cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Early Archean foredeep sedimentation related to crustal shortening: a reinterpretation of the Barberton Sequence, Southern Africa

Abstract The upper, dominantly terrigenous sedimentary successions of the Early Archean Barberton Sequence, Kaapvaal Province, record an evolution similar to that of Phanerozoic foredeeps and may represent the oldest known foredeep sequence, rather than a passive continental-margin sequence as previously proposed. Pre-foredeep ocean crust, the 3.5 Ga-old Onverwacht Group, consists of bimodal volcanics with intercalated shallow-water sediments. Gravity modeling and boundary shear zones indicate that deformed Onverwacht crust was obducted northward onto sialic continental crust immediately before, during or after burial by the synorogenic terrigenous clastic fill. Foredeep basin deepening due to crustal loading from the south is recorded by basinal iron-formation, chert, and mudstone of the basal Fig Tree Group which accumulated paraconformably on the Onverwacht. Overlying sediments of the Fig Tree Group consist of ~ 2 km of submarine-fan greywackes and mudstones. Shoaling of the basin is indicated by the transition to the overlying braided-alluvial and shallow-marine sediments of the ca. 3.3 Ga-old Moodies Group (~ 3 km thick). Changing REE patterns and relative abundances of Ni, Cr, Sr, Th and Ur in the sediments of the Fig Tree and Moodies Groups indicate a significant ultramafic-mafic volcanic component diluted upward in the stratigraphic sequence by an increasing granitic contribution. A similar trend is reflected in sandstone petrography, in which the ratio of extrusive to intrusive rock fragments decreases upwards in the Fig Tree Group whereas the Moodies Group sediments are enriched in quartz and potassium feldspar. A persistent chert component in both units suggests that the tectonic setting of the basin is analogous to that of Phanerozoic recycled orogens. The distribution of facies in the Fig Tree and Moodies Groups, and paleocurrent, petrographic and geochemical data, indicate progressive unroofing of a southerly source terrane consisting of the Onverwacht volcanics and intercalated sediments, and the 3.5-3.2 Ga-old Ancient Gneiss Complex (AGC). In addition, older components of the Fig Tree Group were recycled into overlying stratigraphie units. The AGC consists of mantle-derived 3.5 Ga-old bimodal metavolcanics and metasediments, a tonalite-gneiss batholith, metabasite dikes, and meta-anorthosites. Its structures record progressive northwestward uplift, beginning around 3.4 Ga ago. Intense homogeneous ductile strains were overprinted by northwest verging major folds rotated by large-scale northwestward simple shear, followed by imbricate faulting and pseudotachylite formation. By 3.3 Ga ago the Fig Tree and Moodies Groups had also shortened, with similar kinematics to those of the AGC, by (partly syndepositional) folding and volume loss during the formation of transecting cleavage. Further folding and slide formation followed during subsolidus diapiric rise of the initially tabular Kaap Valley tonalite by 3.2 Ga and emplacement of trondhjemite plutons from 3.3 to 3.0 Ga ago.
Involvement and Response Language Effects in Attitude Scaling.

Abstract An analytic procedure was developed for separating the effects of involvement from the number of response language categories the subject employs in judging a set of sentence stimuli. The procedure treats category usage as an independent variable and an aspect of the subject's response language. Category usage was shown to have significant influence on several attitudinal judgment processes: Informational complexity, mean judgment functions, and a successive intervals analysis testing Thurstone's assumption of the effect of involvement on equal category spacing. The decrement in scale responding typically associated with involvement is shown to depend on category usage operating either singly or in interaction with involvement. Some tentative conclusions about category usage as a response language variable are discussed.
Adding concentrations to the CS major: our dean calls us 'innovative'

In response to recent studies on enrollment trends and our own assessment results, we have significantly modified our Computer Science major to include not only a traditional major in computer science but also to include concentrations in Business Information Systems and Graphic Design and Implementation. As we are a small liberal arts college with three faculty members and a small budget, we have partnered with other disciplines on campus to provide options for our majors to apply concepts and principles of computer science to other areas. We present here our plans of study for the three concentrations, our rationale for making these additions, and favorable responses from students, faculty, and administration.
Do ‘green’ buildings have better indoor environments? New evidence

A post-occupancy evaluation (POE) of 12 green and 12 conventional office buildings across Canada and the northern United States was conducted. Occupants (N = 2545) completed an online questionnaire related to environmental satisfaction, job satisfaction and organizational commitment, health and well-being, environmental attitudes, and commuting. In each building on-site physical measurements at a sample of workstations (N= 974) were taken, including: thermal conditions, air quality, acoustics, lighting, workstation size, ceiling height, window access and shading, and surface finishes. Green buildings exhibited superior performance compared with similar conventional buildings. Better outcomes included: environmental satisfaction, satisfaction with thermal conditions, satisfaction with the view to the outside, aesthetic appearance, less disturbance from heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) noise, workplace image, night-time sleep quality, mood, physical symptoms, and reduced number of airborne p...
COMMODITY BUNDLING FOR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE: STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS

Commodity bundling involves grouping related products together into a unified market offering. It is a familiar approach in a number of industries, yet strategic and structural implications are not well developed. This article presents a descriptive model of the potential advantages of commodity bundling, the fit between firm competences and customer needs, and the decision to bundle. Effects on adaptation, type of innovation, and organization structure are discussed. Managerial implications and research propositions from case studies of 16 corporations, and from strategy, marketing and economic theory are presented.
Estrogen Decreases Rat Hypothalamic Proopiomelanocortin Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Levels

Ovariectomy and estrogen (E) or E plus progesterone treatment has previously been shown to alter both hypothalamic content and portal plasma levels of β-endorphin. To determine if these changes were accompanied by changes in β-endorphin synthesis, we used a RNA dot blot method to quantify proopiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA levels in the arcuate nucleus-median eminence region of rats. Animals were bilaterally ovariectomized, implanted with Silastic capsules containing E or oil, and killed 1 or 3 days after implantation. Total nucleic acid was isolated from dissections of the arcuate-median eminence by proteinase-K/sodium dodecyl sulfate/phenol extraction, and POMC mRNA was quantified by dot blot analysis. Although 1 day of E treatment had no effect on hypothalamic POMC mRNA levels, 3 days of E treatment caused a significant reduction of approximately 40% of POMC mRNA levels relative to oil controls in two replicate experiments. These results suggest that the decreases in hypothalamic POMC peptide levels after...
Accidental Skin Punctures during Ophthalmic Surgery

Purpose: Accidental skin puncture carries the risk of both hepatitis B and human immunodeficiency virus transmission. There have been studies of the incidence of these skin punctures in general surgery, but no study has focused on ophthalmic surgery. Method: All incident reports of skin punctures in the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute operating rooms from January 1990 through November 1991 were reviewed retrospectively. The incidence of skin puncture also was studied prospectively from December 1991 through May 1992. During the prospective phase, the healthcare worker was asked to complete an anonymous form regarding the instrument involved, whether it was clean or contaminated, the persons involved, and whether the room lights were on or off. Results: There were 37 such occurrences in 14,878 operations (0.25%) during the retrospective study and 12 in 4246 operations (0.28%) in the prospective period. In only one case was the instrument contaminated by contact with a patient known to have positive serology for the human immunodeficiency virus. There were no documented seroconversions of healthcare personnel for either hepatitis B or human immunodeficiency virus. In 63% of these occurrences, the penetrating instrument was known to be definitely contaminated with the patient's blood. Only one person was handling the instrument 84% of the time. Conclusion: The low but present danger to ophthalmic personnel during surgical procedures justifies precautions to decrease the occurrence of skin punctures.
Exquisite connections : some remarks on the evolution of linguistic theory*

Abstract This article discusses the motivation for the shift from GB theory to the Minimalist Program. It explores notions of economy and conceptual naturalness in linguistics and the physical sciences — in particular, symmetries across levels of analysis. As an example of such symmetries, it proposes a new analysis for some Principle C effects. It concludes with some observations on the conduct of science.
Influence of interface states on high temperature SiC sensors and electronics

Silicon carbide based metal/oxide/semiconductor (MOS) devices are well suited for operation in chemically reactive high temperature ambients. The response of catalytic gate SiC MOS sensors to hydrogen-containing species has been assumed to be due to the formation of a dipole layer at the metal/oxide interface, which gives rise to a voltage translation of the high frequency capacitance voltage (C-V) curve. From in-situ C-V spectroscopy, performed in a controlled gaseous environment, we have discovered that high temperature (800 K) exposure to hydrogen results in (i) a flat band voltage occurring at a more negative bias than in oxygen and (ii) the transition from accumulation to inversion occurring over a relatively narrow voltage range. In oxygen, this transition is broadened indicating the creation of a large number of interface states. We interpret these results as arising from two independent phenomena ‐ a chemically induced shift in the metal/semiconductor work function difference and the passivation/creation of charged states (D IT) at the SiO2/SiC interface. Our results are important for both chemical sensing and electronic applications. MOS capacitance gas sensors typically operate in constant capacitance mode. Since the slope of the C-V curve changes dramatically with gas exposure, we discuss how sensor-to-sensor reproducibility and device response time are influenced by the choice of operating point. For electronic applications understanding the environmentally induced changes in DIT is crucial to designing drift-free MOS devices. Our results are applicable to n-type SiC MOS devices in general, independent of the specifics of sample fabrication.
Online Motion Agreement Tracking.

