cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A longitudinal assessment of early acceleration of students in mathematics on growth in mathematics achievement

Abstract Early acceleration of students in mathematics (in the form of early access to formal abstract algebra) has been a controversial educational issue. The current study examined the rate of growth in mathematics achievement of accelerated gifted, honors, and regular students across the entire secondary years (Grades 7–12), in comparison to their non-accelerated counterparts. Using data from the Longitudinal Study of American Youth, hierarchical linear models showed that early acceleration had little advantage among gifted students, small advantage among honors students, but large advantage among regular students. Equity issues, especially gender, racial, and socioeconomic equities, are not a concern once regular students were accelerated, but there are serious concerns about racial gaps among honors students and both gender and racial gaps among gifted students once they were accelerated. Schools played an important role in early acceleration, with school context rather than school climate affecting accelerated students. Students, particularly regular students, having high achievement and attending schools with high average achievement were advantageous in early acceleration. Overall, early acceleration of students in mathematics benefits regular students significantly in terms of growth in mathematics achievement.
Biphasic toxicity of diethyldithiocarbamate, a metal chelator, to T lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear granulocytes: Reversal by zinc and copper

Abstract A new type of toxicity biphasically dependent on concentration was observed with diethyldithiocarbamate, a metal chelator utilized in medicine. As judged by cell survival and [ 3 H]Urd incorporation, diethyldithiocarbamate was maximally toxic to T lymphocytes and polymorphonuclears at 2.5×10 −5 M (first phase) and at higher than 2.5×10 −3 M (second phase), but was not toxic at intermediate concentrations around 2.5×10 −4 M. The response of chelator treated T lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin was also biphasic. The first toxic phase was partially reversed by 2.5×10 −5 M ZnCl 2 , while the second phase was partially reversed by 10 −2 M CuCl 2 . This suggests that inhibition of Zn-metalloenzymes in the first phase and of Cu-metalloenzymes in the second may play a crucial role in the mechanism of toxicity. The second toxic phase may be in part due to the observed inhibition of superoxide dismutase rendering the cells susceptible to oxygen toxicity, like obligate anaerobes.
Some compass bearings for information policy orienteering

Commentators in the library and information profession habitually voice concern about the perceived lack of a coherent and integrated set of ‘national information policies’ in the UK. These concerns are worthy but ultimately misplaced. The real problem is not our inability to come up with a nice neat package of the ‘right policies’, but our failure to think critically about the value systems that shape our perception of information policy problems in the first place. This article contributes to this new agenda by developing a concept mapping of the Field of information policy, based on term co‐occurrence data. This leads to a broader discussion about the values — rather than the specific laws and regulations — that underpin our conceptions of information policy.
Dislocations and Triangular Defect in Low-Temperature Halo-Carbon Epitaxial Growth and Selective Epitaxial Growth

Dislocations were investigated in the halo-carbon low-temperature epitaxial growth and low-temperature selective epitaxial growth (LTSEG) conducted at 13000C. The origin of triangular defects was investigated in low-temperature epilayers grown at higher growth rates with HCl addition. Due to the conversion of substrates’ basal plane dislocations (BPD) into threading dislocations, the concentration of BPDs was about an order of magnitude lower than the concentration of threading dislocations at moderate growth rates. An additional order of magnitude conversion of BPDs into threading dislocations was observed at higher grow rates achieved with HCl addition. In LTSEG epilayers, dislocation concentration away from the mesa walls was comparable to the blanket (i.e., regular non-selective) growth. High concentrations of BPDs were found only at mesa edges located on the “upstream” side with respect to the step-flow direction. No substrate defects could be traced to the triangular defects. Instead, the disturbances causing the triangular defect generation are introduced during the epitaxial process.
PARATHYROID HORMONE-RELATED PEPTIDE (PTHrP) AND CALCITONIN GENE-RELATED PEPTIDE (CGRP) DO NOT INHIBIT UTERINE CONTRACTION THROUGH ATP-SENSITIVE K + CHANNELS IN THE RAT UTERUS. † 423

PTHrP has been localized in the uterine endometrium and myometrium while CGRP has been localized in nerves in the uterus. We have previously reported that both peptides relax uterine contraction in a dose-related manner using tissue from nonpregnant and pregnant rats. We have been interested in the signal transduction of these peptides in the uterus. ATP-sensitive K+ channels are present in various tissues including smooth muscle and have been suggested to play a role in the vasodilatory effect of CGRP in uterine arteries. Thus, we investigated the role of ATP-sensitive K+ channels and PTHrP, CGRP and ritodrine, a β-agonist, on the relaxation of rat uterine tissue. We used an in vitro uterine assay utilizing 3-10 tissue strips for each dose from 38 nonpregnant rats. PTHrP(5×10-7-10-9 M), CGRP (10-6-10-9 M), ritodrine (10-6-10-9 M) and cromakalim (10-4-10-7 M), an ATP-sensitive K+ channel activator, inhibited acetylcholine(Ach)-stimulated (10-6 M) uterine contraction in a dose-related manner. Glyburide (10-4-10-5 M), an ATP-sensitive K+ channel blocker significantly blocked the ability of cromakalim at all doses to inhibit Ach-stimulated uterine contraction. However, using the same paradigm, glyburide at effective doses failed to block PTHrP, CGRP and ritodrine inhibition of Ach-stimulated uterine contraction. These data suggest, that in our assay, cromakalim reactive ATP-sensitive K+ channels do not play a role in PTHrP, CGRP and ritodrine relaxation of Ach-stimulated uterine contraction.
The future of Digital Earth

