6 67 ml/min; p ! 0.05). CO was significantly higher than both CO and CO (p ! 0.05 for both). Importantly, PVR calculated using CO was significantly lower than PVR calculated using both CO and CO (p ! 0.05 for both). Portable technology allows a convenient and accurate measurement of VO2 during RHC. Estimation of VO2 yields inaccurate CO and PVR, which could adversely affect clinical decision making in patients with advanced heart failure being evaluated for heart transplantation.
Memory for faces: A social learning analysis

Abstract Recognition memory for unfamiliar faces was related to locus of control and anxiety. On the basis of Rotter's social learning theory, it was predicted that memory for faces would be associated with more internal locus of control in an unstructured memory task but not when encoding was controlled. In Experiment 1, where no specific instructions about encoding were presented, the predicted relationship was found for males. In addition, better recognition was associated with low anxiety for females. In Experiment 2, where encoding was controlled by having subjects judge the faces, no significant correlations between the personality measures and memory were found. The results are interpreted as supporting predictions made on the basis of social learning theory.
Intrahepatic distribution of nerves in the rat

The intrahepatic distribution of nerves in the rat was studied using neurohistochemical and electron microscopic methods. Innervation was restricted primarily to vessels in the portal space and hilus. Both adrenergic and cholinergic fibers were observed in the adventitia of hepatic arteries, and to a lesser extent adjacent to portal veins. Some of the cholinergic fibers, however, were not contiguous with the vasculature. Near the hilus many of these fibers were associated with ganglia while peripherally some coursed into the immediately adjacent parenchyma where end bulbs abutted on hepatocytes. Ultrastructurally, scattered small nerves, devoid of neurolemma, were found contiguous with the portal lamina of hepatocytes. Nerve fibers deeper within the lobule were not seen but numerous gap junctions were observed between contiguous hepatocytes. Central and sublobular hepatic veins lacked innervation but adrenergic nerves were demonstrated in the walls of larger hepatic veins. Innervation of the biliary system was sparse. While nerves were interposed between vessels and bile ducts, such nerves tended to be associated more closely with the vasculature.
Whither high-throughput screening?

Abstract ‘…today’s HTS will become the fulcrum that fully leverages genomics in drug discovery’
Observations following Corynebacterium parvum administration to patients with advanced malignancy. A phase I study

There has been increasing interest regarding the use of Corynebacterium parvum (CP) with other modalities in the management of primary cancer. Due to the paucity of specific information available relative to CP toxicity, a Phase I study was carried out in patients with advanced disease. The purpose of the investigation was not to evaluate the effect of CP on tumor growth. from 273 injections of CP in 40 patients it was observed that following intravenous (i.v.) infusion of CP: a) a febrile response and chills of considerable severity occured in almost all patients and did not appreciably diminish in intensity following repetitive administrations; b) nausea, vomiting, headache, and confusion were not infrequent; c) a "flu-like" syndrome lasting 24 to 48 hours occurred following almost all courses of CP; d) blood pressure elevations occurred on occasion and were related to the severity of other-side-effects; hyper- or hypo- tension was not a problem; e) ther were no anaphalactic reactions. Pretreatment with a single administration of 100 mg of hydrocortisone prior to CP infusion markedly and in some instances dramatically diminished the toxicity and made acceptable the use of i.v. CP on an outpatient basis. The use of i.v. CP in patients with cerebral metasteses may be hazardous. Subcutaneously administered CP resulted in a significant number of undesirable local reactions. Evaluation of delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity response, immunoglobulins, complement, and E- and EAC-rosette-forming cells during CP administration failed to demonstrate significant change from injection values. Results were similar whether hydrocortisone pretreatment was or was not employed. From the standpoint of toxicity it now seems appropriate to use i.v. CP, particularly following pretreatment with hydrocortisone, in a controlled clinical trial to evaluate its therapeutic effectiveness in the management of primary cancer.
Chronic naltrexone infusion: Effects on innervation of rat neurointermediate lobe

