cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The role of pragmatic principles in resolving attachment ambiguities: Evidence from eye movements

In an eyetracking experiment, participants read sentences that contained a prepositional phrase (PP) that could be attached to one of two preceding verbs. To understand the sentence, readers had to select which verb would serve as the host for the PP. In some of the sentences, the critical verbs and the PPs were part of a subordinate clause in which lexical and syntactic factors were expected to matter, but discourse factors favoring attachment of the material to positions where it would be relevant to the main assertion of the sentence were not expected to matter. In other sentences, the critical material was tested in main clause contexts in which the main assertion principle was predicted to apply. Hierarchical linear modeling showed that online attachment preferences were affected by clause type (main vs. subordinate). Specifically, the preference for a local verb over a distant verb was greater when the critical material appeared within a subordinate clause than when it appeared within a main clause. This pattern of results can be explained by the operation of the relativized relevance or main assertion principle, which in our sentences meant that participants favored attachment of the PP to the first verb over the second.
Semiconducting polymers: Fast response non-linear optical materials

Abstract Semiconductor polymers such as polyacetylene and polythiophene have experimentally demonstrated non-linear optical processes (photoinduced absorption, photoinduced bleaching and photoluminescence), with characteristic time scales in the picosecond range or faster. These phenomena are intrinsic and originate from the instability of these conjugated polymers toward structural distortion. The major shifts in oscillator strength due to photoexcitation of solitons, polarons and bipolarons lead to relatively large third-order non-linear optical processes (χ (3) ) on time scales of order 10 −13 s. These novel photoexcitations, largely overlooked in earlier analyses, are the key to understanding the non-linear optical properties of this growing class of semiconducting (conjugated) polymers.
A government of laws : political theory, religion, and the American founding

This treatise re-evaluates the traditional understanding of the philosophic and intellectual background of the American founding in light of an assessment of Renaissance, medieval and ancient political philosophy. It shows that the Founding Fathers were consciously seeking to create a political order that would meet the demands of human nature and society. This analysis of their sources of political and constitutional theory hopes to initiate an original approach to American thought and experience.
Quest for magicity in exotic nuclei

Low-lying excitation properties of exotic nuclei in the vicinity of the canonical magic number 8 have been investigated through the level lifetime measurement on the neutron-rich isotope 13B with N = 8 and the missing-mass spectroscopy on the proton unbound nucleus 12O with Z = 8. The observed trends of the transition probabilities and level schemes have been discussed in comparison with the advanced shell model calculations, which points to the universality as well as the charge independence of the shell quenching phenomena far from stability.
Responses to apomorphine, amphetamine, and neuroleptics in schizophrenic subjects.

Twenty-one schizophrenic subjects, who had been neuroleptic-free, were tested for responsiveness to dopaminergic agonists: Apomorphine emesis threshold was determined and change in psychopathology after 0.5 mg/kg d-amphetamine orally was rated. The subjects' subsequent response to neuroleptic treatment were also determined. Sensitivity to apomorphine emesis was also determined in a nonschizophrenic control group. Apomorphine emesis threshold was not significantly different in the schizophrenic and control groups. Correlations were done between baseline psychopathology, apomorphine sensitivity, and changes in psychopathology after amphetamine and after neuroleptic treatment. On the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), baseline psychopathology correlated with improvement after neuroleptics and, on the clinical global impressions (CGI), increase of psychopathology after amphetamine also correlated with improvement after neuroleptic treatment. An inverse correlation was found between several indices of sensitivity to amphetamine (psychopathology change) and emetic sensitivity to apomorphine. An examination of individual subjects' responses to amphetamine and, subsequently, neuroleptics, suggested that in the absence of significant clinical change after amphetamine a brisk therapeutic response to neuroleptics was rare:
Production and chemical composition of potatoes related to placement and rate of nitrogen

Experiments with 11 N rates were conducted 3 years with Kennebec potatoes on Bodenburg silt loam in the Matanuska Valley of Alaska. Fertilizer placed in the row was compared with that mixed with the soil in the row for 2 years. Foliage and tuber samples were analyzed for chemical content. Stand reduction and decreased vigor occurred when row placed N exceeded 120–160 1b per acre. Foliage dry matter decreased 2 years as rate of N increased. Tuber dry matter was decreased one year by N rates exceed ing 100 1b per acre. U. S. No. 1 yield and dry matter with row placement of fertilizers at 40–80 1b N were highest in 2 years. When fertilizer was mixed with soil, both US No. 1 and dry matter yields increased each year with each N increment through 160 1b per acre. Increasing amounts of N tended to increase the N in foliage and tubers, the Mn in foliage but to decrease the Ca, Mg, Al, Ba, and Sr in foliage. Mixing the fertilizer with the soil as compared to placement in the row increased the Ca, Mg, Al, Ba, Fe, and Sr in foliage, and the tuber uptake of N, K, Mg, and Sr and decreased foliage N. Alaskan potato growers have doubled or tripled their rate of application of fertilizer over the past 15 years. At digging time potato plants are usually green and some growers have felt these higher fertilizer rates were supplying an excess of N which was delaying tuber maturity and decreasing tuber quality.
Collagen synthesis by cells synchronously replicating DNA.

