cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reduction of space‐charging in the quadrupole ion trap by sequential injection and simultaneous storage of positively and negatively charged ions

Experiments were performed to establish the effects produced by the sequential introduction and simultaneous trapping of large quantities of positive and negative ions in the quadrupole ion trap. Injection conditions were controlled so that the trap stored only positively charged ions, only negatively charged ions, or both positively and negatively charged ions. Improved peak shapes and mass resolution were observed in positive- and negative-ion mass spectra without loss of ion signal when ions of opposite charge were present in the trap. These results indicate that space-charging of the trap can be relieved by the addition of ions of opposite charge.
The realistic treatment of obesity: Changing the scales of success

Abstract Patients and practitioners are confronted with mixed messages about the value of obesity treatment. Serious treatment is supported by the medical consequences associated with obesity. Abandoning current treatment is suggested by a lack of long-term efficacy. We suggest a reevaluation of the assumptions and practices of obesity treatment. Empirical support for changing our current thinking about obesity treatment is presented. This change in philosophy and practice is based on five factors: (a) targeting those at highest medical risk; (b) acknowledging the role of biological factors in treatment goals; (c) addressing the psychological heterogeneity of obese persons; (d) setting reasonable expectations for long-term outcome; and (e) assessing the benefits and risks of weight loss. It is suggested that these factors promote a more realistic view of obesity treatment and allow practitioners and clients to make more informed decisions about the benefits and risks of treatment.
Modeling Preferences for Common Attributes in Multi-Category Brand Choice

Characteristics based discrete choice models of demand have been used extensively in both economics and marketing. The basic endeavor in these models is to view products as bundles of characteristics, with consumer preferences defined over this characteristics space. In the context of brand choice in packaged goods categories, Fader and Hardie (1996) show the advantages of this approach in terms of parsimony, as well as model fit. More importantly, this modeling approach lends itself to important applications, such as predicting demand for new products. In this paper, we propose a multi-category brand choice model that is based upon the conceptualization that the intrinsic utility for a brand is a function of underlying attributes or characteristics, some of which are common across categories. Our general premise is that preferences for attributes that are common across categories are likely to be correlated. Further, we project the unobserved component of preferences for attributes and sensitivities to marketing mix variables to a lower dimensional space of unobserved factors. The factors are interpretable as unobservable household "traits" that explain similarity in choice behaviors across categories. Since the traits transcend categories, we can use household specific factor estimates derived from purchasing in existing categories to predict preferences for attributes in new categories. The proposed model is applied to household panel data for three closely related snack categories, and for two less related food categories. We find strong correlations in preferences for product attributes, such as brand names and low-fat or fat-free. In two cross-category targeting applications, we demonstrate that these high correlations in product attribute preferences across categories imply that (1) one can use the model estimates to improve forecasts of preferences for an attribute in a new category, and (2) that one can score potential targets for a new product in an existing category based on prospects' probability of choice.
Examining the Relation of Parenting to Children's Coping with Everyday Stress

The relation between parenting and the coping styles of children in response to everyday stress was investigated. 60 children, 9-10 years old, and their mothers participated. Children and mothers described how they responded to stressful episodes the child had experienced within the past 2 months. Mothers completed questionnaires that assessed a variety of parenting dimensions (e.g., nurturance, directiveness, organization). Results indicated that (a) the aspects of child coping studied (e.g., perceived effectiveness, variety of coping strategies) were relatively independent, (b) children from families with high levels of maternal support and relatively low levels of family structure used the greatest variety of coping strategies, (c) children of supportive mothers used the greatest number of avoidant strategies (but only in uncontrollable situations), and (d) children from families with high levels of parental structure used fewer aggressive coping strategies.
On the dynamics of electrically-coupled neurons with inhibitory synapses.

We study the dynamics and bifurcations of noise-free neurons coupled by gap junctions and inhibitory synapses, using both delayed delta functions and alpha functions to model the latter. We focus on the case of two cells, as in the studies of Chow and Kopell (2000) and Lewis and Rinzel (2003), but also show that stable asynchronous splay states exist for globally coupled networks of N cells dominated by subthreshold electrical coupling. Our results agree with those of Lewis and Rinzel (2003) in the weak coupling range, but our Poincare map analysis yields more information about global behavior and domains of attraction, and we show that the explicit discontinuous maps derived using delayed delta functions compare well with the continuous history-dependent, implicitly-defined maps derived from alpha functions. We find that increased bias currents, super-threshold electrical coupling and synaptic delays promote synchrony, while sub-threshold electrical coupling and fast synapses promote asynchrony. We compare our analytical results with simulations of an ionic current model of spiking cells, and briefly discuss implications for stimulus response modes of locus coeruleus and for central pattern generators.
Dutch objections to evolutionary ethics

