cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Contributions to HiLiftPW-3 Using Structured, Overset Grid Methods

The High-Lift Common Research Model (HL-CRM) and the JAXA Standard Model (JSM) were analyzed computationally using both the OVERFLOW and LAVA codes for the third AIAA High-Lift Prediction Workshop. Geometry descriptions and the test cases simulated are described. With the HL-CRM, the effects of surface smoothness during grid projection and the effect of partially sealing a flap gap were studied. Grid refinement studies were performed at two angles of attack using both codes. For the JSM, simulations were performed with and without the nacelle/pylon. Without the nacelle/pylon, evidence of multiple solutions was observed when a quadratic constitutive relation is used in the turbulence modeling; however, using time-accurate simulation seemed to alleviate this issue. With the nacelle/pylon, no evidence of multiple solutions was observed. Laminar-turbulent transition modeling was applied to both JSM configuration, and had an overall favorable impact on the lift predictions.
Ecosystem Services in Life Cycle Assessment while Encouraging Techno-Ecological Synergies

Life cycle assessment (LCA) has enabled consideration of environmental impacts beyond the narrow boundary of traditional engineering methods. This reduces the chance of shifting impacts outside the system boundary. However, sustainability also requires that supporting ecosystems are not adversely affected and remain capable of providing goods and services for supporting human activities. Conventional LCA does not account for this role of nature, and its metrics are best for comparing alternatives. These relative metrics do not provide information about absolute environmental sustainability, which requires comparison between the demand and supply of ecosystem services (ES). Techno‐ecological synergy (TES) is a framework to account for ES, and has been demonstrated by application to systems such as buildings and manufacturing activities that have narrow system boundaries. This article develops an approach for techno‐ecological synergy in life cycle assessment (TES‐LCA) by expanding the steps in conventional LCA to incorporate the demand and supply of ecosystem goods and services at multiple spatial scales. This enables calculation of absolute environmental sustainability metrics, and helps identify opportunities for improving a life cycle not just by reducing impacts, but also by restoring and protecting ecosystems. TES‐LCA of a biofuel life cycle demonstrates this approach by considering the ES of carbon sequestration, air quality regulation, and water provisioning. Results show that for the carbon sequestration ecosystem service, farming can be locally sustainable but unsustainable at the global or serviceshed scale. Air quality regulation is unsustainable at all scales, while water provisioning is sustainable at all scales for this study in the eastern part of the United States.
Sparse array performance in channels of limited coherence

Sparse arrays reduce the number of redundant measurements for lags on an array in comparison to fully populated arrays. For ideal measurements, where spatial stationarity is maintained and measurement error is minimal, the performance of such arrays can be shown to be similar to that of a uniform array of the same length with appropriate processing techniques. However, for complex environments with limited spatial coherence or noisy measurements, array sparsity can impact performance. We construct a simple model that relates the relative positions of redundant measurements and channel coherence length to the variance of covariance function estimates, determine a set of lag measurement weightings that minimize said variance for a given set of redundant lag positions, determine a set of conditions on which a uniform weighting is optimal, and demonstrate that regularly spaced lag repetitions optimally sample a spatially varying covariance function.
Differential Effects of the Mystery Motivator Intervention Using Student-Selected and Mystery Rewards

Class-wide interventions such as the Mystery Motivator are an easy and effective way to remediate problematic behavior in the classroom and increase the level of classroom management. Multiple proc...
Rational Choice in Politics

The rational choice approach treats behavior as purposive: individuals have goals and make choices intended to achieve their goals. This emphasis on goals and choices contrasts with sociological and psychological approaches that treat behavior as a response to organizational norms, social pressures, or inner drives. There are various schools of rational choice that differ in the importance they place on institutions, their emphasis on political process—vis-a-vis policy outcomes, and their belief in the welfare properties of markets. The rational choice approach has provoked controversy as it moves into the different subfields of political science. Some criticism reflects intellectual opposition to social science in general, some reflects a preference for inductive-empirical work over the deductive modeling common in rational choice work, and some reflects ideological antagonism to an approach closely associated with market economics. The approach is now well established and increasingly focuses on issues of interest to other approaches.
Relaxed Simultaneous Congruences

In certain digital signal processing applications, residues \(\) of an input integer signal x are measured with respect to integer moduli \(\). The signal x is then recovered by solving the system of simultaneous linear congruences \(\). Since the residues ri are measured quantities, they are subject to noise contamination. To provide noise protection, the moduli mi may be chosen to possess common factors. Accurate approximations for x may then be determined by solving approximate or ``relaxed" simultaneous congruences. This paper presents a coherent mathematical theory for the approximate solution of simultaneous congruences with inaccurate residues when no exact solution exists. After precisely formulating the notion of relaxed congruences, it is found that, under nonrestrictive technical assumptions, unique solutions to these congruences always exist. A variety of examples illustrating characteristics of solutions of relaxed congruences are provided, and a fast, efficient algorithm for solving them numerically is presented. The problem of finding an optimal approximate solution is then discussed. Several optimality criteria are proposed and procedures for finding optimal approximate solutions are outlined. Error bounds are derived which specify the maximum amount that an approximate solution based upon inaccurate residues may differ from the corresponding true solution based upon the exact residues.
An Iterative Multilayer Unsupervised Learning Approach for Sensory Data Reliability Evaluation