The concept of Digital Earth as a digital replica of the planet has its roots in science fiction, in the writings of environmental visionaries, and in a speech prepared for delivery by Vice President Gore in 1998. Five use cases are identified that together comprise the vision of Digital Earth: a geoportal, a visualization service, a platform for simulation and prediction, a source of unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution, and a technology fully integrated into human activities. Progress to date is reviewed for each use case, along with the research that would be needed to achieve each aspect of the overall vision.
Correlates of age at first sexual intercourse in a national sample of young women.

A subsample of814 sexually experienced adolescent females from the 1979 Un ited States National Survey of Younig W'omen was analyzed to assess the correlates of age at first sexual intercourse. Multiple regression procedures were used to examine sets of variables sequentiallv. In the hierarchical regression model, the control variables (responidenit's age, race, religion, and age at menarche), along with three independent l'ariables (houisehold income, ideal age for first marriage, and ideal age for first birth), predicted age at first sexual intercourse. The control variables accounted for a major portion of the variance in the model. Of the controls, chronological age and age at mettarche w-ere highly significant across all the models tested.
The Arts as Personal and Social Communication: popular/ethical culture in schools

1A previous version of this paper was presented at the 1994 JCT Conference on Curriculum Theory and Classroom Practice, The Banff Center for Conferences, Alberta, Canada, in November of 1994. I would like to thank Jo Anne Pagano, Tony Whitson, Kay Johnston, and Mark Amsler for their helpful comments at that presentation.
Motivating moral corporate behavior

Although companies are institutionalizing ethics, ethical infractions continue unceasingly, causing questions as to where ethical emphasis is going awry. Suggests that businesspeople need not only the intellect but also the will to do the right thing in the face of temptation. Proposes several reasons why businesspeople should want to take the moral high road, including the fact that usually ethical behavior proves to be profitable in the long run. However, such a pragmatic consideration is not sufficient to motivate a person of ethical character. The ethical person chooses the moral course of action regardless of personal sacrifice. It is such virtuous people that business leaders should be hiring and cultivating in ethical mentoring and training which instills an absolutist (not relativist) philosophy and reinforces the importance of willpower. Uses an advertising case study to illustrate how common ethical fallacies can be uncovered and dispelled among employees.
A Sex Difference by Item Difficulty Interaction in Multiple‐Choice Mathematics Items Administered to National Probability Samples

A 1998 study by Bielinski and Davison reported a sex difference by item difficulty interaction in which easy items tended to be easier for females than males, and hard items tended to be harder for females than males. To extend their research to nationally representative samples of students, this study used math achievement data from the 1992 NAEP, the TIMSS, and the NELS:88. The data included students in grades 4, 8, 10, and 12. The interaction was assessed by correlating the item difficulty difference (bmale− bfemale) with item difficulty computed on the combined male/female sample. Using only the multiple-choice mathematics items, the predicted negative correlation was found for all eight populations and was significant in five. An argument is made that this phenomenon may help explain the greater variability in math achievement among males as compared to females and the emergence of higher performance of males in late adolescence.
Third party instigation of aggression as a function of noncooperation and veto power

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to test the validity of three hypotheses previously offered to explain the attenuating effects of pacifistic noncooperation on instigative aggression. During part one of the experiment all subjects served as instigators; in the second part they actually set shocks for the target. Subjects instigated either a cooperative or noncooperative confederate, and either did or did not have veto power over the confederate's shock selections. Results of the study indicated that all hypotheses, norm-conformity, compliance, and maintenance of power, were viable for subgroups of subjects. Results were discussed in terms of individual differences and the temporarily inhibiting effects of passive resistance.
Low Voltage aEEG as predictor of Intracranial Hemorrhage in preterm infants

The objectives of this prospective cohort study were to identify amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) background patterns predictive of severe intracranial hemorrhage. Thirty ventilated preterm newborns weighing P = 0.014). We conclude that aEEG low-voltage burst suppression might have useful clinical applications with 100% positive predictive value for severe intracranial hemorrhage.
The use of evidence-based medicine in the management of acutely ill children.