While strolling the streets of Amsterdam, Sidney Smith, the renowned editor of the Edinburgh Review, called the attention of his companion to two Dutch housewives who were leaning out of their windows and arguing with one another across the narrow alley that separated their houses. Smith remarked to his companion that the two women would never agree. His friend thought the seasoned editor had in mind the stubborn Dutch character. No, said Smith. Rather it was because they were arguing from different premises. In recent articles, Stephen Ball (1988) and Bart Voorzanger (1987) have objected strongly to my defense of evolutionary ethics. In their reconstruction of my arguments, however, they have assigned to me premises different from those upon which my original defense stood. Their objections may demolish the arguments they have reconstructed, but fortunately my theory does not reside thereon. They have made Dutch objections. Let me quickly sketch my defense of what I termed the "revised version" (RV) of evolutionary ethics. In my original article (1986a) and in the reply (1986b) I made at the time to the five critics kind enough to scrutinize my views, I proposed a possible evolutionary scenario, which was based on some important studies in evolutionary biology. I supposed that human beings evolved initially in small clans such that they often acted to benefit other community members without expectation of reciprocation and that they prized such behavior in others. I suggested that kin selection and natural selection on small groups might have engineered their altruistic dispositions. I further proposed that these other-regarding motives bred in the bone met the criteria that Alan Gewirth (1982, pp. 82--83) has identified as those necessary to establish a motive as moral, namely: that the agent takes it as prescriptive, universalizes it, regards it as over-riding and authoritative, and values actions so motivated simply because they bestow benefit on others. With these empirical assumptions made, I then attempted to demonstrate that such evolutionary facts could justify moral imperatives without committing any sin of logic. My defense,
A pilot study for augmenting atomoxetine with methylphenidate: safety of concomitant therapy in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

This study examined augmenting atomoxetine with extended-release methylphenidate in children whose attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) previously failed to respond adequately to stimulant medication. Children with ADHD and prior stimulant treatment (N = 25) received atomoxetine (1.2 mg/kg/day) plus placebo. After 4 weeks, patients who were responders (n = 4) were continued on atomoxetine/placebo while remaining patients were randomly assigned to either methylphenidate (ATX/MPH) (1.1 mg/kg/day) or placebo augmentation (ATX/PB) for another 6 weeks. Patients and sites were blind to timing of active augmentation. Safety measures included vital signs, weight, and adverse events. Efficacy was assessed by ADHD rating scales. Categorical increases in vital signs occurred for 5 patients (3 patients in ATX/MPH, 2 patients in ATX/PBO). Sixteen percent discontinued the study due to AE, but no difference between augmentation groups. Atomoxetine treatment was efficacious on outcome measures (P ≤ .001), but methylphenidate did not enhance response. Methylphenidate appears to be safely combined with atomoxetine, but conclusions limited by small sample. With atomoxetine treatment, 43% of patients achieved normalization on ADHD ratings.
Familial childhood leukemia cluster with multiple aggressive early-onset hematological malignancies.

Leukemia is the leading malignancy in children. The leukemia incidence rate for white and black children is 27 and 15 cases per million/year, respectively. Hispanics, however, have the highest inci...
A comparison of individual joint contributions to multijoint position reproduction acuity in overhead-throwing athletes.

Abstract Background Measures of joint position sense often test single-axis motions isolating a single joint. Such methods hamper our ability to apply findings to functional multijoint activities. Using a functional, active, multijoint test, we measured upper-extremity position reproduction in overhead-throwers. We compared acuity among four joints and examined individual joint contributions or patterns of contribution among joints to overall task acuity. Methods We used an electromagnetic tracking device to measure reproduction of two functional upper-extremity positions. We calculated absolute, constant and variable error at four upper-extremity joints around multiple axes of rotation: three axes at the scapulothoracic and glenohumeral joints and two axes at the elbow and wrist. To represent individual joint acuity, we calculated 3-dimensional variable error. Additional 3-dimensional variable error scores using deviation in hand position (with reference to the thorax) represented overall task acuity. We used principle component analyses to identify contributions of individual joints or patterns of contribution among joints to overall task acuity for absolute, constant and variable error. Findings Scapulothoracic and glenohumeral joints displayed better acuity compared with elbow and wrist joints. When examined separately, absolute, constant and variable error scores did not indicate any individual joint contributed more to task acuity. When we examined the principle components of all error score measures together, a distinct proximal-to-distal pattern of joint contribution to overall task acuity emerged. Interpretation Proximal joints display better reposition acuity compared with distal joints, however proximal joints contribute more to acuity of the overall task. Our results indicate that upper-extremity joints do not function independently in repositioning tasks and measures of absolute, constant and variable errors combined over multiple joints may better represent upper-extremity function.
High-power, diode-pumped modelocked Cr 3+ :LiCAF laser

