cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pathological Effects of Extracorporeally Generated Shock Waves on Calcified Aortic Aneurysm Tissue

AbstractThis study was done to define further the limits of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL††Dornier Medical Systems, Inc., Marietta, Georgia) in the setting of proximate calcified aneurysms. Calcified aortic aneurysmal tissue was harvested from patients undergoing elective abdominal aneurysm repair. The aneurysmal tissue was divided into control and experimental sections, and then suspended in normal saline at the F2 focal point, and at 2 and 5cm. away from the F2 focal point in the major parallel axis of an unmodified Dornier HM3 lithotriptor. Shock waves (200, 500 or 1,000) were delivered at 18kv. at F2, F2 plus 2cm. and F2 plus 5cm. The specimens were then analyzed histopathologically first to compare control and experimental sections for differences in preexisting calcification, hemorrhage and inflammation, and then to grade them for overall evidence of tissue disruption. No significant pathological difference was found between control and experimental specimens treated under these parame...
The role of reduced heart rate volatility in predicting disposition from the emergency department

Objective Heart rate volatility (HRVO) is a physiological parameter that is believed to reflect the sympathetic activity of the autonomic nervous system. We explored the utility of HRVO as a predictive tool for declining physiological states, hypothesising that patients admitted from the resuscitation area of the ED to a high-dependency unit (HDU) experience low HRVO compared with patients who did not. Methods We retrospectively reviewed HR data recordings, medical charts and disposition decisions from the ED of patients who were admitted to the five resuscitation beds in our adult ED between 29 April 2014 and 30 May 2015. HRVO was calculated for each 5 min interval; it was measured as the SD of all HRs within that interval. Logistic regression was used to model the odds of admission to a HDU given low HRVO during ED stay. Results HR data from 2051 patients was collected and approximately 7 million HR data points were analysed. 402 patients experienced low HRVO. Patients who experienced low HRVO during their ED stay were twice as likely to be admitted to a HDU from the ED (OR=2.07, 95% CI 1.64 to 2.60; p Conclusions Our result provides additional evidence supporting previously published data indicating that autonomic nervous system measures such as HRVO could serve as important and useful clinical tools in the early triage of critically ill patients in the ED.
The Culture of American Jewish Schooling

The creation of a voluntary American Jewish educational system was an important item on the agenda of the twentieth-century American Jewish community. The nature of this new Jewish educational system was significantly influenced by the theory and practice of the twentieth-century American public school. The primary form of American Jewish education has been—and remains—the part-time Jewish supplementary or religious school. Toward the second half of the twentieth century, the Jewish day school emerged in response to changes in American public schools, and offered a sector of American Jewry more intensive Jewish schooling. The nature of the twentieth-century formats of formal Jewish schooling reflects the complexities of providing meaningful Jewish education within a dramatically new society and worldview.
Splicing factors as regulators of miRNA biogenesis - links to human disease.

Abstract MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally by fine-tuning mRNA levels and translation during development and in adult tissues. miRNAs are transcribed as parts of longer precursors that undergo multiple processing steps before the mature miRNAs reach their target mRNAs in the cytoplasm. In addition to Drosha/DGCR8 and Dicer that are the essential components of the miRNA processing pathway, a range of other RNA binding proteins have recently been implicated in miRNA biogenesis. Among these, several well-known splicing factors have emerged as regulators of distinct miRNAs. In this review, we examine the mechanisms by which splicing factors regulate miRNA biogenesis. As both splicing factors and miRNAs play central roles in human disease biology we discuss implications of the links between splicing factors and miRNAs in human disease.
Low frequency mechanical antennas: Electrically short transmitters from mechanically-actuated dielectrics

Antennas that operate in the low-frequency (LF) band and below are useful for a number of applications. However, the long wavelengths result in very low efficiency for antennas that could be made portable. This has motivated the need for novel approaches for electrically short antenna design. Here, we present the concept of an electromagnetic transmitter that operates by mechanically moving bound static charge. The resulting motion induces electromagnetic fields that are similar to a short dipole antenna. However, the voltage, current, and resistance of a conventional antenna are replaced by force, velocity, and damping in a mechanical system. The mechanical system offers very high efficiency at low frequencies where impedance matching naturally occurs and mechanical structures have very low losses. We present a basic proof-of-concept demonstration by rotating a charged electret material up to 167Hz and measuring the resulting time-varying magnetic field. This work is intended to lay the foundation for future tests involving the implementation of efficient, small form-factor, mechanically-actuated antennas.
Programmes Targeting Sedentary Behaviour Among Ethnic Minorities and Immigrants

