cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure as a Measure of Self-Esteem

Two studies were conducted to pilot the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP) in measuring attitudes toward the self: one related to body image specifically and another assessing the broader construct of self-esteem. Study I utilized the IRAP with female college students to examine self-referential beliefs regarding body image. Results revealed positive associations between self-referential beliefs on the IRAP and explicit measures of body image satisfaction and acceptance, likelihood of dieting, and internalization of the thin ideal. In Study 2, an IRAP measuring general self-esteem revealed positive correlations between IRAP performance and explicit measures of psychological functioning and negative correlations between the IRAP and psychopathology. Results are discussed in terms of the potential utility of this theoretically grounded implicit measure in assessing self-concept.
Full Hereditary Interacting Model of All Member States of the United Nations

Aggregate demand zi is given by $$z_i = I_i + C_i + X_i + G_i,\quad i = 1,...,191,$$ (2.1) is the contribution to the country of yi interacting with countries of yj (j ≠ i) due to cooperation and competition.
Social and physical factors in the referral of people with traumatic brain injuries to rehabilitation

Abstract Using standardized data abstracted from a representative sample of hospitals in north-central Alabama, we analyze significant social and physical factors in acute care discharge referral patterns for 756 people with traumatic brain injury (TBI). When a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialist is involved in the referral, patients receive more formal rehabilitation care following discharge, even after controlling for the relevant social and physical characteristics of the patient. Other significant variables predicting the level of rehabilitation care include presence of injury-related complications, abnormal computed tomography scan, longer length of acute care stay, being unmarried, older, and having an unintentional injury. Patients not seen by rehabilitation medicine specialists and/or those whose injuries provide less clinical evidence (implying greater uncertainty of diagnosis) are less likely to be referred to more formal rehabilitation. Thus, social and demographic factors may be significant in referral patterns when diagnostic uncertainty is present. Results suggest the importance of increasing availability of rehabilitation medicine consultation for TBI patients, while informing acute care providers about formal rehabilitation as a management option.
How Much Mandatory Disclosure is Effective

The debate over the effectiveness of mandatory disclosure regimes has reached a fever pitch as policymakers search for solutions to the problem of consumers’ failure to read standard form contracts. This article demonstrates the use of a randomized experiment to causally identify the effect of disclosure interventions on both contracting decisions and consumer understanding. The CFPB has embraced a data-driven approach to disclosure policy by conducting focus groups, survey testing and trial disclosures, but these methods fail to test how the quantity of disclosure affects consumer understanding, cannot identify how disclosures impact contracting decisions and are generally biased due to non-random selection. In the randomized experiment presented in this article, participants choose between service providers with identical full-text contracts, where one provider is assigned to show a varying number of disclosure warnings with a price discount. Participants are subsequently quizzed on the contract terms to estimate how much different quantities of disclosure improve consumer understanding. The results show that the number of warnings had a nonlinear effect: three warnings had little impact on contracting decisions but six warnings caused 20-30% fewer participants to choose the warned-of provider regardless of the discount size. Three and six warnings equally led to an improvement of 9-10% in consumer understanding, suggesting that a long list of disclosures induces cognitive overload.
Electron Microscopy of Monkey Kidney Cell Cultures Infected with Rubella Virus

Two rubella virus strains isolated in this laboratory were investigated in terms of their growth in LLC-MK 2 cell cultures and their effect on cell morphology. Rubella virus grew readily in LLC-MK 2 cells, but cytopathic effects of the virus were not observed in infected cultures. Such infected cultures can be subcultured indefinitely and continue to shed virus. Examination of rubella-infected cell cultures by electron microscopy showed the presence of annulate lamellae in the cytoplasm of 15% of the cells. No changes were evident in the nuclei. These membranous inclusions varied in complexity from parallel arrays of annulate lamellae to large lamellar structures of complex morphology. An occasional cell contained a crystal lattice structure in association with the lamellae. Larger inclusions, consisting of disorganized arrays of “unit” membranes, were also found. Uninfected cells were devoid of annulate lamellae, crystals, and complex membranous inclusions. No viruslike particles were observed in any part of the cells from infected cultures. The significance of the structures observed has not been determined. Images
Colocation games: and their application to distributed resource management