This paper investigates the problem of extracting actionable patterns/models from unlabeled and potentially erroneous datasets in an unsupervised way. To address the need for both model extraction and data reliability evaluation, we propose a novel iterative multilayer micro–macro (IM3) method that defines data reliability, learns micro–macro models, and iteratively refines learned models. The IM3 method includes a general data reliability definition to evaluate the reliability level of each sample, a micro–macro model complexity determination, and an iterative data reliability and model complexity update mechanism to overcome the underfitting and overfitting issue. In particular, we propose a consistency-index-based approach to address underfitting and overfitting in an unsupervised way. The refinement of the learned models is enabled via dropping the most unreliable data until the data reliability is above a given threshold. The sensitivity of the proposed IM3 method with respect to the reliability threshold selection is further quantified via false alarm and missdetection to facilitate the selection of an appropriate reliability threshold. Evaluation of the proposed method and quantitative analysis of its sensitivity are provided on a polynomial regression problem via Monte Carlo simulations.
Distributed point source modeling of the scattering of elastic waves by a circular cavity in an anisotropic half-space.

Abstract The Distributed Point Source Method (DPSM) is a modeling technique based on superposition of fundamental solutions corresponding to individual pair of source and target points. A collection of source points distributed over the boundaries and interfaces are responsible for transmission, reflection, and refraction of acoustic waves in the solution domain. The strength of the source points may not be known a priory. By imposing the prescribed conditions on the boundaries and interfaces, a system of equations with the source strengths as the unknowns is obtained. After finding the source strengths as the solution to this system of equation, the amount of the solution at any target point in the domain is obtained by superimposing the effect of all source points on that target point. DPSM is an efficient modeling technique for ultrasonic problems since it does not require discretization of the whole solution domain but only the boundaries and interfaces. The fundamental solution, or the Green’s function, between a pair of source and target points serves as the building block for DPSM. For an ideal fluid or a homogeneous isotropic solid the elastodynamic Green’s function is available as closed form algebraic expressions. But for an anisotropic solids, the set of governing equations are considerably more complex and the elastodynamic Green’s function needs to be evaluated numerically. In this study, an anisotropic half-space containing a flaw in the form of a circular hole is considered. The solid half-space is in contact with fluid and a transducer is located in fluid facing the solid half-space. Some efforts have been made to alleviate the computational intensity of the numerical evaluation of anisotropic Green’s function for this problem. Firstly, a technique called “windowing” is used to exploit the repetitive pattern of relative positions of the source and target points in order to considerably reduce the number of Green’s function evaluations. Secondly, the resolution of the integration for evaluation of the anisotropic Green’s function is changed based on the distance between the source and target points, and a calibration technique based on an equivalent isotropic stiffness tensor is suggested. This calibrated multi-resolution integration technique is combined with the windowing technique, and the developed DPSM model is applied to a numerical example containing a transversely isotropic half-space, to show the applicability and effectiveness of DPSM modeling for this class of problems. Important applications like non-destructive evaluation of composite materials may benefit from such modeling capability.
Para não incomodar

Tenho me perguntado ha anos porque estamos tao incomodados com a delinquencia juvenil. E paro para pensar se tal inquietacao social sera em resposta ao aumento de atos criminosos juvenis ou talvez nossa frustracao pela contencao social e legal infrutifera desses atos ou se sera uma preocupacao genuina para os proprios jovens. Nosso desconforto parece basear-se na percepcao reativa e apressada de atos criminosos juvenis, em vez de em uma analise profunda da raiz desses atos que implicaria uma abordagem de suas historias de vida, um conhecimento mais amplo de suas familias, seus contextos social e cultural e suas caracteristicas pessoais. E claro que tal abordagem nos levaria a comprometer nossa tolerância social, nossos metodos de entender e abordar a delinquencia juvenil como um produto da sociedade e assumir uma solucao alem da distribuicao de culpas e conviccoes. E claro que essa humanizacao do crime viria a desafiar valores enraizados na meritocracia sem memoria social, no olhar indiferente da familia, do professor, da igreja, do profissional, do governo e de outras entidades. E claro que compreender a delinquencia da crianca ou do jovem agressor : incomodaria demais nosso costume indiferente as necessidades de outros grupos sociais.
Robust Multi-User Analog Beamforming in mmWave MIMO Systems