Sedentary behaviour has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality, and successful strategies for addressing sedentary behaviour could have major public health implications. National objectively monitored and self-report data show higher rates of sedentary behaviour among racial/ethnic minority groups compared to whites and increasing rates of sedentary behaviour among immigrants, the longer they live in the United States. This chapter describes the prevalence of sedentary behaviour and factors associated with sedentary behaviour in racial/ethnic minority groups, including personal characteristics, built and sociocultural environments, knowledge/attitudes/beliefs, and historical context. This chapter also summarizes findings from interventions focused on decreasing screen time/sedentary behaviour among racial/ethnic minority children and adolescents and adults. Given the lack of definitive conclusions about successful strategies for addressing sedentary behaviour in racial/ethnic minority groups, the chapter concludes with suggestions for next steps for reducing sedentary behaviour using the African American Collaborative Obesity Research Network (AACORN) paradigm as an exemplar model for creating culturally appropriate interventions.
Peripartum Cardiomyopathy and Preeclampsia: Overlapping Diseases of Pregnancy.

Purpose of review Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) often result in cardiac dysfunction and have been variably included as a risk factor for peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM). However, there is debate regarding the relationship between the two entities. Recent findings Diastolic dysfunction appears to be more predominant among gravidas with HDP, while systolic dysfunction predominates in PPCM. However, this finding is not consistent in all studies. Recent examinations of mortality and morbidity associated with PPCM in the setting of HDP do not demonstrate a predominant pattern with a mixture of results. Further, right ventricular dysfunction is identified to be a common theme in both populations. From a basic science perspective, there is evidence to demonstrate a predominantly anti-angiogenic milieu in both PPCM and HDP. PPCM and HDP associated cardiomyopathy overlap significantly. As such, unifying theories for their pathophysiology should be investigated.
Quantifying understory vegetation density using small-footprint airborne lidar

Abstract The ability to quantify understory vegetation structure in forested environments on a broad scale has the potential to greatly improve our understanding of wildlife habitats, nutrient cycling, wildland fire behavior, and wildland firefighter safety. Lidar data can be used to model understory vegetation density, but the accuracy of these models is impacted by factors such as the specific lidar metrics used as independent variables, overstory conditions such as density and height, and lidar pulse density. Few previous studies have examined how these factors affect estimation of understory density. In this study we compare two widely-used lidar-derived metrics, overall relative point density (ORD) and normalized relative point density (NRD) in an understory vertical stratum, for their respective abilities to accurately model understory vegetation density. We also use a bootstrapping analysis to examine how lidar pulse density, overstory vegetation density, and canopy height can affect the ability to characterize understory conditions. In doing so, we present a novel application of an automated field photo-based understory cover estimation technique as reference data for comparison to lidar. Our results highlight that NRD is a far superior metric for characterizing understory density than ORD (R2NRD = 0.44 vs. R2ORD = 0.14). In addition, we found that pulse density had the strongest positive effect on predictive power, suggesting that as pulse density increases, the ability to accurately characterize understory density using lidar increases. Overstory density and canopy height had nearly identical negative effects on predictive power, suggesting that shorter, sparser canopies improve lidar's ability to analyze the understory. Our study highlights important considerations and limitations for future studies attempting to use lidar to quantify understory vegetation structure.
Political Violence in Post-Cold War Africa and the Rwandan Genocide

A podicle on globalization, democratization and political violence in post-Cold War Africa, and the Rwandan genocide.
Tax Simplification: Issues and Options

The author's testimony is divided into two sections: The first provides a summary of principal conclusions; the second provides the economic analysis that supports these views. [© Brookings Institution]
The Nonprofit Career Ladder: Exploring Career Paths as Leadership Development for Future Nonprofit Executives:

Pending leadership transitions in the nonprofit sector present a timely need to understand the career path to the executive position, but very few studies on nonprofit career paths have been conduc...
MICROREGIONAL OXYGEN TRANSMISSIBILITY FOLLOWING ISCHEMIA IN THE BRAIN CORTEX

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the microregional oxygen transmissibility following ischemia in the brain cortex. The diffusion of oxygen from the capillaries to the consuming cells is an important step in the overall oxygen supply of the functioning tissue. Its rate should always meet the demand, otherwise hypoxia-followed by different degrees of tissue damage results. The rate at which the oxygen molecules can diffuse through the bulk of the tissue in a steady state is determined by the resistance of the tissue against the movement of the O2 molecules through it and the pO2 gradients that drive their movement. It is thought that the physicochemical properties of the tissue area, through which the oxygen diffuses, its protein concentration, the density of the cellular network contribute to the value of the O2 transmissibility.
Global Estimates of the Energy Transfer From the Wind to the Ocean, With Emphasis on Near-Inertial Oscillations.