Replication and the performance of a differentiated function have been considered antagonistic processes. When cells in culture are partially tially synchronized with 5-fluoro-29-deoxyuridine (FUdR), the synthesis of the specialized protein (collagen) is not reduced during chromosomal replication (S period). Collagen synthesis varies with general protein synthesis through the S period.
Efficient Algorithm for Solving Inverse Source Problems of a Nonlinear Diffusion Equation in Microwave Heating

Determination of the equivalent internal heat source from surface temperature measurements in microwave processing of materials is formulated as an inverse source problem of a nonlinear diffusion equation. The versatile generalized pulse-spectrum technique (GPST) inversion algorithm with the incorporation of multi-level grid method and hierarchical parallelism is developed for solving this type of inverse problems. Development of a simple 2D code has been completed. Numerical simulations are carried out to test the feasibility and capability of this improved GPST without the real measurement data. It is found that this new inversion algorithm not only does produce very good results but also is much more efficient and stable than its standard version.
Diabetes and urinary incontinence in 50- to 90-year-old women: A cross-sectional population-based study

Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the association between urinary incontinence and diabetes in a large community-based population of women. Study design The Health and Retirement Study is a large multistage area probability sample of households in the United States. Data were collected from 10,678 women aged 50 to 90 years. Dependent variables were no, mild, and severe incontinence. Independent variables consisted of demographic and health data. Diabetes was dichotomized into insulin-requiring (IRDM) and non–insulin-requiring disease (NIRDM). Survey-based ordered logistic regression was used to simultaneously analyze associations between incontinence groups. Results Urinary incontinence was reported by 22% (2319/10,678) of women. IRDM was associated with urinary incontinence (odds ratio [OR] 1.63; 95% CI 1.28-2.09), but NIRDM was not (OR 1.20; 95% CI 1.00-1.45). Conclusion IRDM is independently associated with urinary incontinence in women ages 50 to 90 years, independent of patient body mass index, comorbidities, or age.
Adequacy of the Human Faecal Microbiota Associated Mouse as a Model for Studying the Ecology of the Human Intestinal Tract

The adequacy of a human faecal microbiota associated mouse as a model for studying the activities of human intestinal microorganisms was examined. During a 6 month period, several predominant aerobic and anaerobic components of the human faecal bacteria persisted at stable numbers in the intestinal tracts of the mice. However, Bacillus species and both aerobic and anaerobic Lactobacillus species disappeared within 7 d after association. An inverse relationship existed between the presence of short-chain fatty acids and non-fatty organic acids in the caeca of the associated mice. The relative concentrations of the two acid groups changed over a 21 d period, suggesting an alteration in the pattern of metabolism by the bacteria during the course of the study. The total amount of organic acid produced by the microorganisms in the caeca of the associated mice was approximately 25 per cent of the published value for humans, suggesting that the human microbiota retained only a portion of its metabolic activities in the mouse host. When challenged orogastrically with Salmonella typhimurium , associated mice were as resistant to colonisation as conventional mice, but germfree mice were very susceptible. The results raise questions about the adequacy of the human faecal microorganisms associated mouse as a model to study the ecology of the human intestinal tract. The disappearances of Bacillus and both aerobic and anaerobic Lactobacillus species may influence the outcomes of the studies. Moreover, the greatly reduced metabolic activity of the human faecal microbiota in the mouse may diminish the significance of the results of metabolic studies when extrapolated to the human situation. However, the model might have utility in studies on colonisation resistance against various enteric pathogens. Keywords: colonisation resistance, mouse model, Salmonella typhimurium.
Methane on the greenhouse agenda

Options for reducing methane emissions, which could have a significant effect on global warming, are addressed. Emissions from landfills, coal mining, oil and natural gas systems, ruminants, animal wastes and wastewater, rice cultivation, and biomass burning are considered. Methods for implementing these emission reductions are discussed.
Space construction: an experimental testbed to develop enabling technologies

