cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Perspectives on Intrafamily Violence

This research involves a self-report study of youths who were victims, perpetrators, or observers of violence within the family. The sample includes students attending a senior high school, youths referred to a juvenile court but not incarcerated, and youths residing in juvenile institutions. Each young person completed a questionnaire which included demographic data, family functioning information, school data, and questions on the frequency of specific violent occurrences in the family setting during the past year. The research focuses on self-reported violent behavior these youths directed toward significant others and on violent behavior of adults toward those youths and other children in the family. The relationship between levels of family functioning and intrafamily violence was explored. Such occurrences as spouse-to-spouse violence, sibling-to-sibling violence, and child abuse were examined in terms of their relationship to the amount and direction of youth violence. The characteristics of famili...
Netanyahu's real peace

The defeat of Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres and his Labor Party in the Israeli elections in June 1996 and the ascendancy of Benjamin Netanyahu to power sent shock waves throughout the Middle East, the U.S. and Western Europe. The consensus was that the “peace process” has been dealt a severe, if not fatal, blow. After all, the diplomatic developments of the past three years have been viewed as a historical milestone in the Arab‐Israeli conflict, and as the payoff for more than a quarter century of U.S. diplomacy. But Netanyahu's Likud Bloc, the rightist party that gave U.S. diplomacy one of its first major Middle East successes (on the Egyptian—Israeli track in 1978), was assumed to be the spoilers on the Palestinian and Syrian tracks. Its opposition to the Oslo Accords was a matter of public record, hence the consternation.
Surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation: the efficacy of a novel bipolar pen device in the cardioplegically arrested and beating heart.

Objective The introduction of ablation technology has simplified surgical intervention for atrial fibrillation. However, most ablation devices cannot create focal transmural lesions on the beating heart and have difficulty ablating specific regions of the atria, such as the atrioventricular isthmus, coronary sinus, and ganglionated plexus. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of a pen-type bipolar radiofrequency ablation device on both arrested and beating hearts. Methods Endocardial and epicardial atrial tissues in the free wall, left atrial roof, atrioventricular annuli, and coronary sinus were ablated for varying time intervals (2.5–15 seconds) in porcine cardioplegically arrested (n = 6) and beating (n = 9) hearts. The hearts were stained with 1% 2,3,5-triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride solution and sectioned to determine lesion depth and width. In 5 animals epicardial fat pads containing ganglionated plexus were stimulated and ablated. Results Lesion depth increased with ablation time similarly in both arrested and beating hearts. Transmurality was fully achieved in the thin atrial tissue ( Conclusion The bipolar pen effectively ablated atrial tissue in both arrested and beating hearts. This device might allow the surgeon to ablate tissue in regions not accessible to other devices during atrial fibrillation surgery.
The Fundamentals of Nanostructured Materials Processed by Severe Plastic Deformation

Nanostructured materials produced by severe plastic deformation (SPD) are 100% dense, contamination-free, and sufficiently large for use in real commercial structural applications. These materials are found to have high strength, good ductility, superior superplasticity, a low friction coefficient, high wear resistance, enhanced high-cycle fatigue life, and good corrosion resistance. This article reviews the structures and properties of nanostructured materials produced by SPD and reports recent progress in determining the deformation mechanisms that lead to these superior mechanical properties.
Behavioral “properties” of drugs

False conclusions about scientific studies can arise from faulty design or conduct of a study. False conclusions can also arise from the misapplication of terms to the results of a study. Thus, scientists should pay close attention to their verbal behavior. In this letter we argue that scientists have been incorrectly using the term "p rope r ty" to refer to the demonstration of behavioral effects of drugs. Drugs are typically referred to as possessing "reinforcing property(ies)" and "discriminative (stimulus) property(ies)". For example, in the last 2 years of Psychopharmacology 75% (21/28) of the articles in these areas used some derivation of the term property. The definitions given by the Oxford Old English Dictionary (Murray 1933, pp 1471-1472) for the term property indicate the term refers to an inherent, immutable attribute that is owned by a thing. Scientific data do not support the position that behavioral effects and discrimination are inherent attributes owned by drugs. In fact, perhaps the most important finding in the field of behavioral pharmacology is that the behavioral effects o f drugs are malleable and depend on several factors (Thompson and Dews 1977-1984). For example, studies have shown that with concurrent schedules, the same dose of a drug can simultaneously serve as a reinforcer and as an aversive stimulus (Spealman 1979). Studies have also shown that non-pharmacologic factors such as training can influence discriminative effects of drugs (Overton 1984). It is difficult to believe that a behavioral effect of a drug is an intrinsic property of a drug when that effect appears or disappears across conditions. We believe the inappropriate use of the term properties arises principally from two sources. First, scientists endeavor to discover order out of seeming disorder. Accordingly, behavioral scientists have developed classifications o f drugs based on their behavioral effects. With these classifications, the term property came into use to describe the effects that certain drugs had in common (e.g., antidepressants). However, unlike molecular structure in chemical classifications or leaf structure in botanical classifications, behavioral functions are not immutable characteristics. Second, recent advances in the study of neurotransmitters and CNS receptors have increased the belief in a one-to-one relationship
An extension of the technology acceptance model in an ERP implementation environment