The rat pituitary neurointermediate lobe contains nerve fibers which are sensitive to the neurotoxic effects of 6-hydroxydopamine and to acute injections of the opiate antagonist, naltrexone. In the present study, naltrexone hydrochloride was administered to adult male Sprague-Dawley rats in a chronic infusion over a period of one week, using Alza osmotic pumps to determine whether a low (10(-5)M) dose could, over a longer period, also induce toxic effects on pituitary innervation. Electron microscopy of pituitary intermediate lobe fibers revealed swollen neurovesicles and membranous structures in nerve terminals, and significantly fewer normal-appearing nerve terminals, after drug infusion. Light microscopic immunostaining of paraffin sections of pituitary glands illustrated some diminution of serotonin (5-HT)-immunofluorescence in the intermediate lobe after naltrexone treatment. Immunostaining of sections from the same animals for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) revealed intensified fiber staining in the intermediate lobe, with some regions of terminals having a swollen appearance. High pressure liquid chromatographic-electrochemical detection (HPLC-EC) analysis of neurotransmitters in selected brain areas and pituitary indicated a significant increase in norepinephrine levels in the hypothalamus. The observations suggest that intermediate lobe innervation is sensitive to low, continuously infused doses of naltrexone, which acts as a neurotoxin to produce degenerative changes in nerve terminals. The changes appear to be reflected in alterations in staining patterns of neurotransmitters, and may also affect transmitter uptake in damaged terminals.
Population structure in two species of the reef goby Gnatholepis (Teleostei: Perciformes) among four South Pacific island groups

Individuals of two species in the reef goby genus Gnatholepis ( G. anjerensis and G. scapulostigma) were sampled from across the South Pacific, including the Society Islands, the Tuamotu Archipelago, the Cook Islands, and Fiji. The two species examined differ in habitat preference, with one (G. anjerensis) preferring shallow, lagoon habitats, and the other (G. scapulostigma) usually occupying habitats outside the lagoons. Partial sequence of the mitochondrial ND2 gene (451–483 base pairs) was determined for 267 individuals and analyzed for demographic structure, population structuring, and correlation of population structure with geographic distance between populations. Both species exhibit demography characteristic of population expansion in the Pleistocene, approximately 88,000 years ago for G. anjerensis and 237,000 years ago for G. scapulostigma. Comparisons of Φ st indicate more structuring among populations of G. anjerensis than G. scapulostigma, although only G. scapulostigma shows a significant correlation between geographic distance and population divergence. It is postulated that the population expansions in Gnatholepis species are related to Pleistocene fluctuations in sea level, and that the ecology of G. anjerensis populations may contribute to their greater population structuring.
Tough, void-free, flame retardant phenolic matrix materials

Abstract Polymer matrix composites may be effective alternatives to steel and concrete in many civil structures due to their anticipated superior environmental stability. However, one major obstacle limiting the use of organic materials in construction is their high combustibility. Phenolic resins are high volume materials widely utilized for many purposes, including structural adhesives, composites, coatings, etc. They are also well known to provide fire resistance in many applications. Normally, their curing process involves reagents which produce volatile by-products such as water, formaldehyde, or ammonia. This feature has severely limited processability and their utilization in void-free structural applications. This paper is focused on a catalyzed epoxy-phenolic reaction utilizing commercially available phenolic resins and liquid epoxies to promote a predominately (50–90% w/w) phenolic network which produces little or no volatiles. Both ductility and flame resistance are enhanced in compositions containing these high phenolic concentrations. The materials appear to have significant potential for adhesives and structural composites, wherein the absence of voids could permit significant new products to be prepared for infrastructure and other applications. Relationships between the chemical and network structures of these materials and their properties are described.
Effect of Low and High pH Treatment on the Functional Properties of Cod Muscle Proteins