This paper discusses a new testbed developed at the Stanford Aerospace Robotics Laboratory (ARL) to address some of the key issues associated with semi-autonomous construction in a hazardous environment like space. The new testbed consists of a large two-link manipulator carrying two smaller two-link arms. This macro/mini combination was developed to be representative of actual space manipulators, such as the SSRMS/SPDM planned for the Space Station. This new testbed will allow us to investigate several key issues associated with space construction, including teleoperation versus supervised autonomy, dexterous control of a robot with flexibility, and construction with multiple robots. A supervised autonomy approach has several advantages over the traditional teleoperation mode, including operation with time delay, smart control of a redundant manipulator, and improved contact control. To mimic the dynamics found in space manipulators, the main arm was designed to include joint flexibility. The arm operates in 2-D, with the end-point floating on air-bearing. This setup allows cooperation with existing free-flying robots in the ARL. This paper reports the first experiments with the arm which explore the advantages of moving from teleoperation or human-in-the-loop control to the human supervisory or task-level control. A simple task, such as capturing a satellite-like object floating on the table, is attempted first with the human directly driving the end-point and second with the human directing the robot at a task-level. Initial experimental results of these two control approaches are presented and compared.
Loss of response to biologics versus increased risk of lymphoma in children with inflammatory bowel disease: the clinician’s conundrum

Inflammatory bowel disease in children can be marked by aggressive disease both at presentation and over time. Risk stratification of individual patients may help identify when early biologic therapy is justified. Currently, combination biologic and immunomodulator therapy for moderate-to-severe Crohn’s disease is the most effective treatment regimen. The clinician’s conundrum arises from the recent understanding that rare but serious adverse events do occur with use of these strong immune suppressive drugs and may be more prevalent with combination therapy. An understanding of the natural history of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and the benefits and risks of the current medical armamentarium is essential to provide optimal care for each child with inflammatory bowel disease.
Three‐dimensional filamentation of light in laser plasmas

The first calculations of time‐dependent laser–plasma filamentation in three dimensions are reported. These calculations are done with a three‐dimensional laser propagation code based on a previous two‐dimensional code [Phys. Fluids 31, 3079 (1988)]. The effect of incident beam structure, and in particular optical smoothing techniques, on the behavior of filamentation is studied. Both ponderomotive and thermal conduction dominated nonlinearities are considered, and calculations are done simulating both homogeneous nonabsorbing plasmas and inhomogeneous laboratory plasmas. Random phase screen (RPS) and induced spatial incoherence (ISI) optical smoothing techniques are investigated and compared to generic unsmoothed laser beams. Qualitative examples are presented and scaling studies are done and compared to a simple theoretical analysis. In typical laser–plasma interactions without optical smoothing, three‐dimensional effects lead to greatly increased filament intensities, as expected. Peak filament intensi...
Pyridine nucleotides of rabbit cornea with histotoxic anoxia: Chemical analysis, non-invasive fluorometry and physiological correlates

Abstract The pyridine nucleotides from both the epithelium and the endothelium of rabbit cornea were measured by the cycling assay. Sodium azide (10 m m ) applied for 1 hr to induce histotoxic anoxia decreased the endothelial NAD + NADH ratio from 4·62 to 1·49 and decreased the epithelial NAD + NADH ratio from 2·56 to 1·08. The larger NAD + NADH ratio for the endothelium as compared to the epithelium corresponds to a more oxidized state. The corresponding ratios for NADP + NADPH were 1·2 for the endothelium and 0·70 for the epithelium. Sodium azide had no effect on the NADP + NADPH ratio for the endothelium, but decreased the epithelial ratio to 0·62. Pyridine nucleotide fluorescence was measured with a difference corneal fluorometer on the perfused whole cornea preparation and the perfused everted corneal preparation. Sodium azide (10 m m ) for 30 min resulted in a 19·4 ± 0·7% increase in the pyridine nucleotide fluorescence from the whole corneal preparation and a 4·5 ± 0·6% increase from the everted endothelial preparation. Corneal anoxia induced by stopping the perfusion on the endothelial side resulted in a 18·7 ± 0·6% increase in pyridine nucleotide fluorescence for the whole corneal preparation. Sodium azide (10 m m ) resulted in a 35% decrease in the transendothelial potential difference and a 76% decrease in the rate of transendothelial fluid transport. A comparison is made between invasive chemical analysis and real time, non-invasive fluorometry to measure histotoxic corneal anoxia.
Distributed and Layered Sensing: Relevant EMC Issues

One can easily envision future military operations and emerging civilian requirements (e.g. intelligent unmanned vehicles for urban warfare, intelligent manufacturing plants) that will be both complex and stressing and will demand innovative sensors and sensor configurations. The goal of our research into distributed and layered sensing is to develop a cost effective and extendable approach for providing surveillance for a variety of applications in dynamically changing military and civilian environments. Within distributed and layered sensing, we foresee a new sensor archetype. In this paradigm, sensors and algorithms will be autonomously altered depending on the environment. Radars will use the same returns to perform detection and discrimination, to adjust the platform flight path and change mission priorities. The sensors will dynamically and automatically change waveform parameters to accomplish these goals. Disparate sensors will communicate and share data and instructions in real-time. Intelligent sensor systems will operate within and between sensor platforms such that the integration of multiple sensor data provides information needed to achieve dynamic goals and avoid electromagnetic fratricide. Intelligent sensor platforms working in partnership will increase information flow, minimize ambiguities, and dynamically change multiple sensors' operations based upon a changing environment. Concomitant with the current emphasis on more flexible defense structures, distributed and layered sensing will allow the appropriate incremental application of remote sensing assets by matching resources to the situation at hand.
Are Multiple Points of Attachment Necessary to Predict Cognitive, Affective, Conative, or Behavioral Loyalty?