This paper presents an extension to the technology acceptance model (TAM) and empirically examines it in an enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation environment. The study evaluated the impact of one belief construct (shared beliefs in the benefits of a technology) and two widely recognized technology implementation success factors (training and communication) on the perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use during technology implementation. Shared beliefs refer to the beliefs that organizational participants share with their peers and superiors on the benefits of the ERP system.Using data gathered from the implementation of an ERP system, we showed that both training and project communication influence the shared beliefs that users form about the benefits of the technology and that the shared beliefs influence the perceived usefulness and ease of use of the technology. Thus, we provided empirical and theoretical support for the use of managerial interventions, such as training and communication, to influence the acceptance of technology, since perceived usefulness and ease of use contribute to behavioral intention to use the technology.
Interpreting a 3D object from a rough 2D line drawing

Visualizing the third dimension while designing three-dimensional (3-D) objects is an awkward process in mechanical computer-aided-design (CAD) systems, given the current state of the art. The authors describe a computer system that automatically constructs the shape of a 3-D object from a single 2-D sketch. The method makes it convenient to create and manipulate 3-D objects, and is thus seen as an intelligent user interface for CAD and 3-D graphics applications. The proposed technique is built on well-known results in image analysis. These results are applied in conjunction with some perceptual rules to determine 3-D structure from a rough line drawing. The principles are illustrated by a computer implementation that works in a nontrivial object domain. >
When density matters: Environmental control as a determinant of crowding effects in laboratory and residential settings

We have argued that the influence of high levels of density on human health and behavior may be determined more by the individual's beliefs about hislher relationship to the environment than by the environment itself.An important implication of this analysis is that the behavior and health of those experiencing high density conditions can be altered (improved?) not only by changing their environment, but also by changing their attitudes toward their environment. Thus both interventions that actually provide people with the opportunity to terminate, periodically escape, or modify unwanted stimulation and those that otherwise provide them with the belief that such changes are within their power should similarly ameliorate the negative impact of high density.
Lumbar Spine Intervertebral Disc Gene Delivery: A Pilot Study in Lewis Rats

Background Basic research toward understanding and treating disc pathology in the spine has utilized numerous animal models, with delivery of small molecules, purified factors, and genes of interest. To date, gene delivery to the rat lumbar spine has only been described utilizing genetically programmed cells in a matrix which has required partial disc excision, and expected limitation of treatment diffusion into the disc.
Indolepyruvic Acid in Maize

THE several reports of the presence of indole acetaldehyde in plants (reviewed by Larsen1), coupled with the recent isolation of indoleacetonitrile from cabbage2, suggest that numerous indole derivatives related to indole-acetic acid may be of natural occurrence. The importance of such substances as precursors or breakdown products of the natural auxin needs no elaboration. It was therefore thought worth while to make an extensive investigation of the indole derivatives occurring in plant materials.
Artificial intelligence for engineering design

Al systems are likely to have a significant impact on the automation of engineering design. Among the potential benefits of the use of Al techniques is the packaging of human expertise into expert system software.
A symptomatic testicular cyst in a patient with von hippel-lindau disease

Von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL) is an autosomal-dominant condition that often involves cystic changes within many organs, including the epididymis. However, no previous report of a patient with VHL and a benign intratesticular cyst has been published. We report on a 28-year-old man with otherwise stable VHL who presented with a symptomatic 3-cm intratesticular benign cyst. The cyst was successfully treated by partial orchiectomy.
Reciprocal exchange in rural communities: Consumers' inducements to inshop

Although consumer–retailer exchange behavior has been studied for many years, its treatment has not accounted for factors relating to reciprocal exchange intentions. This article defines reciprocity as the degree to which individuals expect cooperative action, and places reciprocity within the overall framework of consumer–retailer market exchange. In addition, it presents results of an exploratory study of rural consumers' reciprocal intentions to shop with local retailers, indicating that levels of satisfaction with interpersonal reciprocity have greater influence than moral, social, or economic motives. This study also suggests that social desirability, as a bias, is strongly linked to rural consumers' responses. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Inactivation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in pineapple, grape and cranberry juices under pulsed and continuous thermo-sonication treatments

Abstract Pineapple, grape and cranberry juice were thermo-sonicated (24 kHz, 400 W, 120 μm) at 40 °C, 50 °C and 60 °C during 10 min at continuous and pulsed mode. Inactivation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was tested from 0 to 10 min; color and pH were measured. Survivor’s curves were fitted with Weibull distribution, four parameter model and modified Gompertz equation. The acoustic energy (AE) was also calculated. S. cerevisiae was inactivated in the treatments at 60 °C, with the continuous mode being more effective. Grape juice showed total inactivation (7-log) after 10 min. Results showed that pH and color changed significantly ( p
Energy curves of CO−2