Objectives: To determine the extent to which emergency medicine physicians are exposed to and implement evidence-based medicine (EBM). Methods: A 2-part, self-administered questionnaire was sent to 375 randomly selected emergency physicians (125 PEM Fellows, 125 AAP Section of Emergency Medicine, 125 American College of Emergency Physicians). The first part focused on the physician's experience with EBM and the second part included 2 clinical scenarios to determine their decision-making process. Respondents were considered either junior physicians (practicing <5 years since residency training) or senior physicians (practicing for ≥5 years). Results: Of the 375 questionnaires sent, 22 were not eligible for analysis. Two-hundred ten of the remaining 353 (59%) questionnaires were returned. Ninety-five percent of all respondents have been exposed to EBM. There was no significant difference between junior and senior physicians in their familiarity and application of secondary EBM summaries. Although more junior physicians believe that greater than half of their clinical practice is evidenced based compared with senior physicians [49% (95% CI 41-58%) vs. 27% (95% CI 19-38%)], in responding to the clinical scenarios, there was no difference in the use of an EBM resource between junior and senior physicians in the use of intravenous magnesium sulfate for status asthmaticus [50% (95% CI 41-59%) vs. 48% (95% CI 37-59%)] or in the workup of fever in a 10-month-old [62% (95% CI 53-70%) vs. 54% (95% CI 44-64%)]. Ninety-three percent of respondents felt time constraints in a busy ED was the most prominent obstacle to the use of EBM. Conclusions: Although a majority of emergency medicine physicians report having been exposed to EBM, respondents tended not to use EBM in the management of acutely ill children, regardless of years of experience.
Ultrashort laser pulses and electromagnetic pulse generation in air and on dielectric surfaces.

Intense, ultrashort laser pulses propagating in the atmosphere have been observed to emit sub-THz electromagnetic pulses (EMPS). The purpose of this paper is to analyze EMP generation from the interaction of ultrashort laser pulses with air and with dielectric surfaces and to determine the efficiency of conversion of laser energy to EMP energy. In our self-consistent model the laser pulse partially ionizes the medium, forms a plasma filament, and through the ponderomotive forces associated with the laser pulse, drives plasma currents which are the source of the EMP. The propagating laser pulse evolves under the influence of diffraction, Kerr focusing, plasma defocusing, and energy depletion due to electron collisions and ionization. Collective effects and recombination processes are also included in the model. The duration of the EMP in air, at a fixed point, is found to be a few hundred femtoseconds, i.e., on the order of the laser pulse duration plus the electron collision time. For steady state laser pulse propagation the flux of EMP energy is nonradiative and axially directed. Radiative EMP energy is present only for nonsteady state or transient laser pulse propagation. The analysis also considers the generation of EMP on the surface of a dielectric on which an ultrashort laser pulse is incident. For typical laser parameters, the power and energy conversion efficiency from laser radiation to EMP radiation in both air and from dielectric surfaces is found to be extremely small, $l{10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}$. Results of full-scale, self-consistent, numerical simulations of atmospheric and dielectric surface EMP generation are presented. A recent experiment on atmospheric EMP generation is also simulated.
Determination of diamond film quality during growth using in situ Raman spectroscopy

Abstract An in situ Raman spectroscopy system has been used to study the growth, by hot filament chemical vapor deposition (HFCVD), of diamond films on molybdenum substrates. We compare diamond films grown using CH 4 concentrations of 0.2%, 0.3%, and 0.5% in H 2 . We show that the linewidth of the diamond phonon can be used as an in situ measure of film “quality”. The real-time measurements also provide a quantitative determination of optical absorption length, another measure of film quality. As the CH 4 concentration is lowered, the phonon linewidth decreases, the absorption length increases, and the film morphology improves. For a given film, the initial diamond has a large linewidth, and is thus highly defected. As the film thickens, the linewidth decreases, indicating that the defect density decreases. Stress effects in the growing films are evaluated from the time evolution of the Raman shift of the diamond phonon. Corrections made using a phonon-confinement model suggest that the majority of the change in the Raman shift as a film thickens can be attributed to domain-size effects. The results indicate that the films are under compressive stress from the onset of growth and that the magnitude of the stress is greater in the lower quality films. Upon cooling the diamond films from the growth temperature to room temperature, the linewidth of the diamond phonon is found to have a minimum at about 200°C.
Simultaneous multiple response regression and inverse covariance matrix estimation via penalized Gaussian maximum likelihood

Multivariate regression is a common statistical tool for practical problems. Many multivariate regression techniques are designed for univariate response cases. For problems with multiple response variables available, one common approach is to apply the univariate response regression technique separately on each response variable. Although it is simple and popular, the univariate response approach ignores the joint information among response variables. In this paper, we propose three new methods for utilizing joint information among response variables. All methods are in a penalized likelihood framework with weighted L"1 regularization. The proposed methods provide sparse estimators of the conditional inverse covariance matrix of the response vector, given explanatory variables as well as sparse estimators of regression parameters. Our first approach is to estimate the regression coefficients with plug-in estimated inverse covariance matrices, and our second approach is to estimate the inverse covariance matrix with plug-in estimated regression parameters. Our third approach is to estimate both simultaneously. Asymptotic properties of these methods are explored. Our numerical examples demonstrate that the proposed methods perform competitively in terms of prediction, variable selection, as well as inverse covariance matrix estimation.
Th17 cells can provide B cell help in autoantibody induced arthritis