Estimates of the kinetic energy transfer from the wind to the ocean are often limited by the spatial and temporal resolution of surface currents and surface winds. Here we examine the wind work in a pair of global, very high‐resolution (1/48° and 1/24°) MIT general circulation model simulations in Latitude‐Longitude‐polar Cap (LLC) configuration that provide hourly output at spatial resolutions of a few kilometers and include tidal forcing. A cospectrum analysis of wind stress and ocean surface currents shows positive contribution at large scales (>300 km) and near‐inertial frequency and negative contribution from mesoscales, tidal frequencies, and internal gravity waves. Larger surface kinetic energy fluxes are in the Kuroshio in winter at large scales (40 mW/m^2) and mesoscales (−30 mW/m^2). The Kerguelen region is dominated by large scale (∼20 mW/m^2), followed by inertial oscillations in summer (13 mW/m^2) and mesoscale in winter (−12 mW/m^2). Kinetic energy fluxes from internal gravity waves (−0.1 to −9.9 mW/m^2) are generally stronger in summer. Surface kinetic energy fluxes in the LLC simulations are 4.71 TW, which is 25–85% higher than previous global estimates from coarser (1/6–1/10°) general ocean circulation models; this is likely due to improved representation of wind variability (6‐hourly, 0.14°, operational European Center for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts). However, the low wind power input to the near‐inertial frequency band obtained with LLC (0.16 TW) compared to global slab models suggests that wind variability on time scales less than 6 hr and spatial scales less than 15 km are critical to better representing the wind power input in ocean circulation models.
Comparison between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease screening guidelines in children and adolescents

Background & Aim There is currently no agreement on the screening strategy for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in children at risk. The North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) recommends screening for NAFLD using alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in obese/overweight children, while the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) recommends using both ALT and abdominal ultrasound. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of suspected NAFLD in obese children based on the 2 screening strategies. Method Consecutive overweight/obese children seen at a weight-management program were included. Each child underwent a liver ultrasound and had ALT level measured at first visit. Two screening strategies were compared: the NASPGHAN strategy using ALT ≫2x the gender specific cut-off and the ESPGHAN strategy using elevated ALT ≫45 IU/L and/or fatty liver on ultrasound. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess predictors of low ALT in individuals with evidence of suspected NAFLD on ultrasound. Results Overweight/obese children were included. NAFLD was suspected as follows: 26% based on the NASPGHAN strategy, and 58% based on the ESPGHAN strategy. Fatty liver was present on ultrasound in 53% of our cohort. ALT was ≫2x the gender specific cut-off in only 26% of children with fatty liver on ultrasound. Univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that children with fatty infiltration on ultrasound and low ALT were less likely to have metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, or hypertriglyceridemia. Conclusion By relying on ALT values alone to screen for NAFLD, suspected NAFLD might be missed in many children who are at risk. Children with fatty infiltration on ultrasound and low ALT may be less likely to have metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance or hypertriglyceridemia. Lay summary Using the combination of elevated alanine aminotransferase and fatty infiltration on ultrasound increases the detection rate of suspected non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in at-risk children. Notably, a significant percentage of children with fatty infiltration on ultrasound have low alanine aminotransferase (≪52/44). Children with fatty infiltration on ultrasound and low alanine aminotransferase may be less likely to have features of the metabolic syndrome.
Tri-color imaging of the interaction between GFP host macrophages and lymphocytes with human HT-1080 GFP-RFP tumor cells in live GFP-transgenic immunocompetent mice

1006 Cancer cells are antigenically different from normal cells. Due to the immune system, most cancer cells should be eliminated due to the recognition of cancer-specific antigens on cancer cells. However, in clinical cancer, this is usually not the case. We report here development of a tri-color imageable mouse model to visualize the interaction between host immune cells and cancer cells during the rejection process. To observe subcellular cancer cell dynamics during the rejection process HT-1080 human fibrosarcoma cells were labeled in the nucleus with histone H2B-GFP and with retroviral RFP in the cytoplasm. HT-1080-GFP-RFP cells were sprinkled over a skin-flap in transgenic GFP immunocompetent mice. After 24 hr, the mice were imaged with the Olympus IV100 laser scanning microscope. HT-1080-GFP-RFP cells were visualized surrounded by host-derived lymphocytes and macrophages both expressing GFP. The tumor cell cytoplasm appeared red, with the GFP nucleus visualized as yellow. The host cells appeared green due to GFP. We could observe host GFP macrophages contacting, engulfing and digesting dual-color HT-1080-GFP-RFP cells in real-time. The dual-color cancer cells were readily visible after being engulfed in the GFP macrophages. In addition, other cancer cells were being eliminated without phagocytosis. The cancer cells, tagged with GFP in the nucleus and RFP in the cytoplasm in transgenic GFP mice, visualized with the IV100 laser scanning microscope enable visualization of GFP lymphocyte and GFP macrophage reaction with cancer cells at the subcellular level in live mice. This multicolor imageable model of cancer cell rejection should be useful for understanding and pharmacological intervention in this process.
Evidence of a potential mechanism for Kratom-related cardiac arrest