Ab initio energy curves of the A super 2 sub 1 and B super 2 sub 1 states of CO2(-) have been obtained as a function of the bending angle. An analysis shows that gaseous CO2(-) in its ground vibrational level can have a relatively long life since the ion energy in the neighborhood of the ion equilibrium geometry is about 1 eV below the neutral molecule energy for that geometry.
Data analytics workloads: Characterization and similarity analysis

Performance of modern day computer systems greatly depends on the wide range of workloads, which run on the systems. Thus, a representative set of workloads, representing the different classes of real-world applications, need to be used by computer designers and researchers for processor design-space evaluation studies. While a number of different benchmark suites are available, a few common benchmark suites like the SPEC CPU2006 benchmarks are widely used by researchers either due to ease of setup, or simulation time constraints etc. However, as the popular benchmarks such as SPEC CPU2006 benchmarks do not capture the characteristics of the wide variety of emerging real-world applications, using them as the basis for performance evaluation may lead to either suboptimal designs or misleading results. In this paper, we characterize the behavior of the data analytics workloads, an important class of emerging applications, and perform a systematic similarity analysis with the popular SPEC CPU2006 & SPECjbb2013 benchmarks suites. To characterize the workloads, we use hardware performance counter based measurements and a variety of extracted micro-architecture independent workload characteristics. Then, we use statistical data analysis techniques, namely principal component analysis and clustering techniques, to analyze the similarity/dissimilarity among these different classes of applications. In this paper, we demonstrate the inherent differences between the characteristics of the different classes of applications and how to arrive at meaningful subsets of benchmarks, which will help in faster and more accurate targeted early hardware system performance evaluation.
Solar sneeze reflex.

To the Editor.— Sneezing upon entering sunlight is a common though poorly characterized phenomenon that has received only brief mention in the medical literature and has not been studied in an allergy clinic population. We have prospectively studied 15 subjects who exhibit a "solar sneeze reflex" and have followed up these patients during treatment of their underlying rhinitis. Study.— Of 138 patients treated for rhinitis during a nine-month period, ten women and five men, who ranged in age from 24 to 61 years, described a tendency to sneeze one to 20 times in sunlight. Six had allergic (IgE-mediated) rhinitis, five has vasomotor rhinitis, and four had aspects of each; seven also had asthma. All were treated with daily antihistamines and decongestants, intranasal or oral corticosteroids, and avoidance of allergens and irritants when relevant; one patient continued immunotherapy that had been started eight months earlier. After improvement (rated significant in ten
Localization and action of the respiratory centre of the Cuban burrowing cockroach

Abstract The adult Cuban burrowing cockroach breathes periodically when quiescent. Decapitation produces continuous breathing. The decapitated animal breathes periodically after ablation of the terminal abdominal ganglion. The decapitated roach does not hyperventilate in concentrations of CO 2 sufficient to cause this action in the intact roach. Removal of the terminal abdominal ganglion restores the original CO 2 sensitivity to the decapitated roach. The isolated first abdominal ganglion releases periodic bursts of nerve impulses with a pattern similar to that of the ventilatory movements of the intact roach. This ganglion also responds to increasing concentrations of CO 2 by corresponding increases in frequency of impulse bursts. The first abdominal ganglion is cited as the ventilatory pacemaker or respiratory centre. Three types of action potentials indicate the occurrence of at least three kinds of nerve fibres in the lateral nerves of the abdominal nervous system. These nerves have conduction velocities of 2 m/sec.
Honest signalling with costly gambles

Costly signalling theory is commonly invoked as an explanation for how honest communication can be stable when interests conflict. However, the signal costs predicted by costly signalling models often turn out to be unrealistically high. These models generally assume that signal cost is determinate. Here, we consider the case where signal cost is instead stochastic. We examine both discrete and continuous signalling games and show that, under reasonable assumptions, stochasticity in signal costs can decrease the average cost at equilibrium for all individuals. This effect of stochasticity for decreasing signal costs is a fundamental mechanism that probably acts in a wide variety of circumstances.
The Biology and Taxonomy of the Nearctic Species of Osmoderma (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae)

The genus Osmoderma , as represented in North America, was heretofore recognized by some entomologists to be composed of several species and subspecies, whereas this study limits it to only two species. Members of this genus occur in the southern part of most of the Canadian provinces adjoining the United States and throughout the United States east of the Rocky Mountains except for the southernmost States. The large, clumsy adults, which are nocturnal and good fliers, are often taken at electric lights, in bait traps, or afield in or near wooded areas on dull days. Harris (7,[1][1] p. 42) writes that the adults “conceal themselves during the day in the crevices and hollows of trees, where they feed upon the sap that flows from the bark.” When captured the beetles emit a very strong but not unpleasant odor which many writers have compared to Russian leather. This odor suggested to French naturalists the name Osmoderma , that is, scented skin. [1]: #fn-1
Ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus lesions disrupt olfactory mate recognition and receptivity in female ferrets