The functional properties of cod myosin and washed cod mince (myofibrillar protein fraction) treated at high (11) and low (2.5) pH were investigated after pH readjustment to 7.5. The solubility of refolded myosin was essentially the same as the native myosin. The pH-treated myofibrillar proteins had increased solubility over the whole ionic strength range studied. Acid and alkali treatment gave myosin and myofibrillar proteins improved emulsification properties, which were correlated with an increase in surface hydrophobicity and surface/interfacial activity. Enhanced gel strength was observed with acid- and alkali-treated myosin compared to native myosin, while the same treatment did not significantly improve the gel strength of acid- and alkali-treated myofibrillar proteins. The acid- and alkali-treated protein samples unfolded and gelled at a lower temperature than did the native proteins, suggesting a less conformationally stable structure of the refolded proteins. Functional studies show that acid and alkali treatment, which leads to partial unfolding of myosin may improve functional properties of cod myosin and myofibrillar proteins, with the greatest improvement being from the alkali treatment. The results also show that improvements in functionality were directly linked to the extent of partial unfolding of myosin on acid and alkali unfolding and refolding.
The intensity of acidosis differentially alters the pathways of ammoniagenesis in LLC-PK1 cells.

The intensity of acidosis differentially alters the pathways of ammoniagenesis in LLC-PK 1 cells. Utilizing [5- 15 N] and [2- 15 N]-labeled glutamine and gas chromatography mass spectrometry methodology, we examined the pathways of ammoniagenesis under basal and acute acidotic conditions of pH 7.0 and pH 6.8, respectively. LLC-PK 1 cultures were incubated for one hour with gentle rocking in a bicarbonate buffer of pH 7.4, pH 7.0, or pH 6.8 supplemented either with [5- 15 N] or [2- 15 N] glutamine at 37°C in a 5% CO 2 /95% air incubator atmosphere. Incubation of cultures with [5- 15 N] glutamine at pH 7.4 resulted in a substantial amount of 15 N ammonia formation which was not significantly altered by incubations at pH 7.0. By contrast, exposure to pH 6.8 significantly increased 15 N ammonia formation in comparison with its production at pH 7.0 or 7.4. However, 15 N ammonia production from [2- 15 N] glutamine was significantly stimulated at pH 7.0 and was further increased at pH 6.8. Incubation of the cells with [2- 15 N] glutamine resulted in a substantially lower amounts of 15 N ammonia formation than produced with [5- 15 N] glutamine. Alanine formation from [2- 15 N] glutamine increased significantly at pH 7.0; but in contrast to 15 N ammonia formation, pH 6.8 had no additional stimulatory effect on 15 N alanine formation. Cells incubated with [2- 15 N] glutamine resulted in a significant decrement in 15 N glutamate production at both pH 7.0 and 6.8 when compared with pH 7.4. 15 N aspartate formation was unaltered by the changes in media pH. These studies indicate that while increased 15 N ammonia formation at pH 7.0 comes entirely from GLDH flux, the pH 6.8-induced increase in ammonia formation is derived from enhanced flux through both the mitochondrial GLDH and PDG pathways. Thus the severity of an acute acidotic stimulus plays a major role in the regulation of the pathways of ammoniagenesis.
Some effects of background noise on modulation detection interference.

Abstract Modulation thresholds were obtained for a 2000-Hz signal carrier modulated at a rate of 10 Hz. Thresholds were obtained without a masker carrier and in the presence of a masker carrier that was either unmodulated or modulated at a rate of 10 Hz and a depth of 100% (mm=1.0). Of primary interest was whether the amount of interference caused by the masker was influenced by the frequency proximity of the masker to the signal, and whether background noise had an influence on that proximity effect. In general, for masker carriers higher in frequency than the 2000-Hz signal carrier, there was a tendency for the interference to decline as the masker was moved farther away from the signal; for masker carriers lower than 2000 Hz, there was little or no proximity effect. Broadband noise eliminated the proximity effect obtained with an unmodulated masker, but not that obtained with a modulated masker. Results with a narrowband noise suggest that the broadband noise has its effect by masking the high-frequency side of the signal's excitation pattern. These results, as well as the results of an excitation pattern analysis, suggest that the proximity effect with an unmodulated masker may be mediated via a peripheral, within-channel interaction, whereas that with a modulated masker may be mediated via a central, across-channel interaction.
PYOGENIC LIVER ABSCESSES: SUCCESSFUL NON-SURGICAL THERAPY