We introduce Colocation Games as the basis of a general framework for modeling, analyzing, and facilitating the interactions between the various stakeholders in distributed/cloud computing environments, where resources are offered in an open marketplace to independent, rational parties interested in setting up their own applications. Virtualization technologies enable the partitioning of such resources so as to allow each player to dynamically acquire appropriate fractions of the resources. When all the components are under the control of a single administrative domain, this leads to an standard optimization problem, but when infrastructure providers make available their resources in a marketplace, and from there customers acquire the resources, the global optimization framework is no longer appropriate. Rather, in this paper we use a game-theoretic framework in which the assignment of players to resources is the outcome of a strategic "Colocation Game". Although we show that determining the existence of an equilibrium for colocation games in general is NP-hard, we present a number of simplified, practically-motivated variants of the colocation game for which we establish convergence to a Nash Equilibrium, and price of anarchy bounds. In addition to these analytical results, we present an experimental evaluation of implementations of some of these variants. Experimental evaluation corroborates our analytical results and also illustrates how colocation games offer a feasible distributed resourcemanagement alternative for self-organizing systems, in which the adoption of a global optimization approach would be neither practical nor justifiable.
Organization of the peripheral nervous system

The peripheral nervous system comprises the autonomic and sensory (afferent) nervous systems. Major advances in our understanding of the autonomic and sensory transmission and function include the recognition of the phenotypic expression of a variety of transmitters and modulators that often coexist in individual neurons, the concept of co-transmission and chemical coding, the evidence for local effector functions of primary afferent nerves, and the discovery of plasticity of both the autonomic and the sensory nervous system during development, aging, diseases states, and inflammation. Co-transmission or plurichemical transmission, which indicates the release of more than one chemical messenger from the same neuron, enables autonomic and sensory neurons to exert a fine and highly regulated control of various functions such as circulation and immune response. The concept of chemical coding, in which the combination of transmitters/modulators is established, allows the identification of functional classes of neurons with their projections and targets. In addition to transmitters and modulators, autonomic and sensory neurons express multiple receptors, including G-protein-coupled and ion-gated receptors, further supporting the complexity of autonomic and sensory transmission and function. Autonomic neurons regulate the internal environment and maintain multiple homeostatic functions, and sensory neurons act as receptive structures that activate their targets in response to stimulation but also exert effector functions including the control of blood flow and vascular permeability, maintenance of mineralized tissue, and regulation of gene expression.
Finding the Way to Shambala: How to Intelligently Use the Tarp and Rescue the Financial System without Getting Lost in Myths

The implementation of the Troubled-Assets Relief Program - TARP will be a great challenge. Implementing authorities should focus on three issues: (a) conflicting policy orientations received from Congress, (b) the asymmetry of information between the government and the holders of troubled assets, and (c) the complex and sometimes perverse incentive structure under which government agents buying the assets will operate.This paper does two things. First, it questions the excessive faith in the isolated operation of four elements of the TARP: (1) the improved capacity of the Treasury to determine the value of troubled assets, (2) the use of auctions, (3) the external oversight and accountability clauses, and (4) the devices that allow the Treasury to hold in its portfolio troubled assets and shareholdings in financial institutions. Second, it proposes an implementation plan that emphasizes (a) a diversity and plurality of structures with more complex ownership, capital and control schemes; (b) sequencing; (c) mechanism and incentives scheme design.The implementation plan to be unveiled relies on a 4-stage timeframe and three different investment structures: (1) a government-managed fund, (2) government-sponsored hedge funds, and (3) leveraged private equity funds. Each structure should be deployed in the stage indicated by timeframe established in order to maximize gains and attain the policy goals sought. The first stage should seek to unfreeze and unclog the market, mildly recapitalize financial institutions, and create confidence; the second should seek to reignite the markets, make them move faster and correct some incentive problems; the third stage should seek to improve incentives, reduce taxpayers' exposure and increase private investors' participation, speed up the market, and boost liquidity; the fourth stage should seek to reduce risks for taxpayers and start recovering the investments/losses associated with the program.
Use of an Inert Radioactive Particle for Measuring Particle Accumulation by Filter-Feeding Bivalve Molluscs

The use of an inert, radioactively labeled microsphere as a measure of particle accumulation (filtration activity) by Mulinia lateralis (Say) and Mytilus edulis L. was evaluated. Bottom sediment plus temperature and salinity of the water were varied to induce changes in filtration activity and thus enable us to judge the effectiveness of the particles as filtration indicators. The rate of loss of radioactivity observed in Mulinia lateralis held for several days after exposure confirmed that the particles are ingested by the organisms. The observed differences in particle accumulation and the ease of administration and measurement combine to make the use of these micropheres a valuable tool in studies dealing with particle distribution and accumulation.
Hydrogen and deuterium total neutron cross sections in the MeV region

Abstract Total neutron cross sections, using a continuous-energy source of neutrons, were measured for hydrogen and deuterium. The neutron energy range covered was from less than 1 MeV, to about 30 MeV. No structure is observed for either isotope. The precision of the cross-section magnitudes appears to be within 1 % over much of the measured energy interval.
Economic development and village elections in rural China