We describe a diode-pumped Cr3+:LiCAF laser which produces 590 mW of continuous-wave output power using two pump diodes. Passive mode locking with a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror produces 97-fs, 2.8-nJ pulses near 800 nm wavelength.
The ubiquitinproteasome pathway is required for processing the NF-κB1 precursor protein and the activation of NF-κB

Summary We demonstrate an essential role for the proteasome complex in two proteolytic processes required for activation of the transcription factor NF-κB. The p105 precursor of the p50 subunit of NF-κB is processed in vitro by an ATP-dependent process that requires proteasomes and ubiquitin conjugation. The C-terminal region of p105 is rapidly degraded, leaving the N-terminal p50 domain. p105 processing can be blocked in intact cells with inhibitors of the proteasome or in yeast with proteasome mutants. These inhibitors also block the activation of NF-κB and the rapid degradation of IκBα induced by tumor necrosis factor α. Thus, the ubiquitinproteasome pathway functions not only in the complete degradation of polypeptides, but also in the regulated processing of precursors into active proteins.
Effect of recall period on annual freshwater fishing effort estimates in New York

Recall bias can influence estimates of fishing effort, with a general trend toward overestimation as the length of the recall period increases. Concern that recall bias may be affecting annual freshwater fishing effort estimates in New York led to the collection of effort data from three angler surveys during 2007 instead of one survey at the end of the year. However, to check for this potential bias and the impact that a change in recall period might have on comparisons with past surveys, a parallel survey with a 12-month recall period was conducted. For the overall state-wide estimate of fishing effort, the estimate from the three-phase survey was slightly greater than from the 12-month recall survey (the opposite of what was hypothesised). For the major water bodies, the differences were mostly significant but not always in the same direction between the two survey methods. Different results from one study compared with many others do not mean that past recommendations for shorter recall periods should be abandoned. However, the strength of this study – that the implementation methods (i.e. mail surveys) were identical – leads one to be more sceptical of past results.
Curing Light-activated Composite Cement through Porcelain

The purpose of the study was to determine the exposure times needed to harden a light-activated composite cement through various thicknesses of porcelain. A negative exponential model was developed with which the relative hardness of a composite could be predicted from the product of the exposure time and the square root of the light intensity at 470 nm. Hardness data obtained by varying the exposure time and porcelain thickness were found to fit this model. A relationship was derived to predict the required exposure time, t, of a composite under porcelain with a transmission coefficient, Tc, and a thickness, 1 : t = toT c-½, where to is the exposure time of the composite alone.
Written Out of Their Own Story: The Rhetorical Colonialism of Journalistic Practice

Over the past decade, state legislatures have put increasing pressure on American Indian gaming revenues by demanding higher payouts or going into direct competition through state-run gaming ventures. By rendering tribal interests largely invisible and silencing the voices of native stakeholders, local news outlets covering these developments risk shaping the public debate over Indian gaming in ways that threaten the welfare of American Indian peoples. This marginalization stems from what Heider calls “incognizant racism,” maintained through an unreflexive adherence to institutionalized news practices such as the objectivity norm, selective sourcing, and profit seeking. Mainstream news outlets can be thus left blind to their own potential for reinforcing historic oppressions. Indigenized and interpretive journalistic approaches offer a different path forward.
Atmospheric Imaging Results from the Mars Exploration Rovers: Spirit and Opportunity

A visible atmospheric optical depth of 0.9 was measured by the Spirit rover at Gusev crater and by the Opportunity rover at Meridiani Planum. Optical depth decreased by about 0.6 to 0.7% per sol through both 90-sol primary missions. The vertical distribution of atmospheric dust at Gusev crater was consistent with uniform mixing, with a measured scale height of 11.56 +/- 0.62 kilometers. The dust's cross section weighted mean radius was 1.47 +/- 0.21 micrometers (mm) at Gusev and 1.52 +/- 0.18 mm at Meridiani. Comparison of visible optical depths with 9-mm optical depths shows a visible-to-infrared optical depth ratio of 2.0 +/- 0.2 for comparison with previous monitoring of infrared optical depths.
Efficient evaluation of classification and recognition systems

In this paper, a new framework for evaluating a variety of computer vision systems and components is introduced. This framework is particularly well suited for domains such as classification or recognition systems, where blind application of the i.i.d. assumption would reduce an evaluation's accuracy, such as with classification or recognition systems. With few exceptions, most previous work on vision system evaluation does not include confidence intervals, since they are difficult to calculate, and are often coupled with strict requirements. We show how a set of previously overlooked replicate statistics tools can be used to obtain tighter confidence intervals of evaluation estimates while simultaneously reducing the amount of data and computation required to reach such sound evaluatory conclusions. In the included application of the new methodology, the well-known FERET face recognition system evaluation is extended to incorporate standard errors and confidence intervals.
Hydrogen adsorption calculations in expanded graphite and amorphous carbons

