cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multibeam cellular communication systems with dynamic channel assignment across multiple sectors

In cellular communication systems, directional multibeam antennas at cell sites can be used to reduce co-channel interference, increase frequency reuse and improve system capacity. When combined with dynamic channel assignment (DCA), additional improvement is possible. We propose a multibeam scheme using dynamic channel assignment across multiple sectors. A cell is divided into several sectors, each of which is covered by several directional beams. Specific channels are allocated to each sector as in fixed channel assignment (FCA). A channel of a sector is dynamically assigned to a wireless user who communicates through one of the several beams of the sector. The assignment is made so that constraints on the allowable co-channel interference are satisfied. Limitations due to co-channel interference are analyzed. A tractable analytical model for the proposed scheme is developed using multidimensional birth–death processes. Theoretical traffic performance characteristics such as call blocking probability, forced termination probability, hand-off activity, carried traffic and channel rearrangement rate are determined. With the proposed scheme, call blocking probability can be reduced significantly for a fixed offered traffic. Alternatively, system capacity can be increased while blocking probability is maintained below the required level. Smaller forced termination probability is obtainable in comparison with corresponding FCA schemes.
Family Systems Theory

Family systems theory provides users with a holistic framework that centers attention on the interactive and bidirectional nature of relationships within families with adolescents. The family systems framework enjoys widespread use in the family intervention literature, as well as having been increasingly employed within the child and adolescent developmental literatures. In the present chapter, attention is paid to a number of concepts that are related to the understanding of the family as a self-organizing unit. In particular, the systems concept of the steady state is used to discuss the balance of stability and change that must be struck in families with adolescents as members negotiate the demands of this developmental period. Critiques of the family systems approach also are covered, including especially empirical limitations associated with its generating descriptive rather than explanatory abilities. Questions about its generalizability to families with adolescents in collectivist or otherwise non-Western societies are also addressed.
Hybrid Rings of Fixed 8T Superconducting Magnets and Iron Magnets Rapidly Cycling between -2T and +2T for a Muon Collider

Two 2200m radius hybrid rings of fixed superconducting magnets and iron magnets ramping at 200 Hz and 330 Hz are used to accelerate muons. Muons are given 25 GeV of RF energy per orbit. Acceleration is from 250 GeV/c to 2400 GeV/c and requires a total of 86 orbits in both rings; 82% of the muons survive. The total power consumption of the iron dipoles is 4 megawatts. Stranded copper conductors and thin Metglas laminations are used to reduce power losses.
Making Ends Meet: Private Food Assistance and the Working Poor

ABSTRACT There is growing concern that a large segment of low-income Americans are slipping through or not adequately served by the public food assistance safety net. Many of these individuals are turning to the private network of food pantries and soup kitchens for their nourishment. Of particular note is that a significant percentage of those individuals seeking private food assistance are the working poor. In this paper, we look at the characteristics of a sample of employed Virginia households who depend on soup kitchens or food pantries to help them make ends meet. Our data indicate that these individuals have demographic characteristics that do not bode well for their being able to earn wages that are high enough to allow them all to adequately meet basic family needs without some type of additional supports.
Active loads of a microgrid as players in a differential game

Low-inertia DC microgrids rely on storage devices to buffer energy and handle abrupt load changes. An alternative approach involves the concept of power buffers. Proper adjustment of the input impedances of power buffers helps shape the trajectory of the transients imposed on DC microgrid. A communication network facilitates data exchange among active loads (loads augmented with power buffers). Such group information helps to collectively respond to any load change; an optimal response with the least energy extract from individual buffers. A cooperative game-theoretic performance function is defined for active loads. Then, a distributed control policy simultaneously minimizes all performance functions. A lowvoltage DC microgrid is used to study the effectiveness of the proposed methodology.
Abstract 462: Effect of Adding Beet Root Juice to Exercise on Physical Performance and Cardiovascular Measures in Old Hypertensive Subjects