This paper proposes a fast online multi-target tracking method, called motion agreement algorithm, which dynamically selects stable object regions to track. The appearance of each object, here pedestrians, is represented by multiple local patches. For each patch, the algorithm computes a local estimate of the direction of motion. By fusion of the agreements between a global estimate of the object motion and each local estimate, the algorithm identifies the object stable regions and enables robust tracking. The proposed patch-based appearance model was integrated into an efficient online tracking system that uses bipartite matching for data association. The experiments on recent pedestrian tracking benchmark sequences show that the proposed method achieves competitive results compared to state-of-the-art methods, including several offline tracking techniques.
Sixty-cycle and impulse spark-over of large gaps

TESTS AT 60-cycle frequency were made by using five 350-kv testing transformers in cascade connection. The rated voltage at this connection is 1,750 kv. However, the useful test voltage was limited to 1,360 kv rms by clearances to ground of 24 feet. The 5-unit cascade is shown in Figure 1, as used for the calibration of a 200-centimeter sphere gap. The 60-cycle calibration of the sphere gap was extended to 88-centimeter spacing and checked within 2.5 per cent of the negative impulse values of this sphere gap. The output voltage of the cascade connection was measured by reading the voltmeter coil voltages of the individual units and adding them arithmetically. The output voltage of a cascade connection of five units is very sensitive to relatively slight changes in load capacitance.
Underwater localization based on multicarrier waveforms

In this paper, we investigate the problem of localizing an underwater sensor node based on message broadcasting from multiple surface nodes. With the time-of-arrival measurements from a DSP-based multicarrier modem, each sensor node localizes itself based on the travel time differences among multiple senders to the receiver. Using one-way message passing, such a solution can scalably accommodate a large number of nodes in a network. We present simulation results as well as preliminary testing results in a swimming pool and in a local lake.
Experimental Observations of Instability Modes in a Rectangular Jet

The instability modes of a jet issuing from a rectangular nozzle of aspect ratio 4 have been studied experimentally at exit Mach numbers ranging from 0.03 to 1.5. Depending on the exit Mach number, several distinct characteristics are identified according to the arrangement of the flow structure with respect to the jet centerline. In the very low velocity range, U ≤ 20 m/s, a symmetric mode prevails. An antisymmetric mode dominates at all other Mach numbers, except in the range 0.6 ≤ M ≤ 0.85, where both symmetric and antisymmetric modes exist and there is a continuous switching between them
Effects of stationary phase ligand density on high-performance ion-exchange chromatography of proteins

Cation-exchange matrices with ligand densities from 10 to 500 μmol/g were prepared by reaction of diglycolic anydride with diol-bonded silica. Lysozyme and cytochrome c were isocratically eluted from these columns under various conditions. The data was used to examine a retention model of proteins in which the slope (Z number) of a plot of log k′ vs. log (1/sodium ion activity) was assumed to represent the number of points of binding between the protein and the matrix. As expected from the model, the Z number increased as the ligand density of the matrix increased. However, many qualitative and quantitative deviations from the model were also found, some of which may have been due to heterogeneity of the distribution of the ion-exchange sites on the matrix. An interesting observation was a change in elution order of lysozyme and cytochrome c as the ligand density changed; however, this may not have much practical benefit dual to the large band-broadening observed at low ligand densities.
Oxygen regulation of energy metabolism in isolated pig hearts: a near-IR spectroscopy study.

Abstract Intracellular pO 2 in cardiac muscle is determined by the balance between its diffusion from vascular (VS) to intracellular space (IS) and uptake by mitochondria. Cessation of mechanical work decreases O 2 demand and should reduce the O 2 gradient between VS and IS. In this work, the effects of arterial pO 2 (pO 2a ) on myoglobin (Mb) oxygenation, O 2 uptake and lactate formation rates [V(O 2 ) and V(Lac), μ mol/min/g wet weight, respectively] in beating and KCl-arrested pig hearts were compared. pO 2a was decreased stepwise (five steps, 10 min/step) from 528±24 to 54±19 mmHg by changing the ratio of O 2 /CO 2 (95:5%) to N 2 /CO 2 (95:5%) in the gas mixture from 100/0 through 50/50, 25/75, 10/90 to 0/100. While recording mechanical function, visible/near-infrared (near-IR) spectra (400–2500 nm) were acquired from the left ventricular wall every 45 s (32 scans) using a fiber-optic light guide connected to an NIRSystems spectrometer. Relative MbO 2 in the epicardium + midmural layer and the epicardium was estimated from absorbance changes (second derivative) at 764 and 584 nm, respectively. In beating hearts, a decrease in pO 2a resulted in a decrease in MbO 2 (similar in both layers) and V(O 2 ) (from 1.26±0.15 to 0.22±0.10) and an increase in V(Lac) from 0 to 2.43±0.76. In arrested hearts an increase in V(Lac) (0.55±0.24) was observed only at the lowest pO 2a and the Mb oxygenation curve was shifted towards lower vascular pO 2 [(pO 2a +pO 2v )/2] by 160 mmHg. Oxygen consumption (oxygen flux) correlated linearly with calculated values of the oxygen gradients between the vascular and cytoplasmic spaces in both beating and arrested hearts. However, the diffusion rate constant was 3.5 times lower in arrested hearts. Conclusions: (1) hypoxia in KCl-arrested hearts results in only moderate activation of anaerobic glycolysis; (2) oxygenation of the epicardial and midmural LV layers is similar; and (3) a large pO 2 gradient exists between VS and IS in beating and arrested crystalloid-perfused hearts.
Association Between Apolipoprotein E Alleles and Calcific Valvular Heart Disease