Previous research showed that ferrets of both sexes rely on the perception of conspecifics' body odors to identify and motivate approach towards opposite-sex mating partners, and exposure to male body odors stimulated Fos expression in an olfactory projection circuit of female, but not male, ferrets that terminates in the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMH). We asked whether the female-typical preference of ferrets to approach male as opposed to female body odors in Y-maze tests would be disrupted by VMH lesions. Sexually experienced female ferrets were ovo-hysterectomized prior to receiving bilateral electrolytic lesions of the VMH, the preoptic area/anterior hypothalamus (POA/AH) or a sham operation. Subsequently, while receiving estradiol benzoate, females that received either complete or partial bilateral lesions of the VMH approached volatile odors from an anesthetized male on significantly fewer trials than females given POA/AH lesions or a sham operation. Both groups of ferrets with VMH lesion damage reliably discriminated between volatile anal scents as well as urinary odors from the 2 sexes in home cage habituation/dishabituation tests, suggesting that their odor-based sex discrimination remained intact. Females with complete bilateral VMH lesions showed significantly lower acceptance of neck gripping from a stimulus male (receptivity) and more aggression towards the male than all other groups of female subjects. Estrogen-sensitive neurons in the VMH appear to play a central role in female-typical neural processing of odor inputs leading to a preference to seek out a male sex partner, in addition to facilitating females' sexual receptivity.
Stress fields of the San Andreas and Queen Charlotte transform faults

Abstract Analytic solutions to the stress fields resulting from the San Andreas and Queen Charlotte transform faults may be found by applying conformal mappings to the generalized plane stress solution of stresses in a half-plane. The mean stress fields (one-half the trace of the stress tensor) found in this manner show a similarity to the deformation found in western Canada and the western United States. The results refute the hypothesis that Alaska acts as a continental buttress against deformation of the Canadian Cordillera. Moreover, these results imply that the differences in the tectonics of major transform boundaries are caused primarily by differences in lithospheric structure and differences in stress distribution along the plate boundaries.
Reproductive responses of quail to bunker C oil fractions

Bunker C fuel oil was extracted with petroleum ether and the concentrated extract was given to breeding Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). A dose of extract equivalent to 300 mg bunker C reduced both egg production and hatchability. Fractionation of the extract by absorption on Florisil® and elution with petroleum ether followed by chloroform yielded fractions that were tested for toxicity. All the fractions had a pronounced effect upon production; however, only the chloroform eluates were found to affect hatchability of the eggs.
Zinc as an anti-tumor agent in prostate cancer and in other cancers

Human prostate glandular epithelial cells have the unique capability of accumulating high levels of zinc. This is essential to inhibit m-aconitase activity so that citrate can accumulate for secretion into prostatic fluid, which is a major function of the prostate gland. As a result, the Krebs cycle is truncated with the consequence of the lost ATP production that would result from citrate oxidation. The cellular accumulation of zinc also inhibits mitochondrial terminal oxidation and respiration. In addition to these metabolic effects, zinc accumulation exhibits anti-proliferative effects via its induction of mitochondrial apoptogenesis. Zinc accumulation also inhibits the invasive/migration activities in malignant prostate cells. The anti-proliferative effects and the effects on invasion and migration occur through zinc activation of specific intracellular signaling pathways. Consequently, these effects impose anti-tumor actions by zinc. The ability of prostate cells to accumulate zinc is due to the expression and activity of the zinc uptake transporter, ZIP1. To avoid the anti-tumor effects of zinc, in prostate cancer the malignant prostate cells exhibit a silencing of ZIP1 gene expression accompanied by a depletion of cellular zinc. Therefore we regard ZIP1 as a tumor suppressor gene in prostate cancer. In addition to prostate cells, similar tumor suppressor effects of zinc have been identified in several other types of tumors.
Impact of trade freedom on per capita real GDP growth among OECD nations: recent panel data evidence

Motivated by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)’s call to nations to resist protectionism and keep markets open to competition in the midst of the current world economic crisis, this study empirically investigates the impact of trade freedom (TF) on recent per capita real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth among OECD nations. In addition to TF, the study controls for the impacts of Business Freedom (BF), Monetary Freedom (MF) and Property Rights (PR), along with various economic factors. The study period runs from 2005 to 2007. Panel Least-Squares (PLS) estimation finds that the natural log of per capita real Purchasing-Power-Parity (PPP)-adjusted GDP in OECD nations is in fact an increasing function of TF, as well as BF, MF and PR security. The OECD appears correct in its position on behalf of maintaining TF.
Base-Rate Expectancies and Perceptual Alterations in Hypnosis