Hypertension and diminished blood flow to muscles and brain are common problems for the elderly that may lead to impaired cognition and physical performance and poor cardiovascular outcomes. Exercise improves blood pressure and brain blood flow. Thus, any intervention that can improve exercise effects in hypertensive individuals may have beneficial effects. High nitrate containing beetroot juice (BRJ) has been demonstrated to increase exercise tolerance and improve blood flow to working muscles. In this study we examined the effect of adding BRJ to an exercise regimen on exercise performance and cardiovascular measures in old subjects. Participant (n=26; mean age=65 yrs, range 57-77) with controlled hypertension (on 2 or more medications) were assigned to either exercise with BRJ+nitrate (BRJ+) (n=13, 6F) or BRJ-nitrate placebo drink (Placebo) (n=13, 7F). The exercise intervention was a 6-week treadmill walking program of self-paced. Participants walked 3 times per week for a maximum of 50 minutes per session. Participants also consumed 140 ml BRJ+ nitrate or BRJ-nitrate daily for 6 weeks. There were no differences between groups in mean VO 2 max at the beginning of study (placebo = 19.4 ± 0.5 ml O 2 /kg/min; BRJ = 19.4 ± 0.5 ml O 2 /kg/min) and change VO 2 max by the end of the intervention (increase of 1.15 ml O 2 /kg/min in placebo vs 0.9 ml O 2 /kg/min in BRJ+). There were no differences between groups in 24 hour ambulatory mean arterial pressure (MAP) or heart rate at the beginning of study. Heart rate and MAP showed similar reductions in both groups (4 beats/min for heart rate and 5 mm Hg for MAP). Similarly total arterial compliance was improved in both groups (placebo from 15.1 ± 3.7 ml/mm Hg to 18.3 ± 4.8, p = 0.02; BRJ+ from 18.3 ± 5.0 to 20.5 ± 3.9 ml/mm Hg; p = 0.04). There was no additional benefit of BRJ+ in the cardiovascular measures above that seen with exercise alone. In summary, in this cohort of controlled hypertensive elderly, addition of BRJ with nitrate to exercise has no additional benefits on physical performance or cardiovascular function. Further studies are warranted in different cohorts such as drug naive or uncontrolled hypertensive to further characterize any possible benefits of BRJ. Support from WFU Translational Science Center
The role of enterostomal therapists and stoma rehabilitation clinics: a second look.

As a positive index of the increasing awareness of the rehabilitation needs of patients with stomas, growing interest in the employment of enterostomal therapy specialists is cited. Functions of personnel with varying preparation in patient care are discussed, with special emphasis given to the provision of comprehensive care and teaching as contrasted with the performance of technical tasks. Program building in the hospital is delineated. The objectives of followup and of outpatient clinics are described with suggestions for staffing, funding, operating, and administering such services. Enterostomal training and the functions of the International Association for Enterostomal Therapy are briefly mentioned.
Online research article discussion board to increase knowledge translation during emergency medicine residency.

BACKGROUND Many clinicians have difficulties reading current best practice journal articles on a regular basis. Discussion boards are one method of online asynchronous learning that facilitates active learning and participation. We hypothesized that an online repository of best practice articles with a discussion board would increase journal article reading by emergency medicine residents. METHODS PARTICIPANTS ANSWERED THREE QUESTIONS WEEKLY ON A DISCUSSION BOARD: What question does this study address? What does this study add to our knowledge? How might this change clinical practice? A survey regarding perceived barriers to participating was then distributed. RESULTS Most participants completed an article summary once or twice in total (23/32, 71.9%). Only three were involved most weeks (3/32, 9.4%) whereas 5/32 (15.6%) participated monthly. The most common barriers were lack of time (20/32, 62.5%), difficulty logging on (7/32, 21.9%), and forgetting (6/32, 18.8%). CONCLUSION Although subjects were provided weekly with an article link, email, and feedback, journal article reading frequency did not increase.
First-order spin-paramagnetic transition and tricritical point in ultrathin Be films

We report measurements of the parallel critical magnetic field of thin superconducting beryllium films with ${T}_{c}\ensuremath{\sim}0.6\mathrm{K}.$ The critical field transitions were spin-paramagnetically limited and found to be strongly hysteretic below a tricritical point at ${T}_{\mathrm{tri}}=190\mathrm{mK}.$ The magnitude of the hysteresis and ${T}_{\mathrm{tri}}$ were observed to be completely suppressed in field misalignments $\ensuremath{\theta}g~1\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}.$ Time relaxation measurements in the hysteretic regime showed simple exponential decays in the highest quality films and nonexponential decays interspersed with avalanches in more inhomogeneous samples.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers in the Atlantic slipper shell Crepidula fornicata for use in paternity analysis

Crepidula fornicata is an ideal species in which to study the evolution and timing of sex change. In order to test current theory on the timing of sex change, male reproductive success must be quantified. Because C. fornicata is polygamous, this can only be achieved through the development of molecular markers and paternity analysis. Here, I report the development of five polymorphic microsatellite loci that are inherited in a Mendelian fashion. The levels of polymorphism and the inheritance patterns of these loci make them suitable for paternity analysis despite the presence of null alleles.
OMVPE growth of CdTe on InSb substrates

In this paper we report on the growth and electrical characteristics of CdTe on InSb substrates, grown by OMVPE. The growth was carried out over a range of temperatures from 350 to 440° C, and a range of dimethylcadmium (DMCd) and diethyltelluride (DETe) pressures from 0.5 − 7 × 10−4 atm and 2 − 10 × 10−4 atm, respectively. The sublinear growth characteristic observed has been explained by means of the Langmuir Hinshelwood model. This provides an insight into the mechanism by which this material is grown. The effect of temperature and the reactant partial pressure on the growth rate and electrical characteristics have been explained in light of the observed results. The photoluminescence properties of these layers are indicative of their suitability for device applications, and are superior to those of CdTe layers grown on bulk CdTe. It has been shown that growth of high quality layers can be achieved over a wide range of partial pressure ratios of DMCd and DETe.
Strong decay rates andSU3. A comparison and critique

