cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preliminary results of the IRCA legalization programs at the end of phase I.

A remarkable gulf in interpretation and evaluation of the 1986 implementation of the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) exists between various schools of analysts. Some feel that the law has not changed conditions much while others consider the legalization program and employer sanctions successful. Altogether IRCA included 6 specific legalization opportunities. The 2 major ones concerned aliens who had resided illegally in the US since January 1 1982 and alien farm workers who had worked illegally in the US for at least 90 days between May 1 1985 and May 1 1986. Issues concerning the pre-1982 or general legalization program include 1) the 5-year gap between the eligibility cutoff and the start of the legalization program made the principal US legalization program more restrictive than comparable legalization policies in other market economy countries 2) it did not provide for immediate derivative legislation for family members of an illegal alien eligible for legalization and 3) analysts disagree on the evaluation and the effectiveness of the public information campaign to inform eligible aliens of the legalization opportunity. The application procedure for the Special Agricultural Worker or SAW was much simpler than for the general legalization program. SAW applicants could apply at US borders. 10% of SAW applications were denied due to fraud and other reasons as opposed to 2% for applicants to the major legalization program. Both programs attracted mainly Mexican applicants. The total number of SAW applications received will help to determine future need for alien farm workers. 1 of the most important differences between the SAW and the pre-1982 legalization programs is the legal status of the newly legalized: 1) to secure permanent resident alien status pre-1982 program applicants must pass civics and English examinations within a set period of time whereas SAW applicants do not; and 2) SAW applicants are eligible for a broader range of social benefits than those in the major program.
Effects of blood flow restriction duration on muscle activation and microvascular oxygenation during low-volume isometric exercise.

The purpose of the investigation was to observe how varying occlusion durations affected neuromuscular activation and microvascular oxygenation during lowvolume isometric knee extension exercise. Healthy, recreationally active males performed isometric knee extension at a variety of submaximal intensities under different blood flow restriction (BFR) occlusion durations. The occlusion pressure (130% SBP) was applied either 5 min prior to exercise (PO), immediately prior to exercise (IO) or not during exercise (CON). Surface electromyography (sEMG) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to record the neuromuscular activation and microvascular oxygenation of the knee extensors during exercise. No difference in sEMG was observed in the vastus lateralis or vastus medialis during any exercise condition or any submaximal intensity. PO elicited greater microvascular deoxygenation (deoxy-[Hb + Mb]) compared to CON (P≤005) at all submaximal intensities and also compared to IO at 20% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). IO resulted in a greater deoxy-[Hb + Mb] response during low-intensity exercise (20% and 40% MVC) compared to CON (P≤005). These findings suggest that applying BFR 5 min before exercise can enhance the exercise-induced metabolic stress (i.e. deoxy-[Hb + Mb]), measured via NIRS, during low-intensity exercise (20% MVC) compared to applying BFR immediately prior to exercise. Furthermore, the increased metabolic stress observed during IO is attenuated during high-intensity (60% MVC, 80% MVC) exercise when compared to CON conditions. Knowledge of the changes in exercise-induced metabolic stress between the various occlusion durations may assist in developing efficient BFR exercise programmes.
A Next Step in Protein Secondary Structure Prediction

We report on a new methodology for protein secondary structure prediction based on: step 1) constructing a new scoring function by taking short and long distance triplet residues interactions into consideration, 2) generating reference states from protein database with high similarity, and 3) using a genetic algorithm to refine the predictions from the consensus templates of existing secondary structure prediction methods to utilize both near and intermediate distance context. In most targets we tested, we found that our method at worst performs essentially as well as the best of the other constituent methods and at best performs much better. At the submission time of this abstract we believe that the performance limitations are lack of code optimization to fully utilize more compute power and do more exhaustive context dependent probability matrix for scoring. Our ultimate goal is to combine new improved secondary structure prediction methodology with improved loop protein structure prediction from our team (Rata et al, J Phys Chem B, 2010; Li et al, BMC Structural Biol. 2010; Li et al, JCIM, 2011) to enable improved tertiary structure prediction. Supported by NSF grant 1066471 to Li and NSF grant 489521 to Jakobsson.
Development and validation of a measure of an individual’s lateness attitude

Abstract The authors developed and validated a measure of employees’ attitudes toward lateness at work. Analyses provided clear evidence of the reliability and validity of the new measure. Specifically, high reliabilities were observed in both student ( α = .82) and employee ( α = .84) samples. Using objective lateness data from organizations, the measure significantly predicted two lateness behaviors, lateness frequency ( r = .25, p r = .24, p .
The Development of Theory-Driven Evaluation in the Military: Theory on the Front Line