Eleven consecutive patients with pyogenic liver abscesses were seen in a 20-month study period. Ten patients were treated with antibiotics alone. All ten had abscesses demonstrated by hepatic scintigraphy or sonography. In six patients purulent material was obtained by percutaneous aspiration of the liver. Blood-cultures were positive in each of the nine patients in whom they were obtained. Nine of the ten patients treated with antibiotics alone were cured; one died from complications of a liver biopsy. These results indicate that pyogenic liver abscesses can be effectively managed by medical therapy and that surgery is rarely required.
The role of spin-unsaturated closed shells in nuclear spin-orbit splitting

Abstract A simple explanation, based on the underlying two-body dynamics of the constituent nucleons, is provided for the role of spin-unsaturated closed shells in nuclear spin-orbit splitting. The analysis is made possible by a new approach to the derivation of the associated interaction energy. Our approach leads to an expression for the splitting that is far simpler than that arising from the conventional “Talmi-Moshinsky” approach.
Altered early left ventricular diastolic wall velocities in pulmonary hypertension: a tissue Doppler study.

Background: Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is known to occur in severe chronic pulmonary hypertension (PH); however, the mechanism(s) remains unclear. Methods: Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) was used to track early (E) diastolic signals of basal and mid portions of the interventricular septum (IS) and LV free wall (LVFw) in 20 patients (60 ± 8 years) with documented LVDD without PH and in 30 patients (60 ± 11 years) with known chronic PH. All subjects were in normal sinus rhythm and had normal LV ejection fraction. Results: PH patients had lower early (E) wave velocities in basal IS (–4.2 ± 1.9 vs. –5.9 ± 1.2 cm/sec; P < 0.001), distal IS (–2.6 ± 2.6 vs. –4.2 ± 1.1 cm/sec; P < 0.01), and basal LVFw (–5.2 ± 1.7 vs. –6.5 ± 1.2 cm/sec; P < 0.01) than patients with LVDD and no PH. Finally, worsening PH distorts the entire IS diastolic tracing resulting in asynchronous diastolic signals. Conclusions: The presence of PH not only decreases IS early (E) wave diastolic velocity generation but also distorts the entire pattern of IS diastolic relaxation when compared to patients with typical LVDD and no PH. Further studies are now needed to assess the full effect of PH on LV diastole and how this influences clinical outcomes. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 26, November 2009)
New bounds on a hypercube coloring problem

In studying the scalability of optical networks, one problem which arises involves coloring the vertices of the n-cube with as few colors as possible such that any two vertices whose Hamming distance is at most k are colored differently. Determining the exact value of χ??(n), the minimum number of colors needed, appears to be a difficult problem. In this note, we improve the known lower and upper bounds of χ??(n) and indicate the connection of this coloring problem to linear codes.
Nuclear accumulation of polyglutamine disease proteins and neuropathology

There are nine inherited neurodegenerative disorders caused by polyglutamine (polyQ) expansion in various disease proteins. Although these polyglutamine proteins have different functions and are localized in different subcellular regions, all the polyQ diseases share a common pathological feature: the nuclear accumulation of polyQ disease proteins and the formation of inclusions. The nuclear accumulation of polyQ proteins in turn leads to gene transcriptional dysregulation and neuropathology. Here we will discuss potential mechanisms behind the nuclear accumulation of mutant polyQ proteins, since an understanding of how polyQ proteins accumulate in the nucleus could help elucidate the pathogenesis of these diseases and develop their treatment.
The Separation of Tungstate and Molybdate by Ion Chromatography and its Application to Natural Waters