Criticism is made of the hypothesis that hypnotic induction or the ‘hypnotic state’ is necessary to elicit many of the behaviours usually regarded as ‘hypnotic phenomena’. Support for this criticism is taken from recent research and reviews in the hypnosis literature. An experiment is reported which was a replication of an experiment in which hypnosis was utilized, where the production of visual hallucinatory behaviour was attributed to the effects of the ‘hypnotic state’. The replication experiment did not involve hypnosis, but demonstrated hallucinatory behaviour similar to that obtained in the original experiment. The similarity of the results of the two experiments is discussed in terms of: (1) Subject selection and base-rates, and (2) Differences in instructions and motivation given to control subjects and to hypnosis subjects.
Low level smoke emission measurements from a flame by photothermal deflection spectroscopy.

Smoke emission measurement by conventional filtering techniques is inaccurate for low levels of smoke (below ~2 mg/m3). Here photothermal deflection spectroscopy (PDS) is used to measure low levels of smoke emitted from a diffusion flame. In the PDS smoke instrument, an argon-ion laser heats the smoke sample and the deflection of a He–Ne laser probe beam is detected by a position sensor. The beam deflection is directly related to the smoke density. Using PDS, smoke emissions from an acetylene flame are detected at levels as low as 50 μg/m3 (5 × 10−6 cm−1 light absorption).
Surface-plasmon mediated photoluminescence from Ag-coated ZnO/MgO core–shell nanowires

Abstract Plasmon–exciton coupling mechanisms were studied in ZnO/MgO core–shell nanowires by comparing nanowires with and without a silver-nanoparticle coating. By varying the thickness of the MgO layer, it was possible to examine the distance-dependent plasmonic effects and elucidate the mechanisms responsible for enhancing the band-edge photoluminescence. The core–shell nanowires exhibited optical cavity effects as a function of MgO thickness that dramatically enhanced the band-edge photoluminescence yields in the ultraviolet. Decorating the core–shell nanowires with Ag nanoparticles resulted in a two-fold plasmonic enhancement of the band-edge emission compared to the resonant cavity effects alone. In this case, an additional differential enhancement of the band-edge emission is observed for the first higher-order mode compared to the lowest-order mode. The visible luminescence is not significantly enhanced and does not follow the trend of enhanced photoluminescence observed for the band-edge decay.
First-row transition metal complexes of sterically-hindered amidinates

Complexes of sterically-hindered amidinate ligands with first-row transition metals are described. The amidinate ligands feature bulky terphenyl substituents [2,6-(2,4,6-Me3Ph)2Ph or 2,6-(4-tBuPh)2Ph] attached to the backbone carbon atoms, providing bowl-shaped ligand environments. When employing divalent transition metal halides, bis-amidinate metal complexes are formed exclusively, whereas the use of Ni(acac)2 or CuCl allows access to mono-amidinate species. Additionally, the solid-state structure of one mono-amidinate [(LBut)Ni(acac)] and three bis-amidinate complexes [(LMe)2M; M = Mn, Co, Ni] are presented.
ETHNIC DIFFERENCES IN PATIENT-PROVIDER INTERACTIONS IN PRENATAL CARE

Prenatal care has been shown to be effective in improving the outcome of pregnancy among adolescents. However, little is known about the interactive process between the prenatal care provider and the adolescent, as well as how the process may be influenced by ethnicity. This study examined 191 patient-provider interactions among 110 pregnant adolescents (32 Anglo, 42 Mexican-American, 36 Mexican), ages 14-17 years, at their second and/or third trimester prenatal visit. Patient-provider encounters were audiotaped, and coded by a modified Roter Interaction Analysis including content and duration. Factor analysis was used to obtain summary measures, and non-parametric analyses were used for comparisons. It was found that the average total time of provider contact was 8.7 min. with the provider speaking 3.9 min. and the patient 1.4 min., with the only significant ethnic difference being in patient speaking time. Of these interactions, 43% addressed medical issues only, 32% included health education, and social issues were included in 25%. There were no ethnic differences in content. Analysis of the interaction process showed that Mexican adolescents received less provider conversation (P<.0001) and gave less patient conversation (P<.01) than Anglo or Mexican-Americans. Anglo adolescents had more interactive conversation than either Mexican-Americans or Mexicans (P<.0001). These findings support the hypothesis that the process of prenatal care is affected by the patient's ethnicity.
Photo-EPR study of light-sensitive impurity and defect centers in photorefractive BaTiO3.