Many observers of Chinese politics suggest that there are certain relationships between economic development and village elections. Using empirical data gathered from a 1993 nationwide survey, this study examines whether economic development is associated in any way with successful elections in Chinese villages. The analysis reveals that the relationship between economic development and village elections appears to be a concave curve: economic wealth increases the likelihood that a village will hold semicompetitive elections for people to choose their leaders, but its impact diminishes as economic wealth increases. Rapid economic development may even delay the process of political development because incumbent leaders can use newly acquired economic resources to consolidate their power by: (1) making peasants more dependent on the village authority; (2) providing incumbent leaders with resources to co‐opt peasants; and (3) providing incumbent leaders with resources to bribe their superiors to ignore the d...
Characteristics of skylight at the zenith during twilight as indicators of atmospheric turbidity. 1: Degree of polarization

An extensive series of measurements of the intensity and polarization of the light from the zenith sky during periods of twilight was made at an altitude of 3400 m on the island of Hawaii during a 5-month period in 1977. This first of two papers is on the twilight polarization; the second will deal with intensity. The measurements were made in eight narrow spectral ranges between 0.32 and 0.90 μm under clear sky conditions. The data show that the degree of polarization at the zenith is a sensitive indicator of the existence of turbid layers at high levels in the atmosphere, and by monitoring the zenith skylight as a function of time during the twilight, it is possible to obtain qualitative information on both the altitude and relative density of the layers.
The Relation of Alexithymic Traits to Affective Theory of Mind.

Little research has focused on the contributors to adult theory of mind (ToM) even though there is reason to suspect individual differences in performance in neurotypical samples. Alexithymia, a term that references an impaired ability to attend to and verbally label emotions via ongoing introspection, is a useful construct through which to explore how socially relevant dimensions of emotion processing enable ToM. As 1 study has explored alexithymia vis-a-vis cognitive ToM, this study examined the relationships between facets of alexithymia and affective ToM while controlling for the potential confounds of empathy, verbal ability, and negative affect. A nonclinical sample of adults (N = 86) completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test, the Mehrabian and Epstein Scale of Emotional Empathy, the Profile of Mood States, and the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that externally oriented thinking contributed unique variance to affective ToM, confirming an inverse relationship between alexithymia and affective ToM but highlighting the need to parse alexithymia into discrete facets when exploring its relevance to social cognition.
A monolithic, reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer using asymmetric twin waveguide technology

An InP-based monolithically integrated optical add-drop multiplexer (ROADM) is demonstrated with the asymmetric twin waveguide (ATG) technology. Its add/drop functionality has been measured and shows > 20 dB drop extinction ratio.
Ultrafast Laser Induced Structural Modification of Fused Silica—Part I: Feature Formation Mechanisms

Nonlinear absorption of femtosecond-laser pulses enables the induction of structural changes in the interior of bulk transparent materials without affecting their surface. This property can be exploited for transmission welding of transparent dielectrics, three dimensional optical data storages, and waveguides. In the present study, femtosecond-laser pulses were tightly focused within the interior of bulk fused silica specimen. Localized plasma was formed, initiating rearrangement of the network structure. Features were generated through employment of single pulses as well as pulse trains using various processing conditions. The change in material properties were studied through employment of differential interference contrast optical microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The morphology of the altered material as well as the nature of the physical mechanisms (thermal, explosive plasma expansion, or in-between) responsible for the alteration of material properties as a function of process parameters is discussed.
Hypnosis with defendants: does it really work?

Abstract There is controversy in the courts about the admissibility of statements by victims, eyewitnesses, and defendants following hypnosis. The scientific community has strongly influenced many court decisions about credibility, reliability, and admissibility of memory retrieval where hypnosis is used. The author presents two case histories of defendants whose memories were refreshed by hypnosis. He presents current court rulings on the use of hypnosis and discusses their impact on laboratory data involving memory and reliability.
Electrochemical behavior of 1,2,3-triferrocenylcyclopropenes

Summary A series of 3-substituted 1,2,3-triferrocenylcyclopropenes was synthesized and investigated by 13 C NMR spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The latter shows three reversible waves associated with stepwise oxidation of the three iron sites; the spacings indicate weak interaction between the ferrocene groups in the corresponding mixed-valence species. 3- p -Tolyl-1,2,3-triferrocenylcyclopropene rearranges thermally at a much greater rate than does its phenyl analog, tetraphenylcyclopropene.
Shape instability during precipitate growth in coherent solids