The use of theory-driven evaluation is an emerging practice in the military—an aspect generally unknown in the civilian evaluation community. First developed during the 1991 Gulf War and applied in both the Balkans and Afghanistan, these techniques are now being examined in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) as a means to evaluate the effects of military operations in complex, asymmetric conflict environments. In spite of these practices, theory-driven evaluation in the military is still in the developmental stages. This article traces the development to date of theory-driven evaluation in NATO and assesses its strengths and weaknesses in the military context. We conclude that a cross-pollination of ideas between military and civilian evaluators is urgently needed to improve the quality and effectiveness of military evaluation.
Management of Instream Flows Through Runoff Detention and Retention

: The use of reservoirs and land treatments to manage streamflow for the maintenance or enhancement of instream flow values is a valid concept. Historically, large reservoirs have been used for flood control and water-supply regulation. Smaller structures have enjoyed widespread use for soil and water conservation in headwater areas. Where reservoir releases can be controlled, it is technically feasible to regulate flows for the enhancement of instream values. However, institutional and political obstacles may preclude the operation of some reservoirs for this purpose. Retention and detention structures and land treatments, implemented for soil and water conservation purposes, have often had favorable effects on the streamflow hydrograph. Decreases in peak flows and increases in low flows have been documented. Design concepts for runoff-control structures are discussed in relation to instream flow management objectives. Hydro-logic simulation is offered as a potential tool for project design and feasibility analysis.
Trends in Same-Day Bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty

Between 2000 and 2009 demographics, comorbidity, complications, and 30-day mortality following same-day BTKA (SBTKA) in two high-volume institutions were obtained. Two 5-year periods were created to facilitate trend analysis. The percentage of SBTKA decreased by 36.2% in the latter period. A decline in mean age reflected mainly by a 50% decrease in patients >75 years was observed. The average LOS decreased (5.7 vs. 4.5 days). Overall, selected patients were healthier in the second period. The prevalence of CAD and obesity decreased, whereas hypercholesteremia increased. The overall complication rate decreased by 55.5%; reduction in cardiac adverse events and acute posthemorrhagic anemia was observed. The rate of PE and 30-day mortality was unchanged with time. A need for more selective preoperative screening for potential candidates of SBTKAs is indicated.
Multiple-Spacecraft Orbit Transfer Problem: Weak-Booster and Strong-Booster Cases

Primer vector theory, in combination with a parameter optimization algorithm, is used to compute the optimal transfer of n spacecraft from an initial parking orbit to a e nal operational orbit with the added constraint that all spacecraft are injected from the parking orbit on one upper-stage booster and that all are required to be spaced along the e nal orbit according to some prescribed, but otherwise arbitrary, spacing constraint between individual spacecraft.Two particularcasesof theproblem, knownastheweak- andthestrong-boostercases,areexamined. In the weak-booster case, the booster provides the departure maneuver from parking orbit, but because of a booster propellent constraint, its trajectory does not reach the e nal orbit, requiring that all spacecraft make at least two maneuvers to completethetransfer. For the strong-booster case, the booster departure maneuverisunconstrained inmagnitude, implying thatatleastoneof thespacecraftcan completethetransferwith a single maneuverbecause the transfer trajectory can reach the e nal orbit. The solution is formulated for a general force e eld, and examples are given for a three-spacecraft constellation transfer in the restricted three-body problem force-e eld model.
The effects of intensive supervision on shock probationers

Abstract Faced with ever increasing prison populations, state corrections officials are searching for ways to reduce the rate of incarceration. This study examined a combination of two programs, shock probation and intensive supervision. By comparing intensive shock to regular shock probation cases, it was determined that intensive supervision led to increased contact and referrals resulting in more positive adjustment (i.e. a higher employment rate) but failed to produce a significantly lower recidivism rate.
Receipt of independent living services among older youth in foster care: An analysis of national data from the U.S.

Abstract Fifteen years has passed since the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program was created under the Social Security Act, which marked an increased role of the U.S. federal government in supporting foster care youth to independence. It was not until the National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) was launched in 2010 that all 50 states reported standard data on receipt of the 13 types of Chafee independent living services. This paper, which draws on the first two years of NYTD data, analyzes Chafee service receipt across the U.S. among youth in foster care (ages 16–21). About half of the 131,204 youth included in this analysis received at least one type of Chafee service, and considerable variation existed in the proportion of youth that received each of the 13 specific types of services. Females were more likely than males to receive all but one type of service, and African Americans were less likely to receive most of the services. An interaction effect indicated that Black youth were significantly less likely to receive services in large urban areas than other racial/ethnic groups. Young people with disabilities or medical/psychological conditions were generally more likely to receive services than youth without disabilities. Youth in large urban regions receive fewer services than youth residing in other areas, and substantial variation exists between states in proportions of service recipients. Recommendations are made for targeting services, future data collection, and research, including suggestions on ways to improve measurement of Chafee services.
Comparison of Two Rigid Pavement Design Methods