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and photo-EPR measurements have been made on cobalt-doped ${\mathrm{BaTiO}}_{3}$ single crystals. Crystals illuminated at 25 K with light in the wavelength range 488--1010 nm showed an increase in concentration of the ${\mathrm{Co}}^{2+}$ centers relative to that observed at the same temperature in unilluminated crystals. Illumination with light of \ensuremath{\lambda}690 nm produced a holelike intrinsic center that is stable below 50 K and that is assigned to ${\mathrm{O}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$. Following exposure to continuous laser illumination, the photo-EPR response of ${\mathrm{BaTiO}}_{3}$:Co was measured at low temperatures with periodically chopped laser light. It was observed that the populations of the ${\mathrm{Co}}^{2+}$ and ${\mathrm{O}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ centers were modulated reversibly and in opposite ways. A qualitative discussion linking these observations to possible photoionization and recombination and trapping channels is presented. Also presented is a detailed analysis of the kinetic equations describing the time dependence of the photo-EPR response, which permits us to derive information on important optical interactions and photoinduced space-charge effects.
A literature review on trace metals and organic compounds of anthropogenic origin in the Wider Caribbean Region

About 30 studies from the published literature were reviewed to determine the pollution status regarding heavy metals and organic compounds of the Wider Caribbean Region (WCR). The literature revealed that most studies were performed in the South and Central American Caribbean Region with sparse reports on the small island states. Collectively, the most frequently analyzed heavy metals were Pb, Cu, Zn, Fe, Cd, Ni, Mn and Cr while DDT and its metabolites were the most frequently reported organic pollutants. The samples which were analyzed vary in terms of sampling schemes, parameters and analytical techniques, as well as differences in data reporting presentation (i.e. dry weight versus wet weight, sediment fraction analyzed, or % lipids). These differences make meaningful comparisons of the available data very difficult. Furthermore, there is limited data available for most of these contaminants from the majority of nations in the WCR. Therefore, any attempt to create a regional scale assessment from contaminants data available in the open literature is limited by the scarcity of available information.
Investigation motorcycle safety at exit ramp sections by analyzing historical crash data and rider's perception

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety performance of four exit ramp types and the major contributing factors on motorcycle crashes and injury severity of motorcycle riders. A six-year crash data were collected in Florida, and a web-based survey (234 samples) was conducted. 573 crashes were found at 419 exits, including 178 diamond exits, 71 directional exits, 85 loop exits and 85 outer connection exits. For a diamond exit, both the survey and crash data showed that this type was safer and more preferable by motorcycle riders; while a loop exit was the most dangerous exit due to the sharp curve and a certain length of curve with limited visibility. For a directional exit, longer ramp lengths and the reverse curvature are the major factors causing motorcycle crashes. For an outer connection exit, the riders rated it as a safe type; however, the data showed higher average crash frequency and rate than those at diamond exits or directional exits. The possible reason could be the unexpected curvature in the middle of the ramp, which could be dangerous if the rider is not familiar with the exit ramp location or doesn’t pay attention to the ramp curvatures. The crash predictive model was developed, and the result indicated that if all remained the same, a directional exit, a loop exit, or an outer connection exit will have 16%, 27%, and 42% more crashes than a diamond exit, respectively. The findings from this study can help policy-makers and engineers to develop and apply effective countermeasures to reduce motorcycle crashes and injury severity levels for different exit ramp types.
Frenetic: a network programming language

Modern networks provide a variety of interrelated services including routing, traffic monitoring, load balancing, and access control. Unfortunately, the languages used to program today's networks lack modern features - they are usually defined at the low level of abstraction supplied by the underlying hardware and they fail to provide even rudimentary support for modular programming. As a result, network programs tend to be complicated, error-prone, and difficult to maintain.This paper presents Frenetic, a high-level language for programming distributed collections of network switches. Frenetic provides a declarative query language for classifying and aggregating network traffic as well as a functional reactive combinator library for describing high-level packet-forwarding policies. Unlike prior work in this domain, these constructs are - by design - fully compositional, which facilitates modular reasoning and enables code reuse. This important property is enabled by Frenetic's novel run-time system which manages all of the details related to installing, uninstalling, and querying low-level packet-processing rules on physical switches.Overall, this paper makes three main contributions: (1) We analyze the state-of-the art in languages for programming networks and identify the key limitations; (2) We present a language design that addresses these limitations, using a series of examples to motivate and validate our choices; (3) We describe an implementation of the language and evaluate its performance on several benchmarks.
DECOMPOSITION OF DISSOLVED ORGANIC CARBON AND NITROGEN COMPOUNDS FROM LEAVES IN AN EXPERIMENTAL HARD‐WATER STREAM1

Addition of dry hickory and maple leaves, enclosed in nylon mesh, for 30 hr to a recirculating stream increased dissolved organic carbon (DOC) levels nearly 10-fold. Bacterial populations which developed rapidly decomposed labile organic carbon and nitrogen compounds in the leaf leachate within 72 hr. Bacteriologically labile and refractory dissolved organic carbon fractions, with T½ decomposition rates of 2 and 80 days, respectively, were present in the leachate. Most refractory dissolved organic nitrogen compounds persisted unmodified for at least 24 days. The processing capacity of woodland streams for natural dissolved organic compounds is much greater than previously believed.
Uninitialized, globally optimal, graph-based rectilinear shape segmentation - the opposing metrics method