Abstract K/BxN mice develop a spontaneous destructive arthritis driven by T cell dependent anti-glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (GPI) antibody production. In this study, a modified version of the K/BxN model, the KRN-cell transfer model (KRN-CTM), was established to determine the contribution of Th17 cells in the development of chronic arthritis. The transfer of naive KRN T cells into B6.TCR.Cα −/− H-2 b/g7 T cell deficient mice induced arthritis by day 10 of transfer. Arthritis progressively developed for a period of up to 14 days following T cell transfer, thereafter the disease severity declined, but did not resolve. Both IL-17A and IFNγ were detected in the recovered T cells from the popliteal lymph nodes and ankles. The transfer of KRN Th17 polarized KRN CD4 + T cells expressing IL-17A and IFNγ induced arthritis in all B6.TCR.Cα −/− H-2 b/g7 mice however the transfer of Th1 polarized KRN CD4 + T cells expressing IFNγ alone induced disease in only 2/3 of the mice and disease induction was delayed compared to Th17 transfers. Th17 polarized KRN/T-bet −/− cells induced arthritis in all mice and surprisingly, IFNγ was produced demonstrating that T-bet expression is not critical for arthritis induction, regardless of the cytokine expression. Neutralization of IFNγ in KRN Th17 transfers resulted in earlier onset of disease while the neutralization of IL-17A delayed disease development. Consistent with K/BxN mice, naive KRN T cell transfers and Th17 polarized KRN/T-bet −/− transfers induced anti-GPI IgG 1 dominant responses while KRN Th17 cells induced high levels of IgG 2b . These data demonstrate that Th17 cells can participate in the production of autoantibodies that can induce arthritis.
In-Plane Gravity Loading of a Circular Membrane

This paper develops the displacement field for a circular membrane which is statically loaded by gravity acting in its plane. Coupled to the displacements are the stress and strain distributions. The solution is applicable to the modeling of next generation lithographic masks, ion-beam projection lithography masks in particular.
Nutrition: Sugar caned

David Katz finds much to chew on in a polemic on the risk of consuming too much high-fructose corn syrup.
Modeling solubility in supercritical fluids via the virial equation of state

We examine the utility of the virial equation of state (VEOS) for the prediction of the solubility of hexane in supercritical carbon dioxide. We computed virial coefficients up to fourth-order for this mixture at 353.15 K, using Mayer-sampling Monte Carlo applied to established molecular models for carbon dioxide and hexane. At this temperature, neither the third- nor fourth-order VEOS indicate the presence of a critical point for the mixture. However, the VEOS coupled with an ideal-solution treatment for the coexisting subcritical fluid phase (with parameters determined from coexistence data at one pressure) reproduces much of the solubility curve as previously established by Gibbs-ensemble molecular simulation. Comparison of the third- and fourth-order VEOS indicate that the virial treatment is converged at the conditions where it is applied.
Effects of sea spray geoengineering

Anthropogenic climate warming is leading to consideration of options for geoengineering to offset rising carbon dioxide levels. One potential technique involves injecting artificial sea spray into the atmosphere. The sea salt particles would affect Earth's radiation budget directly, by scattering incoming solar radiation, and indirectly, by acting as cloud condensation nuclei, which could lead to whiter clouds that reflect more radiation. However, the potential effects of this method, especially the direct effects, are not fully known. Partanen et al. studied the effects of artificial sea spray using climate model simulations. They found that outside of the most heavily clouded regions the direct effect of scattering of radiation was an important part of the total effect. They also examined the effect of particle size and found that decreasing the size of injected particles could improve the efficiency of the geoengineering technique.
Macrostrategies for the Second/Foreign Language Teacher

pedagogical and theoretical knowledge. This hypothesis rests on several premises. First, although the emphasis is shifting away from teachers towards learners in L2 learning/teaching, there is hardly any corresponding shift in L2 teacher education (37; 38).' Second, teacher education has focused more on pedagogic techniques and less on psycholinguistic processes of L2 development (24; 31; 33). Third, if understanding the relationship between theoretical principles and classroom techniques maximizes the effectiveness of L2 teaching (6; 27; 43), then, teacher educators have a responsibility to make L2 teachers aware of this relationship. If we recognize these premises, we then see a need to provide teachers with certain broad guidelines which can serve as a template that guides them in their classroom work. In this paper, I attempt to formulate such a framework in the form of macrostrategies.
Gas Chromatography/Olfactory Analysis of Lychee (Litchi chinesis Sonn.)

Volatile compounds from lychee (Litchi chinesis Sonn.), a tropical fruit native to China, were extracted using both Freon 113 and ethyl acetate solvents. The odor-active compounds present in the fr...
Patterns of intercellular connectivity in the mammalian cumulus-oocyte complex.