Abstract Ion chromatographic separation of tungstate and molybdate is achieved using a 3 × 250 mm standard anion separator column, a 0.006 M sodium carbonate eluent, a standard anion suppressor column, and a flow rate of 90 ml/hr. Elution of peaks for the species tungstate and molybdate occurs at 9 and 12 minutes, respectively, and peak heights are distinguishable from the base line at concentrations of 0.1 mg/L, using a full scale deflection of 10 μmho and a dual-pen recorder. Tungstate and molybdate must be concentrated from 1 L of water by collecting them on a chelating resin after the pH of the water is adjusted to between 1 and 2. Tungstate and molybdate are eluted with concentrated ammonium hydroxide. The amnonia is evaporated, leaving a water solution containing tungstate and molybdate. About 90% of the tungsten and molybdenum is recovered, with a relative standard deviation of about 15% at the 5 μg/L level. Natural concentrations of tungsten or molybdenum as small as 1 μg/L are measured by this te...
Surface Patterns on Selected Mississippian Conodonts

Four distinct surface patterns occur among Mississippian and some other Late Paleozoic conodonts; smooth surfaces, raised reticulate networks, parallel columns, and lamellar scarps. The bar surfaces of bar forms and platform surfaces of specimens of Gnathodus and Pseudopolygnathus appear smooth at magnifications of as much as 1300X. In contrast, specimens of other platform genera, such as Polygnathus, Siphonodella, and Palmatolepis, bear raised reticulate network on the oral surface. Reticulation appears to be an organic property of the conodont rather than an artifact of preservation, and closely resembles patterns resulting from ameloblastic secretion of mammalian dental enamel. Denticle sides are characterized by a pattern resembling the surface of irregularly bundled fibers. Similar patterns have been observed on fish teeth, but not on scolecodonts. The aboral surface possesses an attachment scar composed of concentrically arranged scarps and slopes. Each scarp is the edge of an individual conodont lamella and appears to be the point of juncture between the lamellae of the basal material and those of the conodont. The distinction between conodont lamellae and those of the basal material appears to be one of composition, crystal size, and durability within an otherwise continuous mass. This observation fails to support Gross9 (1960) concept of a cycle of secretion of conodont lamellae, their partial resorption, and the subsequent independent secretion of basal-material lamellae.
Simulations Inside and Outside the IR Classroom: A Comparative Analysis

While global politics simulations have great potential to produce deeper learning of international affairs and IR theories and to promote the further development of technical skills, there are a variety of simulations to choose from, each with its own advantages and disadvantages for student learning. This paper engages in a comparative analysis of five distinct simulation types to examine the ways in which structural differences grant instructors more or less control over the learning environment. The five simulation types are the following: credit- and noncredit-bearing Model United Nations activities, hybrid Model UN activities, extended-in class simulations of real global actors and problems, and extended in-class simulations of fabricated global systems. The paper then considers the distinct opportunities for content, experiential, and theoretical learning within each simulation type.
Oxygen isotope changes during mica alteration

Oxygen isotope analyses (δO18) of micas that were artificially depleted in K+ indicate little or no isotope exchange during the transformation. The oxidation of iron in K-depleted, iron-rich micas by H2O2 treatment resulted in 1.6 to 4.6% decrease in SO18 due to the fact that the equilibrium fractionation factor is less than the initial difference between the starting δO18 of the fluid and micas. The oxygen isotope ratio of a saponite formed by the weathering of phlogopite showed a 9.7% increase in δO18 due to authigenic recrystallization. These results suggest that oxygen isotope ratios can be used to determine the nature of chemical transformation during the weathering of mica to vermiculite and/or smectite.
Solid-State and Dynamic Solution Behavior of a Cationic, Two-Coordinate Gold(I) π-Allene Complex

The cationic gold π-allene complex {[P(t-Bu)2o-biphenyl]Au[η2-H2C═C═C(CH3)2]}+SbF6− was isolated in 98% yield from reaction of 3-methyl-1,2-butadiene with a mixture of [P(t-Bu)2o-biphenyl]AuCl and AgSbF6 and was characterized by X-ray crystallography and variable-temperature NMR spectroscopy. These studies revealed preferential binding of gold to the less substituted C═C bond of the allene in both the solid state and solution and also revealed fluxional behavior consistent with π-face exchange of the allene ligand via an η1-C2 allene intermediate or transition state.
Evaluation of wind capacity credit using discrete convolution considering the mechanical failure of wind turbines