This paper uses an efficient and accurate approach to estimate the hydrogen physical adsorption in various carbon structures. By comparing with previous Grand Canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) and other methods on expanded graphite, the introduced method is shown to be accurate, but the calculation is much faster and more intuitive. Our preliminary results in amorphous carbons show high hydrogen uptake close to 0.8% at 300 K and moderate pressure.
Power semiconductor devices for variable-frequency drives

Advances in power semiconductor technology are the driving force for enhancement of the performance of variable-frequency motor drives. The development of power semiconductor devices with MOS-gate structures has enabled the control of large amounts of energy with very little input power. An equally important advancement has taken place in the development of improved rectifiers with reduced losses for high-frequency operation. In addition, the advent of MOS-gated power switches has led to the creation of smart power technology which makes compact systems with built-in diagnostic and protection functions commercially feasible. Although the power semiconductor chips are all made from silicon today, recent analysis has indicated that devices fabricated from silicon carbide have the potential for completely displacing silicon devices in the long range. >
Artificial societies and the social sciences

In 1961 the German Sociological Association invited Karl Popper to give a lecture on the logic of the social sciences, and invited Theodor Adorno to offer a critical response. It was to be a battle of the titans of postwar sociology, and afterwards became known as the “Positivist dispute” (Positivismusstreit) in German social theory. Yet from the beginning the debate went in an unexpected direction. Popper refused to accept the label of positivist, and explicitly attacked an inductivist and naturalist conception of science. Adorno was partially disarmed by this, and offered some reflections on Popper’s theses rather than the expected attack on positivist social science. These were not well received; Popper apparently found Adorno’s Hegelian language unintelligible, and complained that he was “simply talking trivialities in high-sounding language” [1]. The debate was carried on inconclusively for a decade by partisans of both schools.1 Popper’s original suggestions, and Adorno’s response to them, were soon forgotten as the protagonists retreated to well-worn defensive positions. It is interesting to speculate whether this debate might have gone differently if the development of methods for the study of “artificial societies” had begun fifty years earlier.2 In retrospect it seems evident that both Popper and Adorno were struggling with the limitations of a social science methodology based on descriptive statistics. Yet they approached this problem from nearly opposite perspectives. Popper described his methodology as “criticist” rather than “positivist,” and argued for a view of scientific method as consisting of “tentative attempts at solutions.” To this Adorno made two responses. First, he argued that social theory must be able to conceive of an alternative to contemporary society: “only through what it is not will it disclose itself as it is . . . ” [1]. This led him to a critique of descriptive statistics as the primary tool for social inquiry. He argued that “A social science that is both atomistic, and ascends through classification from the atoms to generalities, is the Medusan mirror to a society which is both atomized and organized according to abstract classificatory principles . . . ” [1]. Adorno’s point was that a purely descriptive, statistical analysis of society at a given historical moment is just “scientific mirroring” that “. . . remains a mere duplication. . . . As a corrective, it is not then sufficient simply to distinguish descriptively between the ‘collective realm’ and the ‘individual realm’ as Durkheim intended, but rather the relationship between the two realms must be mediated and must itself be grounded theoretically” [1] (emphasis mine).
Interaction between nutrients and herbivory in controlling algal communities and coral condition on Glover's Reef, Belize

We studied the effects of herbivory, fertilization and their interaction on algal succession on dead coral surfaces and the condition of live coral colonies. We used replicate open, closed, fertil- ized, and unfertilized cages in a 2-factor, 2-level design, sampled 7 times over a 49 d summer period at an offshore reef atoll lagoon in Belize. Herbivory negatively influenced algal biomass, whereas nutri- ents positively influenced wet but not dry or decalcified measures. Total and turf algal cover were pos- itively influenced by nutrients and negatively by herbivory. Biomass was more strongly influenced by herbivory than fertilization, and the opposite was true for cover. Brown frondose algal cover was neg- atively influenced by both herbivory and nutrients, whereas red frondose algal cover was negatively affected by herbivory but unaffected by nutrients. There were more algal taxa and higher dominance in low compared to high herbivory treatments. In contrast to the relative dominance model (RDM), we found that turf algae did best under conditions of low herbivory and high nutrients, and also domi- nated high herbivory and low nutrient conditions, whereas frondose brown algae did best under low herbivory and low nutrient conditions, and appeared to be inhibited by high nutrients. Stony corals did sufficiently well in all conditions such that it was not possible to determine their optimal conditions, but elevated nutrients may provide resistance to end-of-summer bleaching by increasing the standing densities of algal symbionts. There were no detectable changes in symbiont community composition with all symbionts being members of Symbiodinium clade A. Coral mortality and low herbivory are most likely to be responsible for the high levels of brown frondose algae reported on these patch reefs.
Application of Particle Swarm Optimization to the Design of Multi-Band Antennas with Lumped Loads