A systematic comparison between the predictions of unbrokenSU3 and experiment regarding strong decays of accepted and potential supermultiplets is presented. It is found that the accepted supermultiplets (JP=3/2+, 1−, 2+) are in reasonable agreement with predictions, while the hypothetical 3/2− and 5/2+ cases are not.
Genre Differences in the Portrayal of Social Aggression in Programs Popular with Children

A content analysis was conducted to examine the amount and nature of social aggression across genres of programming popular among 2- to 11-year-old children. Results reveal that the reality programming genre is systematically different from the other 3 genres in terms of the amount and context of social aggression. Findings are discussed in terms of social cognitive theory.
Notice of Violation of IEEE Publication Principles A Low Reference Spurs 1–5 GHz 0.13 $\mu$ m CMOS Frequency Synthesizer Using a Fully-Sampled Feed-Forward Loop Filter Architecture

A wide tuning range, low phase noise and spurs, multi-gigahertz frequency synthesizer was realized in 0.13 mum CMOS using a fully-sampled feed-forward loop filter. Both the integral and proportional loop filter paths use sample and hold switched-capacitor networks that completely isolate the oscillator from the charge-pump switching transients. The sampled nature of the filter, together with a digital domain implementation of the ripple-filtering pole spread the impulsive energy coming from the charge-pump current injection over several reference clock cycles, resulting in a dramatic reduction of the oscillator control signal ripple and thus a very low reference spur level. A multi-regulator PLL architecture reduces the supply injected noise and spurious tones, allowing the integration of the synthesizer on the same die with a large digital core, as required by modern single-chip receiver SoCs. PLL specifications include: < 1deg rms double-sided integrated phase noise from 1 kHz to 10 MHz, -85 dBc reference spurs, < -80 dBc supply injected spurs, 300 times 750 mum2 die area and < 100 mW power dissipation from a single 2.5 V supply.
Comment on “The persistence of the water budget myth and its relationship to sustainability” by J.F. Devlin and M. Sophocleous, Hydrogeology Journal (2005) 13:549–554

Devlin and Sophocleous (2005) have written a thoughtful and provocative article on the subject of sustainable pumping and sustainable groundwater-resources development. In the subject article, sustainable pumping was defined as “a pumping rate that can be maintained indefinitely without dewatering an aquifer”. Sustainable groundwater-resources development is, according to the subject article, a broader concept that encompasses groundwater use and its environmental and human repercussions. Devlin and Sophocleous (2005) contend that the definitions of sustainable pumping and sustainable groundwater-resources development have been confused by some in the groundwater community, and, that the confusion has led to the “water budget myth” (see also Bredehoeft 2002). The water budget myth is—according to Devlin and Sophocleous (2005)—the “idea that sustainable pumping must not exceed the recharge rate in a given aquifer”. A substantial portion of the subject article is devoted to proving that the water budget myth is conceptually flawed. This commentary presents an alternative interpretation of the relation between sustainable pumping and sustainable groundwater-resources development to that advocated by Devlin and Sophocleous (2005). This alternative interpretation renders superfluous the distinction between sustainable pumping and sustainable groundwater-resources and, as corollary, makes the water budget myth an innocuous—if not laudable—concept. In addition, this commentary argues that sustainable pumping, as defined in the subject article, has very limited practical applicability in the context of groundwater extraction under variable climate. This commentary argues that sustainable pumping must be adaptive and take into account climate fluctuations, especially protracted drought.
Finite element analysis of cracks in aging aircraft structures with bonded composite-patch repairs

Bonded composite-patch repair has been used to transfer load from cracked structures to the reinforcement such that subsequent crack propagation is reduced. In this study, the mechanical behavior of a single edge v-notch Al7075-T6 plate repaired with 1-ply and 4-ply composite patches was investigated through the finite element method. Contour integral method was used to define and evaluate the stress intensity factors at the crack tip. The effect of the adhesive epoxy film, patch material, thickness and ply orientations on the evolution of the stress intensity factor (SIF) of the repaired structure was examined. The results indicated that the SIF of the notched plate is reduced by 1/6–1/20 as a result of the bonded composite-patch repair. The crack mouth opening displacement (CMOD) is reduced even further by 80–83%. Shear strength and thickness of the adhesive bond were the largest factors in the effectiveness of patch repair.
A gravimetric system to study adsorption on fine powders.

An automated gravimetric measuring system has been developed to study adsorption and desorption of gases on fine powders. With interchangeable Dewar and furnace systems, the temperature range of weight change measurements is −196° to 500°C. The high-vacuum system has the capability of operating below the 10−7-torr range at a temperature to permit thorough outgassing of materials being studied. The automated features of the system include an adjustable programmed pressure controller which permits unattended recording of weight change as a function of pressure. This feature permits automatic recording of adsorption isotherms such as are required for surface area determinations. Initially the equipment was used to study the adsorption of CO2 on ferric oxide. A type I adsorption curve was obtained at all three temperature conditions measured, with some evidence of chemisorption.
Human hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase in pineal gland, retina and Y79 retinoblastoma cells

Hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT, EC 2.1.1.4) was studied in extracts of human pineal gland, retina and Y79 retinoblastoma cells. HIOMT enzyme activity and immunoreactive protein (approximately 42 kDa) were undetectable in the human retina; very low levels of HIOMT mRNA were detected using a highly sensitive RT-PCR/Southern blot method, as has been reported. Analysis of extracts of Y79 cells indicated that HIOMT enzyme activity, immunoreactivity (approximately 42 kDa) and mRNA (approximately 1.3 kb) were detectable at approximately 1/5-1/40 the levels found in the pineal gland. This unambiguously establishes that the HIOMT gene is expressed in Y79 cells. Kinetic analysis of Y79- and pineal-derived HIOMT indicates that the enzyme is generally similar in both tissues; one difference, however, is that substrate inhibition by N-acetylserotonin is greater with the Y79-derived enzyme. These studies show that Y79 cells represent a valid model to study the regulation of human HIOMT protein and mRNA; the differences detected may reflect the existence of tissue-specific regulatory mechanisms or differential patterns of expression of HIOMT isoforms.
Effects of thyroxine (T4) or triiodothyronine (T3) replacement therapy on the programming of seasonal reproduction and postnuptial molt in thyroidectomized male American tree sparrows (Spizella arborea) exposed to long days

This study tested the hypothesis that T3 (triiodothyronine) is the tissue-active "seasonality" hormone by determining whether T3 could mimic T4 (thyroxine) and program photostimulated thyroidectomized (THX) male American tree sparrows (Spizella arborea) for three components of seasonality (i.e., full-blown testicular growth, photorefractoriness, and postnuptial molt). Photosensitive males were radiothyroidectomized, transferred to long days 4 weeks later, and administered 14 daily injections (s.c.) of alkaline saline (V) containing 0.1, 1, or 10 micrograms T4 or T3. THX and thyroid-intact (THI) controls received only V. After 5 additional weeks on long days, all birds were tested for photosensitivity/photorefractoriness. Periodically during the experiment, primary flight feathers were scored for molt, and testis length was monitored by laparotomy. As an independent measure of reproductive (i.e., photosensitive vs. photorefractory) state, hypothalami collected at the end of the experiment were assayed for cGnRH-I (chicken gonadotropin-releasing hormone I) content. Like THI controls, THX males administered 1 or 10 micrograms T4 exhibited full-blown testicular growth and then regression, initiated molt, and had low hypothalamic cGnRH-I, indicating that photostimulated birds that received mid- or high-dose T4 replacement therapy had been programmed for all three components of seasonality. On the other hand, both THX controls and THX males administered low-dose (0.1 microgram) T3 replacement therapy exhibited only modest testicular growth, signifying that neither group had been programmed for any component of seasonality. By contrast, photostimulated THX males that received 0.1 microgram T4, or 1 or 10 micrograms T3, were programmed for testicular growth, but not for photorefractoriness or molt. Collectively, these results show that subcutaneously administered T3 mimicked T4 imperfectly and suggest either that T3 does not program photostimulated male tree sparrows for photorefractoriness and postnuptial molt, or that T3 does not cross the blood-brain barrier as efficiently as does T4.
Regulation of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor expression and N-methyl-d-aspartate-induced cellular response during chronic hypoxia in differentiated rat PC12 cells

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of chronic hypoxia on N -methyl- d -aspartate-mediated cellular responses in differentiated PC12 cells. PC12 cells were differentiated by treatment with nerve growth factor. Patch-clamp analysis in differentiated PC12 cells showed that extracellularly applied N -methyl- d -aspartate induced an inward current that was abolished by the presence of the N -methyl- d -aspartate receptor antagonist MK-801. Results from Ca 2+ imaging experiments showed that N -methyl- d -aspartate induced an elevation in intracellular free Ca 2+ which was also abolished by MK-801. We also examined the effect of hypoxia on the N -methyl- d -aspartate-induced current in nerve growth factor-treated cells. We found that the N -methyl- d -aspartate-induced inward current and the N -methyl- d -aspartate-induced elevation in intracellular free Ca 2+ were markedly attenuated by chronic hypoxia. We next examined the possibility that the reduced N -methyl- d -aspartate responsiveness was due to down-regulation of N -methyl- d -aspartate receptor levels. Northern blot and immunoblot analyses showed that both messenger RNA and protein levels for N -methyl- d -aspartate receptor subunit 1 were markedly decreased during hypoxia. However, the messenger RNA for N -methyl- d -aspartate receptor subunit 2C was increased, whereas the protein level for subunit 2C did not change. Our results indicate that differentiated PC12 cells express functional N -methyl- d -aspartate receptors and that chronic exposure to hypoxia attenuates the N -methyl- d -aspartate-induced Ca 2+ accumulation in these cells via down-regulation of N -methyl- d -aspartate receptor subunit 1. This mechanism may play an important role in protecting PC12 cells against hypoxic stress.
Between-subject competition: A rat race