In view of the increasing role of wind power generation, there is an evolving body of reliability methods that are concerned with improved modeling of wind generation and related phenomena. An important consideration in the planning of wind generation projects is the capacity value of the farm at the proposed location. The modeling considerations in this process should take into account not only the variable nature of wind and the mechanical failure of turbines, but also the correlation between the individual turbines on the farm. This paper introduces an analytical method to calculate the capacity credit of wind farms including the mechanical failure of wind turbines. The proposed method is based on the discrete convolution technique and takes into account the stochastic nature of wind power as well as the forced outage rates (FOR) of wind turbines. The discrete convolution method has been used in this work to build a generation model in the form of a capacity outage probability table (COPT). A comparison of wind power capacity credit with and without considering the mechanical failures of wind turbines is shown to demonstrate the impact of turbine failure. Also, the capacity credit is calculated based on two reliability indices which are Loss of Load Expectation, LOLE, and Loss of Energy Expectation, LOEE. The proposed method is applied on the IEEE RTS-79 and the hourly wind speed data were taken from Abee Agdm Alberta, Canada. The results show the importance of inclusion of FOR of wind turbines on estimating wind power capacity credit. The results are validated using Monte Carlo simulation.
Noncommutative Symmetric Hall-Littlewood Polynomials

Noncommutative symmetric functions have many properties analogous to those of classical (commutative) symmetric functions. For instance, ribbon Schur functions (analogs of the classical Schur basis) expand positively in noncommutative monomial basis. More of the classical properties extend to noncommutative setting as I will demonstrate introducing a new family of noncommutative symmetric functions, depending on one parameter. It seems to be an appropriate noncommutative analog of the Hall-Littlewood polynomials.
Living carbocationic copolymerizations. I. Synthesis and characterization of isobutylene/p-methylstyrene copolymers

The isobutylene (IB)–p-methylstyrene (pMeSt) monomer pair readily produces by living copolymerization nearly random copolymers with up to Mn ≈ 50,000 g mol−1 and Mw/Mn ≈ 1·4. The livingness of the copolymerization process and the compositional homogeneity of the copolymers have been demonstrated by the following four diagnostic plots: (A) Mn (number-average molecular weight) and corresponding N (number of moles of copolymer formed) vs Wp (weight of copolymer formed) for the diagnosis of chaintransfer; (B) −ln (1 – C) (C = conversion of monomers) vs time for the diagnosis of termination; (C) copolymer composition vs molecular weight; and (D) cumulative copolymer composition vs conversion for the diagnosis of true homogeneous copolymers. The theory for the use of the −ln(1 – C) vs time plot for the quantitation of irreversible termination in copolymerization has been developed. The exact conditions (i.e. nature of reagents, reagent concentrations, temperature, etc.) which lead to desirable products in terms of conversion, molecular weight, molecular weight distribution (MWD) and copolymer composition, were developed systematically by analyzing the results of a large number of experiments. The following combination of chemicals was found to lead to living copolymerization, and uniform high molecular weight, narrow MWD copolymers: IB–pMeSt 97 : 3 mol/mol with 5-tert-butyl-1,3-dicumyl methyl ether (5-tBu-1,3-DiCumOMe) initiator, TiCl4 coinitiator, ethyl chloride (EtCl) solvent, triethylamine (TEA) electron pair donor (ED) and 2,6-di-tert-butylpyridine (DtBP) proton trap at −52, −65 and −85°C.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; Socioemotional Adjustment and Life Quality

CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE LUNG DISEASE 309 tive functions (reasoning, perceptual-motor integration) are most severely affected, although memory appears to be relatively spared. About half the patients had definite motor difilculties, while verbal skills tended to be preserved. We do not have adequate data to speculate on which physiologic changes attendant to COPD are contributing to CNS disturbance. The negative correlation with arterial oxygenation is impressive considering the narrow range of arterial oxygen levels imposed by the patient selection criteria of PAO, 59 mg Hg. Although treatment effects have not yet been considered in the present study, the relationships between hypoxemia and neuropsychologic functioning in our patients are consistent with earlier reports that oxygen treatment may improve mental abilities’ and EEGs’ in selected COPD patients. As the NOTT patients receive repeat evaluation at the completion of six months of oxygen treatment, we should be in a better position to determine whether cerebral function improves or if there is evidence of persisting organicity despite systematic correction of hypoxemia. Of more immediate significance to the physician, our results underscore that for many patients, hypoxic COPD is associated with disease of the brain as well as of the lungs and heart.
How may the basal ganglia contribute to auditory categorization and speech perception