Team identification has been shown to predict cognitive, affective, conative, and behavioural dimensions of sport spectatorship. Recently, the Point of Attachment Index was introduced as a comprehensive measure of a sport fan's different points of attachment within sport. The PAI, as studied here, is composed of six different points of attachment (i.e., team, players, coach, sport, university, and level of sport). The primary focus of this study was to determine whether fewer subscales from the Points of Attachment Index would satisfactorily predict cognitive, affective, conative, and behavioural dimensions of sport spectatorship. Data were collected from 358 university students (154 male, 204 female. The attachment to the team subscale explained a significant and meaningful amount of variance in BIRGing, satisfaction, conative loyalty, and attendance behaviour. Three of the other subscales (university, level, and coach), when added into each of the regression equations, explained a small but statistically significant amount of the remaining variance.
Modal Analysis of Ambient PMU Measurements Using Orthogonal Wavelet Bases

This paper proposes a new method, called wavelet scale decomposition, for modal analysis of ambient synchrophasor data using orthogonal wavelet bases. Wavelet formulation of the problem enables reliable estimation results even with short data analysis windows that are a few minutes long. Also, in addition to finding the mode frequency and damping ratio of oscillatory modes, the proposed method is able to estimate their mode shapes as well. The method is tested on some archived real phasor measurement unit data sets and on simulations from Kundur two area system. The results show that the proposed method is able to track damping ratio variations in power systems effectively with short analysis windows.
Current results of human heart transplantation.

At Stanford University Medical Center 109 patients have received 114 heart transplants since 1968. The major indication for transplantation has been cardiac failure due to myopathy secondary to coronary arteriosclerosis. Idiopathic cardiomyopathy has been the second greatest indication. The immunosuppressive regimen has consisted of azathioprine, prednisone, and antithymocyte globulin. Overall, 1-year survival is 52% and recent results indicate a 1-year survival rate of 66%. Currently, 44 patients are alive and the longest surviving patient has enjoyed 6.5 post-transplant years.
Wolves, Moose, and Tree Rings on Isle Royale

Investigation of tree growth in Isle Royale National Park in Michigan revealed the influence of herbivores and carnivores on plants in an intimately linked food chain. Plant growth rates were regulated by cycles in animal density and responded to annual changes in primary productivity only when released from herbivory by wolf predation. Isle Royale's dendrochronology complements a rich literature on food chain control in aquatic systems, which often supports a trophic cascade model. This study provides evidence of top-down control in a forested ecosystem.
Accuracy of kinematic wave and diffusion wave approximations for space‐independent flows on infiltrating surfaces

Error equations for the kinematic wave and diffusion wave approximations were derived under simplified conditions for space-independent flows occurring on infiltrating planes or channels. These equations specify error as a function of time in the flow hydrograph. The kinematic wave, diffusion wave and dynamic wave solutions were parameterized through a dimensionless parameter γ which is dependent on the initial conditions. This parameter reflects the effect of initial flow depth, channel bed slope, lateral inflow and channel roughness when the initial condition is non-vanishing; it reflects the effect of bed slope, channel roughness, lateral inflow and infiltration when the initial condition is vanishing. The error equations were found to be the Riccati equation.
Positioning Locative Media: A Critical Urban Intervention

Technologies of space, information and power are integral aspects of cartography that have serious implications for the legibility and accessibility of a city; thus the design of locative media is more than a technical problem. In this paper, i-metro, an interactive installation, is developed in four stages: first, a theoretical discussion of urban representation is linked to historical notions of the commons; second, research methodologies are described; third, the findings are summarized, exposing a critical information inequality; fourth, a public locative media intervention is proposed as a design response.
Construction of optical glucose nanobiosensor with high sensitivity and selectivity at physiological pH on the basis of organic-inorganic hybrid microgels

A new class of optical glucose nanobiosensors with high sensitivity and selectivity at physiological pH is described. To construct these glucose nanobiosensors, the fluorescent CdS quantum dots (QDs), serving as the optical code, were incorporated into the glucose-sensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-acrylamide-2-acrylamidomethyl-5-fluorophenylboronic acid) copolymer microgels, via both in situ growth method and "breathing in" method, respectively. The polymeric gel can adapt to surrounding glucose concentrations, and regulate the fluorescence of the embedded QDs, converting biochemical signals into optical signals. The gradual swelling of the gel would lead to the quenching of the fluorescence at the elevated glucose concentrations. The hybrid microgels displayed high selectivity to glucose over the potential primary interferents of lactate and human serum albumin in the physiologically important glucose concentration range. The stability, reversibility, and sensitivity of the organic-inorganic hybrid microgel-based biosensors were also systematically studied. These general properties of our nanobiosensors are well tunable under appropriate tailor on the hybrid microgels, in particular, simply through the change in the crosslinking degree of the microgels. The optical glucose nanobiosensors based on the organic-inorganic hybrid microgels have shown the potential for a third generation fluorescent biosensor.
Nonparametric methods for unbalanced multivariate data and many factor levels