Abstract The effect of coherent elastic strain on shape instabilities during growth of a single precipitate in an elastically anisotropic cubic system is examined. A general phenomenological field approach to phase transformation kinetics is employed. Emphasis has been given to understanding the formation of concave interfaces of a coherent γ′ particle in the Ni-based superalloys. It is shown by a two-dimensional computer simulation that the infinite-range and highly anisotropic strain-induced interaction results in a shape transition from circle to faceted square with 10 habits and rounded corners at the early stage of growth. Then the divergence of solute atom supply at the corners enhances their growth which results in a concave morphology. Vanishing of the supersaturation (transition to the coarsening stage) causes a diffusional relaxation of the concave interfaces back into flat ones, indicating that the concave square is a nonequilibrium shape. A semi-quantitative criterion for the formation of concave shapes is derived. The concentration profile inside the misfitting particle is found to be nonuniform during its growth and coarsening.
General Orientation Dependence of Rayleigh and Raman Scattering and Scattering by Linear Molecules in Arbitrary Electronic States

Modern angular-momentum techniques are used to study a few refined aspects of the conventional Raman effect—aspects not easily accessible in the old days of Placzek, who used mainly direction cosines and circular coordinates. The intensity at an arbitrary direction of observation (specified by three instead of one Euler angles, ϕs,θs,ψs), of scattering by random molecular systems, has been derived. In the limit of ϕs=ψs=0, θs=π/2−Θs=Φs, it reduces to that of Placzek. The intensity of the Rayleigh and Raman scattering by uniformly oriented molecules (in solid matrices or in molecular crystals) has also been derived. It is illustrated for oriented molecules with cylindrical symmetry. The Raman scattering by rotating linear molecules in arbitrary electronic states has been investigated. The general formulas derived are usable also in electronic Raman effects.
An attempt to define a just detectable effect for airborne chemicals on the respiratory tract in mice.

We have attempted to define a just detectable effect (JDE) for three different types of reactions along the respiratory tract: (a) sensory irritation of the upper airways (S), (b) airflow limitation along the conducting airways (A), and (c) pulmonary irritation at the alveolar level (P1 or P). Each type of reaction, S, A, P1 or P, was recognized by analyzing the breathing pattern of unanesthetized mice held in body plethysmographs. A rule-based computer program analyzed each breath during a period of 3.75 h and classified each breath as normal (N) or falling in any of the above categories (i.e., S, A, P1 or P). Eight groups of four mice were used for sham exposures: exposed to water vapor. These data sets were used, as sham exposure data, to define the variation which can occur with time in order to define an expected range of normal variation. Once this range was established, we defined JDE values for each type of effect and used such values to evaluate the results obtained in exposed animals. Eight groups of four mice were exposed to a mixture of airborne chemicals, machining fluid G (MFG), at concentrations from 0.17 to 55 mg/m3. Data sets for individual animals and for each group of animals exposed to MFG were analyzed to determine if and when a particular effect occurred. It was possible to recognize the effects of low exposure concentrations on groups of exposed animals or individual animals within each group. This procedure will be valuable when investigating the effect of airborne chemicals and when it is impossible to generate high exposure concentrations to define concentration-response relationships.
Fluorescence lifetime spectroscopy for breast cancer margins assessment

During breast conserving surgery (BCS), which is the preferred approach to treat most early stage breast cancers, the surgeon attempts to excise the tumor volume, surrounded by thin margin of normal tissue. The intra-operative assessment of cancerous areas is a challenging procedure, with the surgeon usually relying on visual or tactile guidance. This study evaluates whether time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy (TRFS) presents the potential to address this problem. Point TRFS measurements were obtained from 19 fresh tissue slices (7 patients) and parameters that characterize the transient signals were quantified via constrained least squares deconvolution scheme. Fibrotic tissue (FT, n=69), adipose tissue (AT, n=76), and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC, n=27) were identified in histology and univariate statistical analysis, followed by multi-comparison test, was applied to the corresponding lifetime data. Significant differentiation between the three tissue types exists at 390 nm and 500 nm bands. The average lifetime is 3.23±0.74 ns for AT, 4.21±0.83 ns for FT and 4.71±0.35 ns (p<0.05) for IDC at 390 nm. Due to the smaller contribution of collagen in AT the average lifetime value is different from FT and IDC. Additionally, although intensity measurements do not show difference between FT and IDC, lifetime can distinguish them. Similarly, in 500 nm these values are 7.01±1.08 ns, 5.43±1.05 ns and 4.39±0.88 ns correspondingly (p<0.05) and this contrast is due to differentiation in retinol or flavins relative concentration, mostly contributing to AT. Results demonstrate the potential of TRFS to intra-operatively characterize BCS breast excised tissue in real-time and assess tumor margins.
Interest-Group Liberalism and Juridical Democracy Two Theses in Search of Legitimacy