A comparison of the design thickness of rigid pavement slabs as determined by the AASHTO and PCA methods is presented. The comparison is given for a wide range of truck volumes and axle weights to represent the loadings that are likely to occur on facilities ranging from residential streets to major freeways. The effect of foundation strength on slab thickness is also examined for each design method.
Efficient low-error analytical-numerical approximations for radial solutions of nonlinear Laplace equations

We study radial solution of nonlinear elliptic partial differential equations of the form ??u=f(u) (a nonlinear Laplace equation) by means of an analytical-numerical method, namely optimal homotopy analysis. In this method, one obtain approximate analytical solutions which contain a free control parameter. This control parameter can be adjusted in order to improve the convergence or accuracy of the approximations. We outline the general technique for obtaining radial solutions of the general nonlinear elliptic partial differential equations of the form ??u=f(u), before focusing our attention on several specific equations, namely, the modified Liouville equation (with general positive nonlinearity), the Yamabe equation, and a generalized Lane-Emden equation of second kind. For the general case, we outline the method by which one may control the residual errors of these analytical-numerical approximations. One benefit to this method is that one can obtain solutions with rather low residual errors after only a few terms in the analytical expansion are calculated. This makes the method rather efficient compared to a standard homotopy approach, where many terms may need to be computed to guarantee the accuracy of the solution. By studying the modified Liouville equation (with general positive nonlinearity), the Yamabe equation, and a generalized Lane-Emden equation of second kind, we demonstrate that the benefits of the method are often related to the form of the nonlinearity inherent in the problem. For certain forms of nonlinearity, the method gives very accurate solutions after relatively few terms, while for other forms of nonlinearity this is not the case.
Electrical properties of random checkerboards at finite scales

Under investigation is the scale dependent electrical conductivity (and resistivity) of two-phase random checkerboards at arbitrary volume fractions and phase contrasts. Using variational principles, rigorous mesoscale bounds are obtained on the electrical properties at finite scales by imposing a boundary condition that is either uniform electric potential or uniform current density. We demonstrate the convergence of these bounds to the effective properties with increasing length scales. This convergence gives rise to the notion of a scalar-valued scaling function that accounts for the statistical nature of the mesoscale responses. A semi-analytical closed form solution for the scaling function is obtained as a function of phase contrast, volume fraction and the mesoscale. Finally, a material scaling diagram is constructed with which the convergence to the effective properties can be assessed for any random checkerboard with arbitrary phase contrast and volume fraction.
The impact of processing load on emotion

This event-related fMRI study examined the impact of processing load on the BOLD response to emotional expressions. Participants were presented with composite stimuli consisting of neutral and fearful faces upon which semi-transparent words were superimposed. This manipulation held stimulus-driven features constant across multiple levels of processing load. Participants made either (1) gender discriminations based on the face; (2) case judgments based on the words; or (3) syllable number judgments based on the words. A significant main effect for processing load was revealed in prefrontal cortex, parietal cortex, visual processing areas, and amygdala. Critically, enhanced activity in the amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex seen during gender discriminations was significantly reduced during the linguistic task conditions. A connectivity analysis conducted to investigate theories of cognitive modulation of emotion showed that activity in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was inversely related to activity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. Together, the data suggest that the processing of task-irrelevant emotional information, like neutral information, is subject to the effects of processing load and is under top-down control.
A conformation-preference/potency correlation for GnRH analogs: NMR evidence

Abstract Unlike natural GnRH (which shows a random flexible conformation with a populated reverse turn at residues 3,4), napharelin adopts (in aqueous media containing hexafluoroisopropanol) a non-random conformation in the region of the putative pharmacophore, a type II' β turn at residues 5→8.
Superficial stress and strain at coherent interfaces

Abstract The thermodynamics of a coherent interface separating two non-hydrostatically stressed crystals is examined using the Gibbsian paradigm of a dividing surface and associated superficial quantities. Cahn–Hilliard diffuse interface theory is used to derive equations governing the equilibrium composition, stress, and strain profiles through a planar surface of discontinuity. Expressions are then obtained for the superficial stress and strain (excess volume) assuming the isotropic elastic constants are independent of composition and the lattice parameter is a quadratic function of the composition. Materials parameters are identified for which the superficial stress becomes independent of the position of the dividing surface, and the dependence of the superficial stress on the application of a stress normal to the interface, as well as the strain components in the plane of the interface, is calculated for various compositional strains. The superficial stress is estimated to be of the order 1–10 3 dynes/cm and can be either positive or negative in sign.
Hormone Production in the Hypophysial Pars Tuberalis of Intact and Hypophysectomized Rats