Background— Studies on apolipoprotein E (apoE) alleles have reported an increased risk of coronary heart disease in patients with the apoE4 allele. Given the risk factor and histological similarities between coronary and calcific valvular heart disease (aortic stenosis [AS] and mitral annular calcification [MAC]), we postulated that apoE alleles might be associated with the development of these valvular lesions. Methods and Results— We evaluated the association between apoE alleles and calcific valvular lesions in 802 patients undergoing transthoracic echocardiography using logistic regression analyses. No difference was noted in genotype distribution (P=0.59) or prevalence of apoE4 between those with or without MAC (30% versus 27%, respectively; P=0.57). Compared with patients without AS, the genotype distribution of patients with AS differed significantly (P=0.03), with increasing prevalences of the apoE 4 allele (27% in those without versus 40% in those with AS; P=0.01). In multivariate analyses adjust...
Wideband (0.045-6.25 GHz) 40 km analogue fibre-optic link with ultra-high (>40 dB) all-photonic gain

A low-biased Mach-Zehnder modulator, optical amplification, and a high-power photodetector are employed to achieve all-photonic link gain as high as 44 dB over a transmission length of 40 km. The link has a 3 dB bandwidth of 6.25 GHz and a 20 dB noise figure.
Routes to chaos in the Maxwell-Bloch equations

Abstract We consider the single-mode Maxwell-Bloch equations describing a Doppler-broadening ring laser. For different parameter ranges this system undergoes period-doubling, intermittency, and two-frequency routes to chaos as a single parameter (e.g., detuning) is varied, as has been observed in recent experiments with He-Ne and He-Xe lasers.
Prey consumed by Corynorhinus townsendii ingens in the Ozark Mountain region

ABSTRACT Moths are known to be the primary prey of the Ozark big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii ingens); however, data do not exist as to which species, families, and sizes of moths are eaten. We investigated patterns of prey consumption of C. t. ingens from 2003 to 2005 by collecting discarded moth wings and other insect parts beneath roosts in three maternity areas: north-central Arkansas, northwest Arkansas, and northeast Oklahoma. A total of 42 visits to roosts resulted in 579 remnants of insect prey representing eight insect orders. Of the discarded remains, 57.2% (n = 331) were Lepidoptera, with 81.3% (n = 269) of these identified beyond the ordinal level. Moths representing eight families and 49 species were eaten by C. t. ingens. Noctuidae was the most common family occurring in the diet with 25 species represented. Noctuidae and Notodontidae were typical prey of C. t. ingens in all areas, but consumption of other moth families varied. Corynorhinus t. ingens preyed upon a limited size range of...
The relationship between inventory investment and total factor productivity growth: Cost shocks or demand shocks?

Abstract In a four-digit panel of American manufacturing firms, inventory accumulation and total factor productivity growth are negatively related, i.e. inventories are depleted when productivity growth is high. This is suggestive of a macroeconomic model of demand shocks in the presence of labor hoarding.
Effects of methylmercury hydroxide on rat liver microsomal enzymes

Abstract Subcutaneous administrations of methylmercury hydroxide (MMH) to male rats markedly reduced the content of microsomal cytochromes P-450 and b 5 . The reduction was nearly 2-fold for P-450 in animals administered 2.5 mg/kg/day for 2 days. The decrease in P-450 levels corresponded both qualitatively and quantitatively to decreases in aminopyrine demethylase activity. The UDP glucuronyltransferase conjugating 1-naphthol and p -nitrophenol was unaffected by MMH treatment until the dose was increased to 10 mg/kg/day for 5 days, when a marked reduction in enzyme activity was observed. At all dosage levels used the animals exhibited no neurological symptoms, weight loss, or liver histopathology as determined by light microscopy. The decrease in cytochrome P-450 was maximal 24 h after a single treatment of MMH. The effect gradually diminished so that by 1 week after treatment there was no detectable effect on microsomal enzyme activity. Depression of aminopyrine demethylase on a per gram liver basis occurred primarily in the SER. The RER particles were markedly increased in number by MMH treatment but were not associated with increased mixed-function oxidase activity, whereas SER particles were decreased. The observed biochemical effects on the submicrosomal fractions were verified by electron microscopy. The large increase in RER was accompanied by a correspondingly large increase in polyribosomes and monoribosomes, while total RNA levels were unchanged by MMH pretreatment.
Safety of short-term use of dabigatran or rivaroxaban for direct-current cardioversion in patients with atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter.