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a Southeast Asian tree traditionally prepared as a ceremonial tea or powder [1]. Recently, kratom has grown in popularity as a recreational drug and for self-treating...
An Improved Fracture Mechanics-Informed Multiscale Thermomechanical Damage Model for Ceramic Matrix Composites

This paper extends recent work done by the authors in modeling length scale-dependent damage behavior of ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) to include effects of local anisotropy introduced by matrix cracking. This model captures scale-dependent damage initiation and propagation behavior of the brittle matrix by employing internal state variable (ISV) theory within a multiscale modeling framework to obtain damaged matrix stress/strain constitutive relationships at each length scale. The damage ISV captures the effects of matrix cracking and growth by using fracture mechanics and the self-consistent scheme to determine the reduced stiffness of the cracked matrix. Matrix cracks, which activate when stress intensity factors near manufacturing induced cavities exceed the fracture toughness of the material, are assumed to be transversely isotropic in the plane of the crack, and matrix anisotropy occurs when the damaged stiffness tensor is rotated from the crack plane to the global axes. The crack progression and temporal evolution of the damage ISV are governed by fracture mechanics and crack growth kinetics. The model effectively captures first matrix cracking, which is the first significant deviation from linear elasticity. The nonlinear predictive capabilities of the material model are demonstrated for monolithic silicon carbide (SiC) and a 2D woven five-harness satin (5HS) carbon fiber SiC matrix (C/SiC) CMC.
Urine Screening for Opioid and Illicit Drugs in the Total Joint Arthroplasty Population.

Introduction. Recent studies have shown an increase in post-operative orthopaedic complications associated with pre-operative opioid use. It is, therefore, important to know if patients use opioids before scheduled surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine if urine drug screening (UDS) is an effective screening tool for detecting opioid and illicit drug use prior to joint arthroplasty (JA) procedures. Methods. This retrospective chart review was performed with IRB approval on 166 out of 172 consecutive patients in a community-based practice. All the patients had a pre-operative UDS prior to primary or revision JA by a fellowship trained orthopaedic surgeon between March 2016 and April 2017. Patient demographics documented opioid and illicit drug use, co-morbid diagnosis, and UDS results were collected from clinical charts. Statistical analysis was conducted using Pearson Chi-square, Fisher’s exact, McNemar test, and t-tests with IBM SPSS Statistics, ver. 23. Significant differences were p < 0.05. Results. Sixty-four of 166 patients (38.6%) tested positive for opioids. Among them, 55.0% (35/64) had no history of prescription opioid use. Significant differences were observed when comparing the test results of the UDS with the patient reported history of prescribed opioids (p = 0.001). Conclusion. With a significant number of patients testing positive for opioids without evidence of a previous prescription, UDS may be beneficial for initial risk assessment for patients undergoing JA procedures.
Transient Triplet Exciton Gratings in Rubrene Single Crystals

We observe singlet exciton fission and the formation of triplet exciton transient gratings that allow us to study the singlet exciton fission time and the rise of the triplet population under different excitation and detection conditions
Beliefs and interests in physical activity programs of cancer survivors and their romantic partners.

Physical activity is associated with improved health outcomes for cancer survivors and their romantic partners, yet it is unclear if joint exercise programs for survivor-partner dyads are acceptable. This study examined demographic, relationship, exercise, and cancer history correlates of survivors’ and their romantic partners’ couples-based exercise beliefs and their preferences for program designs. All participants (survivors n=209, partners n=155, couples n=143) completed an online survey. Correlations and linear regression analyses were used to examine correlates of participants’ importance of and interest in couples-based exercise and their likelihood of joining a couples-based exercise program. Intraclass correlations estimated shared variance at the couple level. Most participants believed that couples-based exercise was highly important (51.8%) and were interested in a couples-based exercise program (61.5%), but fewer survivors believed their partner would be interested or would likely join a couples-based program. Across all outcomes, partner support for exercise was most strongly associated with participants’ couples-based exercise beliefs (r = 0.19–0.54, p<.05), and couples were significantly aligned in their beliefs (ρ=0.20–0.31, p<.01). Participants were interested in exercise programs involving exercising together (67.3%) as well as exercising separately while sharing activity data on an app or website (48.0%). This novel understanding of couples-based exercise beliefs provides a strong foundation upon which future exercise programs may be designed for survivors and their romantic partners. Survivors’ adoption and maintenance of exercise may be enhanced by the inclusion of romantic partners in exercise programs, and partners’ inclusion is appealing to couples.
Student Voice in Administrative Decision-Making: Inclusive Planning during the Pandemic