The endocrine function of the hypophysial pars tuberalis is currently unknown. Recent immunocytochemical and electron microscopic studies have shown the presence of gonadotropin-producing cells in this tissue in intact rats. Because the pars tuberalis is not destroyed by hypophysectomy, the objective of the present study was to determine whether this gland is activated to produce pituitary hormones following hypophysectomy. Hormone-producing cells were identified by the unlabeled antibody peroxidase-antiperoxidase method of immunocytochemistry using primary antisera generated against the following hormones: LH, FSH, TSH, GH, PRL, ACTH, and beta-endorphin. In intact control rats, the only cell types detected in the pars tuberalis were gonadotropes and thyrotropes. Most gonadotropes contained both LH and FSH. The TSH cells were a separate cell population, and constituted the majority of pars tuberalis parenchymal cells. As early as 1 week after hypophysectomy, a hyperplastic and hypertrophic response was noted in the gonadotropes, and both cell types showed cytological features characteristic of enhanced hormonal synthesis and secretion. These responses increased with time post hypophysectomy. Secretory cell types not present in the pars tuberalis before hypophysectomy, i.e. somatotropes, mammotropes, opiocorticotrophes, were not activated or induced to differentiate after hypophysectomy. Based on these immunocytochemical observations, the hypophysectomized rat cannot be viewed as an animal totally devoid of anterior pituitary hormones. It has the capacity, or at least the potential, for secretion of LH, FSH, and TSH.
Evidence-Based Multidisciplinary Strategies for Working With Children Who Set Fires

In 1999, the National Association of State Fire Marshals received a grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, which culminated in the development of nationwide workshops designed to help communities intervene with children who play with and/or set fires. The purpose of this article is to describe the content of these multidisciplinary workshops including a comprehensive overview of fireplay and firesetting among youth in the United States. Strategies for assessing and intervening with these children and their families within a community-based framework are discussed, and implications for nursing practice and research are highlighted.
Integrating Social Development and Financial Sustainability: The Challenges of Rural Computer Kiosks in Kerala

This paper examines the social and political challenges related to the implementation of information and communication technology (ICT) kiosk projects for rural development in India. Specifically, the paper focuses on the Akshaya project, a franchise of rural computer-service kiosks, which was implemented in Kerala as a public-private sector collaboration. The Akshaya project has the twin goals of social development through increased access to computers for rural people and financial viability through market-driven entrepreneurship. Using interview and participant observation methods, we examine the challenges that state actors and entrepreneurs face in simultaneously addressing social and financial sustainability. The preliminary evidence suggests that there is a tension between these goals at a macro level (within the state) and a micro level (for entrepreneurs and potential consumers) that makes it difficult to run a financially self-sustaining ICT kiosk project that also meets social development goals. The paper demonstrates that the implementation of ICTs for development is not simply a technical process of delivering services to the poor, but is a highly political process that involves tradeoffs and prioritization of particular goals to attain sustainability. Branding this project is a challenge for the state and entrepreneurs due to consumer perceptions of what development is, with particular expectations of state provided services, versus what business is.
The Effectiveness of Incentive Mechanisms in Major League Baseball

Past work on principal-agent problems in sports does not effectively compare among players. The comparison must be made between players nearing contract negotiations and other players to detect ex ante strategic behavior (turning up performance just prior to contract negotiations) and ex post shirking (slacking off after signing the contract). The authors’ productivity measures include statistics reflecting both the player’s desire (or availability) to play as well as his performance once he enters a game. The data reject strategic performance. This suggests that mechanisms aimed at curbing strategic performance by players appear to be working well. However, pitchers with nagging injuries may be more likely to be placed on the disabled list while under long-term contracts. This may imply strategic behavior or, conversely, that clubs are choosing to protect an investment. A performance measure used to test for shirking affects some results but not the ultimate conclusions.
Trends in diabetes-related visits to US EDs from 1997 to 2007

Abstract Objective The aims of the study were to describe temporal trends in the number, proportion, and per capita use of diabetes-related emergency department (ED) visits and to examine any racial/ethnic disparity in ED use for diabetes-related reasons. Methods We analyzed the ED portion of the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey from 1997 through 2007. Diabetes-related ED visits were identified by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes. Descriptive statistics were developed. Weighted linear and logistic regression models were used to determine significance of temporal trends, and multivariate logistic regression was used to examine racial/ethnic disparities. Results A total of 20.2 million (1.69%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.59%-1.78%) ED visits were diabetes-related during the study period. We observed significant increases in the number and proportion of diabetes-related ED visits. Overall, there was a 5.6% relative annual increase in the proportion of ED visits that were diabetes-related during the study period. However, the per capita ED use among the population with diabetes did not change over time ( P > .05 for trend). On multivariate analysis, black race (odds ratio, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.7-2.0), Hispanic ethnicity (odds ratio, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.4-1.8), and advancing age were associated with significantly higher odds of having a diabetes-related visit. Conclusions Despite a marked increase in number and proportion of diabetes-related ED visits during the study period, the per capita use of ED services for diabetes-related visits among the diabetic population remained stable.
SELLING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE IN LATE QING TIANJIN: COMMERCIAL ADVERTISEMENTS FOR WEISHENG PRODUCTS IN THE DAGONG BAO, 1902–1911