Electron and fluorescence microscopic techniques have been used in a complementary fashion to study the patterns of follicle cell-oocyte interactions within cumulus-oocyte-complexes of various mammals. The principal findings are: (1) two distinct types of transzonal processes exist that are distinguishable on the basis of cytoskeletal composition; (2) in some of the species examined (pig, goat, primate), corkscrew-shaped processes rich in tubulin, traverse the zona pellucida and are invaginated into the oocyte cortex; (3) actin-rich processes either ramify as a network at the outer surface of the zona pellucida or penetrate the zona and make contact with the oolemma in a species specific manner. These results are discussed with respect both to the need to employ complementary optical methods in assessing connectivity patterns within COC and to the possible role that extracellular matrix-cell interactions play in the homeostatic control of oocyte growth and maturation. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
BioText Search Engine

Summary: The BioText Search Engine is a freely available Web-based application that provides biologists with new ways to access the scientific literature. One novel feature is the ability to search and browse article figures and their captions. A grid view juxtaposes many different figures associated with the same keywords, providing new insight into the literature. An abstract/title search and list view shows at a glance many of the figures associated with each article. The interface is carefully designed according to usability principles and techniques. The search engine is a work in progress, and more functionality will be added over time. Availability: http://biosearch.berkeley.edu Contact:divoli@ischool.berkeley.edu and hearst@ischool.berkeley.edu
Steuersystemänderungen in anderen Ländern

In den achtziger Jahren hat sich die Wissenschaft vermehrt mit den Auswirkungen von Steuersystemanderungen befast. Im folgenden sollen die Ergebnisse einiger wichtiger Studien fur andere Lander dargestellt und mit denen fur die Bundesrepublik Deutschland verglichen werden. Damit die Resultate der unterschiedlichen Erhebungen besser einzuordnen sind, werden fur jedes Land die relevanten Teile des Steuersystems sowie die vom Gesetzgeber beschlossenen Anderungen naher erlautert. Die Liste der Steuersystemanderungen erhebt keinen Anspruch auf Vollstandigkeit, da insbesondere die Punkte ausgefuhrt werden, die die steuerliche Behandlung von Dividenden und Kapitalgewinnen beeinflussen, da insbesondere die Punkte ausgefuhrt werden, die die steuerliche Behandlung von Dividenden und Kapitalgewinnen beeinflussen. Die Analyse beschrankt sich dabei auf die Situation in den USA, Kanada und Grosbritannien, da fur diese Lander entsprechende empirische Studien durchgefuhrt worden sind.
Cultural inheritance or cultural diffusion of religious violence? A quantitative case study of the Radical Reformation

Religion throughout the historical record is consistently associated with large-scale cooperative activities. These cooperative activities sometimes involve coordinated acts of violence, particularly against religious out-groups. Using phylogenetic and social network analyses, we investigated whether religious violence is inherited from parent congregations or is acquired from contemporaneous purveyors of violent ideologies. We examined these questions among sixteenth-century Anabaptists, who constitute a prominent historical system with both violent and pacifist congregations. We found that ideology advocating violence was typically inherited from parent congregations, while the majority of other theological traits spread among contemporaneous groups. Violent ideology may be learned independently from most other characteristics of an overall belief system, and/or it may be determined more by congregationally inherited economic and political factors than by theology.
Patient's Sleep on the Analytic Couch

Published reports about sleep on the couch have primarily emphasized its preoedipal (especially oral) determinants and defensive purposes. A detailed case is presented in which sleep became the central symptom of the transference neurosis. The primary determinants of the symptom were from the phallic-oedipal stage of development. Like other symptoms, the sleep symptom was a reliving of earlier experiences and was analyzed primarily through the transference. The analytic data from the case are used to illustrate resistance as an ally in the psychoanalytic process.
Automatic invariant strengthening to prove properties in bounded model checking

In this paper, we present a method that helps improve the performance of bounded model checking by automatically strengthening invariants so that the termination proof may be obtained by analyzing shorter paths. The strengthening technique identifies sets of states as byproducts of the termination checks. It then uses SAT-based preimage computations to extend those sets. Our approach may substantially speed up the verification of both failing and passing properties. We present experimental results showing that our new method improves the performance of BMC significantly.
Mediterranean diet and magnetic resonance imaging-assessed cerebrovascular disease.