Four blocks of four rats, matched on pretraining running speed, were randomly assigned in pairs to either a competition or non-competition condition following initial 100% reinforced double-runway training. Using a yoked design, “competition” Ss, reinforced selectively only for winning, improved significantly in running speed across testing days relative to “non-competition” Ss who were reinforced according to the reward schedule programmed by the yoked competition Ss performance.
KKM and KY Fan theorems in hyperconvex metric spaces

Abstract In hyperconvex metric spaces, we introduce Knaster–Kuratowski–Mazurkiewicz mappings. Then we prove an analogue to Ky Fan's fixed point theorem in hyperconvex metric spaces.
The Family Context of Gender Intensification in Early Adolescence

This longitudinal study of 144 young adolescents (ages 9-11 at phase 1) examined the hypothesis that boys and girls would experience increased "gender-differential socialization" across a 1-year period in early adolescence, and that such patterns would be stronger in families in which (a) parents maintained a traditional division of labor, and (b) there was a younger sibling of the opposite gender. Longitudinal analyses of 3 aspects of family socialization (adolescents' participation in "feminine" and "masculine" household chores; adolescents' involvement in dyadic activities with mothers and fathers; parental monitoring) revealed that gender intensification was apparent for some aspects of family socialization but not others. In addition, when gender intensification was apparent, it generally emerged in some family contexts but not in others. Only dyadic parent-adolescent involvement was characterized by an overall pattern of gender intensification in which girls became increasingly involved with their mothers and boys with their fathers; this pattern was exacerbated in contexts where adolescents had a younger, opposite-sex sibling.
Early warning of malaria at Bikaner, Rajasthan in India using AVHRR-based satellite data

A better understanding of the relationship between satellites observed vegetation health, and malaria epidemics could help mitigate the worldwide increase in incidence of mosquito-transmitted diseases. This research investigates last 17- years association between vegetation health (condition) index and malaria transmission in Bikaner, Rajasthan in India an arid and hot summer area. The vegetation health (condition) index, derived from a combination of Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) based Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and 10-μm to 11-μm thermal radiances, was designed for monitoring moisture and thermal impacts on vegetation health. We demonstrate that thermal condition is more sensitive to malaria transmission with different seasonal malaria activities. The weekly VH indices were correlated with the epidemiological data. A good correlation was found between malaria cases and Temperature Condition Index (TCI) one at least two months earlier than the malaria transmission season. Following the results of correlation analysis, Principal Component Regression (PCR) method was used to construct a model of less than 10% error to predict malaria as a function of the TCI.
Chaperone-assisted protein expression

I thank the Howard Hughes Medical Institute for a post-doctoral fellowship. I thank Prof Chris Walsh and members of the Walsh group for helpful suggestions.
Neutralists and Neutralism

T HE PAST DECADE has witnessed the rise of a new phenomenon :)n the international scene called neutralism. In its name, causes have been championed, treaties abrogated, attachments formed, and policies justified.1 Scores of newly independent countries, still groping for particular identities, emerged to statehood certain that neutralism was indispensable to the fulfillment of their national ethos. But what this neutralism was supposed to denote has been subject to a variety of interpretations. Some have explained it as meaning "neutral with respect to attachment to military alliances."2 Others have equated it with "non-involvement in either the Soviet or Western bloc,"3 while still others have looked upon it as "an obsolete," "immoral," and "shortsighted conception"-"a pretence that a nation can best gain safety for itself by being indifferent to the fate of others."' Most observers seem to agree, however, that neutralism is not synonymous with neutrality. It is pointed out that whereas neutrality can only be predicated upon the existence of a state of belligerency,5 neutralism is said to mean noninvolvement in times of peace. Fur-
A Benchmark Comparison of CAD 5-Axis Machining Packages

In this paper, parts from Ford GT were machined based on tool path created using Curvature Matched Machining and three other popular CAD systems. Five-axis flat end mill methods are used as the baseline of comparison. The performance of these CAD packages was compared using the benchmark of tool path density, surface finish, and post-machining finishing time. Results show that CM2 has advantage over today’s leading CAM capability in terms of both machining efficiency and tool path computation time.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Behavioral research on severe and persistent mental illnesses

We are honored to introduce the special series highlighting behavioral research on the severe and persistent mental illnesses (SPMIs) that appears in this issue of Behavior Therapy. We begin this series by providing a succinct overview of this category of disorders, noting briefly their impact, cost, etiology, and management. We then identify four recent advances in the care of persons living with a SPMI, and provide an overview of the six articles that appear in this series. The series recognizes and showcases outstanding behavioral research, and seeks to encourage new and continuing participation by behavior therapists in the care of persons living with a SPMI.
Current and typical self-appraisals: Differential responsiveness to evaluative feedback and implications for emotions ☆

Abstract Considerable controversy has surrounded the issue of whether self-evaluations are relatively stable or subject to substantial moment-to-moment shifts. In this article, we suggest that there is both a stable and an unstable component of self-evaluations. We propose that the stable component is reflected in one's TYPICAL self-appraisals and that the unstable component is reflected in one's CURRENT self-appraisals. We reasoned that typical appraisals would change little, if at all, following an evaluative event, whereas current appraisals would show substantial change. To test this hypothesis, we had subjects rate themselves along specific dimensions based on how they would evaluate themselves right now and how they would typically evaluate themselves. These ratings were made both before and after subjects received positive, negative, or no evaluative feedback. The results indicated that current self-appraisals declined substantially following negative feedback and became more positive following either positive or no evaluative feedback. Typical appraisals were much more resistant to change, although they did show an overall pattern of change similar to current appraisals. The relationship of self-appraisal change to emotional reactions was also assessed. Correlational analyses revealed that the magnitude of change in current, but not typical appraisals, was strongly related to emotional reactions. This was particularly true following negative feedback. Theoretical implications are discussed.
Vagal innervation patterns following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in the mouse.