Based on the advertisements in the Dagong bao 大公報, this article first attempts to understand the concept of weisheng 衛生 as promoted by advertisers, arguing that during the first decade of the twentieth century, when social reformers had already used this old Chinese term to translate the Western concept of hygiene and associated it with public health programs and a stronger state, the general public as consumers in Tianjin continued to understand the concept according to its traditional meaning of “guarding life.” However, new ideas, such as disease-causing germs, cleanliness, and odor, were grafted on to this old weisheng concept as a result of strong Western influence. Still, Chinese “weisheng” differed from Western “hygiene” even in the context of private health, as foreign ideas were often transformed drastically to fit into the Chinese medical tradition. The second part of this article further explores the consumption activities involving products that were associated with the weisheng concept and discusses three questions: What did weisheng products include? Who were the consumers of weisheng products? And what kind of role did gender play in weisheng consumption?
Moxifloxacin and Torsade de Pointes

Objective:To report a case of torsade de pointes in a patient receiving moxifloxacin.Case Summary:An 87-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital for pneumonia, and antibiotic therapy with intravenous moxifloxacin 400 mg/day was initiated. The patient was noted to have significant QTc interval prolongation 2 hours after administration of moxifloxacin and developed torsade de pointes 8–10 hours after moxifloxacin administration. She was converted back to normal sinus rhythm after a precordial thump. Moxifloxacin was discontinued, and the woman's QTc interval subsequently returned to baseline.Discussion:Torsade de pointes is a life-threatening arrhythmia that has previously been associated with the use of fluoroquinolones. Minimal information is available regarding the risk of torsade de pointes with moxifloxacin. According to the Naranjo probability scale, the episode in this case was probably related to administration of intravenous moxifloxacin.Conclusions:In patients with underlying risk factors for a...
Nutritional Ecology of the Formosan Subterranean Termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae): Feeding Response to Commercial Wood Species

The feeding preferences of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, were tested in three separate experiments on 28 different wood species. Experiment 1 was a multiple-choice test designed to test relative preferences among 24 wood species commercially available in New Orleans, LA. Experiment 2 was a similar study designed to test relative preferences among 21 wood species shown or reported to be unpalatable to the Formosan subterranean termite. Experiment 3 was a no-choice test to examine the feeding deterrence of the 10 least preferred wood species. Preference was determined by consumption rates. Birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton), red gum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.), Parana pine [Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) 1, sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.), pecan (Carya illinoensis Wangenh.), and northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) were the most preferred species by C. formosanus in order of consumption rate. All of these species were significantly more preferred than southern yellow pine (Pinus taeda L.), widely used for monitoring. Sinker cypress [ = old growth bald cypress, Taxodium distichum (L.)], western red cedar (Thuja plicata Donn), Alaskan yellow cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis D. Don), eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana L.), sassafras [Sassafras albidum (Nutt.)], Spanish cedar (Cedrella odorata L.), Honduras mahogany (Swietenia macrophyla King), Indian rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia Roxb.), Honduras rosewood (D. stevensonii Standl.), and morado (Machaerium sp.) induced significant feeding deterrence and mortality to C. formosanus. The last eight species produced 100% mortality after 3 mo.
Enhancing Primary Care Through Online Communication

The effective delivery of primary care requires more frequent information exchange and communication than the typical office visit allows. Although industry leaders endorse health information technology (IT) to improve health outcomes and reduce costs, there has been less attention devoted to the use of this technology to deliver care. Using Internet-based technologies such as secure messaging, videoconferencing, and remote physiological monitoring can provide information to improve the patient-provider relationship and the quality of health care. Evidence has shown that patients and providers are willing to use these care delivery technologies. However, their success will require integration with electronic health records and payment models that support their implementation and growth.
Digital print workflow optimization under due-dates, opportunity cost and resource constraints

On-demand digital printing is an example of emerging personalized manufacturing services. It provides unique opportunities to automate the printing process, enhance productivity, and better utilize resources such as equipment, servers and IT infrastructure. In this work, we present a unified solution approach to solve an important optimization problem in digital printing, viz., simultaneous mapping of component tasks of a print job to time steps (scheduling), selection of resources for these tasks, and mapping of tasks to resources (binding). We model print jobs, the relationships between them, and dependencies between tasks within a job, in terms of sequencing graphs. This formal representation is then used for scheduling and resource binding. The optimization objective is to enable justin-time manufacturing, that is, to minimize both the slack time (the duration between the delivery deadline and the completion time of the order) and the opportunity cost for job orders. The proposed approach uses genetic algorithms (GA) to systematically search the space of feasible solutions. The fitness function of the GA is carefully crafted to match the optimization objective. An integer linear programming (ILP) model is described to evaluate the GA heuristic by deriving optimal solutions for small problem instances. The optimization technique is further evaluated using print orders from a commercial print service provider and compared to baseline methods commonly implemented in the industrial settings.
Polarization control with two-dimensional coupled photonic crystal microcavity arrays