Theodore Lowi's proposal for juridical democracy is inspired by a "crisis in authority" that has been generated under "interest-group liberalism," his designation for con temporary pluralist theory. Lowi suggests that the roots of the crisis lie in the pluralists' misreading of the Madisonian model. Juridical democracy is an alternative analytical and programmatic format which is designed to reintroduce the now lost benefits of the Madisonian model. Lowi's approach demonstrates, in contrast to interest-group liberal ism, that government coercion is essential and advantages some groups over others, and it provides a vehicle for testing whether consensus about public values exists. Both approaches accept "interests" as the basic unit of analysis, but neither affords criteria for assessing them. Interests make claims which are undemocratic, inegalitarian, and the like. Lacking evaluative criteria, both positions resort to social and institutional regularities and procedures as the essence of democracy.
Electron spin relaxation times of irradiated alanine

Abstract Crystalline alanine samples were irradiated with 60 Co γ-rays with doses of 2.7, 11, 60, or 100 kGy. The radicals produced per 100 eV of radiation (G) was dose dependent and systematically higher for L-alanine than for DL-alanine. The value of the electron spin-lattice relaxation time (T 1 ) for the room temperature persistent radical is ca. 20 to 50 μs. at X-band (ca. 9.1 GHz) - the longer values were observed near the center of the spectrum. At X-band the electron spin phase memory time T m is 100 to 200 ns, depending on radiation dose. For a given dose, T 1 and T m are longer for DL-alanine than for L-alanine. The CW EPR linewidth is not relaxation determined and the CW EPR signal is easily saturated. Hence, caution must be exercised when EPR is used for quantitative radiation dosimetry. Relaxation times are shorter at S-band than at X-band.
tctex-1: A candidate gene family for a mouse t complex sterility locus

The t complex of the mouse has an important role in male germ cell development and function. Multiple mutations in the t complex interact to alter profoundly the transmission ratio of t complex-bearing sperm or to cause complete sterility or semisterility. We have isolated a multigene family, tctex-1, by screening a testicular cell cDNA library with two reciprocally subtracted testicular cDNA probes. The tctex-1 gene family produces an abundant, virtually germ cell-specific transcript that is 8-fold overexpressed in t homozygotes. The aberrant expression of tctex-1 is solely dependent on the t haplotype genes and occurs only in germ cells. The chromosomal location and pattern of expression of tctex-1 make it a candidate for involvement in male sterility.
The Puzzle of the Social Origins of the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937

Several recent studies of the origins of the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, while analyzing the same data sources, have surprisingly come to differing conclusions. Contrary to the results of most of these studies, there is insufficient evidence to conclude that there was a major effort by the Federal Bureau of Narcotics to generate a public marihuana crisis to create pressure for this legislation. Indeed a review of newspapers as well as the Congressional Record does not demonstrate a nationwide marihuana crisis. Moreover, this legislation is not the important legislative change implied by these studies, but merely a symbolic gesture involving a Bureau promise of no increased funding required by this law's passage.
Bariatric surgery results: reporting clinical characteristics and adverse outcomes from an integrated healthcare delivery system

Abstract Background Limited data have been reported on bariatric surgery within a large, high-volume regional multicenter integrated healthcare delivery system. Objectives Review clinical characteristics and short- and intermediate-term outcomes and adverse events from a bariatric surgery program within an integrated healthcare delivery system. Setting Single high-volume, multicenter regional integrated healthcare delivery system. Methods Adult patients who underwent primary bariatric surgery during 2010–2011 were reviewed. Clinical characteristics, outcomes, and weight loss results were extracted from the electronic medical record. Results A total of 2399 patients were identified within the study period. The 30-day rates of clinical outcomes for Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB; n=1313) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG; n=1018) were 2.9% for readmission, 3.0% for major complications, .8% for reoperation, and 0% for mortality. One-year and 2-year weight loss results were as follows: percent weight loss (%WL) was 31.4 (±SD 8.5) and 34.2±12.0% for SG and 34.1±9.3 and 39.1±11.9 for RYGB; percent excess weight loss (%EBWL) was 64.2±18.0 and 69.8±23.7 for SG and 68.0±19.3 and 77.8±23.7 for RYGB; percent excess body mass index loss (%EBMIL) was 72.9±21.0 and 77.7±22.4 for SG and 76.6±22.1% and 85.6±21.6 for RYGB. Follow-up for each procedure at 1 year was 76% for SG (n = 778) and 80% for RYGB (n = 1052) and at 2 years was 65% for SG (n = 659) and 67% for RYGB (n = 875). Conclusions A large regional high-volume multicenter bariatric program within an integrated healthcare delivery system can produce excellent short-term results with low rates of short- and intermediate-term adverse outcomes.
Evaluation of a continuous combined low-dose regimen of estrogen-progestin for treatment of the menopausal patient.