We previously reported that higher adherence to a Mediterranean-type diet (MeDi) is associated with lower Alzheimer’s disease (AD)1–3 and mild cognitive impairment4 risk. One of the possible mechanisms through which the MeDi may be exerting its protective effect for AD could be vascular: (1) higher adherence to a MeDi has been associated with lower risk for obesity,5–9 the metabolic syndrome,10–12 dyslipidemia,13 hypertension,5,13,14 abnormal glucose metabolism,5 diabetes,15–17 and coronary heart disease,18–21 whereas (2) the evidence for contribution of vascular risk factors in AD risk is growing.22–24 Therefore, higher adherence to a MeDi could be related to lower cerebrovascular disease and hence lower dementia rates. Nevertheless, in our previous investigation of this question, vascular comorbidity as ascertained by medical history did not seem to mediate the association between MeDi and AD,1 suggesting that nonvascular mechanisms, such as oxidation or inflammation may be playing a role. Another possible explanation could be that clinically assessed vascular variables lack sufficient sensitivity25,26 because they are proxies for cerebrovascular disease rather than direct measurements, biasing our results toward the null hypothesis. Indeed, sensitivity of self-reported stroke has been found to be low in our cohort using imaging as the gold standard.26 Therefore, it is possible that a mediating cerebrovascular effect could be detected if measurement of cerebrovascular comorbidity is performed with use of instruments or biomarkers more accurate and more biologically proximal to either vascular disease or to vascular-mediated neural damage. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides the capacity to visualize and quantify these changes in vivo. At the same time, despite the potentially protective effects for stroke of many elements of the MeDi (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, olive oil, low saturated fatty acids, moderate alcohol, etc.),27–33 the association between MeDi and stroke has received extremely limited attention in the previous literature with only a single study in women having been published.34 To our knowledge, the association between MeDi and clinical stroke has not been examined for men or for non-Caucasians, while there have been no investigations of the association between MeDi and cerebrovascular disease assessed with brain imaging. In an attempt to shed some preliminary light on this topic, we examined the association between MeDi and MRI brain infarcts among participants of the Washington Heights/Hamilton Heights Columbia Aging Project (WHICAP) imaging substudy, a population-based study of elderly 65 years or older in New York. We hypothesized that higher adherence to the MeDi would be associated with lower burden of cerebrovascular disease at brain MRI.
High accuracy three-dimensional radar sensor design based on fuzzy logic control approach

A radar sensor is used to determine the speed of a moving object. This function is made possible by the Doppler effect. However, relying on single radar sensor can have some shortcomings; for instance, (1) A single radar sensor can only accurately measure the speed of a target that is moving either directly towards or away from the sensor, and (2) Only one reading from each trigger can be obtained. In this paper, a novel three-dimensional radar system is proposed to address these disadvantages in target tracking. Furthermore, a fuzzy logic controller is proposed to minimize the error between the measured and actual speed. Experimental results show that such a system can improve tracking of the object with 10X better in error reduction in terms of accuracy and signal noise.
HABITAT USE AND NATURAL HISTORY OF SMALL MAMMALS IN THE CENTRAL PARAGUAYAN CHACO

I conducted a small mammal trapping study in the central Paraguayan Chaco region of South America to investigate habitat selection by small mammals at different spatial scales. Small mammals were collected in forest, successional thorn scrub, pasture, and crop fields representing both relatively undisturbed habitats and agroecosystems. A total of 1089 small mammals representing 13 species were captured during 23 296 trap nights. Pastures had the highest species richness as well as the highest number of cap- tures. Some small mammal species such as Calomys laucha and Akodon toba were cap- tured in a variety of habitats whereas others like Holochilus chacarius and Bolomys lasiurus were captured almost exclusively in pastures. Principal components analysis distinguished small mammal species primarily associated with agricultural habitats (e.g. Calomys spp.) from those associated with more wooded habitats (e.g. Graomys griseoflavus and Oligoryzomys chacoensis). These results corroborate other studies on habitat use by small mammals in this region, but with some notable exceptions, such as the first documentation of high densities of Calomys musculinus in western Paraguay.
Parameter Identification Procedure for Heterogeneous Viscoelastic Composites Using Iterative Functions

This paper presents a new numerical procedure for the determination of the viscoelastic compliance properties of a matrix phase from a simple three-point bending test on a composite beam. The composite is modeled as elastic inclusions randomly dispersed throughout a viscoelastic matrix. It is also assumed that the spatial distribution of the inclusions in the composite is known or can be determined. Zevin's method of iterative functions is proposed for the determination of the matrix properties. Following a detailed explanation of the proposed scheme, a numerical verification is performed using three-dimensional finite-element (FE) analysis simulations. The proposed scheme was applied to the experimentally obtained creep compliance of the asphalt concrete beam. The obtained viscoelastic properties of the asphalt binder matrix phase were used as input into the FE model to simulate the behavior of the composite beam. An excellent comparison between the experimental data and the predicted beam deflections was observed. This shows that the proposed method is robust and it can be implemented to solve identification problems for viscoelastic composite materials.
State feedback covariance control for linear finite signal-to-noise ratio models

A new model for linear systems, introduced by Skelton (1994), assumes that the intensity of the noise corrupting a signal is proportional to the variance of that signal. In LQG theory, the noise intensity is assumed to be unrelated to the signal. We refer to the new model as the "finite signal-to-noise model" (or FSN model). This paper derives the necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a mean square stabilizing state feedback controller for FSN models. The problem is not convex, but an iterative algorithm is proposed which guarantees a solution under mild conditions. The existence conditions provide an explicit lower bound on the signal-to-noise ratios, required for stability. Finally, an input covariance minimization problem is solved numerically.
Talking about “Iconic Books” in the Terminology of Book History