We measured band diagrams of two-dimensional coupled-photonic crystal microcavity arrays and obtained group velocity below 0.008c. A strong polarization sensitivity is observed with rotationally asymmetric structures, which can be used in polarizing mirrors and sensors.
The Quasi-Stationary State Approximation in Polymerization Kinetics.

Abstract : The errors incurred in free-radical chain addition polymerizations through the use of the popular quasi-stationary state approximation (QSSA) under server, but fairly common, reaction conditions are examined in detail and simple, useful criteria for applicability of the QSSA are proposed. The conditions examined are 'dead-end' polymerization, polymerization with hindered termination and non-isothermal polymerization. It is concluded that the proposed criteria are reasonably accurate and that in most known free-radical polymerizations only hindered termination might possibly lead to appreciable errors through application of the QSSA. (Author)
A balancing act: protein-energy wasting in chronic kidney disease

protein energy wasting and its extreme form, cachexia, is common among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This maladaptive metabolic state is fueled by inflammation and is characterized by anorexia, increased energy expenditure, ineffective utilization of nutrients, and augmented protein
Metastasis Suppressors Regulate the Tumor Microenvironment by Blocking Recruitment of Prometastatic Tumor-Associated Macrophages

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients have the highest risk of recurrence and metastasis. Because they cannot be treated with targeted therapies, and many do not respond to chemotherapy, they represent a clinically underserved group. TNBC is characterized by reduced expression of metastasis suppressors such as Raf kinase inhibitory protein (RKIP), which inhibits tumor invasiveness. Mechanisms by which metastasis suppressors alter tumor cells are well characterized; however, their ability to regulate the tumor microenvironment and the importance of such regulation to metastasis suppression are incompletely understood. Here, we use species-specific RNA sequencing to show that RKIP expression in tumors markedly reduces the number and metastatic potential of infiltrating tumor-associated macrophages (TAM). TAMs isolated from nonmetastatic RKIP(+) tumors, relative to metastatic RKIP(-) tumors, exhibit a reduced ability to drive tumor cell invasion and decreased secretion of prometastatic factors, including PRGN, and shed TNFR2. RKIP regulates TAM recruitment by blocking HMGA2, resulting in reduced expression of numerous macrophage chemotactic factors, including CCL5. CCL5 overexpression in RKIP(+) tumors restores recruitment of prometastatic TAMs and intravasation, whereas treatment with the CCL5 receptor antagonist Maraviroc reduces TAM infiltration. These results highlight the importance of RKIP as a regulator of TAM recruitment through chemokines such as CCL5. The clinical significance of these interactions is underscored by our demonstration that a signature comprised of RKIP signaling and prometastatic TAM factors strikingly separates TNBC patients based on survival outcome. Collectively, our findings identify TAMs as a previously unsuspected mechanism by which the metastasis-suppressor RKIP regulates tumor invasiveness, and further suggest that TNBC patients with decreased RKIP activity and increased TAM infiltration may respond to macrophage-based therapeutics.
Multiuser sonar properties for Costas array frequency hop coded signals

The cross-ambiguity properties of Costas-array frequency-hop coded signals for use in wideband multiuser sonar systems are established. In order to prevent system crosstalk, cross-ambiguity function for the signals should be minimized. The conditions under which Costas arrays achieve the minimum value of their cross-ambiguity functions are provided. The upper bound on the maximum number of hits in the cross-ambiguity function for Welch-Costas arrays is given, and it is shown that the maximum number of hits depends on the form of the prime over which the arrays are constructed. >
Longitudinal Changes in Heart Rate Recovery After Maximal Exercise in Pediatric Heart Transplant Recipients: Evidence of Autonomic Re-innervation?