In this paper, we propose a robust analog-only beamforming scheme for the downlink multi-user systems, which not only suppresses the interference and enhances the beamforming gain, but also provides robustness against imperfect channel state information (CSI). We strike a balance between the average beamforming gain and the inter-user interference by formulating a multi-objective problem. A probabilistic objective of leakage interference power is formulated to alleviate the effects of the channel estimation and feedback quantization errors. To solve the problem, we first use the sum-weighted method to transform the multi-objective problem into a single-objective problem. Then, we use the semi-definite programing technique to make the constant-magnitude constraints of the analog beamforming tractable. Simulation results show that our proposed robust beamformer can provide up to 120% improvement in the sum-rate compared to the beam selection method.
Cultivating the Understanding of a Catholic University’s Mission and the Principles of Catholic Social Teaching through a Faculty Service-Learning Experience

The challenge for faculty teaching in Catholic business schools is how to integrate the University’s mission and identity as well as the principles of Catholic Social Teaching (CST) into business school courses. 1 Such integration is necessary if Catholic business schools are to provide students with a unique educational experience. 2 This article discusses how one faculty member, through service learning experiences within impoverished rural villages in East Africa, came to understand both the University’s mission and CST.
Variability in Age and Experience among Blind Students Using Basal Reading Materials.

This study was designed to identify various problems encountered by children who read braille and use conventional basal reading programs transcribed into that medium. It was hoped that this inform...
Keep it simple stupid! A non-parametric kernel regression approach to forecast travel speeds

Abstract The approach taken by the second place winner of the TRANSFOR prediction challenge is presented. The challenge involves forecasting travel speeds on two arterial links in Xi’an City in China for two five hour periods on a single day. Travel speeds are measured from trajectory information on probe vehicles from a fleet of vehicles for a large sub-area of the city. After experimenting with several deep learning methods, we settle on a simple non-parametric kernel regression approach. The method, borrowed from previous work in fixed route transit predictions, formalizes the intuition that in urban systems most failure patterns are recurrent. Our choice is supported by test results where the method outperformed all evaluated neural architectures. The results suggest simple methods are very competitive, particularly considering the high lifecycle cost of deep learning models.
Congestion Minimization of LTE Networks: A Deep Learning Approach

Reducing the number of users serviced by congested cellular towers given an offered load and a minimum level of acceptable user quality is a major challenge in the operation of LTE networks. In this paper, we utilize a supervised Deep Learning (DL) technique to predict the LTE and LTE-A loading of connected users and then dynamically predict the congestion threshold of each cellular tower under offered load. We then use the predicted congestion thresholds together with quality constraints to fine-tune cellular network operating parameters leading to minimizing overall network congestion. We propose two sets of optimization algorithms to solve our formulated congestion optimization problem. Those are, namely, a variant of Simulated Annealing (SA) algorithm to which we refer as Block Coordinated Descent Simulated Annealing (BCDSA) and Genetic Algorithm (GA). We first compare the performance of integrated DL-BCDSA and DL-GA algorithms and then show that our integrated DL-BCDSA can outperform existing state-of-the-art commercial self organizing tool already deployed in actual cellular networks.
Beyond replication: A few comments on Spruk and Kovac and Martin-Quinn scores

Abstract This Comment discusses Spruk and Kovac’s (2020) replication and extension of a prominent judicial ideology measure, the Martin-Quinn (2002) scores. Spruk and Kovac’s main contribution is to replicate Martin-Quinn scores’ Justice-level ideal points incident to a slightly different empirical strategy. Spruk and Kovac then extend their analysis by exploiting another prominent data set, Spaeth et al.’s (2018) Supreme Court Database, and identifying specific case issue codes that account for a large share of the Justice ideal points’ variation. For reasons that I outline below, while the Spruk and Kovac paper largely achieves its immediate replication objectives, the paper’s extension effort, by contrast, confronts inevitable limitations necessarily imposed by the Spaeth et al. database.
Scholars committed to opportunities in psychological education: a training and mentoring program for future psychologists of color

Although strides towards inclusivity and racial equality have been made in graduate education, many barriers to graduate education remain for racial/ethnic minorities. In response, we created Schol...
Experimental investigation on non-stationary wind loading effects generated with a multi-blade flow device