Listeners must accomplish two complementary perceptual feats in extracting a message from speech. They must discriminate linguistically-relevant acoustic variability and generalize across irrelevant variability. Said another way, they must categorize speech. Since the mapping of acoustic variability is language-specific, these categories must be learned from experience. Thus, understanding how, in general, the auditory system acquires and represents categories can inform us about the toolbox of mechanisms available to speech perception. This perspective invites consideration of findings from cognitive neuroscience literatures outside of the speech domain as a means of constraining models of speech perception. Although neurobiological models of speech perception have mainly focused on cerebral cortex, research outside the speech domain is consistent with the possibility of significant subcortical contributions in category learning. Here, we review the functional role of one such structure, the basal ganglia. We examine research from animal electrophysiology, human neuroimaging, and behavior to consider characteristics of basal ganglia processing that may be advantageous for speech category learning. We also present emerging evidence for a direct role for basal ganglia in learning auditory categories in a complex, naturalistic task intended to model the incidental manner in which speech categories are acquired. To conclude, we highlight new research questions that arise in incorporating the broader neuroscience research literature in modeling speech perception, and suggest how understanding contributions of the basal ganglia can inform attempts to optimize training protocols for learning non-native speech categories in adulthood.
Reattachment of Flexor Digitorum Profundus Avulsion: Biomechanical Performance of 3 Techniques

Purpose To investigate whether inclusion of the volar plate in repair of flexor digitorum profundus avulsions increases the strength of the repair and resists gapping. Methods Cadaveric fingers (n = 18) were divided into 3 equal groups. The first technique involved 2 micro-suture anchors only (A). The second used only volar plate repair (VP). The third group was a hybrid, combining a micro-suture anchor with volar plate augmentation (AVP). Specimens were loaded cyclically to simulate passive motion rehabilitation before being loaded to failure. Clinical failure was defined as 3 mm of gapping, and physical failure as the highest load associated with hardware failure, suture breakage, anchor pullout, or volar plate avulsion. Results Gapping throughout cycling was significantly greater for the A group than VP and AVP with no difference detected between VP and AVP groups. Gapping exceeded 3 mm during cycling of 3 A specimens, but in none of the VP or AVP specimens. Load at clinical and physical failure for A was significantly lower than for VP and AVP, whereas no difference was detected between VP and AVP. Conclusions In this cadaveric model, incorporating the volar plate conferred a significant advantage in strength, increasing the mean load to physical failure by approximately 100 N. Clinical relevance According to previous biomechanical studies, current reconstructive strategies for flexor digitorum profundus zone I avulsions are not strong enough to withstand active motion rehabilitation. We demonstrated the potential use of volar plate augmentation and the prospective advantageous increase in strength in this cadaveric model. In vivo performance and effects on digital motion are not known.
Linear and nonlinear conjugate gradient methods for adaptive processing

Both fully adaptive and partially adaptive processing algorithms can be implemented using linear and nonlinear conjugate gradient (CG) methods. This approach can be computationally attractive when a family of continuous time-varying adaptive problems must be solved. An iterative approach that starts with the previous solution can converge quickly to the new solution. This paper considers linear and nonlinear CG methods for adaptive processing. The example used is space-time adaptive processing (STAP) and clutter interference subspace tracking within the context of an airborne radar with a rotating array. It is seen that the linear CG method for adaptive filtering in this context can be several times less costly than sample matrix inversion if the interference subspace has sufficient eigenvalue structure, and that a nonlinear CG algorithm is capable of tracking the principal clutter interference subspace.
Beyond MAP Estimation With the Track-Oriented Multiple Hypothesis Tracker