Background Cardiac autonomic innervation modulates heart rate (HR) response during and HR recovery after exercise in normal subjects. Heart transplantation results in surgical interruption of autonomic innervation. We assessed whether HR response during exercise and HR recovery after exercise in pediatric heart transplant recipients are consistent with autonomic denervation of the heart after transplant and whether they evolve over years in a manner consistent with autonomic re-innervation. Methods We compared HR response during and HR recovery after a maximum treadmill exercise test in 35 children (median age 13.4 years) after a median follow-up of 1 year after heart transplant with two control groups: post-operative Fontan patients ( n = 31) and normal children ( n = 35). We then analyzed 153 treadmill exercise tests performed serially in 45 heart transplant recipients (median 3 tests/patient) for longitudinal changes in peak HR and HR recovery after exercise. Results Transplant recipients had higher body mass index, higher resting HR and significantly attenuated 1- and 3-minute HR recovery after cessation of exercise compared with both control groups ( p p p p p Conclusions HR response to exercise and HR recovery after exercise in pediatric heart transplant recipients are consistent with autonomic denervation after transplant and suggestive of late autonomic re-innervation of these hearts.
Which U.S. Market Interactions Affect CEO Pay? Evidence from U.K. Companies

This paper examines how different types of interactions with U.S. markets by non-U.S. firms are associated with higher level of CEO pay, greater emphasis on incentive-based compensation, and smaller pay gap with U.S. firms. Using a sample of CEOs of U.K. firms and using both broad cross-sectional and narrow event-window tests, we find that capital market relationship in the form of an U.S. exchange listing is related to higher U.K CEO pay; however, the effect is similar when U.K. firms have a listing in any foreign country implying a foreign listing effect not unique to the U.S. Product market relationships measured by the extent of sales in the U.S. by U.K. companies are associated with higher pay, greater use of U.S.-style pay arrangements, and a reduction in the U.S.-U.K. pay gap. The product market effect is incremental to the effect of a U.S. exchange listing, the extent of the firm’s non-U.S. foreign market interactions, and the characteristics of the executive. The U.S-U.K. CEO pay gap reduces in U.K. firms that make U.S. acquisitions. Further, the firm’s use of a U.S. compensation consultant increases the sensitivity of U.K. pay practices to U.S. product market relationships.
Ontology and taxonomy collaborated framework for meeting classification

A framework for classification of meeting videos is proposed in this paper. We define our framework consisting of a four level concept hierarchy having movements, events, behavior, and genre; which is based on the meeting ontology and taxonomy. Ontology is the formal specification of domain concepts and their relationships. Taxonomy is the general categorization based on class/subclass relationships. This concept hierarchy is mapped to an implementation of finite state machines (FSM) and rule-based system (RBS) to classify the meetings. Events are detected by the FSMs based on the movements (head and hand tracks). Classification of the meetings is performed by the RBS based on the events, and behaviors of the people present in the meetings. Our framework is novel and scalable, capable of adding new meeting types with no re-training. We conducted experiments on various meeting sequences and classified meetings into voting, argument, presentation, and object passing. This framework has applications in automated video surveillance, video segmentation and retrieval (multimedia), human computer interaction, and augmented reality.
Results from regional vibroseis profiling Appalachian ultra-deep core hole site study

Summary. In 1985, 180 km of regional vibroseis profiles were acquired in the Carolinas and Georgia, southeastern United States, as part of the Appalachian Ultra-Deep Core Hole (ADCOH) Site Study. The data quality is excellent, with large-amplitude reflections from faults and crystalline rocks, lower Palaeozoic shelf strata and from within autochthonous Grenville basement. The profiles image the subsurface more clearly than other available data and allow the possibility of alternative interpretations of important elements of the tectonic framework of the southern Appalachians. The major points in the interpretation are: 1) The Blue Ridge master decollement is at a depth of 2-3 km beneath the Blue Ridge. This thrust increases in dip just NW of the Brevard fault zone. 2) The Brevard fault zone appears to splay from the master decollement at 6 km (2.2 s) near Westminster, S.C., and defines the base of the crystalline Inner Piedmont allochthon. 3) Below the Blue Ridge thrust sheet are images of duplex and imbricate structures (“duplex tuning wedges”) connected by other thrust faults that duplicate shelf strata to a thickness of 4–5 km. 4) Subhorizontal reflections from depths of 6 to 9 km may be from relatively undisturbed lower Palaeozoic strata as suggested by others. 5) Eocambrian-Cambrian(?) rift basins in the Grenville basement are also imaged. The ADCOH data were originally recorded with 14–56 Hz bandwidth and 8 s length, but an extended Vibroseis correlation was used to produce 17 s data length revealing reflections from within the upper crust. Below 8 s, reflections from within the Grenville basement become weak, but are observable as late as 13 s; however, these Moho (?) reflections are generally short segments.
Trajectory Generation on Approach and Landing for RLVs Using Motion Primitives and Neighboring Optimal Control