The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) Library began planning for the Fall 2020 semester knowing that COVID-19 and social unrest stemming from police actions across the country would impact libra...
Artificial Neural Network for the Prediction of Particulate Matter (PM 2.5 )

In this paper, artificial neural network model developed for the prediction of PM2.5 particulate matter is discussed. Along with artificial neural network, multiple linear regression model is developed for the prediction. Both the techniques are compared for the prediction of PM2.5. The data for the training and testing is collected from OpenAq platform. The result shows that observed and predicted values are in close agreement. Artificial neural network is proved to be better than multiple regression model for the proposed application. Proposed method can also be used for data imputation technique for pollutant dataset.
Pupillometry signatures of sustained attention and working memory

There exists an intricate relationship between attention and working memory. Recent work has further established that attention and working memory fluctuate synchronously, by tightly interleaving sustained attention and working memory tasks. This work has raised many open questions about physiological signatures underlying these behavioral fluctuations. Across two experiments, we explore pupil dynamics using real-time triggering in conjunction with an interleaved sustained attention and working memory task. In Experiment 1, we use behavioral real-time triggering and replicate recent findings from our lab (deBettencourt et al., 2019) that sustained attention fluctuates concurrently with the number of items maintained in working memory. Furthermore, highly attentive moments, detected via behavior, also exhibited larger pupil sizes. In Experiment 2, we develop a novel real-time pupil triggering technique to track pupil size fluctuations in real time and trigger working memory probes. We reveal that this pupil triggering procedure elicits differences in sustained attention, as indexed by response time. These experiments reflect methodological advances in real-time triggering and further characterize an important biomarker of sustained attention.
Multivariate Random Variables

Until now we have been restricted in our consideration of two random variables X and Y, together. We could only talk about, say, the distribution of X + Y or some function f(X, Y), in the special case where Y is a (Borel) function of X, or where X and Y are both (Borel) functions of some third random variable Z. Now we shall dicuss the analysis of joint random variables X and Y in a more general setting.
A Monitor for the Continuous Measurement of Suspended Solids in Liquids

A development suspended solids monitor based on measurement of the depolarization of backscattered polarized light has been designed and constructed. Limited field testing indicates that this monitor when submerged in a waste stream can continuously monitor the suspended solids concentration under a variety of conditions.
Partial Least Squares Path Analysis

We begin our review of modern path analysis tools with partial least squares path analysis software. PLS-PA has achieved near-cult-like stature within its circle of practitioners, but is not without its critics. Many issues arise from PLS-PA not being a proper statistical “methodology”—it has failed to accumulate a body of statistical research on assumptions, the role of data, objectives of inference, statistics, or performance metrics. Rather, PLS consists of a half dozen or so software packages that though only lightly documented seem to be able to conjure path estimates out of datasets that other methodologies reject as inadequate. This chapter explores whether PLS-PA software really possesses some “secret sauce” that makes it possible to generate estimates from weak data, or conversely, whether such imputed path structures may indeed be illusory.
Stackelberg Solutions for Two-Level Singular Systems

This paper studies the optimization problem of two-level singular systems. The system considered is composed of N subsystems, and each is a linear singular system controlled by a local controller and a central controller. The objective function of each local controller assesses the performance of the corresponding subsystem, and the objective function of the central controller assesses the performance of the overall system. In this paper, the Stackelberg approach of game thory is considered for the optimization of such a system. The necessary conditions for the existence of open-loop Stackelberg solutions are derived.
The Future of Organic Meats

Consumers' concerns about intensive/conventional food production and the potential effect on human health, animal welfare, and the environment have led to a rapidly growing organic meat market worldwide. Authors in this book report consumers' increasing interest in organic meat to be due to the concern of potential food safety issues, such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) outbreaks, or other food scares. Authors also report that animal health and welfare (AHW) and environmental impact are important for the organic consumer, but research has found that organic farming does not necessarily translate into high animal welfare standards. Many aspects of organic meat production remain either undeveloped or not considered as of yet, as is the case of organic meat by-products. Consumers express interest in purchasing organic pet food, which would offer an ideal use for the by-products of the organic meat industry. Currently, there is no clear difference in the nutritional or sensory quality of organic meat, nor is there clear proof of differences in chemical contamination between conventional and organic meat. More data are required to draw unbiased conclusions. Consumers often perceive that organic meats are safer than conventional meats, but there is virtually no data to support this. This is partially due to the fact that the research results generated from studies published thus far are often inconsistent. For the organic meat market to continue growth the production base must expand to meet increasing market demands, followed by industry integration and developing more value-added and further processed organic meat products.
An easy to use model to aid in the acoustic design of classrooms