Abstract Overcoming the spatial constraints of the small-scale wind tunnel at Northeastern University, a multi-blade flow device (MBFD) has been installed within the facility’s test chamber to generate ramps in measured wind velocities by redirecting horizontally driven flows. As a continuation feasibility study, this paper analyzes the aerodynamic loads imparted on a building model from these simulated non-stationary outflows. Base forces are recorded with a high-frequency force balance sensor (HFFB) and compared to digital simulations using a modified quasi-steady aerodynamic load approach. Under certain conditions, the forces obtained from both physical and numerical procedures coincide well with each other, although differences arise due to assumptions and deficiencies in the modeling. Nonetheless, results indicate that altering horizontal flows with this device is suitable for replicating non-stationary aerodynamic loads, within the confines of a small-scale wind, “straight” tunnel.
The Role of GnRH Receptor Autoantibodies in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Objective Is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) associated with activating autoantibodies (AAb) to the second extracellular loop (ECL2) of gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR)? Design and Methods We retrospectively screened sera from 40 patients with PCOS and 14 normal controls (NCs) with regular menses using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the presence of GnRHR-ECL2-AAb. We obtained similar data from 40 non-PCOS ovulatory but infertile patients as a control group (OIC) of interest. We analyzed GnRHR-ECL2-AAb activity in purified immunoglobulin (Ig)G using a cell-based GnRHR bioassay. Results The mean ELISA value in the PCOS group was markedly higher than the NC (P = .000036) and the OIC (P = .0028) groups. IgG from a sample of 5 PCOS subjects, in contrast to a sample of 5 OIC subjects, demonstrated a dose-dependent increase in GnRHR-stimulating activity qualitatively similar to the acute action of the natural ligand GnRH and the synthetic agonist leuprolide. The GnRHR antagonist cetrorelix significantly suppressed (P < .01) the elevated GnRHR activity induced by IgG from 7 PCOS patients while the IgG activity level from 7 OIC subjects was unchanged. Five other OIC subjects had relatively high ELISA values at or above the 95% confidence limits. On further study, 3 had normal or low activity while 2 had elevated IgG-induced GnRHR activity. One suppressed with cetrorelix while the other did not. The copresence of PCOS IgG increased the responsiveness to GnRH and shifted the dosage response curve to the left (P < .01). Conclusions GnRHR-ECL2-AAb are significantly elevated in patients with PCOS compared with NCs. Their presence raises important etiological, diagnostic, and therapeutic implications.
Narratives of Gestational Diabetes Provide a Lens to Tailor Postpartum Prevention and Monitoring Counseling

Introduction Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have a marked increased risk of early onset type 2 diabetes, but less than half initiate postpartum glucose testing or connect with a primary care provider for continued follow-up after giving birth. This study analyzed women's narratives about their GDM-affected pregnancies to (1) identify different patterns (narrative archetypes) that capture the GDM experience; (2) explore how these patterns relate to awareness of ongoing risk after pregnancy and affect participation in self-care, monitoring, and preventive health care going forward; and (3) explore the use of identified patterns to tailor conversations with patients during prenatal and postpartum care to their actual perceptions and concerns about future risk. Methods Open-ended interviews elicited women's experiences and perspectives about GDM and its management. A narrative analysis first identified segments of text related to risk and behaviors and then applied Frank's narrative archetypes (restitution, chaos, quest) as an interpretive lens. Results Interviews were completed in English (n = 15), Spanish (n = 7), and Haitian Creole (n = 7). We found distinct patterns: stories of restitution (n = 13), quest (n = 4), chaos (n = 4), and mixed narratives (n = 7). Using these archetypes, we found differences in how women respond to challenges related to disease complexity, treatment, and future risks. These patterns led to marked differences in the steps women took to prevent early onset type 2 diabetes. Discussion Frank's narrative types provided insight into women's responses to clinical protocols, health care advice, and subsequent prevention actions. A restitution pattern may result in premature closure and lack of awareness of risk. Similarly, a chaos pattern may contribute to a sense of helplessness to implement follow-up recommendations, despite risk awareness. Understanding these patterns can help clinicians tailor individualized support as women transition from GDM with its focus on a healthy fetus and newborn to preventive self-care to protect their health.
The Perception of a Jailhouse Informant in a Sexual Assault Case

The present study examined the presence of a jailhouse informant (JI) on mock jurors’ perceptions of a sexual assault trial. In two experiments, male and female, jury-eligible community members (recruited from Amazon’s Mechanical Turk) read (via Qualtrics) a fictional trial summary in which a defendant sexually assaulted a 6-year-old child or 25-year-old. The prosecution’s case included a JI who testified that the defendant told him about committing the assault or the case excluded JI testimony. It was predicted that the presence of JI testimony, younger victims, and female participants would lead to more pro-victim judgments (e.g., more guilty verdicts). In addition, it was predicted that victim credibility would mediate the relationship between JI testimony and pro-victim judgments. Experiment 1 (N = 278, 57.5% female, 42.5% male) presented a trial with a female victim, whereas experiment 2 (N = 158, 53% female and 47% male) presented a trial with a male victim. Primary results found that participants were more pro-victim when there was a JI versus no JI, and that there was significant mediation via victim credibility. Implications and potential dangers of presenting JI testimony in sexual assault cases are discussed.
Rebooting Neuromorphic Hardware Design -- A Complexity Engineering Approach