The track-oriented multiple hypothesis tracker (TOMHT) is a popular algorithm for tracking multiple targets in a cluttered environment. In tracking parlance it is known as a multi-scan, maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimator-multi-scan because it enumerates possible data associations jointly over several scans, and MAP because it seeks the most likely data association conditioned on the observations. This paper extends the TOMHT, building on its internal representation to support probabilistic queries other than MAP estimation. Specifically, by summing over the TOMHT's pruned space of data association hypotheses one can compute marginal probabilities of individual tracks. Since this summation is generally intractable, any practical implementation must replace it with an approximation. We introduce a factor graph representation of the TOMHT's data association posterior and use variational message-passing to approximate track marginals. In an empirical evaluation, we show that marginal estimates computed through message-passing compare favorably to those computed through explicit summation over the k-best hypotheses, especially as the number of possible hypotheses increases. We also show that track marginals enable parameter estimation in the TOMHT via a natural extension of the expectation maximization algorithm used in single-target tracking. In our experiments, online EM updates using approximate marginals significantly increased tracker robustness to poor initial parameter specification.
COTS communications technologies for DoD applications: challenges and limitations

This paper addresses the issue of applying commercial communications technologies to military applications. The military community is moving toward 'network-centric operations', wherein the force fundamentally depends on the communications network. This transformation to a network-centric fighting force is predicated on the ability to achieve an Internet-like network capability in operational areas, referred hereafter as a tactical Internet. This paper first introduces the key underlying needs that commercial technologies and techniques are expected to meet, from a tactical Internet perspective. This paper then presents a series of technical issues that must be considered when integrating these technologies into a tactical Internet. Issues addressed in this paper include robustness to interference (both intentional and unintentional), covertness, security, scalability, and support for end-to-end quality-of-service (QoS). This paper then goes on to discuss the future role of commercial technologies in tomorrow's network centric paradigm.
Dynamic Forwarding over Tree-on-DAG for Scalable Data Aggregation in Sensor Networks

Computing and maintaining network structures for efficient data aggregation incurs high overhead for dynamic events where the set of nodes sensing an event changes with time. Moreover, structured approaches are sensitive to the waiting time that is used by nodes to wait for packets from their children before forwarding the packet to the sink. Although structureless approaches can address these issues, the performance does not scale well with the network size. We propose tree on DAG (ToD), a semistructured approach that uses dynamic forwarding on an implicitly constructed structure composed of multiple shortest path trees to support network scalability. The key principle behind ToD is that adjacent nodes in a graph will have low stretch in one of these trees in ToD, thus resulting in early aggregation of packets. Based on simulations on a 2,000-node network and real experiments on a 105-node Mica2-based network, we conclude that efficient aggregation in large-scale networks can be achieved by our semistructured approach.
A tool for mapping and spatio-temporal analysis of hydrological data

There is a need in water sciences for computational tools to integrate large spatially distributed datasets to provide insight into the spatial and temporal domains of the data while allowing visualization, analysis in the spatial and temporal dimensions, data metrics, and pattern recognition in the same application. Spatial and temporal variability of hydrological processes as well as the associated phenomena transport is better represented in high spatio-temporal resolution datasets. A conceptual data model and analysis tool, SPELLmap, was developed at the USDA Agricultural Research Service, Grazinglands Research Laboratory using the Delphi programming language to rapidly process, manipulate, analyze, and visualize large geo-located datasets. SPELLmap integrates the spatial and temporal domains of hydrological data to perform analyses in space and time while providing data metrics. SPELLmap has the capacity to represent three or four dimensional problems using a layer data structure. Three examples to illustrate SPELLmap functionalities were provided for the raster and raster-to-network domains. SPELLmap can be used for data interpolation, visualization, gridding, pattern recognition, and data metrics in integrated environmental modeling problems.
Role of vagus nerve in postprandial antropyloric coordination in conscious dogs

It is generally believed that gastric emptying of solids is regulated by a coordinated motor pattern between the antrum and pylorus. We studied the role of the vagus nerve in mediating postprandial...