A model was developed to design the acoustics of a classroom and reduce the background noise level. The design allowed the reverberation time to be limited, and was based on estimation of design parameters. The maximum sound power level emitted by heating ventilation and air conditioning designs (HVAC) were calculated for the design. The formulation and validation of the model was described.
Cytoplasmic Orientation of the Naphthylphthalamic Acid-Binding Protein in Zucchini Plasma Membrane Vesicles

Polar transport of the plant hormone auxin is blocked by substances such as N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA), which inhibit auxin efflux and block polar auxin transport. To understand how auxin transport is regulated in vivo, it is necessary to discern whether auxin transport inhibitors act at the intra- or extracellular side of the plasma membrane. Populations of predominantly in-side-in plasma membrane vesicles were subjected to treatments that reverse the orientation. These treatments, which included osmotic shock, cycles of freezing and thawing, and incubation with 0.05% Brij-58, all increased NPA-binding activity and the accessibility of the binding protein to protease digestion. Marker activities for inside-out vesicles also increased, indicating that these treatments act by altering the membrane orientation. Finally, binding data were analyzed by multiple analyses and indicated that neither the affinity nor abundance of binding sites changed. Kinetic analyses indicated that the change in NPA-binding activity by Brij-58 treatment was due to an increase in the initial rates of both association and dissociation of this ligand. These experiments indicated that the NPA-binding site is on the cytoplasmic face of the plasma membrane in zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L. cv Burpee Fordhook).
The Effect of Confirming Management Earnings Forecasts on Cost of Capital

This study examines the market response to confirming forecasts. Confirming management forecasts are voluntary disclosures by management that corroborate existing market expectations about future earnings. The study of confirming forecasts is important because it can provide evidence on the relation between voluntary disclosure and cost of capital. We find that the market's reaction to confirming forecasts is significantly positive, indicating that benefits may accrue to firms that disclose such forecasts. In addition, while we find no significant change in the mean consensus forecasts (a proxy for earnings expectations) around the confirming forecast date, evidence indicates a significant reduction in the mean and median consensus analyst dispersion (a proxy for earnings uncertainty). Finally, we document a positive association between reduction of dispersion of analysts' forecasts and the magnitude of the stock market response.
Reconfigurable band rejection and band-pass frequency selective structures

A new class of reconfigurable frequency selective structures (FSSs) is proposed to operate across a wide band of frequencies. Specifically, thick FSSs are proposed with several desirable properties, including sharp roll-offs for narrow rejections. Similar to multi-stage filters, this higher-order selectivity enables frequency and bandwidth control. However, practical application requires the ability to tune these structures. The proposed design introduces a novel geometry to achieve reconfigurable frequency control for multi-band FSSs. The technique focuses on a bent dipole element with many different arm lengths for even greater selectivity and narrower rejection bandwidth. The proposed multi-arm design allows for tuning and control of the band rejection width. The subject FSS structures are extended to band-pass designs, and various element geometries are explored in terms of frequency and bandwidth control. A primary design focus is performance stability with respect to incidence angle and polarization.
«Continuity» within three scalar models: the polysemy of adverbial Still

This study represents an elaboration and revision of Konig's account of the synchronic interrelations among three senses of the English adverbial still. These senses at issue are those in which still serves as a marker of a state's continuation to a temporal reference point, as a concessive particle, and as an indicator of marginal membership within a graded category. The A. argues that the three semantically and grammatically distinct senses can be reconciled by the modern speaker: the lexeme still has an abstract meaning compatible with three types of scalar models
A Genome-wide Short Hairpin RNA Screening of Jurkat T-cells for Human Proteins Contributing to Productive HIV-1 Replication

Short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) have been used to inhibit HIV-1 replication. The durable inhibition of HIV-1 replication by RNA interference has been impeded, however, by a high mutation rate when viral sequences are targeted and by cytotoxicity when cellular genes are knocked down. To identify cellular proteins that contribute to HIV-1 replication that can be chronically silenced without significant cytotoxicity, we employed a shRNA library that targets 54,509 human transcripts. We used this library to select a comprehensive population of Jurkat T-cell clones, each expressing a single discrete shRNA. The Jurkat clones were then infected with HIV-1. Clones that survived viral infection represent moieties silenced for a human mRNA needed for virus replication, but whose chronic knockdown did not cause cytotoxicity. Overall, 252 individual Jurkat mRNAs were identified. Twenty-two of these mRNAs were secondarily verified for their contributions to HIV-1 replication. Five mRNAs, NRF1, STXBP2, NCOA3, PRDM2, and EXOSC5, were studied for their effect on steps of the HIV-1 life cycle. We discuss the similarities and differences between our shRNA findings for HIV-1 using a spreading infection assay in human Jurkat T-cells and results from other investigators who used siRNA-based screenings in HeLa or 293T cells.
Reliability and Validity of a Factor Analytically Derived Measure of Leadership Behavior and Characteristics