This study investigated the anatomical integrity of the vagal innervation to the gastrointestinal tract following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) in the mouse. Specifically, the surgical procedure was performed in high-fat-fed reporter mice (Phox2b-Cre-tdTomato), in which the entire vagal innervation of the gastrointestinal tract was fluorescently labeled. As a result, our anatomical observations revealed both qualitative and quantitative changes of the vagal supply to the gut after RYGB. This included the extensive denervation of the glandular and distal stomach, and sites of surgical interventions (clipping and anastomosis). Furthermore, the stomach wall after RYGB frequently contained dystrophic axons and endings, suggestive of vagal neurodegeneration. In contrast, RYGB did not significantly modify the innervation to the rest of the intestines and glucostatic organs. In summary, the present study describes a previously unrecognized pattern of vagal remodeling and denervation following RYGB. Our findings may serve as a guideline for future investigations on the role of gut–brain communication in bariatric surgery.
Capillary gas chromatography measurement of oxalate in plasma and urine.

Oxalic acid can be measured reliably in urine by colorimetric methods [1] and is useful for the diagnosis of hyperoxaluric states that result in nephrolithiasis. The measurement of plasma oxalic acid has been far more difficult due to its very low concentration in normal plasma and a variety of methodologic problems. Normal plasma oxalic acid, measured by in vivo isotopic dilution, has been reported in the range of —l mo1es/liter (-9 g/dl) [2—4]. Far higher values, obtained by most published methods [5, 6] suggest a lack of specificity that would obscure variations in normal levels. The difficulty in preserving specimens, the lack of a way of monitoring interference, and the need for very large sample volumes makes enzymatic methods [7] less than ideal. Recently, Wolthers and Hayer [81 reported a capillary gas chromatographic method for measuring plasma oxalic acid that gave a normal range closer to that obtained by in vivo isotopic dilution [41. We have adapted and verified this method for measuring urinary and plasma oxalic acid and applied the method to normal adults and patients with primary hyperoxaluria. These patients have been studied during renal insufficiency, during hemodialysis, and with various levels of renal function after renal transplantation. Methods. Urine specimens were collected for 24 hr on ice, acidified to a pH of less than 2.0 with HCI (1:100 v/v), and frozen at —20°C or —70°C until analysis. To triplicate 0.5 ml samples we added malonic acid (15 pg), a further two drops of 6 N HCI, and 1 g NaC1. Heparinized blood was collected on ice, the plasma separated (X2000 g, 20 mm) within 1 hr of collection, and 0.5-ml aliquots acidified with two drops of HC1 and frozen (—70°C) in microfuge tubes (Sarsted). Samples were partially thawed to transfer of the frozen/precipitated sample, containing 2 g of malonic acid and 1 g NaC1, with one rinse of 0.5 ml of 0.1 N HCI. For either urine or plasma aliquots, a 4-mm vigorous solvent extraction with 6 ml of ethyl acetate was performed twice. Ethyl acetate was evaporated at 35°C under anhydrous N2, placed under P205 in vacuo for 30 mm and organic acids derivatized in the same tube with 50 to 150 (urine) or 30 tl (plasma) of 30:1 (v/v) mixture of bis-trimethylsilyltrifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) (Regis Chemical Co., Morton
SoCGuard: A runtime verification solution for the functional correctness of SoCs

The system-on-chip design methodology is characterized by delivering a very high level of design complexity in a short development time. While this aspect is precisely what makes SoCs appealing, it also creates a unique challenge for their verification, requiring the system to be validated as a whole, besides checking the correctness of each of its components. In this paper, we propose a runtime correctness solution for SoCs where we equip each component with two modes of operation: a default high performance one, where all components capabilities are active, and a basic mode where only baseline modules are in operation, so that all basic functionality can be delivered, but performance is not optimized. By alternating between these two modes of execution on individual components, or on all components together, we can carefully sidestep both component and integration bugs that have escaped into the manufactured product. Our experimental evaluation on a LEON3 SoC shows that this solution incurs only 4% area overhead and less than 5% performance impact in most cases.
The use of accounting and security price measures of performance in managerial compensation contracts: A discussion

Abstract It is commonly observed that the compensation paid to senior level executives depends on both accounting and security price measures of performance. The articles by Kim and Suh, Bushman and Indjejikian, and Sloan, which I have been invited to discuss, examine the issue of how much weight to place on these two measures in the contract. The first two papers analyze the role that earnings can play in removing the ‘noise’ in stock price in a rational expectations pricing model. The Sloan paper analytically and empirically examines the role that earnings can play in removing macroeconomic factors from stock price.
Development of an Automated γ-H2AX Immunocytochemistry Assay