As the compute demands for machine learning and artificial intelligence applications continue to grow, neuromorphic hardware has been touted as a potential solution. New emerging devices like memristors, atomic switches, etc have shown tremendous potential to replace CMOS-based circuits but have been hindered by multiple challenges with respect to device variability, stochastic behavior and scalability. In this paper we will introduce a Description Design framework to analyze past successes in computing, understand current problems and identify solutions moving forward. Engineering systems with these emerging devices might require the modification of both the type of descriptions of learning that we will design for, and the design methodologies we employ in order to realize these new descriptions. We will explore ideas from complexity engineering and analyze the advantages and challenges they offer over traditional approaches to neuromorphic design with novel computing fabrics. A reservoir computing example is used to understand the specific changes that would accompany in moving towards a complexity engineering approach. The time is ideal for a significant reboot of our design methodologies and success will represent a radical shift in how neuromorphic hardware is designed and pave the way for a new paradigm.
“Blessings and Friends and Knowledge”: Environmental Motivations for Religious Literacy

This two-year ethnographic study examines the motivations for religious knowledge development, or religious literacy, embedded in a Latter-day Saint congregation. Qualitative analyses of observatio...
Sensitivity-assisted Robust Nonlinear Model Predictive Control with Scenario Generation

Abstract We propose a sensitivity-assisted multistage Nonlinear Model Predictive Control strategy, called samNMPC, to address multistage stochastic programs for robust NMPC. Our approach divides the scenario sets in the stochastic programming formulation into critical and noncritical sets. Critical scenarios are selected by scenario generation based on worst-case constraint determination, while stage costs for noncritical scenarios are determined by sensitivity-based approximations. The resulting multi-stage NMPC problem leads to a first order accurate control profile that satisfies all constraints under uncertainty. Moreover, computational costs of this formulation scale independently of the number of disturbance variables, and only linearly with the robust horizon and number of constraints. Our proposed approach is illustrated on a CSTR (continuous stirred tank reactor) case study with two uncertain parameters. Compared to competing approaches, samNMPC delivers robust performance of multi-stage NMPC with significantly less computational cost.
Geographic patterns of genomic variation in the threatened Salado salamander, Eurycea chisholmensis

Aquatic, karst and spring endemic organisms have become a focus of conservation efforts as human population densities and demand for groundwater increase. This is especially true of Texas salamanders in the genus Eurycea that have been the subject of investigations of patterns of genetic differentiation in order to understand their systematics and to inform conservation planning. Here we generated data from several thousand single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to quantify within- and among-population genetic variation in the northernmost species, Eurycea chisholmensis, the Salado salamander, which is listed as a federally threatened species. We used approximate Bayesian computation and a method based on linkage disequilibrium to estimate effective population size, $$N_{e}$$ . Levels of differentiation were low, but revealed a primary division between northern and southern populations with no evidence of gene exchange between them. Genetic diversity was similar across all sampling locations and estimates of $$N_{e}$$ were largely congruent across the two methods and indicate population sizes large enough to maintain genetic variation, at least over the short term. These results suggest that two management units comprise the range of E. chisholmensis but that further sampling in intervening areas is required to precisely delineate, and determine the nature of, the boundary of these units.
Enfranchising a Discrete and Insular Minority: Extending Federal Voting Rights to American Citizens Living in United States Territories

* Juris Doctor Candidate, May 2005, University of Miami School of Law. This Comment is dedicated to all the disenfranchised American citizens in the United States territories, including my parents, whom I would like to thank for their unfailing love and support and all the sacrifices they have made on my behalf. I also would like to thank Robert Iseman for his invaluable suggestions and editorial support which greatly improved this Comment. Finally, I would like to thank my friends for being themselves, and sharing that with me, which greatly improves everything in my life.
Lipids of ocular tissues. 8. The effects of essential fatty acid deficiency on the phospholipids of the photoreceptor membranes of rat retina.

Abstract Rats raised for 10 weeks on fat-free or lab chow diets were sacrificed, their retinas removed, and rod outer segments prepared for lipid analysis. No differences were found in the phospholipid composition and only small differences were observed in the fatty acid distribution in the phospholipids of these photoreceptor membranes. The usual indicator of essential fatty acid deficiency, 20:3ω9, accumulated in all of the tissues examined except the retina and the photoreceptor membranes. Since rat photoreceptor membranes are completely renewed every 9 days the retina must have a mechanism for conserving its abundant supply of ω3 polyunsaturates.
Steering the National: Exploring the Education Policy Uses of PISA in Spain