We propose different nonparametric tests for multivariate data and derive their asymptotic distribution for unbalanced designs in which the number of factor levels tends to infinity (large a, small n"i case). Quasi gratis, some new parametric multivariate tests suitable for the large a asymptotic case are also obtained. Finite sample performances are investigated and compared in a simulation study. The nonparametric tests are based on separate rankings for the different variables. In the presence of outliers, the proposed nonparametric methods have better power than their parametric counterparts. Application of the new tests is demonstrated using data from plant pathology.
Theory of electronic transitions in slow atomic collisions

This review deals with quantitative descriptions of electronic transitions in atom-atom and ion-atom collisions. In one type of description, the nuclear motion is treated classically or semiclassically, and a wave function for the electrons satisfies a time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation. Expansion of this wave function in a suitable basis leads to time-dependent coupled equations. The role played by electron-translation factors in this expansion is noted, and their effects upon transition amplitudes are discussed. In a fully quantum-mechanical framework there is a wave function describing the motion of electrons and nuclei. Expansion of this wave function in a basis which spans the space of electron variables leads to quantum-mechanical close-coupled equations. In the conventional formulation, known as perturbed-stationary-states theory, certain difficulties arise because scattering boundary conditions cannot be exactly satisfied within a finite basis. These difficulties are examined, and a theory is developed which surmounts them. This theory is based upon an intersecting-curved-wave picture. The use of rotating or space-fixed electronic basis sets is discussed. Various bases are classified by Hund's cases (a)-(e). For rotating basis sets, the angular motion of the nuclei is best described using symmetric-top eigenfunctions, and an example of partial-wave analysis in such functions is developed. Definitions of adiabatic and diabatic representations are given, and rules for choosing a good representation are presented. Finally, representations and excitation mechanisms for specific systems are reviewed. Processes discussed include spin-flip transitions, rotational coupling transitions, inner-shell excitations, covalent-ionic transitions, resonant and near-resonant charge exchange, fine-structure transitions, and collisional autoionization and electron detachment.
Differencing music education

This paper is the pedagogical embodiment of accumulated understandings drawn from discussions of postmodern and poststructuralist theory and suggests some forms that an ethical music education might take. Music education in the postmodern era calls for and revives an attention to the relations between music and cultural narrative. Students bring diverse locational and historical narratives to the classroom. Bearing this in mind, this paper examines difference in the context of a music education that is now charged with both obligations as a result of internationalism, and with a role in resistance to the homogenising forces of globalisation. It suggests music education as a possible site for a critical concept of knowledge and as a dynamic site of cultural narrative.
Efficacy of Participating in a First-Year Seminar on Student Satisfaction and Retention.

Improving the first-year experience has been part of a broader set of initiatives to respond to concerns about undergraduate education (Astin, Keup, & Lindholm, 2002). This research examined the ef...
Simplified Method for Spatial Evaluation of Liquefaction Potential in the St. Louis Area

As a part of an earthquake hazard mapping program being undertaken by the U.S. Geological Survey in the St. Louis metropolitan area, surficial geologic mapping and subsurface geotechnical data have been compiled into a three-dimensional geographic information system (GIS). The potential for soil liquefaction was then spatially evaluated by using subsurface information from 562 boreholes for an assumed M7.5 earthquake emanating from the New Madrid Seismic Zone. Geotechnical data (standard penetration test N-values, overburden pressure, and depth-to-groundwater) and the scenario peak ground accelerations (PGA=0.1, 0.20, and 0.30 g) were applied to evaluate the factor of safety (FS) against earthquake-induced liquefaction. The liquefaction potential index (LPI) method was used in these evaluations because it allows for calculations of FS with depth for 10–25 discrete stratigraphic horizons overlying the bedrock across the St. Louis metropolitan area. LPI values were derived from the correlation between calc...
Single‐center retrospective study of long‐term use of low‐dose acitretin (Soriatane®) for psoriasis