This paper investigates the use of nonresonant LC loads in the design of multi-band antennas. In this approach, the loads are made to have inductive reactances at some operating frequencies and capacitive reactances at other frequencies; the loads are never resonant. This has the effect of increasing or decreasing the effective electrical length of the antenna. Also, the entire structure supports significant radiating currents at all operating frequencies. Although this approach is not new, the design process has historically been relatively complicated or has relied on trial-and-error. A much more straightforward and automatic approach based on the particle swarm optimization (PSO) method is described here. The PSO method was chosen because of its speed and relatively simple implementation. The focus is on achieving an input impedance with zero reactance and not on obtaining a specific radiation pattern shape, since the patterns of short monopoles and dipoles are essentially invariant with respect to length
Preparation and characterization of a novel responsive hydrogel with a β-cyclodextrin-based macromonomer

Based on a combination of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), which could respond to an external temperature, and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), which could form a molecular inclusion complex, a novel hydrogel, having both thermal and pH sensitivities and containing β-CD and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPA) segments, was synthesized. For the incorporation of β-CD into the polymer network, a macromonomer was prepared first by the reaction of a β-CD-based polymer with maleic anhydride in dimethylformamide and then by copolymerization with NIPA in an aqueous solution. Elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and swelling measurements were employed for the characterization of the hydrogel chain structure and its physical properties. With methyl orange as a model compound in inclusion tests, it was found that the hydrogel not only possessed a remarkable supramolecular inclusion ability (with respect to that of the small molecule cyclodextrin) but also could sensitively respond to various external stimuli, including the temperature, pH, and ionic strength. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 361–367, 2003
Development and comparison of models for light-pulse transport through scattering–absorbing media

We examine the transport of short light pulses through scattering–absorbing media through different approximate mathematical models. It is demonstrated that the predicted optical signal characteristics are significantly influenced by the various models considered, such as PN expansion, two-flux, and discrete ordinates. The effective propagation speed of the scattered radiation, the predicted magnitudes of the transmitted and backscattered fluxes, and the temporal shape and spread of the optical signals are functions of the models used to represent the intensity distributions. A computationally intensive direct numerical integration scheme that does not utilize approximations is also implemented for comparison. Results of some of the models asymptotically approach those of direct numerical simulation if the order of approximation is increased. In this study therefore we identify the importance of model selection in analyzing short-pulse laser applications such as optical tomography and remote sensing and highlight the parameters, such as wave speed, that must be examined before a model is adopted for analysis.
Understanding and Reducing the Impact of Defensiveness on Management Learning Some Lessons From Neuroscience

The neurosciences have expanded our understanding of the role of the “old” brain in generating defensive reactions to threat. Because the learning and practice of management skills pose various forms of threat to would-be practitioners, the question of how individuals respond to threat and how this affects their ability to learn has also been a persistent concern of management scholars. I present a model of management learning defensiveness and defensiveness-management strategies that integrates traditional management perspectives with recent neuroscientific and psychological research. Because neuroscience makes clear that defensive reactions are all but inevitable upon the experience of threat, the model and discussion distinguish between antecedent and post-threat strategies for managing defensiveness in management development and education. Implications for educators focus on the benefits of enhancing learners’ understanding and self-awareness of the neurological bases of defensive reactions in learnin...
The Effects of Mentor-Supported Technology Professional Development on Middle School Mathematics Teachers' Attitudes and Practice

This study investigated the influence of a mentor-supported model of technology training on mathematics teachers’ attitudes and use of technology in the classroom. The treatment included six training sessions, informal focus groups, and mentor-provided support. The results indicated that mathematics teachers participating in mentor-supported professional development increased the amount and level of technology use in their practice. Teachers had a desire to learn about techno logy and understood it was important. Levels of accommodation, interest, comfort and confidence related to the use of technology improved. Teachers continued to be concerned with barriers such as lack of release time for training, planning and collaboratio n, and a need for ongoing support. It was also found that when teachers perceived there was not enough time for training or a lack of technological resources they did not make an effort to become technologically proficient. Recommendations include providing teachers additional support when implementing new strategies and allowing more release time for training, planning, and collaboration. Recommendations for future research include investigating further the effectiveness of peer teachers and mentor teachers as trainers; ways to best change teachers’ perceptions and attitudes about technology; and ways teachers best learn to integrate technology into practice.
V.—The Ore-bearing Pegmatites of Carrock Fell, and the Genetic Significance of Tungsten-ores