Abstract Hou, Y-N., Lavaf, A., Huang, D., Peters, S., Huq, R., Friedrich, V., Rosenstein, B. S. and Kao, J. Development of an Automated γ-H2AX Immunocytochemistry Assay. Radiat. Res. 171, 360–367 (2009). γ-H2AX is emerging as an important marker of ionizing radiation-induced double-strand breaks. Development of a significantly automated method to quantify γ-H2AX would have broad application in assessing physiological responses to radiation exposure. PC-3 and DU145 prostate cancer cells grown on glass cover slips and 96-well plates were irradiated and assessed for γ-H2AX focus formation by immunofluorescence analysis. The γ-H2AX immunofluorescence staining was performed either manually or by using a preprogrammed automated robotic liquid handling system. A computer-controlled charge-coupled device camera acquired images serially throughout the thickness of each cell. Image analysis was performed manually and/or with automated image segmentation software. A robust relationship between radiation dose and γ-H...
Value of stimulated serum thyroglobulin levels for detecting persistent or recurrent differentiated thyroid cancer in high- and low-risk patients.

Background Serum thyroglobulin determination has been reported to be a sensitive indicator of persistent or recurrent differentiated thyroid cancer of follicular cell origin (DTC) after total thyroidectomy. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the accuracy of serum thyroglobulin levels in predicting persistent or recurrent DTC in euthyroid and hypothyroid patients. Methods One hundred ninety consecutive patients with DTC of follicular cell origin who had 4 or more thyroglobulin levels measured after total thyroidectomy were retrospectively evaluated. One hundred fifteen patients had serum thyroglobulin levels measured when hypothyroid for radioiodine scanning or ablation. Serum thyroglobulin levels were determined by commercial assays. One hundred twenty-two patients less than 45 years old were considered at low risk, whereas 68 patients more than or equal to 45 years old were considered at high risk on the basis of TNM classification. The mean follow-up period was 62 months. Results After thyroidectomy with or without central or modified radical neck dissection 120 patients had normal thyroglobulin levels ( 3 ng/mL while receiving thyroid hormone. Overall, 14 of 115 patients, including 2 of 61 (3%) in the high-risk group and 12 of 54 (22%) in the low-risk group, only had elevated serum thyroglobulin levels when hypothyroid with high serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels documenting persistent or recurrent disease. In 1 patient the serum thyroglobulin level (240 ng/mL) was falsely elevated probably as a result of interfering antibodies because no tumor was identified surgically or pathologically, and the thyroglobulin concentration was Conclusion Serum thyroglobulin testing is sensitive (91%) and specific (99%) for identifying patients with persistent or recurrent differentiated thyroid cancer. Serum thyroglobulin levels are most precise when patients are hypothyroid (high TSH) and may be unreliable in patients with antithyroglobulin antibodies. We recommend TSH-stimulated thyroglobulin testing for all patients after total thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid cancer of follicular cell origin regardless of patient age or risk group.
New Jersey Goes to War

Miers reconstructions the events surrounding New Jersey's entry into the Civil War, using accounts for contemporary New Jersey newspapers.
Real-Time Alerts and Reminders Using Information Systems

Real-Time Alerts in Healthcare One of the hallmarks of modern medicine is the availability of large volumes of patient information including both physiologic measurements and laboratory data. Systems that analyze these data and report unexpected or abnormal conditions back to a clinician at or near the moment that these data are available are known as real-time alert systems. Real-time alert systems are found throughout healthcare and can be classified as simple or complex. Simple alerts include high/low threshold alerts on parameters such as blood pressure and heart rate. Most modern patient monitors incorporate these alerts as audible alarms that trigger when out-of-bounds parameters are detected. Complex alerts permit the detection of data trends, the incorporation of multiple parameters and transmission of alert conditions by means other than audible proximity. Reminders, on the other hand, serve to cue clinicians to clinical events that should occur but have not. This review will focus on real-time alerts and reminders both in and out of the operating room (OR). Real-time alerts would be expected to be most useful in clinical situations where patient conditions are anticipated to change on a second-to-second or minute-to-minute basis. Outside of the OR, the intensive care unit and emergency room are other acute care settings where physiologic conditions change on this short timeline. One of the first real-time alert systems described was a wireless PDA-based system triggered by critical laboratory or vital sign data using thresholds. Parameters were set such that approximately one alert per day was generated.1 Interestingly, and perhaps not unexpectedly, the PDA user was almost always the first clinician to become aware of the abnormality. This observation demonstrates both the effectiveness of and impetus for the further development of this technology.
Stress relaxation behavior of 3501-6 epoxy resin during cure