Direct-current cardioversion (DCCV) for persistent atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter (AF) carries a risk of thromboembolic events (TEs). Therapeutic anticoagulation with warfarin is recommended for 3 to 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after DCCV to reduce TE; however, the safety of short-term anticoagulation with the novel oral anticoagulants (dabigatran and rivaroxaban) before DCCV has not been assessed. A retrospective cohort study was performed on all patients undergoing elective DCCV for AF at Northwestern Memorial Hospital from June 1, 2012 to September 30, 2013. Inclusion criteria included patients taking any of the novel oral anticoagulants for 21 to 60 days before DCCV and successful DCCV to sinus rhythm. Patients were monitored for a minimum of 60 days after DCCV to evaluate for TEs including stroke, transient ischemic attack, systemic emboli, and death. In total, 53 patients (47 men, 89%; age 65 ± 10 years, median 66) were evaluated. Agents used were dabigatran (30 patients, 57%) and rivaroxaban (23 patients, 43%) for an average of 38 ± 9 days. The mean CHADS 2 score was 1.2 ± 1.1 (score = 0, 26%; 1, 43%; 2, 17%; and >3, 13%). Eleven patients (21%) underwent a transesophageal echocardiography before their DCCV; all showed no thrombus. No patients were found to have episodes of TE within 60 days of DCCV. No patients were found to have major bleeding events. In conclusion, the use of short-term dabigatran or rivaroxaban therapy for DCCV of AF appears safe.
Signaling in Plant-Microbe Interactions

Analysis of viral and bacterial pathogenesis has revealed common themes in the ways in which plants and animals respond to pathogenic agents. Pathogenic bacteria use macromolecule delivery systems (types III and IV) to deliver microbial avirulence proteins and transfer DNA-protein complexes directly into plant cells. The molecular events that constitute critical steps of plant-pathogen interactions seem to involve ligand-receptor mechanisms for pathogen recognition and the induction of signal transduction pathways in the plant that lead to defense responses. Unraveling the molecular basis of disease resistance pathways has laid a foundation for the rational design of crop protection strategies.
Using SimPoint for accurate and efficient simulation

Modern architecture research relies heavily on detailed pipeline simulation. Simulating the full execution of a single industry standard benchmark at this level of detail takes on the order of months to complete. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that to properly perform an architectural evaluation requires multiple benchmarks to be evaluated across many separate runs. To address this issue we recently created a tool called SimPoint that automatically finds a small set of Simulation Points to represent the complete execution of a program for efficient and accurate simulation. In this paper we describe how to use the SimPoint tool, and introduce an improved SimPoint algorithm designed to significantly reduce the simulation time required when the simulation environment relies upon fast-forwarding.
Perception and management of legal issues in China by US firms

Abstract A survey of senior managers of American-owned firms in China about their experience with China’s legal system and with intellectual property rights violations indicates that none of them found the system efficient and few found it fair. Chinese business ethical standards were perceived to be lower than in the US. Certain types of firms and business strategies were more prone to product piracy and patent violations. A variety of methods were used to address them. Foreign managers with experience in China have insights into the functioning of the legal system and are more satisfied with it than less experienced managers.
Breakup of an invariant curve in a dissipative standard mapping

Abstract A critical value for the existence of an invariant curve in a dissipative standard mapping is calculated by a new method in relation to Arnold's tongue. It is shown that the golden mean invariant curve is not the last curve for the strongly dissipative parameter region.
Molecular and Genomic Aberrations in Chlamydophila psittaci Negative Ocular Adnexal Marginal Zone Lymphomas

The etiology and pathogenesis of ocular adnexal extranodal marginal zone lymphoma (OAEMZL) are still unknown and the association with Chlamydophila psittaci (C. psittaci) has been shown in only some geographic regions. Herein, we comprehensively examined the frequency of chromosomal translocations as well as CARD11, MYD88 (L265P), and A20 mutations/deletions in 45 C. psittaci negative OAEMZLs. t(14;18)(q32;q21) IGH-MALT1 and t(11;18)(q21;q21) API2-MALT1 were not detected in any of the analyzed tumors while three tumors harbored IGH translocations to an unidentified partner. CARD11 mutations were not found in all analyzed tumors, while the MYD88 L265P mutation was detected in three (6.7%) tumors. A20 mutations and deletions were each detected in seven (15.6%) and six (13.3%) tumors, respectively. Therefore, the observed genetic aberrations could account for the activation of the nuclear factor (NF)-kB signaling pathway in only a minority of the cases. Further studies are needed to identify the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of OAEMZL.
Direct pin sample analysis using a Grimm-type glow discharge source and time-of-flight mass spectrometer