BACKGROUND: Indicated as monotherapy for severe psoriasis in adults, acitretin (Soriatane®) can be used in combination therapy or as a ‘disease‐stabilizing, maintenance’ agent. While its efficacy for psoriasis and other disorders of keratinization is well established, its safety is often a concern for many dermatologists. The possible side effects associated with short‐term treatment of oral retinoids include mucocutaneous effects, elevation in serum lipid chemistries and liver enzymes, and teratogenicity. However, the only possible long‐term, cumulative side effect is skeletal and ligamentous calcification such as hyperostosis. There is a specific syndrome of hyperostosis associated with oral retinoids called DISH (diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis).OBJECTIVE: To examine the incidence of DISH syndrome in long‐term acitretin use for psoriasis and to quantify the incidence of other side effects.METHODS: All patients seen at the UCSF Psoriasis and Skin Treatment Center who had been on acitretin for m...
Promoting Early Literacy in Pediatric Practice: Twenty Years of Reach Out and Read

Reach Out and Read (ROR) is the first pediatric, evidence-based strategy to prevent problems of early childhood development and learning. With a start in a single clinic in Boston City Hospital in 1989, doctors working in >4000 clinics and practices gave ∼5.7 million new books to >3.5 million children in all 50 states in 2008. ROR also has become a model for a different way of thinking about parent education during primary care encounters, based less on telling and more on creating real-time learning experiences. ROR flourished because of (1) the growth of pediatric interest in child development, (2) local leadership of pediatric champions as well as nonmedical supporters, coordinators, and volunteers, (3) evidence of effectiveness, and (4) public financial support attributable to strong bipartisan support in Congress, led by Senator Edward Kennedy. Since ROR started, an increasing amount of research confirms the importance of reading aloud for the development of language and other emergent literacy skills, which in turn helps children get ready for school and leads to later success in reading. Future goals include continued growth until all low-income children are reached with pediatric advice and books, a national campaign led by physicians encouraging all parents to read to their children every day, additional evidence-based, parent information to increase the effectiveness of parents reading to children, quality-improvement efforts to achieve the full potential, and global expansion.
Transformation of Received Signal Polarization Angle to the Plane of the Ecliptic

THE solar occultation of the Pioneer VI spacecraft in November 1968 provided the first opportunity to measure the polarization rotation of a CW signal in the solar corona. The received signal polarization angle measured with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's 64-m Mars station azimuthelevation mount antenna was transformed to the plane of the ecliptic. The derivation of the equations required for this transformation is presented.
Association of Short-term Ambient Air Pollution Concentrations and Ventricular Arrhythmias

The authors evaluated the association between ventricular arrhythmias detected by implantable cardioverter defibrillators and ambient air pollution concentrations in the hours immediately before the arrhythmia. Patients given implantable cardioverter defibrillators at the New England Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts, between mid-1995 and 1999 who lived within 40 km of a central monitoring site (n = 203) were followed until July 2002. The authors used a case-crossover design to study the association between ambient air pollution and up to 798 confirmed ventricular arrhythmias among 84 subjects. The authors found that interquartile range increases in 24-hour moving average particulate matter less than 2.5 mum in aerodynamic diameter and ozone were associated with 19% and 21% increased risks of ventricular arrhythmia, respectively. For each, there was evidence of a linear exposure response, and the associations appeared independent. These associations were stronger than associations with mean concentrations on the same calendar day and previous calendar days. The authors did not find associations with pollutant concentrations less than 24 hours before the arrhythmia. Cases with a prior ventricular arrhythmia within 72 hours had greater risk associated with air pollutants than did cases without a recent arrhythmia. These results confirm previous findings and suggest that matching of pollution periods to arrhythmias is important in detecting such associations.
Density, infrared absorption, and crystallinity in 66 and 610 nylons

The intensities of crystalline and amorphous infrared bands of 66 and 610 nylon films were plotted against density. The curves were extrapolated to zero intensity to give revised values for the amorphous and crystalline densities which are probably more accurate than those previously used. The amorphous density of 610 nylon was in agreement with the value previously measured on quenched films, but the amorphous density of 66 nylon was about 2% lower. The new values for the crystalline densities are somewhat lower than those calculated from x-ray diffraction data.
Determination of left ventricular ejection fraction by computer densitometric analysis of digital subtraction angiography: Experimental validation and correlation with area-length methods

Conventional methods for calculating left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) require accurate edge definition and geometric assumptions, which may be compromised in the presence of dyssynergy. Computer densitometric analysis (CDA) of digital subtraction angiography offers the potential for calculation of EF, independent of LV shape, by comparing summated brightness for regions of interest at end diastole and end systole. Therefore, the accuracy of CDA was validated for 2 mechanical heart models of differing geometry, spherical and rectangular. Both models confirmed the close correlation between calculated and measured EF (r = 0.98 and r = 0.99, respectively). Subsequently, the CDA was compared with single and biplane area-length EF calculations in 72 patients, half with a previous myocardial infarction. In patients without previous myocardial infarction, CDA correlated closely with both single-plane and biplane EF (r = 0.91 and 0.93, respectively). The close correlation was maintained regardless of whether CDA was applied to direct LV injection or intravenous digital subtraction angiography. However, in 36 patients with previous myocardial infarction, CDA correlated less closely with single-plane (r = 0.74) than with biplane (r = 0.86) area-length EF. Thus, CDA permits calculation of EF without geometric assumptions, and may be superior to the area-length method in patients with LV dyssynergy after myocardial infarction.
Application of pattern recognition to security assessment and enhancement in power systems