We present a new approach for the incorporation of shape information into a segmentation algorithm. Unlike previous approaches to the problem, our method requires no initialization, is non-iterative and finds a steady-state (i.e., global optimum) solution. In the present work, we are specifically focused on the segmentation of rectilinear shapes. The key idea is to use the fact that certain shape classes optimize the ratio of specific metrics, which can be expressed as graph Laplacian matrices applied to indicator vectors. We show that a relaxation of the binary formulation of this problem allows a global solution via generalized eigenvectors. The approach is tested on both synthetic examples and natural images.
Cardioprotection by multiple preconditioning cycles does not require mitochondrial KATP channels in pigs

To test whether cardioprotection induced by ischemic preconditioning depends on the opening of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K+(KATP) channels, the effect of channel blockade was studied in barbital-...
Paradigmatic differences, power, and status: a qualitative investigation of faculty in one interdisciplinary research collaboration on sustainability science

Interdisciplinary research collaborations are fraught with challenges, including the need to overcome paradigmatic differences. The current study sought to understand how 25 faculty members involved in an interdisciplinary endeavor related to sustainability experienced these differences. Using Biglan’s classification and Becher and Trowler’s conceptualizations, the study found issues related to disciplinary status and hierarchy between the soft and hard scientists involved in the project.
Self‐assembly of daisy chain oligomers from heteroditopic molecules containing secondary ammonium ion and crown ether moieties

MALDI-TOF MS of the heteroditopic compound 2-(benzylammoniomethyl)dibenzo-24-crown-8 hexafluorophosphate (4) revealed oligomeric “daisy chain” species up to the hexamer. Similar results were obtained for 2-(6′-hydroxyhexylammoniomethyl)dibenzo-24-crown-8 hexafluorophosphate (8). The complexations of two substituted dibenzylammonium salts, 2,2′-dimethyldibenzylammonium hexaflurophosphate (9a) and 2,2′,5-trimethoxydibenzylammonium hexafluorophosphate (9b), with dibenzo-24-crown-8 were examined as models for slippage systems; association constants are reported for these systems. A crystal structure is reported for the new dimethylbenzylammonoium pseudorotaxane. The trimethoxy analog is shown to be capable of slippage formation of a rotaxane, albeit in low yield. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 975–985, 2010
Physical access to primary health care in Andean Bolivia

Abstract Limited physical access to primary health care is a major factor contributing to the poor health of populations in developing countries, particularly in mountain areas with rugged topography, harsh climates and extensive socioeconomic barriers. Assessing physical access to primary health care is an important exercise for health care planners and policy makers. The development of geographic information system (GIS) technology has greatly improved this assessment process in industrialized countries where digital cartographic data are widely available. In developing countries — particularly in mountain areas, however, detailed cartographic data, even in hardcopy form, are nonexistent, inaccurate or severely lacking. This paper uses GIS technology to assess physical access to primary health care in a remote and impoverished region of Andean Bolivia. In addition, it proposes an alternative model of health personnel distribution to maximize physical accessibility. Methods involved extensive fieldwork in the region, utilizing GPS (global positioning system) technology in the development of the GIS and gathering other pertinent health data for the study. Satellite imagery also contributed to the development of the GIS and in the modeling process. The results indicate significant variation in physical access to primary health care across the three study sites. More importantly, this paper highlights the use of GIS technology as a powerful tool in improving physical accessibility in mountain areas of developing countries.
Hybrid Upper Surface Blown Flap Propulsive-Lift Concept for the QSRLP

The hybrid upper surface blowing concept consists of wing-mounted turbofan engines with a major portion of the fan exhaust directed over the wing upper surface to provide high levels of propulsive lift, but with a portion of the fan airflow directed over selected portions of the airframe to provide boundary-layer control. NASAsponsored preliminary design studies identified the hybrid upper surface blowing concept as the best propulsive lift concept to be applied to the Quiet Short-Haul Research Aircraft (QSRA) that is planned as a flight facility to conduct flight research at low noise levels, high approach lift coefficients, and steep approaches. Data from NASA in-house and NASA-sponsored small-and large-scale wind-tunnel tests of various configurations using this concept are presented. Nomenclature b = wing span BLC = boundary-layer control CL = lift coefficient, L/qS Cia = 0 = h'ft coefficient at zero angle of attack CL^ ~ 2. ' = lift coefficient at an angle of attack of -2 ° CL^ax = maximum lift coefficient C/ = rolling-moment coefficient, rolling moment/qSb Cn = yawing-moment coefficient, yawing momQnt/qSb CT = thrust coefficient, gross thrust/qS C/z = blowing momentum coefficient, gross thrust from BLC nozzle/qS L -lift Pl£IP^ = pressure ratio, total pressure at engine nacelle exit/tunnel static pressure q = freestream dynamic pressure S = wing area V = velocity W/S = wing loading a = angle of attack 6/r = deflection angle of thejrailing-edge flap
“We are not strippers”: How Belly Dancers Manage a (Soft) Stigmatized Serious Leisure Activity