A sample holder has been developed that allows pin sample analysis on a Grimm-type glow discharge source. The sample holder mounts to the Grimm source directly, allowing rapid pin and flat sample analyses without additional sample preparation steps. Intrinsic advantages of the Grimm-type source, such as easy sample interchange and good precision, are maintained with this sample holder. The source is operated in a microsecond-pulsed mode and coupled to a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Analytical characteristics, such as detection limits and isotopic precision, are comparable to mass spectral analysis with Grimm and diode glow discharge sources. The microsecond pulsed mode of operation afforded temporal discrimination of interfering background species with proper selection of sampling time. Depth profiling, traditionally restricted to flat samples with a Grimm configuration, is shown for pin samples using the developed sample holder.
Clozapine Reverses the Spatial Working Memory Deficits Induced by FG7142 in Monkeys

The atypical neuroleptic, dozapine, has been shown to have encouraging, but mixed, effects on prefrontal cortical (PFC) cognitive deficits in schizophrenia, a stressexacerbated disorder involving dopamine (DA) dysregulation. The current study examined the effects of acute dozapine pretreatment on the spatial working memory deficits induced by the pharmacological Stressor, FG7142, in monkeys. Previous research has shown that FG7142 impairs spatial working memory in rats and monkeys through excessive DA receptor stimulation in the PFC (Murphy et al. 1996). Lower dozapine doses (1–3 mg/kg p.o.) reversed the FG7142-induced spatial working memory deficits, whereas doses in the clinical range (e.g., 6 mg/kg, p.o.) did not improve cognitive function in most animals. Clozapine alone produced a dose-related impairment in delayed response performance. These results from nonhuman primates suggest that the dozapine doses commonly used to treat schizophrenia may not be optimal for treating the PFC cognitive deficits associated with this illness.
The knee pain map: reliability of a method to identify knee pain location and pattern.

Objective To describe the location and pattern of knee pain in patients with chronic, frequent knee pain using the Knee Pain Map, and to evaluate the inter- and intrarater reliability of the map. Methods A cohort of 799 participants from the University of Pittsburgh Osteoarthritis Initiative Clinical Center who had knee pain in the last 12 months were studied. Trained interviewers assessed and recorded participant-reported knee pain patterns into 8 local areas, 4 regional areas, or as diffuse. Inter- and intrarater reliability were assessed using Fleiss' kappa. Results Participants most often reported localized (69%) followed by regional (14%) or diffuse (10%) knee pain. In those with localized pain, the most commonly reported locations were the medial (56%) and lateral (43%) joint lines. In those with regional pain, the most commonly reported regions were the patella (44%) and medial region (38%). There was excellent interrater reliability for the identification of localized and regional pain patterns (κ = 0.7–0.9 and 0.7–0.8, respectively). The interrater reliability for specific locations was also excellent (κ = 0.7–1.0) when the number of participants with pain in a location was >4. For regional pain, the kappa for specific regions varied from 0.7–1.0. Conclusion The majority of participants could identify the location of their knee pain, and trained interviewers could reliably record those locations. The variation in locations suggests that there are multiple sources of pain in knee OA. Additional studies are needed to determine whether specific knee pain patterns correlate with discrete pathologic findings on radiographs or magnetic resonance images.
First-trimester screening for aneuploidy: research or standard of care?

First-trimester screening for Down syndrome has been proposed as a significant improvement with respect to second-trimester serum screening programs, the current standard of care, because of apparently higher detection rates and an earlier gestational age at diagnosis. First-trimester nuchal translucency on ultrasonography forms the basis of this new form of screening, although studies of its efficacy have yielded widely conflicting results, with detection rates ranging from 29% to 91%. Studies of first-trimester serum screening with measurements of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A and free β-human chorionic gonadotropin serum concentrations have been much more consistent, with Down syndrome detection rates of 55% to 63% at a 5% false-positive rate. The combination of first-trimester ultrasonographic and serum screening has the potential to yield a Down syndrome detection rate of 80% at a 5% false-positive rate, although this approach has not been adequately studied. There have been no studies performed to date to directly compare the performance of first-trimester and second-trimester methods of screening. Two major trials are underway that will address this issue, one in the United Kingdom and one in the United States. Until the results of these trials are available, the current standard of care with respect to Down syndrome screening should not be changed, and first-trimester screening should remain investigational. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000;182:490-6.)
Perioperative Intravenous Acetaminophen Attenuates Lipid Peroxidation in Adults Undergoing Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) lyses erythrocytes and induces lipid peroxidation, indicated by increasing plasma concentrations of free hemoglobin, F2-isoprostanes, and isofurans. Acetaminophen attenuates hemeprotein-mediated lipid peroxidation, reduces plasma and urine concentrations of F2-isoprostanes, and preserves kidney function in an animal model of rhabdomyolysis. Acetaminophen also attenuates plasma concentrations of isofurans in children undergoing CPB. The effect of acetaminophen on lipid peroxidation in adults has not been studied. This was a pilot study designed to test the hypothesis that acetaminophen attenuates lipid peroxidation in adults undergoing CPB and to generate data for a clinical trial aimed to reduce acute kidney injury following cardiac surgery. Methods and Results In a prospective double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial, sixty adult patients were randomized to receive intravenous acetaminophen or placebo starting prior to initiation of CPB and for every 6 hours for 4 doses. Acetaminophen concentrations measured 30 min into CPB and post-CPB were 11.9±0.6 μg/mL (78.9±3.9 μM) and 8.7±0.3 μg/mL (57.6±2.0 μM), respectively. Plasma free hemoglobin increased more than 15-fold during CPB, and haptoglobin decreased 73%, indicating hemolysis. Plasma and urinary markers of lipid peroxidation also increased during CPB but returned to baseline by the first postoperative day. Acetaminophen reduced plasma isofuran concentrations over the duration of the study (P = 0.05), and the intraoperative plasma isofuran concentrations that corresponded to peak hemolysis were attenuated in those subjects randomized to acetaminophen (P = 0.03). Perioperative acetaminophen did not affect plasma concentrations of F2-isoprostanes or urinary markers of lipid peroxidation. Conclusions Intravenous acetaminophen attenuates the increase in intraoperative plasma isofuran concentrations that occurs during CPB, while urinary markers were unaffected. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01366976
Building the knowledge base for improving educational and social programs through planned variation evaluations