This article presents findings from a recent study of the education policy uses and impact of international large-scale assessments, namely the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). The paper focuses on two overlapping dimensions of PISA’s education policy use in the context of Spain. These include political dimensions, such as the use of PISA to initiate and justify the 2012−2013 educational reforms; and technical dimensions, namely the use of PISA in the development of national-level indicators used to benchmark progress and guide education and curriculum reform. The study points to the growing dominance of PISA as a powerful policy tool. Findings from the paper add to the body of literature on the different ways in which international assessments are used to guide education policy within national spaces and the role of the OECD as an agent of transnational policy steering.
A decomposition technique for steady-state performance evaluation of serial transfer lines subject to machine and buffer failures

In modern automated production lines, it is common to connect pairs of machines by means of accumulating conveyors in order to provide storage and buffering between processing stations. Since conveyors are mechanical devices, they are prone to failure. Previous research in analytic modeling of the serial transfer line has assumed that buffers are completely reliable. We study the unreliable buffer, and produce a model of the serial transfer line incorporating this concept. An approximate decomposition technique is developed for the K machine serial line with unreliable buffers, and an algorithm for solution of the model is given. >
Differences in the use of bank and retail credit cards in the U.S.A.

Data from the 1989 Survey of Consumer Finances1 were analysed to find factors related to credit card use in U.S. households. Factors associated with the probability of using only retail cards were being a female-headed household, being older and being in a blue collar occupation. The use of bank cards only was associated with male heads of households, renting and a negative attitude toward credit. The use of both retail and bank cards was associated with a positive attitude toward credit, being in a professional or managerial occupation and home ownership. The results provide insight into credit card use and should help target educational efforts to those most likely to experience debt problems related to extensive use of credit cards.
The Achieving, Behaving, Caring Project for Preventing ED: Two-Year Outcomes

Two-year outcomes are reported for a school-based early intervention program for 82 children identified as at risk for emotional disturbance (ED) by their kindergarten teachers. Matched pairs of children were randomly assigned to Parent-Teacher Action Research (PTAR) teams or to a control group for their first- and second-grade years. Teachers also provided social skills instruction to all participants, along with their classmates. At the end of the 2-year period, the PTAR group showed significantly greater reductions than the control group in teacher-reported internalizing problems and delinquent behavior; parent-reported total problems, externalizing, and delinquent behavior; and observed internalizing problems in the classroom. PTAR group parents also reported significantly greater increases in their children's cooperation, self-control, and total competence, as well as in their own feelings of empowerment in obtaining school-based services for their children. The findings demonstrate long-term increme...
Job analysis and the sociotechnical approach to quality: A critical examination

Abstract Organizations in pursuit of quality have generally taken one of two paths. The traditional TQM path emphasizes managerial control over organizational systems, while the sociotechnical path seeks to deemphasize hierarchical control and transfer managerial functions to teams. Organizations structured around sociotechnical principles are less likely to have traditional jobs—relatively static sets of tasks independent of any particular individual. In contrast, employees, usually organized in teams, are often given only the broadest set of responsibilities and are asked to organize their own work. In such an environment, traditional forms of job analysis have very limited usefulness. This paper suggests ways in which job analysis may be developed in order to be useful in sociotechnical organizations.
Waveguide bends in three-dimensional layer-by-layer photonic bandgap materials

We theoretically investigate waveguide bends in three-dimensional dielectric photonic bandgap (PBG) materials. The PBG materials used in this study consist of layers of alumina rods. An L-shaped waveguide is created by removing part of the rod in one layer and part of the rod in the next layer. The removed rods are perpendicular to each other. Using finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations, we found that 100% transmission efficiency can be achieved through the 90° bend. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 23: 56–59, 1999.
The areal association of urban air pollutants and residential characteristics: Louisville and Detroit

Abstract Whereas there is substantial literature on the geographic aspects of air pollution and health effects of pollutants, there is a need to identify the specific urban neighbourhoods that are at risk from certain air pollutants. Louisville, Kentucky, and Detroit, Michigan, were selected for analysis because in these cities detailed data existed on mean blood lead levels among children aged 1–72 months. This research demonstrates (1) the dispersion of suspended particulates, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and aerosol lead over the two cities; (2) the distribution of socioeconomic characteristics and mean pediatric blood lead levels for census tracts in these cities; and (3) the statistical association between these pollutants, blood lead levels, and census characteristics. Although it is fallacious to claim, on the basis of this analysis, that lead in petrol is responsible for elevated blood lead among children in Louisville and Detroit, the implication remains that poor inner city residents, particularly children, are at higher risk of ill health due to air pollutants.
Face image super-resolution using 2D CCA