Reliability and validity data are presented for 13 factor-analytically derived leadership assessment scales. Self-ratings were gathered from 385 managers and parallel form ratings were collected from four to six co-workers (subordinates, peers and superiors, n = 1,965). Factor analysis of 220 leader behavior items produced 13 leadership assessment scales: Coaching and Mentoring Others; Sensitivity to Others; Integrity in Dealing With Others; Participative Behaviors; Criticism of Others; Self-Serving Behavior; Charismatic Behavior; Incisiveness; Risk Taking; Hesitancy; Directness; Future Orientation; and Motivation. The 13 scales show high internal consistency; strong inter-rater (peer, subordinate, superior) reliability; and moderate convergence of self-ratings and aggregated ratings by others. In addition, the 13 scales prove useful in explaining subjective ratings of influence and leadership as well as self-reported salary and salary progression.
On Costs, Benefits and Malefits in Technology Assessment

Cost-benefit analysis has been criticized on numerous grounds. It is common in such analyses to treat undesirable side effects (including risks) as external or social costs and to quantify these costs insofar as possible. In this paper I take the view that both desired effects (benefits) and undesired effects (malefits) are outputs of the technology. Costs are the dollars paid for the mixture of benefits and malefits actually produced. It is a futile and often misleading exercise to attempt to quantify the value of the net output of a public-service technology. A social-political decision must be taken as to whether or not the total output is worth the cost. If citizens are to participate usefully in such a decision, they need to understand the nature of this total output. Dollar-quantification of ``benefits'' and ``external costs'' obscures the actual physical-social effects of the technology. Cost-benefit analysis is a better tool for advocacy in technological decisions than for informing the public. By focusing attention on formulas and numbers, the analysis seems to substitute scientific reasoning for the painful process of making value judgments. But the value judgments are always present; they can be concealed but not escaped. Technological decisions are more political than scientific.
Heterogeneity of spectrin distribution among avian muscle fiber types

Muscle spectrin has been examined in avian fast, slow, and mixed muscles using the techniques of immunofluorescence microscopy and immunoautoradiography. By immunofluorescence, fibers of the fast-twitch pectoralis major (PM) are seen to contain alpha-spectrin antigen primarily at the sarcolemma, while in the slow-tonic anterior latissimus dorsi (ALD), alpha-spectrin antigen is found in high concentrations throughout the sarcoplasm as well as being present in association with the sarcolemma. In mixed (fast- and slow-twitch) muscles of the leg, two populations of fibers can be distinguished: those which resemble the fibers of the PM and another group which displays interior staining similar to the fibers of the ALD. Histochemical staining for actomyosin ATPase reveals that the fibers of mixed muscles which contain the most spectrin antigen correspond to the slow-twitch fibers. Supportive data were obtained using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) followed by immunoautoradiography. In slow muscle, an approximate threefold increase in alpha-spectrin concentration relative to other proteins is evident. These results suggest that the distribution of alpha-spectrin may be modified by the physiological state of the myofiber.
Cyber Readiness: Are We There Yet?

Many of the systems that control the critical infrastructure were not originally designed with security in mind. This has left us vulnerable to unwanted attacks in many of the environments. It has become essential that the authors determine if their infrastructures are better prepared for existing and future threats. In this study, the authors will examine the impact of attacks, including terrorist attacks on critical infrastructures, in particular, the Energy sector. The results show that in spite of the warnings of the threats carried out in various sectors and organizations around the world, they have still remain extremely vulnerable because of a number of critical security issues that hamper their ability to better serve and protect our vital information assets. The authors examine some of the most prominent models being used today and how they may be modified to better serve the needs of their user communities and key stakeholders.
Porphyrins as Molecular Electronic Components of Functional Devices

The proposal that molecules can perform electronic functions in devices such as diodes, rectifiers, wires, capacitors, or serve as functional materials for electronic or magnetic memory, has stimulated intense research across physics, chemistry, and engineering for over 35 years. Because biology uses porphyrins and metalloporphyrins as catalysts, small molecule transporters, electrical conduits, and energy transducers in photosynthesis, porphyrins are an obvious class of molecules to investigate for molecular electronic functions. Of the numerous kinds of molecules under investigation for molecular electronics applications, porphyrins and their related macrocycles are of particular interest because they are robust and their electronic properties can be tuned by chelation of a metal ion and substitution on the macrocycle. The other porphyrinoids have equally variable and adjustable photophysical properties, thus photonic applications are potentiated. At least in the near term, realistic architectures for molecular electronics will require self-organization or nanoprinting on surfaces. This review concentrates on self-organized porphyrinoids as components of working electronic devices on electronically active substrates with particular emphasis on the effect of surface, molecular design, molecular orientation and matrix on the detailed electronic properties of single molecules.
Reducing intercultural anxiety through intercultural contact