The wolfram veins in the Grainsgill greisen, near Carrock Fell, are an example of ore-bearing pegmatites, a vein-type uncommon in the British Isles, and one, moreover, the study of which is of much interest in its relation to ore-genesis. The veins have long been known, and intermittently exploited for tungsten-ore, but their economic prospects are not bright. Of previous workers, Mr. Alfred Harker has described the greisen which carries the veins, while the various mineral occurrences have been recorded by Mr. J. G. Goodchild and others.
Mobilization toward What Must Be: A Call to Action on Behalf of Refugee Children

Much has been written about the plight of refugee children and families. The authors of these articles generally make a case for greater involvement by the international community on behalf of refugee children. All too often, these eloquent and moving calls to action fall on deaf ears. In particular, this author argues that academics in the field of child development, who tend to be socialized to define and debate issues rather than act on them, are often slow to act on issues of concern. In this colloquium, the author provides several examples of ways that professionals in early childhood can help to promote the healthy development of refugee children, and she advocates for all of us to take on this responsibility, as it is consistent with our professional, personal, and moral obligation to promote the developmental well-being of all young children.
Detecting Patch Submission and Acceptance in OSS Projects

The success of open source software (OSS) is completely dependent on the work of volunteers who contribute their time and talents. The submission of patches is the major way that participants outside of the core group of developers make contributions. We argue that the process of patch submission and acceptance into the codebase is an important piece of the open source puzzle and that the use of patch-related data can be helpful in understanding how OSS projects work. We present our methods in identifying the submission and acceptance of patches and give results and evaluation in applying these methods to the Apache webserver, Python interpreter, Postgres SQL database, and (with limitations) MySQL database projects. In addition, we present valuable ways in which this data has been and can be used.
βX in Categorical Perspective

Extensions of topological structures abound. In Chapter 1 we investigated the extensions βX and υX. Metric and uniform completions are also well known constructions, which, although not strictly topological, are similar. All satisfy a factorization property similar to the requirement that a mapping f of X to a compact space K extend to βX:
Varicella in Pediatric Orthotopic Liver Transplant Recipients

From May 1981 to May 1984, 90 pediatric patients underwent liver transplantation and 65 patients survived as of May 1986. Two of the nonsurvivors died with complications related to clinical varicella. Of these 67 patients (65 survivors and two nonsurvivors who died of varicella-related causes), 51 patients were determined to be varicella susceptible. Clinical disease developed in no patients with serologic evidence or clinical history of varicella prior to transplantation. Eighteen susceptible patients were exposed and received zoster immune globulin and varicella did not develop. Clinical disease developed in eight patients despite zoster immune globulin, although one patient received it 96 hours after exposure. Six patients received no zoster immune globulin and clinical varicella developed. In all, varicella developed in 14 patients. Thirteen were admitted to the hospital and treated with intravenous acyclovir. Of those treated, two died of causes related to complications of varicella. The remaining patients treated with acyclovir had mild disease. The one patient not treated with acyclovir also had mild disease. We conclude that patients contracting varicella after liver transplantation while receiving maintenance immunosuppressive agents should be treated with intravenous acyclovir. Generally, when treated with acyclovir while receiving maintenance immunosuppressive drugs, these patients have mild clinical disease. Patients recently treated with high-dose prednisone and cyclosporine may have severe clinical disease resulting in death.
Monetary Policy in Vietnam: Evidence from a Structural VAR

This paper characterizes the monetary policy rules used by the State Bank of Vietnam in the post-1992 period. Rather than following a Taylor-type interest-rate rule, the SBV appears to have followed a McCallum rule, adjusting monetary growth in response to the price level, the exchange rate, and the difference between the world price of gold and the price of gold in Vietnam at the official exchange rate. When this policy-rule is incorporated into a structural vector-autoregression (SVAR), shocks to the gold-price gap are also found to be valuable for explaining changes in the domestic price level and exchange rate. Thus, given Vietnam's unique institutional, cultural and historical circumstances, the gold price gap has been a valuable indicator for the successful implementation of monetary and exchange rate policies.
Abstract W MP86: Microrna-146a Modulates Neurogenesis And Oligodendrogenesis After Stroke