In this paper a face super-resolution method using two-dimensional canonical correlation analysis (2D CCA) is presented. A detail compensation step is followed to add high-frequency components to the reconstructed high-resolution face. Unlike most of the previous researches on face super-resolution algorithms that first transform the images into vectors, in our approach the relationship between the high-resolution and the low-resolution face image are maintained in their original 2D representation. In addition, rather than approximating the entire face, different parts of a face image are super-resolved separately to better preserve the local structure. The proposed method is compared with various state-of-the-art super-resolution algorithms using multiple evaluation criteria including face recognition performance. Results on publicly available datasets show that the proposed method super-resolves high quality face images which are very close to the ground-truth and performance gain is not dataset dependent. The method is very efficient in both the training and testing phases compared to the other approaches. HighlightsA new face super-resolution (SR) method using 2D CCA is presented.The method works directly on the 2D image without reshaping the image into vector.A detail compensation step further enhances the super-resolved face images.Experimental results show that our method outperforms current SR methods.The proposed method is computationally efficient due to small matrices involved.
A variable stiffness type elastoplastic boundary element formulation for planar anisotropic media

Abstract An initial-stress boundary element algorithm has been presented for two-dimensional anisotropic elastoplasticity. A quadratic stress yield criterion with strain hardening recently derived and applied to Boron-Aluminum composites is adopted. The details relating to numerical evaluation of singular surface and volume integrals are discussed. A new generation iterative Newton-Raphson algorithm has been adopted to solve the nonlinear boundary element equations. The validity of the present formulation has been established with the help of examples.
A dc approach for analog fault dictionary determination

Efficient solution of dc node voltages for nonlinear analog electronic circuits has been demonstrated by computer-aided circuit analysis programs such as SYSCAP II [1] (System of Circuit Analysis programs) for the nominal case and for inserted faults. In addition dc node voltage postprocessing techniques [2] have been developed to determine required input stimuli and the minimum number of test points that will achieve detection of predetermined faults to a prescribed level, and isolation to a prescribed number of devices [3]. Thewe techniques offer a systematic approach for pretest generation of analog fault dictionaries. The effectiveness of this approach depends upon inclusion of a sufficiently high percentage of potential field failures in the fault dictionary, and upon implementation of the inherent testability design features of the dc approach, i.e, to have specified adequate test stimuli and to have indicated the appropriate nodes/test points for accessibility. In this paper we examine actual field failure statistics and identify which of these field failures could realistically have been predetermined and modeled by the dc approach. Finally an estimate is made of the percent of actual field failures that can be detected and isolated by the dc approach.
The origin of irreversibility from conventional equilibrium concepts

Abstract Irreversibility can be predicted from conventional equilibrium thermodynamics. It is associated with the coexistence of phases and occurs when a thermodynamic variable is coupled through an equilibrium process to a second independent variable.
Special issue: perspectives on recent intelligent agents research as viewed through two conferences

In recent years, interest in intelligent agents has ballooned. With the WWW as a source of seemingly limitless opportunity and robotics platforms becoming cheaper and more easily maintained, the applications are myriad, challenging and within reach of even small groups.
Numerical simulation of diluent effects on flame balls

The effects of various diluent gases on steady, source-free spherical premixed flames (“flame balls”) were modeled using a time-dependent numerical code with detailed chemical, transport, and radiation submodels. The diluent gas affects the Lewis number ( Le ) and radiative properties of the flames. Numerical solutions for the steady properties and stability limits were obtained for lean H 2 -air, H 2 −O 2 , H 2 −O 2 −CO 2 , and H 2 −O 2 −SF 6 mixtures. When results were nondimensionalized by the properties at the dynamic stability limit, all results collapsed onto one of two curves, depending only on whether the dominant source of radiative loss is from the product H 2 O, whose concentration decays to zero in the far-field, or diluent gas, whose concentration is constant in the far-field. No significant Le effect was found. Numerical predictions were compared with recent Space Shuttle experiments. For CO 2 and SF 6 diluents, experimental results lie between computational predictions obtained with diluent radiation included and with diluent radiation artificially suppressed, indicating that radiation models including reabsorption effects are needed in these cases. Significant influences of the chemical mechanism were found, even for mechanisms that properly predict the burning velocities of H 2 -air mixtures away from extinction limits. Sensitivity analysis showed that the discrepancies are due mainly to differences in the H+O 2 +H 2 O→HO 2 +H 2 O rate parameters for these mechanisms.
Subsequence bounded rational ergodicity of rank-one transformations

We show that all rank-one transformations are subsequence boundedly rationally ergodic, and that there exist rank-one transformations that are not weakly rationally ergodic.
Minimally invasive nephron-sparing surgery (MINSS) for renal tumours part I: laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.