A major objective of next generation reusable launch vehicle (RLV) programs includes significant improvements in vehicle safety, reliability, and operational costs. In this paper, trajectory generation on approach/ landing (A&L) for RLVs using motion primitives (MPs) and neighboring optimal control (NOC) is discussed. The proposed trajectory generation approach at A&L phase is based on an MP scheme which consists of trims and maneuvers. From an initial point to a given touchdown point, all feasible trajectories that satisfy certain constraints are generated and saved into a trajectory database. An optimal trajectory can then be found off-line by using Dijkstra's algorithm. After perturbations are imposed on the initial states of the off-line optimal trajectory, it is reshaped into a neighboring feasible trajectory on-line by using NOC approach. At this point, a neighboring feasible trajectory existence theorem (NFTET) is investigated and its proof is provided as well. The results show that the vehicle with stuck effectors can be recovered from failures in real time. Finally, robustness issues on NOC approach are briefly discussed.
Export Dynamics, Strategies and Performance within Japan's Machine-Tool Industry

Despite increased global market competition, Japan remains a leading producer of metal-cutting machinery. Exporting plays an important role in firm-level strategies, an approach that has occurred with much success in many of Japan's capital goods sectors. This article examines the dynamics of exporting within Japan's machine-tool sector in the context of recent industry changes and in terms of evolving product make-up. Evidence from a recent series of interviews mainly conducted in 2006 suggests that firms use a variety of strategies to succeed in export markets, with an emphasis on increased precision and service. These strategies continue to keep many Japanese producers in prominent market positions, despite spatial redistributions of world manufacturing activities.
Closed-Form Identication of Dynamic Discrete Choice Models with Proxies for Unobserved State Variables

For dynamic discrete choice models of forward-looking agents where a continuous state variable is unobserved but its proxy is available, we derive closed-form identication of the structure by explicitly solving integral equations. In therst step, we derive closed-form identication of Markov components. In the second step, we plug therst-step identifying formulas into linear restrictions to obtain closed-form identication of structural param- eters.
Detection and Characterization of Formamido Lesions in DNA by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Abstract Box, H. C., Patrzyc, H. B., Dawidzik, J. B., Iijima, H., Freund, H. G., Higbee, A. J. and Budzinski, E. E. Detection and Characterization of Formamido Lesions in DNA by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. Radiat. Res. 158, 538–542 (2002). DNA X-irradiated in oxygenated aqueous solution produces the formamido lesion from the breakdown of pyrimidine nucleosides. This pyrimidine breakdown product inhibits the hydrolysis by nuclease P1 of the phosphoester bond 3′ to the damaged nucleoside. Consequently, the lesion can be obtained from an enzymatic digest of the DNA as a modified dinucleoside monophosphate in which the 5′ nucleoside contains the lesion. In this form, the formamido lesion can be detected with good sensitivity by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Nucleosides that have lost the base moiety also inhibit nuclease P1. Together, the formamido and abasic lesions account for all of the substantial peaks in the LC-MS ion current profile.
Planning Water Resources Research Programs

Development of a plan for a water research program is no simple task. The manager must resolve a number of problems which, although not unique, are complicated because of the nature of the scientific enterprise. Among the problems are the balance between basic and applied research, criteria for project selection, difficulties of crash programs, staffing, establishing priorities, and control of duplication of efforts. An effective program must plan not only for the actual research effort, but must include consideration for dissemination and implementation of the results. This means that practitioners must be included in the continuing planning effort. Furthermore, the interaction between practitioners and scientists will assist in insuring that the results will be in a form that will be useable. The researchers should then be used by the funding organization to be sure that the results are understood and properly implemented.
Unique mechanism of inhibition of Na+-amino acid cotransport during chronic ileal inflammation

In the chronically inflamed ileum, unique mechanisms of alteration of transport processes suggest regulation by different immune-inflammatory mediator pathways. We previously demonstrated that Na+-...
Trust – a Substitute or Complement for Control? Evidence from Germany

Co-operative agreements are often characterized as unstable, risky or dangerous due to the uncertainty regarding a partner’s future behaviour. However, firms still enter into cooperative relationsh...
Attachment of sedentary marine organisms to petrolatum surfaces.

SummaryThe action of petrolatum in delaying or preventing the attachment of sedentary marine organisms to submerged surfaces is not consistently altered by changes in consistency, produced by dilution with miscible liquids, or in wettability, produced by incorporation of wetting agents. The alterations observed appear rather to be the result of unknown chemical differences in the coatings. One such difference, characteristic of mixtures of petrolatum with aliphatic sulfonates, was shown to be related to orientation at the surface. It is suggested that the interface between such a mixture and sea water has a negative charge, and that this may be important in its antifouling properties.
Development of an Alternate Synthesis for a Key JAK2 Inhibitor Intermediate via Sequential C–H Bond Functionalization

The development of an alternative synthetic route to a functionalized imidazopyridazine which strategically streamlines the synthesis and avoids a number of problematic reagents is described. Key to the success of this alternative route is the use of two C–H functionalization reactions: a Pd-catalyzed direct benzylation reaction to functionalize a C–H bond with a substituted benzyl group and a V-catalyzed NMO addition reaction to install a benzylic morpholine moiety.