Abstract As a result of a brief stay in Morocco, college students' anxiety about interacting with Moroccans decreased significantly. These results provide partial support for our model of intergroup anxiety. An examination of the predictions of change in anxiety showed high ethnocentrism and high attributional complexity to be associated with increased anxiety regarding anticipated contact with Moroccans. In addition, contact with Moroccans was associated with both deceased anxiety and increased anxiety, depending upon the type of contact. The differing effects of contact, other variables relevant to the reduction of intercultural anxiety, and the implications of this study for effective intercultural contact programs are discussed.
Adolescent-Peer Relationships, Separation and Detachment from Parents, and Internalizing and Externalizing Behaviors: Linkages and Interactions.

Most research exploring the interplay between context and adolescent separation and detachment has focused on the family; in contrast, this investigation directs its attention outside of the family to peers. Utilizing a latent variable approach for modeling interactions and incorporating reports of behavioral adjustment from 14-year-old adolescents (N = 190) and their mothers, we examine how separation and detachment relate to adolescent-peer relationships, and whether peer relationships moderate how separation and detachment relate to adolescent internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Positive peer relationships were both associated with lower detachment and sharply attenuated relations between detachment and higher adolescent internalizing and externalizing. Separation from parents was unrelated to peer relationships, and regardless of whether peer relationships were positive, separation was not related to adolescent internalizing and externalizing. We integrate these findings with those from family-...
Validating Automated Essay Scoring for Online Writing Placement

Abstract In this paper, I describe the design and evaluation of automated essay scoring (AES) models for an institution's writing placement program. Information was gathered on admitted student writing performance at a science and technology research university in the northeastern United States. Under timed conditions, first-year students ( N = 879) were assigned to write essays on two persuasive prompts within the Criterion ® Online Writing Evaluation Service at the beginning of the semester. AES models were built and evaluated for a total of four prompts. AES models meeting recommended performance criteria were then compared to standardized admissions measures and locally developed writing measures. Results suggest that there is evidence to support the use of Criterion as part of the placement process at the institution.
Guest Editor's Introduction: Special-Purpose Computing

My awareness of special-purpose computing goes back quite a long time. In the early 1980s, my former grad-school housemate and (still) good friend Doug Toussaint worked with Bob Pearson and John Richardson on a special-purpose computer to study the Ising model. They constructed and successfully used that computer, but by 1983, when Doug and I met up again at the University of Southern California, San Diego (UCSD), he was using the Ising model computer in his office as a coffeemaker stand, not for studying hot Ising spins. By serving as guest editor, I hoped to find a mix of mature and emerging projects that would provoke readers to wonder whether their own problems would be suited with a special-purpose computer.
Comparison of the three-phase oil relative permeability models

A comparative study of seven different methods for predicting three-phase oil relative permeabilities in the presence of gas and water phases is presented. Predicted oil relative permeabilities from these correlations have been compared with published three-phase experimental data obtained in Berea sandstone core samples. Some of the correlations under study have been recently developed and have never been tested against the laboratory data. The comparison shows that the commonly used models such as Stones' often do not give accurate predictions of the experimental data. It is concluded that the recently developed models fit the experimental data as well as or better than the previously developed and widely used three-phase oil relative permeability models.
Localized Influence of Solute on the Stacking Fault Energy of Dilute Al-Based Solid Solutions

The stacking fault energy (SFE) is widely used to classify the mechanical behavior of pure metals. In alloys, however, the experimentally observed SFE is strongly influenced by localized solute effects. To further understand these effects on dislocation structure and on the observed SFE, solute segregation to an extended edge dislocation dipole, delineating two stacking faults, was studied in dilute Al:Cu, Al:Ag, and Al:Cu,Ag solid solutions. Cu and Ag were chosen to isolate solute size and modulus effects, Cu being smaller than Al, while Ag and Al are essentially the same size. Atomistic Monte Carlo results showed little change in the partial dislocation spacing in the binary systems as compared to the spacing in pure Al, even though Cu was observed to segregate to the compressive regions of the dislocation dipoles, forming widespread atmospheres, while Ag formed randomly distributed Ag-rich zones. However, in ternary Al:Cu,Ag simulations, the Ag apparently inhibited the Cu from distributing across the width of the extended dislocations, both Ag and Cu forming small clusters near or on the partial dislocations which increased the partial dislocation spacing. Results will be discussed in light of interpretations of experimental SFE determinations, emphasizing the importance of the localized solute distribution on the SFE.