Background: Neurogenesis and oligodendrogenesis are associated with functional recovery after stroke. However, the molecules that regulate the generation of new neurons and oligodendrocytes have not been fully investigated. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression. MiR-146a has been reported to regulate the immune response in cells, but the role of miR-146a in neural (NPCs) and oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) remains unexplored. Methods and Results: Adult Wistar rats were subjected to right middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo). In situ hybridization using locked nucleic acid (LNA)probes against miR-146a showed that stroke considerably increased miR-146a density in the subventricular zone (SVZ, 19 ± 1 vs 6 ± 0.1 area/mm2 in non-MCAo group, p<0.05, n=4/group) and corpus callosum (24 ± 3 vs 8±1 area/mm2 in non-MCAo group) of the ischemic hemisphere. Quantitative RT-PCR also demonstrated a marked upregulation of miR-146a transcript in ischemic NPCs (8.5 fold), suggesting an important role in stroke-induced neurogenesis and oligodendrogenesis. To test its biological function, we over-expressed miR-146a in neural progenitor cells by transfection of miR-146a mimics using nucleofector and found that elevation of miR-146a significantly increased the percentage of Tuj1+ neuroblasts (5 ± 0.3 vs 1 ± 0.2%, p<0.05, n=6/group) and O4+ OPCs (10 ± 1 vs 4 ± 0.4%, p<0.05). Moreover, over-expression of miR-146a in primary cultured OPCs significantly increased several myelin proteins including MBP and PLP, and decreased levels of OPC marker proteins including PDGFRα and NG2, whereas attenuation of miR-146a by siRNA against miR-146a suppressed myelin proteins and augmented OPC marker proteins. Furthermore, miR-146a levels in the OPCs were inversely related to IRAK1 proteins, one of miR-146a target genes. Attenuation of IRAK1 in OPCs substantially increased myelin proteins, indicating that miR-146a mediates oligodendrocyte maturation via targeting IRAK1. Conclusion: Our data provide new insight into molecular mechanisms underlying stroke-induced neurogenesis and oligodendrogenesis by revealing a novel role of miR-146a in NPCs and OPCs, which has potential to be used as a new therapy for neurorecovery after stroke.
After Comcast's Violation: Evaluating Network Neutrality Legislation in Light of the FCC's Recent Censure of Comcast

This paper is a public policy analysis of Internet network neutrality legislation likely to be considered in the 111th Congress. I argue that the debate over network neutrality paradigmatically shifted when the FCC censured broadband provider Comcast for violating network neutrality principles by delaying file transfers of consumers using BitTorrent, a specific file-sharing application. The FCC's authoritative decision essentially ruled out the possibility that the Internet might come to resemble an ideal-type non-neutral network, meaning network neutrality legislation would only functionally serve to prohibit broadband providers from charging prioritization fees for the premium delivery of content to consumers. The problem that policy makers need to address is how to ensure the Internet continues to act as an economic engine that fuels economic growth and creates jobs in the U.S. To that end, what effects would the prohibition of prioritization fees have on the Internet as a commercial platform? I use three criteria, the ability of broadband providers and backbone Internet companies to manage Internet congestion, the facilitation of innovation at the core and on the periphery of the network, and the equitable distribution of broadband deployment to evaluate network neutrality legislation as a solution to the problem in comparison with the current unregulated market.
Selectivity in Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization of Z-Cyclooctenes Catalyzed by a Second-generation Grubbs Catalyst

Mechanistic details of the ring-opening metathesis polymerization of 3-substituted-Z-cyclooctenes (3RCOEs) catalyzed by the second-generation Grubbs’ catalyst were systematically studied at the M06-2X/SDD|6-311+G(2df,p)//M06-L/SDD|6-31G(d) level of theory to elucidate factors contributing to observed regioselectivities. All possible conformational isomers for Z-cyclooctene (4 total) and 3-methyl-Z-cyclooctene (16 total) were taken into account. The potential energy surfaces for both the initiation and the propagation steps were calculated including all stereochemically distinct approaches of the cycloalkene to the active catalyst. In contrast to the situation with smaller cycloalkenes, the rate-limiting step for the polymerization of Z-cyclooctenes was determined to be the breakdown of the metallacyclobutane intermediate. This change is attributed to increased repulsive interactions between the growing polymer chain and the mesityl groups of the N-heterocyclic carbene ligand when the effective cone angle ...
Ion-chromatographic determination of fluorine in texas lignite

Samples of approximately 1.0 g were taken from three Texas lignite cores and mineralized in oxygen bombs. The residue was dissolved in distilled water to a total volume of 50 ml. The resulting solutions were analyzed for fluoride by ion chromatography and with a fluoride-sensitive electrode. The results obtained with these two methods were in good agreement. The pH of solutions prepared from mineralized lignite samples must be adjusted to fall into the range 4 to 12 before fluoride is determined by ion chromatography. The calibration curve is linear to 10 mg/l F− (in solution). Twenty μg/l of F− (in solution) corresponding to 1 mg/kg of dry lignite can still be determined. Ion chromatography has higher sensitivity for fluoride than fluoride-sensitive electrodes and provides at the same time information about other anionic species. The fluorine concentrations in the three cores varied from 10 to 140 mg/kg (dry lignite). Layers of clay interspersed between the lignite seams had higher fluorine concentrations than the lignite.
The Elastic Strain Energy of Coherent Ellipsoidal Precipitates in Anisotropic Crystalline Solids: Applications to the Aragonite-Calcite Transformation