“The book” in its many guises today provides fertile ground for the study of the many disciplines and professions in which it has played a central part. Long recognized as significant as a carrier of text, the book has lately been seen also as an example of material culture. A consideration of the book’s physical properties and uses can provide new insights into the practices and unarticulated beliefs of a cultural community. Here we consider the potential of “the book” for insights into the study of religion. The focus is on “iconic” books, a subset of books that seems intuitively recognizable as a genre, but is variously understood by the writers of the essays in this collection. It is not only the nature of iconicity that begs for definition here, but also, more specifically, the specific aspects of “the book” that cause it to be recognized as iconic. Does its iconicity spring, for example, from the beauty of the copy? The primacy of the edition and printing? The provenance of the object? As “the book” gains attention, the subject cries out for specific, stable, shared terminology to allow meaningful discussion of its elements across disciplines and fields. Such terminology can be found in the field of Book History, a discipline that has its roots in the world of Gutenberg and continues to flourish in the internet age. This paper discusses terminology. It explores various approaches to defining “iconic,” it traces the evolution of the terminology of book history, and it presents a sample of particularly pertinent terms from that discipline to clarify future discussions of aspects of an “iconic book.”
A model for emergency medicine education in post-conflict Liberia

Abstract The specialty of emergency medicine (EM) remains largely underdeveloped in many parts of the world including Africa. Within West Africa the Liberian health care system was presented with incredible challenges in the immediate post conflict years. One significant challenge facing the country was the paucity of health care providers. In 2006, only 122 physicians were practising in Liberia (one for every 26,782 citizens), only 87 of them Liberian national physicians. The public health indicators in post conflict Liberia suffered as a result of the overburdened system. Many indicators placed Liberia as having the worst health survivability in the world. Significantly, morbidity and mortality associated with unaddressed emergent presentations remained high. This article describes a unique paradigm for addressing the deficit in human capacity for emergency health care in the Republic of Liberia. This system was designed and supported by a consortium of academic medical centres in the United States working in conjunction with a local non-governmental organisation, Health Education and Relief Through Teaching (HEARTT). Since 2007, the consortium has delivered virtually uninterrupted emergency medical care and medical education at the largest teaching hospital in Liberia. The Liberian programme objectives included supervising and directing emergency medical care, providing a model for curriculum development, building capacity for medical education, and improving systems-based EM practice. The collaboration of multiple academic institutions in bringing emergency medical services and academic EM teaching to a post-conflict setting remains a unique model for introducing the development of acute care in a developing country.
A sub-terahertz real aperture imaging radar

Due to the lack of high-power sources along with strong electromagnetic absorption by water vapor at frequencies between ~100 GHz and ~10 THz, there are very few radar systems, or any other systems for that matter, operating in this region of the spectrum. For this reason, it is sometimes referred to as the terahertz gap. Source technology, however, is improving, thus facilitating radar systems operating in this new frontier of the electromagnetic spectrum. At the lower end of this spectral region near the millimeter/submillimeter transition, components are more readily available and atmospheric attenuation is moderate in comparison to higher frequencies. Utilizing components that can generate on the order of 50 mW of power, a real aperture radar for imaging surfaces up to several hundred meters has been developed. Transmitting a vertically oriented fan beam to scan the Field of View (FOV) in azimuth and receiving at two vertically, displaced locations with identical fan beams forming an interferometer, three dimensional images of the surface topography (in range, azimuth and height) can be generated. This paper describes the design of the prototype system and presents initial results, expanding on prior work [1].
Discover "Vocation": An Essay on the Concept of Vocation

The concept of “vocation” is one that is constantly evolving. Members of the Alma College community are using the term “vocation” to prompt discussion of meaning, purpose, and calling in life.
Synthesis of oxygenated products from carbon monoxide and hydrogen over silica- and alumina-supported ruthenium catalysts

Abstract The synthesis of oxygenated products over supported ruthenium catalysts was investigated using both H 2 CO and D 2 CO feed mixtures. Acetaldehyde was the principal oxygenated product formed over silica-supported ruthenium. By contrast, methanol was the principal oxygenated species formed over an alumina-supported catalyst. A significant inverse H 2 D 2 isotope effect was observed on the rate of formation of both acetaldehyde and methanol. The kinetics of acetaldehyde synthesis was determined and compared with those for methane synthesis. The form of the rate expressions obtained for each product and the origins of the observed isotope effects are explained in terms of a mechanism for the synthesis of both products. A reaction mechanism for methanol synthesis is also proposed.
Capacity of Byzantine Consensus with Capacity-Limited Point-to-Point Links

Abstract : In our previous work [5, 4, 6],we investigated the capacity of the broadcast version of the Byzantine agreement problem[3] in networks where communications links are capacity limited. In this report, we are going to study capacity of the consensus version of the Byzantine agreement problem. The Byzantine consensus problem considers n nodes, namely P1, ..., Pn, of which at most f nodes may be faulty and deviate from the algorithm in arbitrary fashion. Each node Pi is given an input value vi, and they want to agree on a value v such that the following properties are satisfied: Termination: every fault-free Pi eventually decides on an output value v i , Consistency: the output values of all fault-free nodes are equal, i.e., for every fault-free node Pi, v i = v for some v , Validity: if every fault-free Pi holds the same input vi = v for some v, then v = v.
Using the RE-AIM framework to evaluate the statewide dissemination of a school-based physical activity and nutrition curriculum: "Exercise Your Options".