In this paper I argue that research, development, and evaluation of social and educational programs should routinely be integrated through a planned variation approach. This approach typically involves the design, implementation, and evaluation of an enhanced, as well as standard, variation of a program. In contrast to conventional black box evaluations, I argue that a planned variation approach is better suited to the needs of program operators, offers methodological advantages, tests program theory, helps to build the base of knowledge for constructing better programs, and would foster greater utilization of evaluation findings. I discuss implications regarding the role and preparation of evaluators and issues in conducting planned variation evaluations. I compare the planned variation approach to other types of theory-based evaluation and discuss when and why it may be preferable.
Mechanistic Modeling of n-Hexadecane Cracking on Rare Earth Y

The cracking reaction pathways and mechanisms of n-hexadecane with a rare earth Y (REY) catalyst were studied. Experiments at 500 °C indicated that the dominant reactions were isomerization and cracking to smaller paraffins and olefins. These results were described in terms of a kinetic model that was based on a novel mechanism-oriented lumping scheme that exploits the chemical similarities within reaction families of elementary steps. Thus, 13 reaction family matrices were able to describe all of the elementary steps. Formal application of these reaction matrices to the matrix representations of the reactants and derived products generated the model. The reaction family concept was further exploited to constrain the kinetics within each reaction family to follow a quantitative structure/reactivity Polanyi relationship. Ultimately, three Polanyi relationship parameters, one catalyst-specific parameter and two coking/deactivation parameters, were determined by optimizing the model fit to the experimental d...
Stability and noise in Taylor-Couette flow with through-flow

Abstract We present results of experimental and numerical work on a Taylor-Couette system with imposed axial flow. When the base flow is convectively unstable, macroscopic patterns of travelling Taylor vortices are observed downstream of the inlet. Numerical integration of the stochastic complex Ginzburg-Landau equation indicates that these patterns arise from the spatial amplification of microscopic noise. The noise leads to an irregular phase in the vortex pattern. In contrast, the phase is very regular when the base flow is absolutely unstable.
High‐Conflict Couple Interaction and the Role of Relative Power

All romantic couples experience some conflict. However, some couples seem to fight often enough, or severely enough, that the relationship suffers and the partners become emotionally distanced. For other couples, a breakup or divorce does not allow them to cut ties because of shared parenting responsibilities. In such cases, ongoing conflict likely deepened during the divorce process may continue indefinitely. This paper explores the designation of high-conflict couples, and groups these couples by those that are still together and by those that have dissolved a partnership and yet must still interact. In each case, the suggested contributors to high-conflict interaction are given. I argue that current sociological understanding of high-conflict partnerships is limited by false dichotomies between intact and unpartnered couples, as well as between violent and nonviolent conflict. I draw from the psychoanalytic and counseling literature as well, to suggest that interpersonal power, and perceived relative lack of power in relation to the other, is a common factor that bridges these discrete groups. Finally, I discuss negative consequences of such interaction and reiterate the need for further scholarship in this area.
Communication, Modernity, and Democracy in Habermas and Dewey

The political culture of the Federal Republic [of Germany] would be worse today if it had not adopted impulses from American political culture during the first postwar decades. The Federal Republic opened itself for the first time to the West without reservations: we adopted the political theory of the Enlightenment, we grasped the pluralism which, first carried by religious sects, molded the political mentality, and we became acquainted with the radical democratic spirit of the American pragmatism of Peirce, Mead, and Dewey. (Jiirgen Habermas 1985a, p. 93)
Siblings for SETI