There has been a very rapid increase in the size of power systems, and it is still growing. This growth has made the present day systems very big and complex. The complexity is arising especially due to many Interconnections, different types of loads and larger generating units. Also there is uncertainty in load forecasting. With EHV interconnections the disturbances are felt even in geographically distant parts of the system, increasing the severity of the disturbances. These factors make the satisfactory operating of the system a more difficult task. Added to this, Society is becoming more dependent on electric power; and it is essential to make the power available to customers without any interruption and within certain limits of voltage and frequency variations. This means that there is a great need to ensure that a system is as economical, reliable and secure as possible [1]. High reliability of the system is usually obtained by following the principles of bulk power supply planning. However, due to delay in commissioning of new plants and equipment, equipment outages, unexpected load demands and disturbances, the system may be forced to operate in or close to critical and emergency conditions. Hence, in addition to sophisticated planning and designing of the system, an effective operation and control of power systems is essential. The maintenance of a system in a reliable and secure mode is becoming an Important part of the Job of the operators. In the past, more emphasis was given to economic operation; but in view of the consequences of power failures, reliable and secure operation of the system is being given more importance. Security assessment deals with the tracking of the system and deciding whether the present state is secure or not. If the system's state is found to be insecure, it forewarns the operator to take possible remedial action or to be ready for the disturbance if it takes place. This is done before any disturbance (which may lead to failure or deterioration in the quality of supply) occurS. Thus security evaluation is essentially an on-line procedure. The paper will discuss the different operating states of a power system, system security and different approaches for transient security assessment. Recent research results applying the pattern recognition approach will be summarized and presented.
Repeated Exposure to Isoprene Oxidation Products Causes Enhanced Respiratory Tract Effects in Multiple Murine Strains

Ozone reacts with terpenes, common hydrocarbons in cleaning and consumer products as well as the ambient environment, to form particle- and gas-phase products; these have been shown to cause sensory irritation and airflow limitation in mice during single exposures. Isoprene, a hemiterpene emitted from both plants and animals as a bioeffluent, induces the largest effects. This study evaluated the effects of repeated exposures to isoprene oxidation products (OPs) on airway irritation, airflow limitation, and airway responsiveness. A secondary objective was to evaluate a genetic influence by examining multiple murine strains. Six strains (A/J, AKR/J, BALB/c, Swiss Webster, C57Bl/6, and C3H/HeN; total n = 35) were exposed to isoprene oxidation products (1080 ± 155 ppb isoprene + 3227 ± 157 ppb ozone at admixing) for 3 h/day for 4 consecutive days. Respiratory parameters were monitored on days 1 and 4 via head-out plethysmography, and airway responsiveness to aerosolized methacholine was evaluated 24 h before ...
On the Problems and Promise of Research on Lethal Police Violence: A Research Note

We presently have little information about how frequently police officers shoot citizens or are involved in any sort of interaction in which citizens die. Despite this, however, researchers persist in using the limited data available on fatal police violence in various sorts of analyses. The current article outlines the liabilities in available counts of fatal police action, describes some of the problems posed by using such data, discusses why counting citizens killed by police bullets is not a sound way to measure deadly force, and offers some ideas for improving measurement of the use of deadly force and other police actions that lead to the death of citizens.
Managing Attribute–Value Clinical Trials Data Using the ACT/DB Client–Server Database System

ACT/DB is a client - server database application for storing clinical trials and outcomes data, which is currently undergoing initial pilot use. It stores most of its data in entity - attribute - value form. Such data are segregated according to data type to allow indexing by value when possible, and binary large object data are managed in the same way as other data. ACT/DB lets an investigator design a study rapidly by defining the parameters (or attributes) that are to be gathered, as well as their logical grouping for purposes of display and data entry. ACT/DB generates customizable data entry. The data can be viewed through several standard reports as well as exported as text to external analysis programs. ACT/DB is designed to encourage reuse of parameters across multiple studies and has facilities for dictionary search and maintenance. It uses a Microsoft Access client running on Windows 95 machines, which communicates with an Oracle server running on a UNIX platform. ACT/DB is being used to manage the data for seven studies in its initial deployment. n JAMIA. 1998;5:139 - 151.
The editor's roundtable: Role of percutaneous coronary intervention and drug-eluting stents in patients with stable coronary heart disease