Epoxy resins and other thermosetting polymers change from liquids to solids during cure. A precise process model of these materials requires a constitutive model that is able to describe this transformation in its entirety. In this study the viscoelastic properties of a commercial epoxy resin were characterized using a dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA). Specimens were tested at several different cure states to develop master curves of stress relaxation behavior during cure. Using this experimental data, the relaxation modulus was then modeled in a thermorheologically complex manner. A Prony (exponential) series was used to describe the relaxation modulus. An original model was developed for the stress relaxation times based on similar work by Scherer (16) on the relaxation of glass. Shift functions used to obtain reduced times are empirically derived based on curve fits to the data. The data show that the cure state has a profound effect on the stress relaxation of epoxy. More important, the relaxation behavior above gelation is shown to be quite sensitive to degree of cure.
The human “interferon-β2/hepatocyte stimulating factor/interleukin-6” gene: DNA polymorphism studies and localization to chromosome 7p21 ☆

The human interferon-beta 2 gene (IFNB2) product is identical to that for the B-cell stimulation factor-2 (BSF-2), the hybridoma growth factor (HGF) ("interleukin-6"), and the hepatocyte stimulating factor (HSF). Proteins derived from this gene mediate the plasma protein response to tissue injury (acute-phase response) and regulate the growth and differentiation of both B and T cells. By using the enzymes MspI, BstNI, and BglI, three polymorphic systems were detected with probes for the IFNB2 gene. The MspI and BglI polymorphisms are likely to be due to base pair substitutions; the BstNI polymorphism was revealed by nine other enzymes and is likely to be due to DNA insertions within 1 kb of the 3' flanking region of the gene. This region is rich in AT dinucleotides, and slippage at DNA replication may generate the insertions of between 0.07 and 0.23 kb that were observed. The polymorphic MspI site also lies within the vicinity of the fifth exon. The BglI polymorphic site is likely to lie in 5' flanking DNA. The three polymorphisms are separate, and a variety of haplotypes was observed. A low level of linkage disequilibrium exists between the MspI and the BglI alleles. MspI and BstNI polymorphisms were observed in Caucasoids, CAR Pygmies, Zaire Pygmies, Melanesians, and Chinese but at differing frequencies, and not all alleles were present in all populations. The BglI polymorphism was observed in Caucasoids and Africans only. Linkage studies involving the IFNB2 gene and 27 other chromosome 7 markers have localized it to between D7S135 and D7S370 at 7p22-p21.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Enforcing the Colorline and Counting White Races: Race and the Census in North America, 1900–1941

Between 1900 and 1941, American and Canadian census planners devised queries about race in disparate ways. Whereas Americans were identified as members of white, black, Amerindian, or various Asian “races,” only once were Canadians similarly classified. Canadian authorities instead recorded the historic “racial origins” of the population (e.g. English, French, or Chinese). These different approaches reflected the primary ways in which race was understood in both the US (the colorline) and Canada (Anglo- and French Canadian biculturalism). American and Canadian planners, however, sought demographic information that did not align with their respective nation’s framework. Therefore, they tweaked their queries. In the US the mother tongue and national origin of immigrants became proxies for race while Canadians structured their “racial origins” queries within a white/nonwhite binary. While such efforts led to many similar forms of racial categorization, differing primary frameworks towards race on the America...
Effect of NaClO4 on bacteriophage: Release of DNA and evidence for population heterogeneity

Abstract Bacteriophages treated with NaClO4 release their DNA. The rate of release depends upon NaClO4 concentration and varies with phage type. There are apparently two mechanisms of release: (1) at low perchlorate concentrations the DNA is injected through the phage tail; (2) at high concentration the phage head is disrupted. For several phages examined only 50% of the particles will release by the injection mechanism. It has also been found that in some situations the DNA is injected but remains attached to the phage ghost by means of an unknown bond which is thermally labile and broken by high perchlorate concentrations. In all cases the perchloratereleased DNA is indistinguishable from DNA released by more standard methods.
IMPACT OF ATRIOVENTRICULAR COMPLIANCE ON CLINICAL OUTCOME IN MITRAL STENOSIS

Net atrioventricular compliance (Cn) has been reported as an important determinant of pulmonary hypertension in rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS). We hypothesized that as Cn reflects hemodynamic consequences of MS, it may be useful in prognostic assessment of patients with MS. This study was designed
Concurrent grain growth corrections during creep of fine-grained materials

This investigation demonstrates the need to correct for concurrent grain growth in low-strain-rate studies of superplastic materials. It examines the validity of two common equations for expressing the grain-growth kinetics and applies these equations to low-strain-rate work in the Zn-22 wt % Al alloy. After the correction was made, the stress exponentn changed fromn ∼-4.1 ton ∼-3.4.
Craze fibril extension ratio measurements in glassy block copolymers

The extension ratios of crazes in triblock copolymer films of poly(2-vinylpyridine)-polystyrene-poly(2-vinylpyridine) [PVP-PS-PVP] which had lamellar microphase domain structure were measured by transmission electron microscopy. The extension ratio when the lamellae were oriented parallel to the craze fibril direction was always greater than that when the lamellae were oriented perpendicular to this direction, reflecting the stretching of the chains of the block copolymer in a direction normal to the interfaces of the lamellar domains.