Menopause constitutes a sizable proportion of the adult woman's life, and it is reasonable to consider that most women will benefit from hormone-replacement therapy. Also, it is important to realize that cardiovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity and death in the menopausal patient. Two regimens of hormone-replacement therapy were evaluated in postmenopausal women with 0.625 mg of conjugated equine estrogen with either 2.5 or 5 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate taken continuously for 52 weeks in 92 patients. The data demonstrated an improvement in menopausal symptoms, a beneficial effect in lipoprotein profiles, the establishment of an atrophic endometrium, and a marked decrease in vaginal bleeding after 13 weeks and a further decrease after 26 weeks. Ideally this regimen will offer better patient compliance and, if the favorable lipoprotein profiles offer protection to the cardiovascular system, the overall health of the American woman will be markedly affected.
Advancing terahertz time-domain spectroscopy for remote detection and tracing

Terahertz (THz) time-domain spectroscopy (TDS) is a powerful measurement tool for characterizing materials with potential fingerprint capability. Due to its pulsed nature, the spectral resolution of THz-TDS is limited by its temporal scanning measurement and its dynamic range. A novel THz-TDS system with a large signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) improves the spectral resolution. Techniques that will enhance the performance of THz-TDS are demonstrated.
Public financing of Medicare.

The following paper is an independent and unofficial commentary on the American Geriatric Society's Public Policy Committee Position Statement “Medicare” which appears in this issue
Deterministic execution testing of concurrent Ada programs

An execution of a concurrent program P exercises a sequence of synchronization events, called a synchronization sequence or a SYN-sequence. This non-deterministic execution behavior creates a problem during the testing phase of P: when testing P with input X, a single execution is insufficient to determine the correctness of P with input X.In this paper, we show how to accomplish deterministic execution testing of a concurrent Ada program according to a given SYN-sequence. We first define the format of a SYN-sequence which provides sufficient information for deterministic execution. Then we show how to transform a concurrent Ada program P into a slightly different program P* (also written in Ada) so that an execution of P* with (X,S) as input, where X and S are an input and SYN-sequence of P respectively, determines whether or not S is feasible for P with input X and produces the same result as P with input X and SYN-sequence S would, provided that S is feasible. Tools for transforming concurrent Ada programs for deterministic execution testing are described.
Do homosexual teachers account for about half of news stories of molestations of pupils? A Boston Globe replication.

Szrmmary.-Homosexua1 interaction was involved in 11 (48%) of 23 and 10 (45%) of 22, that is, about half of nvo nationwide databases of newspaper stories about teachers' sexual involvement with pupils reported by Cameron and Cameron in 1998. Whether this relationship holds at a local level was examined by searching all indexed 'sex crimes' in the Bosron Globe from 1991 through 1998 for local stories about sex benveen pupil and teacher. Of the 21 teachers in 20 stories, 11 (52%) interacted homosexually with pupils. Thus it appears that nationdy and locally, as reported in newspapers, about half of the molestations by teachers are homosexual. Examinations of two nationwide newspaper story databases regarding teachers' molestation of pupils were reported that 11 (48%) of 23 teachers from 1993-1995 and 10 (45%) of 22 teachers from 1989-1995 molested their pupils honlosexually (Cameron & Cameron, 1998). The Boston Globe is one of the few U.S. newspapers to publish a yearly index of its stories. Examining its index for molestation of pupils by teachers, which removes selecrion of stories from the hands of investigators, constitutes a test of the objectivity of the analysis of the published datasets by Cameron and Cameron (1998). Further, it allows exploration of the possibility that their nationwide fiidmgs replicate at the local level. METHOD
Ice Wedge Casts in the Corton Beds

The occurrence of casts of ice wedges indicative of a permafrost environment in the Pleistocene Corton beds of Norfolk, England, indicates that deposition of the beds took place in a cold period between the two advances of the Lowestoft glaciation.
Growth patterns in x-irradiated HeLa cells.

Measurement of the dose responses of the several parameters concerned with cell growth permits classifications of these cellular processes as either radiosensitive or radioresistant. In the former category are cell division, reproductive survival, and chromosome damage. The latter category includes general metabolic activity, cell enlargement and, possibly, the rate of cell division after radiation lag. Radiation-induced lag cannot be definitely classifted but, since the effects of small doses can be detected, lag probably should be placed in the former category. Such classification is readily interpreted in terms of the concept that the primary radiation-induced lesion lies in the cell's genetic apparatus. The applicability of these findings to more normal cell types in vitro, and to in vivo cell systems remains to be tested. (auth)
Immunology of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are both obstructive airway diseases that involve chronic inflammation of the respiratory tract, but the type of inflammation is markedly different between these diseases, with different patterns of inflammatory cells and mediators being involved. As described in this Review, these inflammatory profiles are largely determined by the involvement of different immune cells, which orchestrate the recruitment and activation of inflammatory cells that drive the distinct patterns of structural changes in these diseases. However, it is now becoming clear that the distinction between these diseases becomes blurred in patients with severe asthma, in asthmatic subjects who smoke and during acute exacerbations. This has important implications for the development of new therapies.
Matters of Consequence: An Empirical Investigation of the WAIS-III and WAIS-IV and Implications for Addressing the Atkins Intelligence Criterion