Abstract Purpose Examine the reach, efficacy, adoption, implementation, and maintenance of a physical activity and nutrition curriculum for middle-school students. Design Nonexperimental pilot evaluation of a statewide dissemination trial. Setting California middle schools during the 2006 to 2007 school year. Subjects Sixteen classes (N = 668 students and 16 teachers) sampled from the statewide pool who used the program. Intervention An eight-lesson nutrition and physical activity curriculum, “Exercise Your Options” (EYO), including a teacher guide, video clips, a student activity booklet, and ancillary materials was made available to teachers. Measures Program records, classroom observations, teacher surveys, and student presurveys and postsurveys (assessing physical activity, sedentary behaviors, and dietary intake). Analysis Descriptive statistics and multilevel random-coefficient modeling. Results The EYO program reached 234,442 middle-school students in California. During the program, total physica...
Chlamydomonas flagella. I. Isolation and electrophoretic analysis of microtubules, matrix, membranes, and mastigonemes.

Methods were developed for the isolation of Chlamydomonas flagella and for their fractionation into membrane, mastigoneme, "matrix," and axoneme components. Each component was studied by electron microscopy and acrylamide gel electrophoresis. Purified membranes retained their tripartite ultrastructure and were shown to contain one high molecular weight protein band on electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-urea gels. Isolated mastigonemes (hairlike structures which extend laterally from the flagellar membrane in situ) were of uniform size and were constructed of ellipsoidal subunits joined end to end. Electrophoretic analysis of mastigonemes indicated that they contained a single glycoprotein of ∼ 170,000 daltons The matrix fraction contained a number of proteins (particularly those of the amorphous material surrounding the microtubules), which became solubilized during membrane removal. Isolated axonemes retained the intact "9 + 2" microtubular structure and could be subfractionated by treatment with heat or detergent. Increasing concentrations of detergent solubilized axonemal microtubules in the following order: one of the two central tubules; the remaining central tubule and the outer wall of the B tubule; the remaining portions of the B tubule; the outer wall of the A tubule; the remainder of the A tubule with the exception of a ribbon of three protofilaments. These three protofilaments appeared to be the "partition" between the lumen of the A and B tubule. Electrophoretic analysis of isolated outer doublets of 9 + 2 flagella of wild-type cells and of "9 + 0" flagella of paralyzed mutants indicated that the outer doublets and central tubules were composed of two microtubule proteins (tubulins 1 and 2) Tubulins 1 and 2 were shown to have apparent molecular weights of 56,000 and 53,000 respectively
Scheduling recurrent construction

A problem we call recurrent construction involves manufacturing large, complex, expensive products such as airplanes, houses, and ships. Customers order configurations of these products well in advance of due dates for delivery. Early delivery may not be permitted. How should the manufacturer determine when to purchase and release materials before fabrication, assembly, and delivery? Major material expenses, significant penalties for deliveries beyond due dates, and long product makespans in recurrent construction motivate choosing a release timetable that maximizes the net present value of cash flows. Our heuristic first projects an initial schedule that dispatches worker teams to tasks for the backlogged products, and then solves a series of maximal closure problems to find material release times that maximize NPV. This method compares favorably with other well-known work release heuristics in solution quality for large problems over a wide range of operating conditions, including order strength, cost structure, utilization level, batch policy, and uncertainty level. Computation times exhibit near linear growth in problem size. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2004
RNA editing complex interactions with a site for full-round U deletion in Trypanosoma brucei.

Trypanosome U insertion and U deletion RNA editing of mitochondrial pre-mRNAs is catalyzed by multisubunit editing complexes as directed by partially complementary guide RNAs. The basic enzymatic activities and protein composition of these high-molecular mass complexes have been under intense study, but their specific protein interactions with functional pre-mRNA/gRNA substrates remains unknown. We show that editing complexes purified through extensive ion-exchange chromatography and immunoprecipitation make specific cross-linking interactions with A6 pre-mRNA containing a single 32 P and photoreactive 4-thioU at the scissile bond of a functional site for full-round U deletion. At least four direct protein–RNA contacts are detected at this site by cross-linking. All four interactions are stimulated by unpaired residues just 59 of the premRNA/gRNA anchor duplex, but strongly inhibited by pairing of the editing site region. Furthermore, competition analysis with homologous and heterologous transcripts suggests preferential contacts of the editing complex with the mRNA/gRNA duplex substrate. This apparent structural selectivity suggests that the RNA–protein interactions we observe may be involved in recognition of editing sites and/or catalysis in assembled complexes.