Abstract We on Earth and intelligent beings elsewhere in our galaxy can single out each other as special targets for communication if our stars have common properties, and can thus perhaps be stimulated to broadcast and listen directionally to try to give the coincidence between sending and listening that is necessary. The SAO Catalogue of roughly 260,000 stars was culled for such “sibling” candidates using their spectra, location, and motion. Only a few of the roughly 50,000 tabulated G-stars proved interesting, in part because the information about almost all of them is imprecise, and in part perhaps because our criteria were overselective. However, a set of mostly untabulated sibling candidate stars can be defined, given a direction and small solid angle that are mutually interesting to members of that set, so that overlapping broadcast/receiving cones can be selected on the basis of this commonality. We believe that the double cone about the direction to the galactic center, with half angle α = e 2 / h c = 1 137 radian, is an almost inevitable choice. With current technology, sending as well as receiving within this small solid angle can reach to about 1 kpsc, making available an estimated 103 G-star sibling candidates.
Soil microbial activity, nitrogen cycling, and long-term changes in organic carbon pools as related to fallow tillage management

Two experiments were established in 1969 and 1970 near Sidney, NE, to determine the effect of moldboard plow (plow), sub-tillage (sub-till), and no-tillage (no-till) fallow management on soil properties, biological activities, and carbon and nitrogen cycling. One experiment was on land which had been broken from sod in 1920, seeded to crested wheatgrass [Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn.] from 1957 to 1967, and cultivated for wheat again in 1967 (Previously Cultivated site). The second experiment was established on land that was in native mixed prairie sod until 1969 (Native Sod site), and compared the three tillage management practices listed above in a winter wheat-fallow system as well as replicated plots remaining in sod. Soil sampling done 10–12 years after these experiments were initiated, indicated that the biological environment near the soil surface (0–30 cm) with no-till was often cooler and wetter than that with conventional tillage management practices, especially moldboard plowing. Biological activity and organic C and N reserves were concentrated nearer the soil surface (0–7.6 cm) with no-tillage, resulting in greater potential for tie-up of plant available N in organic forms. However, regardless of tillage practice with wheat-fallow management at either site, long-term (22–27 years) losses of soil organic C from surface soil (0–30 cm) ranged from 12 to 32% (320–530 kg C ha−1 year−1), respectively, for no-till and plowing. These soil C losses were closely approximated by losses measured to a depth of 122 cm, indicating that under the cropping, tillage, and climatic conditions of this study, soil C changes were adequately monitored by sampling to a depth of 30 cm within which most C loss occurs. No-till management maintains a protective surface cover of residue and partially decomposed materials near the soil surface. However, the decline in soil organic matter, and associated degradation in soil quality, will likely only be slowed by increasing C inputs to soil through use of a more intensive cropping system which increases the time of cropping and reduces the time in fallow.
Simulation-based design of high dimensional electromagnetic systems

Full-wave simulation and design of interconnect systems is becoming increasingly important in view of the continuing trend towards miniaturization and dense integration of components in electronic systems. While full-wave simulation methods have advanced rapidly over the last decade, there is a growing need for superior automated design tools. In this paper we first motivate the need for better design space exploration in high dimensions and outline the key ingredients that are imperative for the development of a successful simulation-based automated design tool. In this direction we describe the application of Orthogonal Arrays as an efficient sampling scheme and the Gaussian Process Regression as a promising model generation scheme for high dimensional design space exploration. We also describe an adaptive strategy for the model refinement and illustrate the same with a full-wave multi-conductor transmission line example. Finally we conclude by outlining the open problems and research challenges in this direction.
Do evolutionary life-history trade-offs influence prostate cancer risk? a review of population variation in testosterone levels and prostate cancer disparities

An accumulation of evidence suggests that increased exposure to androgens is associated with prostate cancer risk. The unrestricted energy budget that is typical of Western diets represents a novel departure from the conditions in which men's steroid physiology evolved and is capable of supporting distinctly elevated testosterone levels. Although nutritional constraints likely underlie divergent patterns of testosterone secretion between Westernized and non-Western men, considerable variability exists in men's testosterone levels and prostate cancer rates within Westernized populations. Here, I use evolutionary life history theory as a framework to examine prostate cancer risk. Life history theory posits trade-offs between investment in early reproduction and long-term survival. One corollary of life history theory is the ‘challenge hypothesis’, which predicts that males augment testosterone levels in response to intrasexual competition occurring within reproductive contexts. Understanding men's evolved steroid physiology may contribute toward understanding susceptibility to prostate cancer. Among well-nourished populations of Westerners, men's testosterone levels already represent an outlier of cross-cultural variation. I hypothesize that Westernized men in aggressive social environments, characterized by intense male–male competition, will further augment testosterone production aggravating prostate cancer risk.
ON THE INITIAL TIME BEHAVIOR OF SPATIAL DERIVATIVES FOR SOLUTIONS OF THE PARABOLIC CAUCHY PROBLEM

The continuity of the spatial derivatives for solutions of the parabolic Cauchy problem is established down to the initial time under the assumption that the initial data and coefficients are sufficiently smooth.