Dr. Friedewald has received honoraria from and is a speaker for Novartis, East Hanover, New Jersey. Dr. Boden has received honoraria from and is a speaker for CV Therapeutics, Palo Alto, California; Sanofi-Aventis, Bridgewater, New Jersey; and Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, Illinois. Dr. Stone is a member of the scientific advisory board of and has received honoraria from Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, California; and Boston Scientific Corporation, Natick, Massachusetts. Dr. Stone is a consultant for The Medicines Company, Parsippany, New Jersey; AstraZeneca, Wilmington, Delaware; Bristol-Meyers Squibb, New York, New York; and Eli Lilly & Company, Indianapolis, Indiana. Dr. Yancy has no relevant financial relationships to disclose. Dr. Roberts has received honoraria from and is a speaker for Merck-Schering Plough, Whitehouse Station, New Jersey; AstraZeneca; and Novartis.
Serial order processing in human infants and the role of multisensory redundancy

Perception, production, and understanding of sequences is fundamental to human behavior and depends, in large part, on the ability to detect serial order. Despite the importance of this issue across many domains of human functioning, the development of serial order skills has been neglected in developmental studies. The current article reviews evidence that the basic temporal and spatiotemporal skills that are necessary for the development of serial order skills emerge early in human development. The article then presents recent evidence from the author’s laboratory showing that serial order perceptual skills emerge at the same time and improve rapidly. Consistent with a multisensory redundancy view of perception, when serial order perceptual abilities first emerge in infancy, they depend critically on the redundant specification of sequences in both the auditory and visual modalities. The findings suggest that infants’ ability to perceive the surface serial order characteristics of sequentially organized events provides the necessary antecedents to the development of more complex serial order skills that ultimately enable us to extract meanings from sequentially organized events and perform complex sequential actions.
Understanding the Learning Cycle: Influences on Abilities to Embrace the Approach by Preservice Elementary School Teachers

The purpose of this study was to deepen science teacher educators' knowledge about the process of instilling the learning cycle within the teaching repertoire of elementary education majors. A previous study revealed great variability in preservice teachers' capacity to understand the learning cycle; the current study was designed to explore factors contributing to this situation. Attitudes toward science and teaching efficacy were posited to explain the rate at which students grasped this instructional approach. Understanding of the learning cycle was found to be predictable by science teaching outcome expectancy but not by personal science teaching efficacy nor attitudes toward science. Significant increases in both measures of efficacy were discovered and individual efficacy scores at the end of the methods course were correlated significantly with scores on the learning cycle instrument. These data suggest that preservice teachers' belief in their ability to shape students' science learning can accurately foretell their potential for embracing the learning cycle as a viable teaching approach. In addition, instruction about the learning cycle appears to contribute to the teaching efficacy of preservice teachers. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Sci Ed84:43–50, 2000.
An Inventory of Current Research in Missions in the United states and Canada

An inventory of research projects in progress in the field of Missions reveals a marked reversal of the long prevailing trend towards studies concerned with strategy and tactics, with methods and techniques, and with area surveys. History holds the center of interest at this moment. Fully half of the projects reported by the foreign mission boards and by the professors of missions are of a historical nature and numbers of others are closely related and require an historical approach.
Effect of denervation on cyclic nucleotide metabolism in different types of skeletal muscle of the rat

Slow-twitch soleus and fast-twitch extensor digitorum longus muscles of the rat were denervated unilaterally by sciatic nerve section at mid-thigh level. Activities of adenylate cyclase, guanylate cyclase, low Km and high Km cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase, and cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase were compared on the same, freshly prepared homogenates of denervated and shamoperated contralateral muscles one, two, three, or five days after surgery. As an early consequence of denervation, cyclic AMP metabolism was differentially affected in these different types of skeletal muscle. The adenylate cyclase activity of soleus muscle increased significantly by the second day following denervation and continued to rise through the fifth day, while this enzyme did not increase in denervated extensor digitorum longus even by the fifth day. The high Km cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase was already increased by day one in the denervated soleus, but not until the fifth day in the denervated extensor digitorum longus. Parallel increases beginning the first day were observed for the low Km cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase in both muscles. Since the activity of cytosolic cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase of soleus muscle was also increased two days following denervation, the changes in cyclic AMP synthetic and degradative enzymes apparently result in a rise in intracellular cyclic AMP concentration. Alterations of the cyclic GMP enzymes following denervation were similar in the soleus and extensor digitorum longus, but were delayed relative to the increases in activity in the cyclic AMP enzymes.
Anorexia Nervosa: A Quantitative Approach to Follow-Up

Abstract Fifty-six patients hospitalized for anorexia nervosa were studied at follow-up, two or more years after discharge. Detailed quantitative findings are presented on 35; 69% of the 35 were medically much improved or recovered; 79% demonstrated no or minimal psychosocial impairment; 34% were rehospitalized for anorexia, and 2 of 35 needed re-hospitalizations for other psychiatric disorders; 64% established their menses. A positive and significant relationship was found between a favorable medical outcome and the anorectic's perception of contact with other patients in the hospital as helpful.