“Which test provides the better measurement of intelligence, the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Third Edition (WAIS-III) or the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV)?” is an important question to professional psychologists; however, it has become a critical issue in Atkins cases wherein courts are often presented with divergent Full-Scale IQ (FSIQ) scores on the WAIS-III and WAIS-IV. In these instances, courts are required to render a decision stating which test provided the better measure of an inmate's intellectual functioning. This study employed structural equation modeling to empirically determine which instrument; the WAIS-III or the WAIS-IV, provides the better measure of intelligence via the FSIQ score. Consistent with the publisher's representation of intellectual functioning, the results from this study indicate the WAIS-IV provides superior measurement, scoring, and structural models to measure FSIQ when compared to the WAIS-III.
Depression's Vicious Scree: Self-Propagating and Erosive Processes in Depression Chronicity

Depression is remarkably persistent and recurrent. Why? Although several predictors of depression chronicity have been identified, a conceptual framework regarding mechanisms whereby depression chronicity occurs is lacking. The goal of this article is to explain depression chronicity, at least in part, with reference to processes, mostly interpersonal in nature, that serve to extend and reestablish depression. Several such processes are described, and available empirical evidence regarding each is reviewed. Clinical and research implications of the present conceptualization are elucidated. To the degree that these processes receive continued empirical support as mechanisms whereby depression persists, they represent leverage points to combat the vexing problem of depression chronicity.
PET-CT fusion in radiation management of patients with anorectal tumors

Purpose To compare computed tomography (CT) with positron emission tomography–CT (PET-CT) scans with respect to anorectal tumor volumes, correlation in overlap, and influence on radiation treatment fields and patient care. Patients and Methods From March to November 2003, 20 patients with rectal cancer and 3 patients with anal cancer were treated with preoperative or definitive chemoradiation, respectively. Computed tomography simulation data generated a CT gross tumor volume (CT-GTV) and CT planning target volume (CT-PTV) and 18 F-fluoro-2-deoxy-glucose PET (FDG-PET) created a PET-GTV and PET-PTV. The PET-CT and CT images were fused using manual coregistration. Patients were treated with three-dimensional conformal therapy to traditional doses. The PET, CT, and overlap volumes (OVs) were measured in cubic centimeters. Results Mean PET-GTV was smaller than the mean CT-GTV (91.7 vs. 99.6 cm 3 ). The mean OV was 46.7%. As tumor volume increased, PET and CT OV correlated significantly ( p 10 and the posttreatment PET standardized uptake value was p = 0.047). Conclusions Variation in volume was significant, with 17% and 26% of patients requiring a change in treatment fields and patient management, respectively. Positron emission tomography can change the management for anorectal tumors by early detection of metastatic disease or disease outside standard radiation fields.
The 3–5–7 Model: preparing children for permanency

Abstract This article introduces a practice model for the preparation of children for permanency. It is based on three components: (1) the completion of three tasks—clarification of life events, integration of all family memberships, and actualization in belonging to a new family; (2) the answering of five conceptual questions relevant to each child living in placement, Who am I? What happened to me? Where am I going? How will I get there?, and When will I know I belong?; and (3) the use of critical skill elements in the preparation work: engaging the child, listening to the child's words, speaking the truth, validating the child's life story, creating a safe space, going back in time, and recognizing pain as part of the process. By incorporating this model, workers and families conducting the preparation work, assist the child in grieving losses, formulating self-identity, establishing trust and security through attachments, and building relationships and openness to join families on a permanent basis.
Molecular motions of liquid crystalline polymers with various spacer lengths in the glass and nematic states

A side-chain liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) based on the 4-hydroxy-4′-methoxy-α-methylstilbene mesogen attached through a flexible spacer of eight methylenic units to a poly(methyl acrylate) backbone is studied via solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (n.m.r.) spectroscopy. The molecular dynamics in the MHz frequency regime are characterized as a function of temperature by the spin—lattice relaxation time constant T1. Rotational correlation times (τcs) and activation energies (EaS) are calculated for motions at various local sites in the glass and nematic states. Rapid spinning of the methyl carbons occurs on the fast side of the T1 minimum, and the activation energy does not change at the phase transition. The motional activation energies of all three sites in the mesogen are nearly equal, indicating that the motion is collective. The activation energy decreases for the mesogen carbons in the nematic state by a factor of six, as the LCP is no longer frozen. In the glassy state the activation energy of the α spacer carbon is nearly equal to that of the mesogen, while the β spacer carbon is 30 times more mobile. The spacer begins to function as a flexible free spacer at the β position. Further flexibility is introduced at the γ and δ positions. Likewise, in the nematic state the mobility increases in the spacer from the α position inward. The activation energy of the backbone increases in the nematic state, with the backbone acting as a viscous drag to the motion of the mesogen. A comparison is made between the LCP with a spacer of eight methylenic units and an analogous LCP with a spacer of three methylenic units. In the glass state, Ea is larger for the motion of the mesogen, the α spacer carbon and the β spacer carbon, for the LCP with eight methylenic units.
Evaluation of a nonlinear diffusion process for segmentation and quantification of lesions in optical coherence tomography images