Most stigma research examines people who engage in deviant activities or possess visible and permanent discredited attributes, which lead to “hard” or severe consequences. Existing leisure studies focus on the benefits of leisure pursuits. Less attention is paid to the potential costs associated with serious leisure, such as “soft” stigma. The snubs and slight embarrassments resulting from soft stigma may jeopardize the rewards people receive from participating in leisure, such as a sense of identity, self-worth, and pride. Using interviews with seventy-four female belly dancers, most of whom belly dance as a form of “serious leisure,” this article examines how dancers manage perceptions that they are erotic dancers. Results show that dancers use an interesting set of stigma management techniques and new forms of some existing management strategies to simultaneously protect themselves and enhance the reputation of the group. Implications for how people negotiate soft stigma associated with serious leisure are discussed.
Slot Line on a Dielectric Substrate

Slot line consists of a narrow gap in a conductive coating on one side of a dielectric substrate, the other side of the substrate being bare. If the substrate's permittivity is sufficiently high, such as /spl epsiv//sub r/ = 10 to 30, the slot-mode wavelength will be much smaller than free-space wavelength, and the fields will be closely confined near the slot. Possible applications of slot line to filters, couplers, ferrite devices, and circuits containing semiconductor elements are discussed. Slot line can be used either alone or with microstrip line on the opposite side of the substrate. A "second-order" analysis yields formulas for slot-line wavelength, phase velocity, group velocity, characteristic impedance, and effect of adjacent electric and magnetic walls.
A Systems Approach to the Evaluation of Changes in Quality During Postharvest Handling of Southern Peas

A systems approach was used to identify the step(s) which result in the greatest loss of quality during postharvest handling of southern peas. A maturity index was used to separate effects of handling and maturity on quality loss. In-field holding of the peas during truck loading is the most critical step in postharvest quality of southern peas. Attempts to control quality during transit from field to processing plant will be ineffective if proper control does not start during loading. Immature peas are more susceptible to loss of green color while more mature peas accumulate more lactic acid during handling. Use of a systems approach has ready applicability to the study of handling of fresh and processed fruit and vegetable products.
PI3-kinase inhibitors abolish the enhanced chronotropic effects of angiotensin II in spontaneously hypertensive rat brain neurons.

Angiotensin II (Ang II), acting at Ang II type 1 receptors (AT1Rs), increases the firing rate of neurons from Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat brain via protein kinase C (PKC)- and calcium-calmodulin kinase ...
Nonlinear wake potential in a dusty plasma

The linear response of a dust grain to a flowing plasma has been well studied, both through analytic theory as well as by plasma simulation. The principal feature of the plasma response is a quasi-periodic wavetrain downstream of the grain, whose characteristics have been investigated as a function of the plasma conditions and grain properties. In linear theory, the magnitude of the wake potential scales as the grain charge Q. For large enough charge, one expects that nonlinear behavior will occur. Using one- and two-dimensional simulations with particle ions flowing past a fixed charged grain, we show that for sufficiently large Q, the wake potential becomes essentially independent of the grain charge. The potential is large enough to reflect some of the incident ions, which become trapped in the vicinity of the grain. Compared to our previous calculations, we also assume a larger value for the ion-neutral collision frequency, and show that the resulting wake is significantly shorter in length and steadier in time.
Making Healthy Behaviors the Easy Choice for Employees: A Review of the Literature on Environmental and Policy Changes in Worksite Health Promotion

As employers look for ways to reduce rising health care costs, worksite health promotion interventions are increasingly being used to improve employee health behaviors. An alternative approach to traditional worksite health promotion programs is the implementation of environmental and/or policy changes to encourage employees to adopt healthier behaviors. This review examines the evidence for the effectiveness of worksite health promotion programs using environmental and/or policy changes either alone or in combination with individually focused health behavior change strategies. A review of the relevant literature, published between 1995 and 2010, identified 27 studies that met all inclusion criteria. Limited evidence was found for the effectiveness of environmental and/or policy changes alone (n = 11) to change employee behavior, but more promising results were identified with multicomponent interventions (n = 16). There is a strong need for improvement in the design and evaluation of future health promotion programs focusing solely on environmental and/or policy changes at the worksite.
A framework of greedy methods for constructing interaction test suites

Greedy algorithms for the construction of software interaction test suites are studied. A framework is developed to evaluate a large class of greedy methods that build suites one test at a time. Within this framework are many instantiations of greedy methods generalizing those in the literature. Greedy algorithms are popular when the time for test suite construction is of paramount concern. We focus on the size of the test suite produced by each instantiation. Experiments are analyzed using statistical techniques to determine the importance of the implementation decisions within the framework. This framework provides a platform for optimizing the accuracy and speed of "one-test-at-a-time" greedy methods.