Eshelby’s theory has been applied to the aragonite–calcite transformation in order to calculate the elastic strain energy of coherent ellipsoidal precipitates in anisotropic solids. Using a quasiNewton 's method and a finite–difference gradient, the elastic strain energy was incorporated in order to calculate the activation energy ΔG* for homogeneous nucleation under hydrostatic and non-hydrostatic conditions.
Analysis of postoperative seizure recurrence after 65 temporal lobe partial resections

Sixty-five patients (aged between 3 years 5 months and 60 years) suffering from medically resistant temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) were operated on over a period of 33 months in Bethel Epilepsy Center. Thirty-three patients had mesial TLE and 32 patients had TLE of different etiology. The postoperative follow-up lasted 2 years in 30 patients and was on average 13.2 months or at least 8 months in the 35 patients who did not have their last examination 2 years after surgery. Many of the patients (70.9%) were seizure-free; 92.3% achieved a rewarding improvement in seizure frequency and quality of life. Reduction of medication was the cause for relapse in 10 patients, in 6 patients incomplete resection, and in 5 patients the prognosis was not good even before surgery. The cause remained unclear in 4 patients. Freedom from seizures was achieved again by renewed medication or by repeated operation in 10 of 25 patients.
Triage of Intermediate-Care Patients in Pediatric Hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Hospitalized children have a wide range of acuity and risk of decompensation. The objective of this study was to determine where pediatric patients are triaged when they present to pediatric hospitals needing intense monitoring and nursing care, but do not require invasive monitoring or technology. METHODS: We completed a telephone survey of pediatric hospitals in the United States with at least 2 non-neonatal pediatric wards and at least 50 acute inpatient beds. The survey consisted of a brief scripted portrayal of 6 hypothetical patients who may be admitted to a hospital9s general floor, ICU, or an intermediate care unit (IMCU). The scenarios included severe asthma, bronchiolitis, croup, diabetic ketoacidosis, and patients dependent on home ventilation via noninvasive interface or tracheostomy. The hospital bed coordinator or emergency department charge nurse was asked where each hypothetical patient would be admitted in their hospital. RESULTS: A total192 hospitals met inclusion criteria and 164 hospitals (85%) responded. For all of the scenarios, most of the institutions triaged them to the PICU. Twenty-eight (17%) of the responding institutions triaged at least 1 of the patient scenarios to an IMCU. The presence of an IMCU decreased triage to the ICU for all scenarios when comparing hospitals with and without an IMCU (P CONCLUSIONS: Inpatient triage practices among pediatric hospitals vary widely for patients who require intense nursing or frequent monitoring due to specific acute illnesses or respiratory technologies. Institutions that have an IMCU available are less likely to send these patients to the ICU.
Adult hearing loss.

SUMMARY Identification and evaluation of adult hearing loss is an important task for primary care physicians. Recent studies reporting the reliability and validity of simple testing instruments reinforce this conclusion. Although most cases will be secondary to noise exposure or age-related and benefit from amplification, a diligent search for more unusual causes, some of which have specific curative therapy, is always needed. The initial prescription and fitting of hearing aids is the realm of the audiologist. The primary care physician can enhance the treatment program by providing global evaluation, educating the patient as to likely therapy and realistic expectations of results, and providing long-term follow-up and functional assessment of hearing aid use. The burden of hearing loss is particularly heavy in the nursing home population. In this arena, the physician can ease the burden by being attentive to the possibility of hearing loss causing unexpected behavior, searching for, and when possible, treating reversible causes, and using assistive devices and behavioral techniques to enhance communication when the hearing impairment cannot be corrected.
The Liberal State Reconceived: Advocacy and Jurisprudence in the Service of Equality

Thus far I have argued that the liberal state ought to depart from its neutral stance in order to uphold its core commitment of treating its citizens with equal concern and respect, and that the liberal state can be relied upon to remedy its own failures to protect this core commitment. I will now discuss how this may be achieved in practice by examining, in this chapter, academic literature on activist states, and in the next chapter, how Canada and the European Union effectively model this activist, non-neutral, liberal state through their hate speech and obscenity jurisprudence.
The Transfer Problem in Small Open Economies: Exchange Rate and Fiscal Policies for Debt Service

Since the onset of the debt crisis in 1982, the requirement of prompt debt service has overwhelmed many other traditional objectives of government policy in highly-indebted countries. The virtual halt in commercial bank lending has reversed the sign of net resource inflows to these countries, necessitating the transfer abroad of several percentage points of GDP annually. A reverse transfer of such magnitude has required a retrenchment in domestic expenditures and sharp changes in relative prices, which have proved particularly costly in terms of capital formation and (it would appear) income distribution(1).