We evaluate the ability of a nonlinear anisotropic diffusion process to enhance the contrast for structural boundary regions and to reduce the speckle noise in optical coherence tomography (OCT) images. We also investigate the suitability of various image features, such as gradient magnitude and intensity or gradient profiles, for boundary localization. The results suggest that the nonlinear anisotropic diffusion method has potential in assisting segmentation and quantification of fluid-filled regions in clinical OCT images.
Neuropeptide genes: targets of activity-dependent signal transduction.

Abstract Neuroendocrine cells respond to hormones and synaptic input by increasing or decreasing their own electrical activity and secretory output, and by changes in the repertoire of expression of neuronal genes. Neuropeptide genes are among those whose transcription rates can be dramatically up- and downregulated when neuronal activity is altered. In the last decade or so, our understanding of neuropeptide gene regulation has evolved from the concept of calcium-dependent coupling of neuropeptide secretion and biosynthesis to the current perspective of neuropeptide genes as the targets of multiple intracellular signaling pathways, entrained by intrinsic electrical activity and by transsynaptic influences. This review describes our current understanding of neuropeptide gene regulation in the adrenal gland as well as in the peripheral and central nervous systems. Particular emphasis is placed on the molecular mechanisms that allow unique patterns of expression of neuropeptide genes within specific types of neuroendocrine cells that contribute to the remarkable anatomical specificity of neuropeptide gene expression.
A phase I clinical trial of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor given daily for five days.

A phase I trial of human recombinant tumor necrosis factor (rH-TNF) has been carried out in patients with advanced solid tumors. Sixty-six courses of the drug were given by 1 h IV infusion, daily for 5 days to 33 patients at doses of 5, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, and 80x104 U/m2/day. All patients received isotonic saline (up to 21/day) and either indomethacin or ketoprofen. Acute toxicity resembled that seen with the phase I study of a single dose (5). Dose limiting toxicity was acute, rapidly reversible, hepatic dysfunction and hypotension. Hypertension during drug infusion and dyspnea were marked in some patients. There was one complete and one minor response, both in patients with renal cell carcinoma. The dose of 80x104 U/m2/day x5 was poorly tolerated and the recommended starting dose for phase II studies is 60x104 U/m2/day x5. Caution is recommended in treating patients with pre-existing hepatic function abnormalities, hypertension, hypotension or significant obstructive airway disease.
Hula-twisting in green fluorescent protein

Abstract In the hula-twist (HT) process two adjacent bonds twist concertedly to give a product from simultaneous conformational and configurational isomerization. Based on quantum mechanical (QM) calculations and an isoviscosity analysis of internal conversion in green fluorescent protein (GFP) it has been proposed, in the literature, that the GFP chromophore undergoes a HT upon excitation. A volume analysis of HTs and, τ and ϕ one-bond-flips (OBF) in the chromophore model, 4-hydroxybenzylidene-2,3-dimethylimidazolidinone ( I ), revealed that the τ OBF displaces a larger volume than the HT or the ϕ OBF. However both the HT and ϕ OBF processes displace the same volume. Therefore the volume conserving property of the HT is not a sufficient reason for the excited chromophore to undergo a HT. Since the chromophore is unsymmetric there are 4 different possible HTs. Molecular mechanics (MM) calculations have been used to show that the protein matrix of GFP forms a cavity around the chromophore that is complementary to an excited state conformation in which the phenol and imidazolidinone rings are perpendicular to each other – a conformation that was obtained by a concerted positive 45° HT of both chromophore dihedral angles. The twisted chromophore obtained by concertedly rotating both dihedral angles in a negative direction is sterically disfavored relative to the planar and positively rotated forms. Rotating the τ and ϕ bonds in opposite directions does not produce a large change in strain energy, as the two ring systems stay in the same plane.
High-efficiency continuous-wave index-antiguided planar waveguide laser with large mode area

We demonstrate robust continuous-wave lasing in a planar index-antiguided waveguide with a 220-µm Nd:YAG active layer. A pump-limited output of 1.5 W with a slope efficiency of 30% with respect to absorbed pump power is achieved.