Abstract Objectives To review the evolution and current status of extirpative methods (laparoscopic partial nephrectomy [LPN]) of minimally invasive nephron-sparing surgery (MINSS) for renal tumors. Methods The English language literature of the past 10 yr was reviewed by using the National Library of Medicine database and the following keywords: kidney, laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, minimally invasive, nephron-sparing surgery, renal, and tumor. Over 275 papers were identified. Of these, 55 papers were selected for this review on the basis of their contribution in advancing the field with regards to (1) evolution of concepts, (2) development and refinement of techniques, and (3) intermediate- and long-term clinical outcomes of LPN. Results Open partial nephrectomy (OPN) is the reference standard for nephron-sparing surgery against which all MINSS techniques should be measured. With available skills for time-sensitive intracorporeal suturing, LPN provides perioperative results and long-term oncologic and functional outcomes comparable to the reference standard, with significantly decreased patient morbidity. The initial 5-yr data of 50 patients has just become available, and shows overall and cancer-specific survival of 84% and 100%, respectively. As global experience with this technique increases, data need to be prospectively accrued, and long-term cancer cure rates should be compared with the reference standard. Conclusions As of this writing, the technique and global acceptance of LPN is evolving, although it remains restricted by the complexity of laparoscopic renal reconstruction. In expert hands, cancer cure and renal function outcomes are similar to OPN.
The Avignon Vision

PAJ 103 (2013), pp. 73–80.  73 On July 14th at 11:00 p.m., after the annual fireworks display along the Rhone, the large public square in front of the Popes’ Palace was transformed into a sound and light tribute to Jean Vilar, celebrated actor, theatre director of the Theâtre Nationale Populaire and founder and director of the Avignon Performing Arts Festival from 1947 to 1971. Thanks to KompleXKapharnouM, an arts collective from Villeurbanne commissioned by the festival to celebrate Vilar’s “birthday” (2012 marks the hundredth anniversary of Vilar’s birth), the facade of the Popes’ Palace and the back wall of the Banque de France became the backdrop screens for projections of “Place Public,” as the spectacle was called. Over eight thousand spectators caught glimpses of Vilar’s career and major contributions to French theatre history as they made their way from the Rhone to the Place de la Republique, surrounded by archival images of scenes from Vilar’s memorable productions, cartoon figures, interviews with his actors and staff, and other testimonials. The festival directors hoped that this would leave viewers with some sense of Vilar’s legacy, of his ideal to reach an audience of people from The Avignon vision
A comparison of prevalence estimates for selected health indicators and chronic diseases or conditions from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the National Health Interview Survey, and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007-2008.

Abstract Objective To compare the prevalence estimates of selected health indicators and chronic diseases or conditions among three national health surveys in the United States. Methods Data from adults aged 18 years or older who participated in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) in 2007 and 2008 (n = 807,524), the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) in 2007 and 2008 (n = 44,262), and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) during 2007 and 2008 (n = 5871) were analyzed. Results The prevalence estimates of current smoking, obesity, hypertension, and no health insurance were similar across the three surveys, with absolute differences ranging from 0.7% to 3.9% (relative differences: 2.3% to 20.2%). The prevalence estimate of poor or fair health from BRFSS was similar to that from NHANES, but higher than that from NHIS. The prevalence estimates of diabetes, coronary heart disease, and stroke were similar across the three surveys, with absolute differences ranging from 0.0% to 0.8% (relative differences: 0.2% to 17.1%). Conclusion While the BRFSS continues to provide invaluable health information at state and local level, it is reassuring to observe consistency in the prevalence estimates of key health indicators of similar caliber between BRFSS and other national surveys.
Inducible preproenkephalin DNA binding proteins in the rat striatum

Abstract The molecular manifestation of whole animal and cellular adaptive responses results from stimulus-secretion-synthesis coupling to selected genes. Effects are mediated through receptor-linked, signal-transduction pathways involving trans-acting nuclear proteins binding to cis-acting DNA regulatory elements. In the current report we have identified those striatal nuclear factors that footprint to the 5′ region of the rat preproenkephalin (ppEnk) gene and how they change following ppEnk induction. These studies demonstrate binding of Spl-like factors, as well as members of the Jun and Fos families of proteins. Unique footprints were also noted in the ppEnk-induced state in the region of GGTGGGGGAGCCTCCGG (−91 to −175) overlapping the consensus binding site for the brain-specific transcription factor β; a functional DNA element for the rat ppEnk gene. These observations illustrate that DNA-protein interactions both before and after gene induction can be resolved even in complex primary structures of the central nervous system.
Zur Chemie des Schwefeltrioxyds. V. Kaliumfluordisulfat

Bei der Umsetzung von SO3 mit Kaliumfluorid bei Zimmertemperatur tritt unter Erwarmung Verflussigung ein. Aus dem flussigen Reaktionsgut scheiden sich beim Stehen uber konz. H2SO4 im Vakuum zunachst farblose prismatische Kristalle einer, KFSO3-Verbindung ab, die unter Abgabe von SO3 in Kaliumfluordisulfat, KS2O6F, ubergeht, das bei 35° unter sonst gleichen Bedingungen langsam in Kaliumfluorsulfat ubergeht. Kaliumfluordisulfat liefert ein Debyeogramm, das von dem des Kaliumfluorsulfates stark verschieden ist.